UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): October 28, 2014
Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 1-36710 | 46-5223743 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation) |
(Commission
File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
One Shell Plaza | ||
910 Louisiana Street | ||
Houston, Texas | 77002 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (713) 241-6161
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 ( see General Instruction A.2):
¨ | 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 3, 2014, Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. (the Partnership) completed its initial public offering (the Offering) of 46,000,000 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (Common Units), which included 6,000,000 Common Units pursuant to the underwriters option to purchase additional Common Units, at $23.00 per Common Unit pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-196850), initially filed by the Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), on June 18, 2014, and a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-199653) filed by the Partnership with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act on October 28, 2014. The material provisions of the Offering are described in the prospectus, dated October 29, 2014, filed with the Commission on October 29, 2014 pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (the Prospectus).
Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement
The description of the Contribution Agreement (as defined below) under Item 2.01 is incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference. A copy of the Contribution Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Omnibus Agreement
On November 3, 2014, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the Partnership entered into an Omnibus Agreement (the Omnibus Agreement) with its general partner, Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC (the General Partner), Shell Pipeline Company LP (SPLC), Shell Midstream Operating LLC (the Operating Company) and, solely for purposes of Articles 4 and 5 to the agreement, Shell Oil Company (Shell Oil Company), that addresses the following matters:
| the Partnerships payment of an annual administrative fee, initially in the amount of approximately $8.5 million, for the provision of certain services by SPLC or its affiliates; |
| the Partnerships obligation to reimburse SPLC for certain direct or allocated costs and expenses incurred by SPLC or its affiliates on the Partnerships behalf; |
| SPLCs obligation to indemnify the Partnership for certain environmental and other liabilities, and the Partnerships obligation to indemnify SPLC for certain environmental and other liabilities related to the Partnerships assets to the extent SPLC is not required to indemnify the Partnership; and |
| the granting of a license from Shell Oil Company to the Partnership with respect to use of certain Shell Oil Company trademarks and tradenames. |
So long as SPLC controls the Partnerships general partner, the Omnibus Agreement will remain in full force and effect. If SPLC ceases to control the Partnerships general partner, either party may terminate the Omnibus Agreement, provided that the indemnification obligations will remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.
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The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Omnibus Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Revolving Credit Agreement
On October 31, 2014, in connection with the Offering, the Partnership entered into a $300.0 million credit facility with Shell Treasury Centre (West) Inc. as lender, which is an affiliate of the Partnership. The credit facility will mature on the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the agreement.
Borrowings under the credit facility will be generally available for working capital purposes.
The Partnerships obligations under the credit facility rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
Borrowings under the credit facility will bear interest, which will be calculated based on the three months LIBOR as of the quotation day relating to the interest period. This facility also includes customary fees, including an issuance fee, commitment fees, utilization fees and other fees.
The credit agreement contains events of default customary for credit facilities of this nature, including, but not limited to, the failure to pay any principal, interest or fees when due, failure to satisfy any covenant, untrue representations or warranties, events of default under any other loan document under the new credit facility, default under any other material debt agreements, insolvency of the Partnership, involvement in certain insolvency proceedings, initiation of certain creditors processes, unlawfulness and invalidity of the credit agreement and the Partnerships repudiation of the agreement. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default under the credit agreement, the lenders may, among other things, accelerate and declare the outstanding loans to be immediately due and payable and exercise remedies against the Partnership as may be available to the lenders under the credit agreement and other loan documents.
The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
In connection with the Offering, the Partnership adopted the Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan (LTIP) for officers, directors and employees of the General Partner or its affiliates, and any consultants, affiliates of the General Partner or other individuals who perform services for the Partnership. The LTIP was approved by the General
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Partner on October 17, 2014 and by the sole limited partner of the Partnership on October 28, 2014. The LTIP consists of unit awards, restricted units, phantom units, unit options, unit appreciation rights, distribution equivalent rights, profits interest units and other unit-based awards. The LTIP limits the number of units that may be delivered pursuant to vested awards to 6,000,000 common units, subject to proportionate adjustment in the event of unit splits and similar events. The LTIP will be administered by the Conflicts Committee of the board of directors of the General Partner.
The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the LTIP, which is filed as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Voting Agreements
On November 3, 2014, in connection with the Offering, the Partnership entered into (i) a voting agreement with SPLC regarding the governance of Zydeco Pipeline Company LLC (Zydeco); (ii) a voting agreement with SPLC regarding the governance of Mars Oil Pipeline Company (Mars); and (iii) a voting agreement with SPLC regarding the governance of Bengal Pipeline Company LLC (Bengal) (each a Voting Agreement and collectively, the Voting Agreements).
Pursuant to the Voting Agreements, the Partnership will have voting power over the ownership interests retained by SPLC in Zydeco, Mars and Bengal following completion of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement. Pursuant to the Voting Agreements, SPLC will be prohibited from transferring its ownership interest in Zydeco, Mars and Bengal unless the transferee agrees to be bound by the applicable Voting Agreement.
The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Voting Agreements, which are filed as Exhibits 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement
On November 3, 2014, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the Partnership entered into a Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement (the Contribution Agreement) with the General Partner, the Operating Company, Shell Midstream LP Holdings LLC (LP HoldCo), Zydeco and SPLC. Immediately prior to the closing of the Offering, the following transactions, among others, occurred pursuant to the Contribution Agreement:
1. | SPLC transferred to the Partnership a 40.331% interest in Zydeco, a 28.6% interest in Mars, a 49.0% interest in Bengal and a 1.612% interest in Colonial (the Contributed Assets). |
2. | The Partnership transferred the Contributed Assets to the Operating Company. |
3. | Zydeco issued an additional 2.699% interest in Zydeco to the Operating Company (the Additional Zydeco Interest). |
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4. | The Partnership contributed $115,758,571 to the Operating Company. As consideration for the issuance of the Additional Zydeco Interest by Zydeco to the Operating Company, (i) the Operating Company paid Zydeco $115,758,571, and (ii) Zydeco made the cash payment to SPLC described in the next paragraph. |
5. | As consideration for the Contributed Assets, the Partnership paid the General Partner $16,401,471 and the Partnership paid LP Holdco $697,111,029. |
6. | As reimbursement for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Zydeco pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d), Zydeco paid SPLC $115,758,571. As reimbursement for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Zydeco pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d), the Partnership paid the General Partner $2,205,468. As reimbursement for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Zydeco pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d), the Partnership paid LP Holdco $76,035,961. |
7. | The Partnership issued to the General Partner (i) 2,754,084 General Partner Units, representing a continuation of the General Partners 2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership (after giving effect to any exercise of the Underwriters Option (as defined in the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of November 3, 2014 (the Partnership Agreement)) and the Deferred Issuance and Distribution (each as defined in the Partnership Agreement)), and (ii) the Incentive Distribution Rights in the Partnership (as defined in the Partnership Agreement). The Partnership issued to LP Holdco 21,475,068 Common Units and 67,475,068 Subordinated Units representing a recapitalized 64.60% limited partner interest in the Partnership. |
The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Contribution Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The description in Item 2.01 of the issuances by the Partnership of securities to the General Partner and LP Holdco on November 3, 2014 in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing transactions were undertaken in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The Partnership believes that exemptions other than the foregoing exemption may exist for these transactions.
Each of the Subordinated Units will convert into one Common Unit and then will participate pro rata with the other Common Units in distributions by the Partnership at the end of the subordination period. The subordination period will end on the first business day after the Partnership has earned and paid at least (i) $0.6500 (the minimum quarterly distribution on an
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annualized basis) on each outstanding Common Unit, Subordinated Unit and General Partner Unit, for each of three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods ending on or after December 31, 2017, or (ii) $0.9750 (150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on each outstanding Common Unit, Subordinated Unit and General Partner Unit, in addition to any distribution made in respect of the incentive distribution rights, for any four-quarter period ending on or after December 31, 2015. In addition, the subordination period will end upon the removal of the General Partner other than for cause if the Common Units and Subordinated Units held by the General Partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal. The description of the subordination period contained in the section of the Prospectus entitled Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash DistributionsSubordination Period is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Effective October 28, 2014, Michele F. Joy became the Vice President, Regulatory and Major Projects, of the General Partner. Ms. Joy will serve as the principal operating officer of the General Partner.
Officers or employees of Shell Oil Company or its affiliates who also serve as directors of the General Partner will not receive additional compensation for such service. The General Partner anticipates that its directors who are not also officers or employees of Shell Oil Company or its affiliates will receive compensation for service on the board of directors and its committees.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Changes in Fiscal Year.
First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.
On November 3, 2014, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the Partnership amended and restated its Partnership Agreement. The description of the Partnership Agreement contained in the section of the Prospectus entitled Our Partnership Agreement is incorporated herein by reference.
The foregoing description and the description contained in the Prospectus are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Partnership Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC
On November 3, 2014, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the General Partner amended and restated its Limited Liability Company Agreement (as amended, the LLC Agreement). The amendment to the LLC Agreement included, among other things, outlining the rights of the sole member and the management of the Partnerships business by the board of directors of the General Partner.
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The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the LLC Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Number |
Description |
|
3.1 | First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. dated November 3, 2014 | |
3.2 | First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC dated November 3, 2014 | |
10.1 | Contribution, Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated November 3, 2014 by and among Shell Pipeline Company LP, Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., Shell Midstream LP Holdings LLC, Shell Midstream Operating LLC, and Zydeco Pipeline Company LLC. | |
10.2 | Omnibus Agreement dated November 3, 2014 by and among Shell Pipeline Company LP, Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, Shell Midstream Operating LLC and, solely for the purposes of Articles 4 and 5, Shell Oil Company. | |
10.3 | Shell Midstream Partners Working Capital Facility Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2014, between Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. and Shell Treasury Centre (West) Inc. | |
10.4 | Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan | |
10.5 | Zydeco Voting Agreement, dated November 3, 2014, between Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. and Shell Pipeline Company LP | |
10.6 | Mars Voting Agreement, dated November 3, 2014, between Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. and Shell Pipeline Company LP | |
10.7 | Bengal Voting Agreement, dated November 3, 2014, between Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. and Shell Pipeline Company LP |
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SIGNATURE
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.
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. | ||
By: Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, | ||
its general partner | ||
By: |
/s/ Lori M. Muratta |
|
Lori M. Muratta | ||
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Date: November 3, 2014
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Number |
Description |
|
3.1 | First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. dated November 3, 2014 | |
3.2 | First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC dated November 3, 2014 | |
10.1 | Contribution, Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated November 3, 2014 by and among Shell Pipeline Company LP, Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., Shell Midstream LP Holdings LLC, Shell Midstream Operating LLC, and Zydeco Pipeline Company LLC. | |
10.2 | Omnibus Agreement dated November 3, 2014 by and among Shell Pipeline Company LP, Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, Shell Midstream Operating LLC and, solely for the purposes of Articles 4 and 5, Shell Oil Company. | |
10.3 | Shell Midstream Partners Working Capital Facility Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2014, between Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. and Shell Treasury Centre (West) Inc. | |
10.4 | Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan | |
10.5 | Zydeco Voting Agreement, dated November 3, 2014, between Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. and Shell Pipeline Company LP | |
10.6 | Mars Voting Agreement, dated November 3, 2014, between Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. and Shell Pipeline Company LP | |
10.7 | Bengal Voting Agreement, dated November 3, 2014, between Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. and Shell Pipeline Company LP |
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Exhibit 3.1
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P.
A Delaware Limited Partnership
Dated as of
November 3, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||
Section 1.1 Definitions |
1 | |||
Section 1.2 Construction |
28 | |||
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION |
28 | |||
Section 2.1 Formation |
28 | |||
Section 2.2 Name |
28 | |||
Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices |
28 | |||
Section 2.4 Purpose and Business |
29 | |||
Section 2.5 Powers |
29 | |||
Section 2.6 Term |
29 | |||
Section 2.7 Title to Partnership Assets |
29 | |||
ARTICLE III RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS |
30 | |||
Section 3.1 Limitation of Liability |
30 | |||
Section 3.2 Management of Business |
30 | |||
Section 3.3 Outside Activities of the Limited Partners |
30 | |||
Section 3.4 Rights of Limited Partners |
30 | |||
ARTICLE IV CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS |
32 | |||
Section 4.1 Certificates |
32 | |||
Section 4.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates |
32 | |||
Section 4.3 Record Holders |
33 | |||
Section 4.4 Transfer Generally |
34 | |||
Section 4.5 Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests |
34 | |||
Section 4.6 Transfer of the General Partners General Partner Interest |
35 | |||
Section 4.7 Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights |
36 | |||
Section 4.8 Restrictions on Transfers |
36 | |||
Section 4.9 Eligibility Certifications; Ineligible Holders |
37 | |||
Section 4.10 Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders |
37 | |||
ARTICLE V CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS |
39 | |||
Section 5.1 Organizational Contributions |
39 | |||
Section 5.2 Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates |
39 | |||
Section 5.3 Contributions by Limited Partners |
40 | |||
Section 5.4 Interest and Withdrawal |
40 | |||
Section 5.5 Capital Accounts |
40 | |||
Section 5.6 Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests |
44 | |||
Section 5.7 Conversion of Subordinated Units |
45 | |||
Section 5.8 Limited Preemptive Right |
45 | |||
Section 5.9 Splits and Combinations |
45 |
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Section 5.10 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests |
46 | |||
Section 5.11 Issuance of Common Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights |
46 | |||
ARTICLE VI ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS |
48 | |||
Section 6.1 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes |
48 | |||
Section 6.2 Allocations for Tax Purposes |
59 | |||
Section 6.3 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders |
61 | |||
Section 6.4 Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus |
61 | |||
Section 6.5 Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus |
63 | |||
Section 6.6 Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels |
64 | |||
Section 6.7 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units |
64 | |||
Section 6.8 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights |
65 | |||
Section 6.9 Entity-Level Taxation |
66 | |||
ARTICLE VII MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS |
66 | |||
Section 7.1 Management |
66 | |||
Section 7.2 Replacement of Fiduciary Duties |
68 | |||
Section 7.3 Certificate of Limited Partnership |
69 | |||
Section 7.4 Restrictions on the General Partners Authority to Sell Assets of the Partnership Group |
69 | |||
Section 7.5 Reimbursement of the General Partner |
69 | |||
Section 7.6 Outside Activities |
71 | |||
Section 7.7 Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members |
72 | |||
Section 7.8 Indemnification |
72 | |||
Section 7.9 Liability of Indemnitees |
74 | |||
Section 7.10 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties |
75 | |||
Section 7.11 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner |
77 | |||
Section 7.12 Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests |
78 | |||
Section 7.13 Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates |
78 | |||
Section 7.14 Reliance by Third Parties |
83 | |||
ARTICLE VIII BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS |
83 | |||
Section 8.1 Records and Accounting |
83 | |||
Section 8.2 Fiscal Year |
84 | |||
Section 8.3 Reports |
84 | |||
ARTICLE IX TAX MATTERS |
84 | |||
Section 9.1 Tax Returns and Information |
84 | |||
Section 9.2 Tax Elections |
85 | |||
Section 9.3 Tax Controversies |
85 | |||
Section 9.4 Withholding |
85 |
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ARTICLE X ADMISSION OF PARTNERS |
85 | |||
Section 10.1 Admission of Limited Partners |
85 | |||
Section 10.2 Admission of Successor General Partner |
86 | |||
Section 10.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership |
87 | |||
ARTICLE XI WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS |
87 | |||
Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner |
87 | |||
Section 11.2 Removal of the General Partner |
89 | |||
Section 11.3 Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner |
89 | |||
Section 11.4 Termination of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages |
91 | |||
Section 11.5 Withdrawal of Limited Partners |
91 | |||
ARTICLE XII DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION |
91 | |||
Section 12.1 Dissolution |
91 | |||
Section 12.2 Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution |
92 | |||
Section 12.3 Liquidator |
92 | |||
Section 12.4 Liquidation |
93 | |||
Section 12.5 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership |
94 | |||
Section 12.6 Return of Contributions |
94 | |||
Section 12.7 Waiver of Partition |
94 | |||
Section 12.8 Capital Account Restoration |
94 | |||
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE |
94 | |||
Section 13.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner |
94 | |||
Section 13.2 Amendment Procedures |
96 | |||
Section 13.3 Amendment Requirements |
96 | |||
Section 13.4 Special Meetings |
97 | |||
Section 13.5 Notice of a Meeting |
97 | |||
Section 13.6 Record Date |
98 | |||
Section 13.7 Postponement and Adjournment |
98 | |||
Section 13.8 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting |
98 | |||
Section 13.9 Quorum and Voting |
99 | |||
Section 13.10 Conduct of a Meeting |
99 | |||
Section 13.11 Action Without a Meeting |
99 | |||
Section 13.12 Right to Vote and Related Matters |
100 | |||
ARTICLE XIV MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION |
101 | |||
Section 14.1 Authority |
101 | |||
Section 14.2 Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion |
101 | |||
Section 14.3 Approval by Limited Partners |
103 | |||
Section 14.4 Certificate of Merger or Certificate of Conversion |
104 | |||
Section 14.5 Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion |
104 | |||
ARTICLE XV RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS |
105 | |||
Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests |
105 |
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ARTICLE XVI GENERAL PROVISIONS |
107 | |||
Section 16.1 Addresses and Notices; Written Communications |
107 | |||
Section 16.2 Further Action |
108 | |||
Section 16.3 Binding Effect |
108 | |||
Section 16.4 Integration |
108 | |||
Section 16.5 Creditors |
108 | |||
Section 16.6 Waiver |
108 | |||
Section 16.7 Third-Party Beneficiaries |
108 | |||
Section 16.8 Counterparts |
108 | |||
Section 16.9 Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury |
108 | |||
Section 16.10 Invalidity of Provisions |
109 | |||
Section 16.11 Consent of Partners |
109 | |||
Section 16.12 Facsimile and Email Signatures |
110 |
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FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P.
THIS FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. dated as of November 3, 2014, is entered into by and between SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, and SHELL MIDSTREAM LP HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, together with any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions . The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.
Additional Book Basis means, with respect to any Adjusted Property, the portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as determined in accordance with the provisions set forth below in this definition of Additional Book Basis. For purposes of determining the extent to which Carrying Value constitutes Additional Book Basis:
(a) Any negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a result of either a Book-Down Event or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed to offset or decrease that portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to any prior positive adjustments made thereto pursuant to a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event; and
(b) If Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result of a Book-Down Event and the Carrying Value of other property is increased as a result of such Book-Down Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional Book Basis; provided , however , that the amount treated as Additional Book Basis pursuant hereto as a result of such Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnerships Adjusted Property after such Book-Down Event (determined without regard to the application of this clause (b) to such Book-Down Event).
Additional Book Basis Derivative Items means any Book Basis Derivative Items that are computed with reference to Additional Book Basis. To the extent that the Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnerships Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable period exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning of such period (the Excess Additional Book Basis ), the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for such period shall be reduced by the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the
1
Excess Additional Book Basis bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning of such period. With respect to a Disposed of Adjusted Property, the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items shall be the amount of Additional Book Basis taken into account in computing gain or loss from the disposition of such Disposed of Adjusted Property; provided that the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to the determination of the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items attributable to Disposed of Adjusted Property.
Adjusted Capital Account means, with respect to any Partner, the balance in such Partners Capital Account at the end of each taxable period of the Partnership, after giving effect to the following adjustments: (a) credit to such Capital Account any amounts that such Partner is (x) obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) or (y) deemed obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and (b) debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The Adjusted Capital Account of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.
Adjusted Operating Surplus means, with respect to any period, (a) Operating Surplus generated with respect to such period less (b) (i) the amount of any net increase in Working Capital Borrowings (or the Partnerships proportionate share of any net increase in Working Capital Borrowings in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) with respect to such period and (ii) the amount of any net decrease in cash reserves (or the Partnerships proportionate share of any net decrease in cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period not relating to an Operating Expenditure made with respect to such period, and plus (c) (i) the amount of any net decrease in Working Capital Borrowings (or the Partnerships proportionate share of any net decrease in Working Capital Borrowings in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) with respect to such period, (ii) the amount of any net increase in cash reserves (or the Partnerships proportionate share of any net increase in cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium and (iii) the amount of any net decrease made in subsequent periods in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in Adjusted Operating Surplus in subsequent periods pursuant to clause (b)(ii) above. Adjusted Operating Surplus does not include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clause (a)(i) of the definition of Operating Surplus.
Adjusted Property means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
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Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units has the meaning given such term in Section 5.11(a).
Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments means, as of the end of any taxable period, the sum of the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of all the Partners.
Agreed Allocation means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term Agreed Allocation is used).
Agreed Value of (a) a Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property or other consideration at the time of contribution and (b) an Adjusted Property means the fair market value of such Adjusted Property on the date of the Revaluation Event, in each case as determined by the General Partner. The General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed Property.
Agreement means this First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Associate means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer, manager, general partner or managing member or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest, (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity, and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.
Available Cash means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:
(a) the sum of:
(i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter;
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(ii) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) resulting from dividends or distributions received after the end of such Quarter from equity interests in any Person other than a Subsidiary in respect of operations conducted by such Person during such Quarter; and
(iii) if the General Partner so determines, all or any portion of additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from Working Capital Borrowings after the end of such Quarter, less ;
(b) the amount of any cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to:
(i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for future capital expenditures, future acquisitions and anticipated future debt service requirements of the Partnership Group and for refunds of collected rates reasonably likely to be refunded as a result of a settlement or hearing relating to FERC rate proceedings or rate proceedings under applicable law) subsequent to such Quarter;
(ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject; or
(iii) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.4 or Section 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters;
provided , however , that the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to subclause (iii) above if the effect of such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units, plus any Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage on all Common Units, with respect to such Quarter; and, provided further , that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.
Bengal means Bengal Pipeline Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
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Board of Directors means the board of directors or board of managers of the General Partner, if the General Partner is a corporation or limited liability company, or the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of the General Partner, if the General Partner is a limited partnership, as applicable.
Book Basis Derivative Items means any item of income, deduction, gain or loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property (e.g., depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect to an Adjusted Property).
Book-Down Event means a Revaluation Event that gives rise to a Net Termination Loss.
Book-Tax Disparity means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partners share of the Partnerships Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partners Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 and the hypothetical balance of such Partners Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles.
Book-Up Event means a Revaluation Event that gives rise to a Net Termination Gain.
Business Day means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of Texas shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
Capital Account means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5. The Capital Account of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.
Capital Contribution means (a) any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership or that is contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership on behalf of a Partner (including, in the case of an underwritten offering of Units, the amount of any underwriting discounts or commissions) or (b) current distributions that a Partner is entitled to receive but otherwise waives.
Capital Improvement means (a) the acquisition (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition, equity acquisition or other form of investment) by any Group Member of existing assets or assets under construction, (b) the construction or development of new capital assets by a Group Member, (c) the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets by a Group Member or (d) a capital contribution by a Group Member to a Person that is not a Subsidiary in which a Group Member has, or after such capital contribution will have,
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directly or indirectly, an equity interest, to fund such Group Members share of the cost of the acquisition, construction or development of new, or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing, capital assets by such Person, in each case if and to the extent such acquisition, construction, development, replacement, improvement or expansion is made to increase, over the long-term, the operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group, in the case of clauses (a), (b) and (c), or such Person, in the case of clause (d), from the operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group or such Person, as the case may be, existing immediately prior to such acquisition, construction, development, replacement, improvement, expansion or Capital Contribution. For purposes of this definition, long-term generally refers to a period of not less than twelve months.
Capital Surplus means Available Cash distributed by the Partnership in excess of Operating Surplus, as described in Section 6.3(a).
Carrying Value means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners Capital Accounts in respect of such property and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination; provided , however , that the Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 5.5(d) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.
Cause means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable to the Partnership or any Limited Partner for actual fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.
Certificate means a certificate, in such form (including global form if permitted by applicable rules and regulations) as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more classes of Partnership Interests. The initial form of certificate approved by the General Partner for Common Units is attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement.
Certificate of Limited Partnership means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 7.2, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Claim (as used in Section 7.13(g)) has the meaning given such term in Section 7.13(g).
Closing Date means the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the IPO Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement .
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Closing Price means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, as reported on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the last quoted price on such day, or if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by any quotation system then in use with respect to such Limited Partner Interests, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests are not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests selected by the Board of Directors, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the Board of Directors.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.
Colonial means Colonial Pipeline Company, a Delaware corporation.
Combined Interest has the meaning given such term in Section 11.3(a).
Commences Commercial Service and Commenced Commercial Service means the date upon which a Capital Improvement is first put into commercial service by a Group Member (or other Person that is not a Subsidiary of a Group Member, as contemplated in the definition of Capital Improvement) following completion of acquisition, construction, development, replacement, improvement, addition or expansion and testing, as applicable.
Commission means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Unit means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term Common Unit does not include a Subordinated Unit prior to its conversion into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms hereof.
Common Unit Arrearage means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, as to any Quarter wholly within the Subordination Period, the excess, if any, of (a) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter over (b) the sum of all Available Cash distributed with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i).
Conflicts Committee means a committee of the Board of Directors composed of two or more directors, each of whom (a) is not an officer or employee of the General Partner, (b) is not an officer, director or employee of any Affiliate of the General Partner (other than Group
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Members), (c) is not a holder of any ownership interest in the General Partner or its Affiliates or any Group Member other than (i) Common Units and (ii) awards that are granted to such director in his capacity as a director under any long-term incentive plan, equity compensation plan or similar plan implemented by the General Partner or the Partnership and (d) is determined by the Board of Directors to be independent under the independence standards for directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to trading (or if the Common Units are not listed or admitted to trading, the New York Stock Exchange).
Construction Debt means debt incurred to fund (a) all or a portion of a Capital Improvement, (b) interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on other Construction Debt or (c) distributions (including incremental Incentive Distributions) paid in respect of Construction Equity.
Construction Equity means equity issued to fund (a) all or a portion of a Capital Improvement, (b) interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on Construction Debt or (c) distributions paid in respect of Construction Equity, and incremental Incentive Distributions in respect thereof.
Construction Period means the period beginning on the date that a Group Member (or other Person that is not a Subsidiary of a Group Member, as contemplated in the definition of Capital Improvement) enters into a binding obligation to commence a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement Commences Commercial Service and the date that the Group Member (or other Person that is not a Subsidiary of a Group Member, as contemplated in the definition of Capital Improvement) abandons or disposes of such Capital Improvement.
Contributed Property means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), such property or other asset shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.
Contribution Agreement means that certain Contribution, Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2014, among the Partnership, the General Partner, the Operating Company and SPLC, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, and as of the end of any Quarter, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum of the Common Unit Arrearages as to an Initial Common Unit for each of the Quarters within the Subordination Period ending on or before the last day of such Quarter over (b) the sum of any distributions theretofore made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(ii) and the second sentence of Section 6.5 with respect to an Initial Common Unit (including any distributions to be made in respect of the last of such Quarters).
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Curative Allocation means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).
Current Market Price means, as of any date, for any class of Limited Partner Interests, the average of the daily Closing Prices per Limited Partner Interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date.
Deferred Issuance and Distribution means (i) the issuance by the Partnership of a number of additional Common Units that is equal to the excess, if any, of (a) 6,000,000 and (b) the aggregate number, if any, of Common Units actually purchased by and issued to the IPO Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriters Option on the Option Closing Date(s); and (ii) a distribution in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of cash, if any, contributed by the Underwriters to the Partnership on the Option Closing Date(s) with respect to Common Units issued by the Partnership upon each exercise of the Underwriters Option as described in Section 5.3(b), if any.
Delaware Act means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
Departing General Partner means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2.
Derivative Partnership Interests means any options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights, tracking, profit and phantom interests and other derivative securities relating to, convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests.
Disposed of Adjusted Property has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(d)(xiii)(B).
Economic Risk of Loss has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).
Eligibility Certificate means a certificate the General Partner may request a Limited Partner or a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest to execute as to such Persons (or such Persons beneficial owners) federal income tax status or nationality, citizenship or other related status for the purpose of determining whether such Limited Partner is an Ineligible Holder.
Eligible Taxable Holder means a Person or type or category of Person whose, or whose owners, U.S. federal income tax status (or lack of proof of U.S. federal income tax status) does not have or is not reasonably likely to have, as determined by the General Partner, a material adverse effect on the rates that can be charged to customers by any Group Member with respect to assets that are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or similar regulatory body. Schedule I to the Partnership Agreement provides examples of Persons that the General Partner has determined are Eligible Taxable Holders and Persons that the General Partner has determined are not Eligible Taxable Holders. Any such determination may be changed by the General Partner from time to time, such new determination will apply to both existing and additional Limited Partners, and Schedule I will automatically be deemed to be updated following such new determination.
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Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount has the meaning given such term in Section 6.9.
Event Issue Value means, with respect to any Common Unit as of any date of determination, (i) in the case of a Revaluation Event that includes the issuance of Common Units pursuant to a public offering and solely for cash, the price paid for such Common Units or (ii) in the case of any other Revaluation Event, the Closing Price of the Common Units on the date of such Revaluation Event or, if the General Partner determines that a value for the Common Unit other than such Closing Price more accurately reflects the Event Issue Value, the value determined by the General Partner.
Event of Withdrawal has the meaning given such term in Section 11.1(a).
Excess Additional Book Basis has the meaning given such term in the definition of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items.
Excess Distribution has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A).
Excess Distribution Unit has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A).
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
Expansion Capital Expenditures means cash expenditures (including transaction expenses) for Capital Improvements. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall not include Maintenance Capital Expenditures or Investment Capital Expenditures. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall include interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees paid during the Construction Period on Construction Debt. Where cash expenditures are made in part for Expansion Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each.
FERC means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or any successor to the powers thereof.
Final Subordinated Units has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(d)(x)(A).
First Liquidation Target Amount has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(D).
First Target Distribution means $0.186875 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to periods of less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of $0.186875 multiplied by a fraction, of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
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Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis means, when calculating the number of Outstanding Units for any period, a basis that includes (a) the weighted average number of Outstanding Units during such period plus (b) all Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests (i) that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Units or for which Units are issuable, in each case that are senior to or pari passu with the Subordinated Units, (ii) whose conversion, exercise or exchange price, if any, is less than the Current Market Price on the date of such calculation, (iii) that may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units prior to or during the Quarter immediately following the end of the period for which the calculation is being made without the satisfaction of any contingency beyond the control of the holder other than the payment of consideration and the compliance with administrative mechanics applicable to such conversion, exercise or exchange and (iv) that were not converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units during the period for which the calculation is being made; provided, however , that for purposes of determining the number of Outstanding Units on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis when calculating whether the Subordination Period has ended or Subordinated Units are entitled to convert into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7, such Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests shall be deemed to have been Outstanding Units only for the four Quarters that comprise the last four Quarters of the measurement period; provided, further , that if consideration will be paid to any Group Member in connection with such conversion, exercise or exchange, the number of Units to be included in such calculation shall be that number equal to the difference between (x) the number of Units issuable upon such conversion, exercise or exchange and (y) the number of Units that such consideration would purchase at the Current Market Price.
General Partner means Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general partner of the Partnership, in their capacity as general partner of the Partnership (except as the context otherwise requires).
General Partner Interest means the ownership interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it), which is evidenced by General Partner Units, and includes any and all rights, powers and benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
General Partner Unit means a fractional part of the General Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the General Partner Interest. A General Partner Unit shall not constitute a Unit for any purpose under this Agreement.
Gross Liability Value means, with respect to any Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i), the amount of cash that a willing assignor would pay to a willing assignee to assume such Liability in an arms-length transaction.
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Group means two or more Persons that, with or through any of their respective Affiliates or Associates, have any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power over or disposing of any Partnership Interests with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests.
Group Member means a member of the Partnership Group.
Group Member Agreement means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Hedge Contract means any exchange, swap, forward, cap, floor, collar, option or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of reducing the exposure of any Group Member to fluctuations in interest rates, the price of hydrocarbons, basis differentials or currency exchange rates in its operations or financing activities and not for speculative purposes.
Holder means any of the following:
(a) the General Partner who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities;
(b) any Affiliate of the General Partner who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities (other than natural persons who are Affiliates of the General Partner by virtue of being officers, directors or employees of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates);
(c) any Person who has been the General Partner within the prior two years and who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities;
(d) any Person who has been an Affiliate of the General Partner within the prior two years and who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities (other than natural persons who were Affiliates of the General Partner by virtue of being officers, directors or employees of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates); and
(e) a transferee and current Record Holder of Registrable Securities to whom the transferor of such Registrable Securities, who was a Holder at the time of such transfer, assigns its rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided such transferee agrees in writing to comply with all applicable requirements and obligations in connection with the registration and disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 7.13.
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Holdings means Shell Midstream LP Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
IDR Reset Common Units has the meaning given such term in Section 5.11(a).
IDR Reset Election has the meaning given such term in Section 5.11(a).
Incentive Distribution Right means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights in this Agreement (and no other rights otherwise available to or other obligations of a holder of a Partnership Interest).
Incentive Distributions means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii) and Sections 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v).
Incremental Income Taxes has the meaning given such term in Section 6.9.
Indemnified Persons has the meaning given such term in Section 7.13(g).
Indemnitee means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of (i) any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or (ii) any Affiliate of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner as a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of another Person owing a fiduciary duty to any Group Member; provided, however, that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, and (f) any Person the General Partner designates as an Indemnitee for purposes of this Agreement because such Persons status, service or relationship exposes such Person to potential claims, demands, suits or proceedings relating to the Partnership Groups business and affairs.
Ineligible Holder means a Limited Partner who is not an Eligible Taxable Holder or whose nationality, citizenship or other related status the General Partner determines, upon receipt of an Eligibility Certificate or other requested information, has created or would create under any federal, state or local law or regulation to which a Group Member is subject, a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which a Group Member has an interest.
Initial Common Units means the Common Units sold in the Initial Public Offering.
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Initial Limited Partners means Holdings (with respect to the Common Units and Subordinated Units received by it pursuant to Section 5.2(a)), the General Partner (with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights received by it pursuant to Section 5.2(a)) and the IPO Underwriters upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units as described in Section 5.3 in connection with the Initial Public Offering.
Initial Public Offering means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public (including the offer and sale of Common Units pursuant to the Underwriters Option), as described in the IPO Registration Statement.
Initial Unit Price means (a) with respect to the Common Units and the Subordinated Units, the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Common Units were first offered to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the IPO Prospectus or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.
Interim Capital Transactions means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than Working Capital Borrowings and other than for items purchased on open account or for a deferred purchase price in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member and sales of debt securities of any Group Member; (b) issuances of equity interests of any Group Member (including the Common Units sold to the IPO Underwriters in the Initial Public Offering) to anyone other than the Partnership Group; (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member (including assets acquired using Investment Capital Expenditures) other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements; and (d) corporate reorganizations and restructurings.
Investment Capital Expenditures means capital expenditures that are neither Expansion Capital Expenditures nor Maintenance Capital Expenditures.
IPO Prospectus means the final prospectus relating to the Initial Public Offering dated October 29, 2014 and filed by the Partnership with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act on October 29, 2014.
IPO Registration Statement means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-196850) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, together with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-199653), each as filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Public Offering.
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IPO Underwriter means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.
Joint Venture means a joint venture that is not a Subsidiary and through which a Group Member conducts its business and operations and in which such Group Member owns an equity interest.
Liability means any liability or obligation of any nature, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise.
Limited Partner means, unless the context otherwise requires, the Organizational Limited Partner prior to its withdrawal from the Partnership, each Initial Limited Partner, each additional Person that becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and any Departing General Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3, in each case, in such Persons capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.
Limited Partner Interest means an ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Subordinated Units, Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Interests (other than a General Partner Interest) or a combination thereof (but excluding Derivative Partnership Interests), and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
Liquidation Date means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.
Liquidator means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions described in Section 12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.
Maintenance Capital Expenditures means cash expenditures (including expenditures for (a) the acquisition (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition, equity acquisition or other form of investment) by any Group Member of existing assets or assets under construction, (b) the construction or development of new capital assets by a Group Member, (c) the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets by a Group Member or (d) a capital contribution by a Group Member to a Person that is not a Subsidiary in which a Group Member has, or after such capital contribution will have, directly or indirectly, an equity interest, to fund such Group Members share of the cost of the acquisition, construction or development of new, or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing, capital assets by such Person), in each case if and to the extent such acquisition,
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construction, development, replacement, improvement or expansion is made to maintain, over the long-term, the operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group, in the case of clauses (a), (b) and (c), or such Person, in the case of clause (d), as the operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group or such Person, as the case may be, existed immediately prior to such acquisition, construction, development, replacement, improvement, expansion or Capital Contribution. For purposes of this definition, long-term generally refers to a period of not less than twelve months. Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall not include Expansion Capital Expenditures or Investment Capital Expenditures.
Mars means Mars Oil Pipeline Company, a Texas general partnership.
Merger Agreement has the meaning given such term in Section 14.1.
Minimum Quarterly Distribution means $0.1625 per Unit per Quarter (or with respect to periods of less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of $0.1625 multiplied by a fraction, of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
National Securities Exchange means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Exchange Act (or any successor to such Section).
Net Agreed Value means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property or other consideration reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property or other consideration is subject when contributed and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnerships Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution, in either case as determined and required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code.
Net Income means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnerships items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period over the Partnerships items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided, however, that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made without regard to any reversal of such items under Section 6.1(d)(xiii).
Net Loss means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnerships items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period over the Partnerships items
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of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided, however , that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made without regard to any reversal of such items under Section 6.1(d)(xiii).
Net Positive Adjustments means, with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the total positive adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account of such Partner pursuant to Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.
Net Termination Gain means, for any taxable period, (a) the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) that are recognized by the Partnership (i) after the Liquidation Date or (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group), or (b) the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of Unrealized Gain over the aggregate amount of Unrealized Loss deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.5(d) on the date of a Revaluation Event; provided, however , that the items included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).
Net Termination Loss means, for any taxable period, (a) the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) that are recognized by the Partnership (i) after the Liquidation Date or (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group), or (b) the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of Unrealized Loss over the aggregate amount of Unrealized Gain deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.5(d) on the date of a Revaluation Event; provided, however , that items included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).
Noncompensatory Option has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.721-2(f).
Nonrecourse Built-in Gain means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.2(b) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.
Nonrecourse Deductions means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(1), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.
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Nonrecourse Liability has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).
Notice means a written request from a Holder pursuant to Section 7.13 which shall (i) specify the Registrable Securities intended to be registered, offered and sold by such Holder, (ii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Registrable Securities, and (iii) contain the undertaking of such Holder to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required or appropriate in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements and obligations in connection with the registration and disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 7.13.
Notice of Election to Purchase has the meaning given such term in Section 15.1(b).
Omnibus Agreement means that certain Omnibus Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2014, among the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company and SPLC, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Operating Company means Shell Midstream Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successors thereto.
Operating Expenditures means all Partnership Group cash expenditures (or the Partnerships proportionate share of expenditures in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned), including taxes, reimbursement of expenses of the General Partner and its Affiliates, business insurance, compensation of officers and directors of the General Partner, Maintenance Capital Expenditures, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings and payments made in the ordinary course of business under any Hedge Contracts, subject to the following:
(a) repayments of Working Capital Borrowings deducted from Operating Surplus pursuant to clause (b)(iii) of the definition of Operating Surplus shall not constitute Operating Expenditures when actually repaid;
(b) payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties and the purchase price of indebtedness that is repurchased and cancelled)) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than Working Capital Borrowings shall not constitute Operating Expenditures;
(c) Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures or Investment Capital Expenditures, (ii) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions, (iii) distributions to Partners, or (iv) repurchases of Partnership Interests, other than repurchases of Partnership Interests by the Partnership to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans or reimbursement of expenses of the General Partner for purchases of Partnership Interests by the General Partner to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans; and
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(d) (i) amounts paid in connection with the initial purchase of a Hedge Contract shall be amortized over the life of such Hedge Contract and (ii) payments made in connection with the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to the expiration of its scheduled settlement or termination date shall be included in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such Hedge Contract.
Where capital expenditures consist of both (y) Maintenance Capital Expenditures and (z) Expansion Capital Expenditures and/or Investment Capital Expenditures, the Board of Directors shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each.
Operating Surplus means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,
(a) the sum of (i) $90.0 million, (ii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, but excluding cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions; provided, however, that cash receipts from the termination of a Hedge Contract prior to its scheduled settlement or termination date shall be included in Operating Surplus in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such Hedge Contract, (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) resulting from dividends or distributions received after the end of such period from equity interests held by the Partnership in any Person other than a Subsidiary in respect of operations conducted by such Person during such period but excluding cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions by such Persons, (iv) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings and (v) the amount of cash distributions from Operating Surplus paid during the Construction Period (including incremental Incentive Distributions) on Construction Equity, less
(b) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, (ii) the amount of cash reserves (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) established by the General Partner or the boards of any Subsidiaries of the Partnership to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures, (iii) all Working Capital Borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred, or repaid within such 12-month period with the proceeds of additional Working Capital Borrowings, and (iv) any cash loss realized on disposition of an Investment Capital Expenditure; provided, however , that disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, Operating Surplus with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero. Cash receipts from Investment Capital Expenditures shall be treated as cash receipts only to the extent they are a return on capital, but in no event shall a return of capital be treated as cash receipts.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to, or the general counsel or other inside counsel of, the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner or to such other Person selecting such counsel or obtaining such opinion.
Option Closing Date means the date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the IPO Underwriters upon exercise of the Underwriters Option. The Option Closing Date shall be the same date as the Closing Date.
Organizational Limited Partner means Holdings in its capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.
Outstanding means, with respect to Partnership Interests, all Partnership Interests that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding in the Register as of the date of determination; provided, however , that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding, none of the Partnership Interests owned by or for the benefit of such Person or Group shall be entitled to be voted on any matter or be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Partnership Interests so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 11.1(b)(iv) (such Partnership Interests shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Interests for purposes of this Agreement or the Delaware Act); provided, further , that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than the Partnership), (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i) provided, however, that, upon or prior to such acquisition, the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, or (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership with the prior approval of the Board of Directors.
Partner Nonrecourse Debt has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
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Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).
Partner Nonrecourse Deductions means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.
Partners means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.
Partnership means Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
Partnership Group means, collectively, the Partnership and its Subsidiaries.
Partnership Interest means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership, which shall include any Limited Partner Interests and the General Partner Interest but shall exclude any Derivative Partnership Interests.
Partnership Minimum Gain means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).
Per Unit Capital Amount means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated on a per Unit basis, underlying any Unit held by a Person other than the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner who holds Units.
Percentage Interest means, as of any date of determination, (a) as to the General Partner with respect to General Partner Units and as to any Unitholder with respect to Units, as the case may be, the product obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the percentage applicable to clause (b) below by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of General Partner Units held by the General Partner or the number of Units held by such Unitholder, as the case may be, by (B) the total number of Outstanding Units and General Partner Units, and (b) as to the holders of the other Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.6, the percentage established as part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights shall at all times be zero.
Person means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, estate, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
Plan of Conversion has the meaning given such term in Section 14.1.
Privately Placed Units means any Common Units issued for cash or property other than pursuant to a public offering.
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Pro Rata means (a) when used with respect to Units or any class thereof, apportioned among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when used with respect to Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (c) when used with respect to holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, apportioned among all holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Incentive Distribution Rights held by each such holder, and (d) when used with respect to Holders who have requested to include Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 7.13(a) or 7.13(b), apportioned among all such Holders in accordance with the relative number of Registrable Securities held by each such holder and included in the Notice relating to such request.
Purchase Date means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class (other than Limited Partner Interests owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.
Quarter means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, or, with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Partnership which includes the Closing Date, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.
Recapture Income means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.
Record Date means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to receive notice of, or entitled to exercise rights in respect of, any lawful action of Limited Partners (including voting) or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.
Record Holder means (a) with respect to any class of Partnership Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Person in whose name a Partnership Interest of such class is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the Partnerships close of business on a particular Business Day or (b) with respect to other classes of Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Interest is registered in the Register as of the Partnerships close of business on a particular Business Day.
Redeemable Interests means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.10.
Register has the meaning given such term in Section 4.5(a) of this Agreement.
Registrable Security means any Partnership Interest other than the General Partner Interest and General Partner Units; provided, however , that any Registrable Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security (a) at the time a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Security is declared effective by the Commission or otherwise becomes effective under the
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Securities Act, and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement; (b) at the time such Registrable Security has been disposed of pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor or similar rule or regulation under the Securities Act); (c) when such Registrable Security is held by a Group Member; and (d) at the time such Registrable Security has been sold in a private transaction in which the transferors rights under Section 7.13 of this Agreement have not been assigned to the transferee of such securities.
Registration Statement has the meaning given such term in Section 7.13(a) of this Agreement.
Remaining Net Positive Adjustments means as of the end of any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of those Unitholders Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Units), the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the General Partner as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the General Partners Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the General Partner Units for each prior taxable period, and (iii) with respect to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable period.
Required Allocations means any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), Section 6.1(d)(ii), Section 6.1(d)(iv), Section 6.1(d)(v), Section 6.1(d)(vi), Section 6.1(d)(vii) or Section 6.1(d)(ix).
Reset MQD has the meaning given such term in Section 5.11(e).
Reset Notice has the meaning given such term in Section 5.11(b).
Retained Converted Subordinated Unit has the meaning given such term in Section 5.5(c)(ii).
Revaluation Event means an event that results in adjustment of the Carrying Value of each Partnership property pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
Second Liquidation Target Amount has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(E).
Second Target Distribution means $0.203125 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to periods of less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of $0.203125 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.11, Section 6.6 and Section 6.9.
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Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
Selling Holder means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to the procedures in Section 7.13 of this Agreement.
Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items means in connection with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such taxable period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Units), the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the General Partners Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such taxable period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustment as of that time, and (iii) with respect to the Partners holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such taxable period bear to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.
Special Approval means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.
SPLC means Shell Pipeline Company LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
Subordinated Unit means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Subordinated Units in this Agreement. The term Subordinated Unit does not include a Common Unit. A Subordinated Unit that is convertible into a Common Unit shall not constitute a Common Unit until such conversion occurs.
Subordination Period means the period commencing on the Closing Date and expiring on the first to occur of the following dates:
(a) the first Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of any Quarter beginning with the Quarter ending December 31, 2017 in respect of which (i)(A) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case with respect to each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case in respect of such periods and (B) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case that were Outstanding during such periods on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis, and (ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.
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(b) the first Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of any Quarter beginning with the Quarter ending December 31, 2015 in respect of which (i)(A) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case with respect to the four consecutive-Quarter period immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded 150% of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case in respect of such period, and (B) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for the four consecutive-Quarter period immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded 150% of the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case that were Outstanding during such period on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis, plus the corresponding Incentive Distributions and (ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.
(c) the date on which the General Partner is removed in a manner described in Section 11.4.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general partner of such partnership, but only if such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, controls such partnership on the date of determination; or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for so long as any Person is not consolidated in the Partnerships financial statements for accounting purposes, then such Person will not be deemed a Subsidiary of the Partnership or the Operating Company.
Surviving Business Entity has the meaning given such term in Section 14.2(b).
Target Distributions means, collectively, the First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution.
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Third Target Distribution means $0.243750 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to periods of less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of $0.243750 multiplied by a fraction, of which the numerator is equal to the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
Trading Day means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which the referenced Partnership Interests of any class are listed or admitted for trading is open for the transaction of business or, if such Partnership Interests are not listed or admitted for trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City are not legally required to be closed.
Transaction Documents has the meaning given such term in Section 7.1(b).
Transfer has the meaning given such term in Section 4.4(a).
Transfer Agent means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as may be appointed from time to time by the General Partner to act as registrar and transfer agent for any class of Partnership Interests in accordance with the Exchange Act and the rules of the National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed (if any); provided, however that, if no such Person is appointed as registrar and transfer agent for any class of Partnership Interests, the General Partner shall act as registrar and transfer agent for such class of Partnership Interests.
Treasury Regulation means the United States Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.
Underwriters Option means the option to purchase additional Common Units granted to the IPO Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, which option was exercised in full prior to the date hereof.
Underwriting Agreement means that certain Underwriting Agreement dated as of October 28, 2014 among the IPO Underwriters, SPLC, the Partnership and the General Partner providing for the purchase of Common Units by the IPO Underwriters.
Underwritten Offering means (a) an offering pursuant to a Registration Statement in which Partnership Interests are sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public (other than the Initial Public Offering), (b) an offering of Partnership Interests pursuant to a Registration Statement that is a bought deal with one or more investment banks, and (c) an at-the-market offering pursuant to a Registration Statement in which Partnership Interests are sold to the public through one or more investment banks or managers on a best efforts basis.
Unit means a Partnership Interest that is designated by the General Partner as a Unit and shall include Common Units and Subordinated Units but shall not include (i) General Partner Units (or the General Partner Interest represented thereby) or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.
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Unit Majority means (i) during the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units whose voting power is, with respect to the subject vote, controlled by the General Partner or its Affiliates, through ownership or otherwise), voting as a class, and at least a majority of the Outstanding Subordinated Units, voting as a class, and (ii) after the end of the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units.
Unitholders means the Record Holders of Units.
Unpaid MQD has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(B).
Unrealized Gain attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date).
Unrealized Loss attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)).
Unrecovered Initial Unit Price means at any time, with respect to a Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of such Units.
Unrestricted Person means (a) each Indemnitee, (b) each Partner, (c) each Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, employee or agent of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner and (d) any Person the General Partner designates as an Unrestricted Person for purposes of this Agreement from time to time.
U.S. GAAP means United States generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.
Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel has the meaning given such term in Section 11.1(b).
Working Capital Borrowings means borrowings incurred pursuant to a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement that are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to the Partners; provided, however that when such borrowings are incurred it is the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months from the date of such borrowings other than from additional Working Capital Borrowings.
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Zydeco means Zydeco Pipeline Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Section 1.2 Construction . Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms include, includes, including or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation; and (d) the terms hereof, herein or hereunder refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The General Partner has the power to construe and interpret this Agreement and to act upon any such construction or interpretation. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any construction or interpretation of this Agreement by the General Partner and any action taken pursuant thereto and any determination made by the General Partner in good faith shall, in each case, be conclusive and binding on all Record Holders and all other Persons for all purposes.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
Section 2.1 Formation . The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act and hereby amend and restate the original Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership in its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties, liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the record owner thereof for all purposes.
Section 2.2 Name . The name of the Partnership shall be Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.. Subject to applicable law, the Partnerships business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words Limited Partnership, LP, Ltd. or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnerships name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices . Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, and the
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registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at One Shell Plaza, 910 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be One Shell Plaza, 910 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.4 Purpose and Business . The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however, that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would be reasonably likely to cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. The General has no obligation or duty to the Partnership or the Limited Partners to propose or approve, and may decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business in its sole and absolute discretion.
Section 2.5 Powers . The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.
Section 2.6 Term . The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.
Section 2.7 Title to Partnership Assets . Title to the assets of the Partnership, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such assets of the Partnership or any portion thereof. Title to any or all assets of the Partnership may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees of the General Partner or its Affiliates, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any assets of the Partnership for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or
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one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees of the General Partner or its Affiliates shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however , that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership or one or more of the Partnerships designated Affiliates as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further , that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to any successor General Partner. All assets of the Partnership shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such assets of the Partnership is held.
ARTICLE III
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
Section 3.1 Limitation of Liability . The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.
Section 3.2 Management of Business . No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnerships business, transact any business in the Partnerships name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. No action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall be deemed to be participating in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) nor shall any such action affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.
Section 3.3 Outside Activities of the Limited Partners . Subject to Section 7.6, each Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner.
Section 3.4 Rights of Limited Partners.
(a) Each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partners interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand, and at such Limited Partners own expense:
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(i) to obtain from the General Partner either (A) the Partnerships most recent filings with the Commission on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings on Form 10-Q and 8-K or (B) if the Partnership is no longer subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act or any successor or similar rule or regulation under the Securities Act ( provided, however, that the foregoing materials shall be deemed to be available to a Limited Partner in satisfaction of the requirements of this Section 3.4(a)(i) if posted on or accessible through the Partnerships or the Commissions website);
(ii) to obtain a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner; and
(iii) to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the rights to information granted the Limited Partners pursuant to Section 3.4(a) replace in their entirety any rights to information provided for in Section 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act and each of the Partners and each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in Partnership Interests hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have any rights as Partners to receive any information either pursuant to Sections 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act or otherwise except for the information identified in Section 3.4(a).
(c) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or its business or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or regulation or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.4).
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or Section 17-305 of the Delaware Act, each of the Partners, each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have rights to receive information from the Partnership or any Indemnitee for the purpose of determining whether to pursue litigation or assist in pending litigation against the Partnership or any Indemnitee relating to the affairs of the Partnership except pursuant to the applicable rules of discovery relating to litigation commenced by such Person or Group.
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ARTICLE IV
CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP
INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 4.1 Certificates . Owners of Partnership Interests and, where appropriate, Derivative Partnership Interests, shall be recorded in the Register and, when deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, ownership of such interests shall be evidenced by a physical certificate or book entry notation in the Register. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, unless the General Partner shall determine otherwise in respect of some or all of any or all classes of Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests, Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests shall not be evidenced by physical certificates. Certificates, if any, shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or any Senior Vice President or Vice President and the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, or other authorized officer of the General Partner, and shall bear the legend set forth in Section 4.8(f). The signatures of such officers upon a certificate may, to the extent permitted by law, be facsimiles. In case any officer who has signed or whose signature has been placed upon such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Partnership with the same effect as if he were such officer at the date of its issuance. If a Transfer Agent has been appointed for a class of Partnership Interests, no Certificate for such class of Partnership Interests shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided, however , that, if the General Partner elects to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests of such class in global form, the Certificate shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Partnership Interests have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership. Subject to the requirements of Section 6.7(b) and Section 6.7(c), if Common Units are evidenced by Certificates, on or after the date on which Subordinated Units are converted into Common Units pursuant to the terms of Section 5.7, the Record Holders of such Subordinated Units (i) if the Subordinated Units are evidenced by Certificates, may exchange such Certificates for Certificates evidencing the Common Units into which such Record Holders Subordinated Units converted, or (ii) if the Subordinated Units are not evidenced by Certificates, shall be issued Certificates evidencing the Common Units into which such Record Holders Subordinated Units converted. With respect to any Partnership Interests that are represented by physical certificates, the General Partner may determine that such Partnership Interests will no longer be represented by physical certificates and may, upon written notice to the holders of such Partnership Interests and subject to applicable law, take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to cause such Partnership Interests to be registered in book entry or global form and may cause such physical certificates to be cancelled or deemed cancelled. The General Partner shall have the power and authority to make all such other rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration or replacement of Certificates.
Section 4.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates .
(a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests as the Certificate so surrendered.
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(b) The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued, if the Record Holder of the Certificate:
(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;
(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;
(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and
(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner or the Transfer Agent.
If a Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after such Limited Partner has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Limited Partner shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.
(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.
Section 4.3 Record Holders . The names and addresses of Unitholders as they appear in the Register shall be the official list of Record Holders of the Partnership Interests for all purposes. The Partnership and the General Partner shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person or Group, regardless of whether the Partnership or the General Partner shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person or Group in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Person on the other, such
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representative Person shall be the Limited Partner with respect to such Partnership Interest upon becoming the Record Holder in accordance with Section 10.1(b) and have the rights and obligations of a Partner hereunder as, and to the extent, provided herein, including Section 10.1(c).
Section 4.4 Transfer Generally .
(a) The term transfer, when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall mean a transaction by which the holder of a Partnership Interest assigns all or any part of such Partnership Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Partner as a result thereof, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.
(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void.
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or limit a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the General Partner or any Limited Partner of any or all of such Persons shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in the General Partner or such Limited Partner and the term transfer shall not include any such disposition.
Section 4.5 Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests .
(a) The General Partner shall keep, or cause to be kept by the Transfer Agent on behalf of the Partnership, one or more registers in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests, and any Derivative Partnership Interests as applicable, shall be recorded (the Register ).
(b) The General Partner shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, however, that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of this Section 4.5(b), the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holders instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered. Upon the proper surrender of a Certificate, such transfer shall be recorded in the Register.
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(c) Upon the receipt by the General Partner of proper transfer instructions from the Record Holder of uncertificated Partnership Interests, such transfer shall be recorded in the Register.
(d) By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with this Section 4.5 and except as provided in Section 4.9, each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of Section 10.1(b).
(e) Subject to (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5, (ii) Section 4.3, (iii) Section 4.8, (iv) with respect to any class or series of Limited Partner Interests, the provisions of any statement of designations or an amendment to this Agreement establishing such class or series, (v) any contractual provisions binding on any Limited Partner and (vi) provisions of applicable law, including the Securities Act, Limited Partner Interests shall be freely transferable.
(f) The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their Subordinated Units and Common Units (whether issued upon conversion of the Subordinated Units or otherwise) to one or more Persons.
Section 4.6 Transfer of the General Partners General Partner Interest .
(a) Subject to Section 4.6(b), the General Partner may transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest owned by the General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.2, be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner effective immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.
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Section 4.7 Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights . The General Partner or any other holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of its Incentive Distribution Rights without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person.
Section 4.8 Restrictions on Transfers .
(a) Except as provided in Section 4.8(e), notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed). The Partnership may issue stop transfer instructions to any Transfer Agent in order to implement any restriction on transfer contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it determines, with the advice of counsel, that such restrictions are necessary or advisable to (i) avoid a significant risk of the Partnerships becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) or (ii) preserve the uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided, however , that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted to trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.
(c) The transfer of an IDR Reset Common Unit that was issued in connection with an IDR Reset Election pursuant to Section 5.11 shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.8(b) and 6.8(c).
(d) The transfer of a Subordinated Unit or a Common Unit issued upon conversion of a Subordinated Unit shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7(b) and Section 6.7(c).
(e) Except for Section 4.8(a), nothing contained in this Article IV, or elsewhere in this Agreement, shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.
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Section 4.9 Eligibility Certifications; Ineligible Holders .
(a) The General Partner may upon demand or on a regular basis require Limited Partners and transferees of Limited Partner Interests, in connection with a transfer, to execute an Eligibility Certificate or provide other information as is necessary for the General Partner to determine if any such Limited partners or transferees are Ineligible Holders.
(b) If any Limited Partner fails to furnish to the General Partner within 30 days of its request an Eligibility Certificate or other requested information related thereto, or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner or a transferee of a Limited Partner is an Ineligible Holder, the Limited Partner Interests owned by such Limited Partner shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10 or the General Partner may refuse to effect the transfer of the Limited Partner Interests to such transferee. In addition, the General Partner shall be substituted for any Limited Partner that is an Ineligible Holder as the Limited Partner in respect of the Ineligible Holders Limited Partner Interests.
(c) The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Limited Partner Interests held by it on behalf of Ineligible Holders, distribute the votes in the same ratios as the votes of Limited Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) in respect of Limited Partner Interests other than those of Ineligible Holders are cast, either for, against or abstaining as to the matter.
(d) Upon dissolution of the Partnership, an Ineligible Holder shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Ineligible Holders share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for Partnership purposes as a purchase by the Partnership from the Ineligible Holder of its Limited Partner Interest (representing the right to receive its share of such distribution in kind).
(e) At any time after an Ineligible Holder can and does certify that it no longer is an Ineligible Holder, it may, upon application to the General Partner, request that with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Ineligible Holder not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.10, such Ineligible Holder be admitted as a Limited Partner, and upon approval of the General Partner, such Ineligible Holder shall be admitted as Limited Partner and shall no longer constitute an Ineligible Holder, and the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in respect of such Limited Partner Interests.
Section 4.10 Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders .
(a) If at any time a Limited Partner fails to furnish an Eligibility Certificate or any information requested within 30 days (or such other period as the General Partner may determine) of receipt of a request from the General Partner to furnish an Eligibility Certificate, or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or such other information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner is an Ineligible Holder, the Partnership may, unless the Limited Partner establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Limited Partner is not an Ineligible Holder or has transferred his Limited Partner Interests to a Person who is not an Ineligible Holder and who furnishes an Eligibility Certificate to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Limited Partner Interest of such Limited Partner as follows:
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(i) The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Limited Partner, at his last address designated in the Register by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon redemption of the Redeemable Interests (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender of the Certificates evidencing the Redeemable Interests at the place specified in the notice) and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which the Limited Partner would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made.
(ii) The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Limited Partner Interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Limited Partner Interests of each such class included among the Redeemable Interests. The redemption price shall be paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 5% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.
(iii) The Limited Partner or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment for the Redeemable Interests at the place of payment specified in the notice of redemption on the redemption date (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender by or on behalf of the Limited Partner or transferee at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificates evidencing the Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank).
(iv) After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.
(b) The provisions of this Section 4.10 shall also be applicable to Limited Partner Interests held by a Limited Partner as nominee, agent or representative of a Person determined to be an Ineligible Holder.
(c) Nothing in this Section 4.10 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Limited Partner Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement and the transferor provides notice of such transfer to the General Partner. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided, however, that the transferee of such Limited Partner Interest certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such transferee is not an Ineligible Holder. If the transferee fails to make such certification within 30 days after the request, and, in any event, before the redemption date, such redemption shall be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.
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ARTICLE V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 5.1 Organizational Contributions . In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Delaware Act, the General Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $50.00 in exchange for a 2% General Partner Interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as the General Partner of the Partnership, and the Organizational Limited Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $50.00 in exchange for a 98% Limited Partner Interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership. As of the Closing Date, the interests of the General Partner and Organizational Limited Partner shall be redeemed as provided in the Contribution Agreement and the initial Capital Contributions of the General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner shall be refunded, and all interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial Capital Contributions shall be allocated and distributed to the General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner, respectively.
Section 5.2 Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates .
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement:
(i) the General Partner contributed to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, a 1.137% ownership interest in Zydeco, a 0.806% ownership interest in Mars, a 1.381% ownership interest in Bengal, and a 0.045% ownership interest in Colonial in exchange for (w) 2,754,084 General Partner Units representing a continuation of its 2% General Partner Interest, subject to all of the rights, privileges and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement, (x) the Incentive Distribution Rights, (y) a right to receive approximately $2.2 million as a reimbursement for certain capital expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d), and (z) a right to receive approximately $16.3 million; and
(ii) Holdings contributed to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, a 39.194% ownership interest in Zydeco, a 27.794% ownership interest in Mars, a 47.619% ownership interest in Bengal, and a 1.567% ownership interest in Colonial in exchange for (i) 21,475,068 Common Units (which gives effect to the full exercise of the Underwriters Option) (ii) 67,475,068 Subordinated Units, (iii) a right to receive $76,035,961 as a reimbursement for certain capital expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d), and (iv) a right to receive $697,111,029.
(b) Upon the issuance of any additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership (other than (i) the Common Units issued in the Initial Public Offering, (ii) the Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights issued pursuant to Section 5.2(a), (iii) any Common Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11 and (iv) any Common Units issued upon the conversion of any Partnership Interests), the General Partner may, in order to maintain the Percentage Interest with respect to its General Partner Interest, make additional Capital Contributions up to an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the quotient determined by dividing (x) the Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interests immediately prior to the issuance of such additional Limited Partner Interests by the
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Partnership by (y) 100% less the Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interest immediately prior to the issuance of such additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership times (B) the gross amount contributed to the Partnership by the Limited Partners (before deduction of underwriters discounts and commissions) in exchange for such additional Limited Partner Interests. Except as set forth in Article XII, the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership.
Section 5.3 Contributions by Limited Partners .
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each IPO Underwriter contributed cash to the Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to each IPO Underwriter, all as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
(b) Upon the exercise, if any, of the Underwriters Option, each IPO Underwriter shall contribute cash to the Partnership on the Option Closing Date in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to each IPO Underwriter, all as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
(c) No Limited Partner Interests will be issued or issuable as of or at the Closing Date other than (i) the Common Units and Subordinated Units issued pursuant to Section 5.2(a), (ii) the Common Units issued to the IPO Underwriters as described in subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.3 and (iii) the Incentive Distribution Rights issued to the General Partner.
(d) No Limited Partner will be required to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 5.4 Interest and Withdrawal . No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority over any other Partner either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.
Section 5.5 Capital Accounts .
(a) The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee, agent or representative in any case in which such nominee, agent or representative has furnished the identity of such beneficial owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). The Capital Account shall in respect of each such Partnership Interest be increased
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by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1.
(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided, however, that:
(i) Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement or governing, organizational or similar documents) of all property owned by (x) any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and (y) any other partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes of which a Group Member is, directly or indirectly, a partner, member or other equity holder.
(ii) All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.
(iii) The computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made (x) except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership and (y) as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(iv) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.734-2(b)(1)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.
(v) In the event the Carrying Value of Partnership property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), any Unrealized Gain resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain and any Unrealized Loss resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as an item of loss.
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(vi) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnerships Carrying Value with respect to such property as of such date.
(vii) In accordance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property on the date it was acquired by the Partnership were equal to the Agreed Value of such property. Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.5(d) to the Carrying Value of any Partnership property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to such property shall be determined under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d)(2) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment.
(viii) The Gross Liability Value of each Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i) shall be adjusted at such times as provided in this Agreement for an adjustment to Carrying Values. The amount of any such adjustment shall be treated for purposes hereof as an item of loss (if the adjustment increases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership) or an item of gain (if the adjustment decreases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership).
(c) (i) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.5(c), a transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a Pro Rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.
(ii) Subject to Section 6.7(b), immediately prior to the transfer of a Subordinated Unit or of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 by a holder thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this subparagraph 5.5(c)(ii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will (A) first, be allocated to the Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any converted Subordinated Units ( Retained Converted Subordinated Units ) or Subordinated Units. Following any such allocation, the transferors Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferees Capital Account established with respect to the transferred Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) hereinabove.
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(iii) Subject to Section 6.8(b), immediately prior to the transfer of an IDR Reset Common Unit by a holder thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this subparagraph (iii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its IDR Reset Common Units will (A) first, be allocated to the IDR Reset Common Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such IDR Reset Common Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any IDR Reset Common Units. Following any such allocation, the transferors Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained IDR Reset Common Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferees Capital Account established with respect to the transferred IDR Reset Common Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) above.
(d) (i) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11, or the conversion of the General Partners Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Capital Account of each Partner and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property; provided, however , that in the event of an issuance of Partnership Interests for a de minimis amount of cash or Contributed Property, or in the event of an issuance of a de minimis amount of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the General Partner may determine that such adjustments are unnecessary for the proper administration of the Partnership. If upon the occurrence of a Revaluation Event described in this Section 5.1(d), a Noncompensatory Option of the Partnership is outstanding, the Partnership shall adjust the Carrying Value of each Partnership property in accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(1) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2). In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests (or, in the case of an issuance of a Noncompensatory Option, immediately after such issuance if required pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(1)) shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt. In making its determination of the fair market values of individual properties, the General Partner may first determine an aggregate value for the assets of the Partnership that takes into account the current trading price of the Common Units, the fair market value of all other Partnership Interests at such time and the amount of Partnership Liabilities. The General Partner may allocate such aggregate value among the individual properties of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines appropriate). Absent a contrary determination by the General Partner, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a Revaluation Event shall be the value that would result in the Capital Account for each Common Unit that is Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event being equal to the Event Issue Value.
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(ii) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any actual distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Capital Accounts of all Partners and the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of a distribution that is not made pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.5(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may adopt.
Section 5.6 Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests .
(a) The Partnership may issue additional Partnership Interests (other than General Partner Interests (except for General Partner Interests issued pursuant to Section 5.2(b))) and Derivative Partnership Interests for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.
(b) Each additional Partnership Interest authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Interests), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may or shall be required to redeem the Partnership Interest; (v) whether such Partnership Interest is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Interest will be issued, evidenced by Certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Interest; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Interest to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Interest.
(c) The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 5.6, (ii) the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the issuance of Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11, (iv) reflecting admission of such additional Limited Partners in the Register as the Record Holders of such Limited Partner Interests and (v) all additional issuances of Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests or in connection with the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.
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(d) No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.
Section 5.7 Conversion of Subordinated Units .
(a) All of the Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the expiration of the Subordination Period.
(b) A Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.
Section 5.8 Limited Preemptive Right. Except as provided in this Section 5.8 and in Section 5.2 and Section 5.11 or as otherwise provided in a separate agreement by the Partnership, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Interest, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created. The General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates, to purchase Partnership Interests from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the Partnership issues Partnership Interests to Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, up to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Interests.
Section 5.9 Splits and Combinations .
(a) Subject to Section 5.9(e), Section 6.6 and Section 6.9 (dealing with adjustments of distribution levels), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Interests to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis (including any Common Unit Arrearage or Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage) or stated as a number of Units are proportionately adjusted.
(b) Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice (or such shorter periods as required by applicable law). The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Interests to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.
(c) If a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Interests, or a subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests, is made as contemplated in this Section 5.9, the number of General Partner Units constituting the Percentage Interest of the General Partner (as determined
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immediately prior to the Record Date for such distribution, subdivision or combination) shall be appropriately adjusted as of the date of payment of such distribution, or the effective date of such subdivision or combination, to maintain such Percentage Interest of the General Partner.
(d) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates or uncertificated Partnership Interests to the Record Holders of Partnership Interests as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Interests held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Interests Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of Partnership Interests represented by Certificates, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.
(e) The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units or General Partner Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units and General Partner Units but for the provisions of Section 5.6(d) and this Section 5.9(e), each fractional Unit and General Partner Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit or General Partner Unit (with fractional Units or General Partner Units equal to or greater than a 0.5 Unit or General Partner Unit being rounded to the next higher Unit or General Partner Unit).
Section 5.10 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests . All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act.
Section 5.11 Issuance of Common Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights .
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.11, the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right, at any time when there are no Subordinated Units Outstanding and the Partnership has made a distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(v) for each of the four most recently completed Quarters and the aggregate amounts distributed in respect of such four-Quarter period did not exceed Adjusted Operating Surplus for such four- Quarter period, to make an election (the IDR Reset Election ) to cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive their respective proportionate share of a number of Common Units (the IDR Reset Common Units ) derived by dividing (i) the average amount of cash distributions made by the Partnership for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (as defined in Section 5.11(b)) in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights by (ii) the average of the cash distributions made by the Partnership in respect of each Common Unit for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (the number of Common Units determined by such quotient is
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referred to herein as the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units ). If at the time of any IDR Reset Election the General Partner and its Affiliates are not the holders of a majority interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights, then the IDR Reset Election shall be subject to the prior written concurrence of the General Partner that the conditions described in the immediately preceding sentence have been satisfied. Upon the issuance of such IDR Reset Common Units, the Partnership will issue to the General Partner that number of additional General Partner Units equal to the product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner immediately prior to such issuance by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less such Percentage Interest by (y) the number of such IDR Reset Common Units, and the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership in exchange for such issuance. The making of the IDR Reset Election in the manner specified in this Section 5.11 shall cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive IDR Reset Common Units and the General Partner will become entitled to receive General Partner Units on the basis specified above, without any further approval required by the General Partner or the Unitholders other than as set forth in this Section 5.11(a), at the time specified in Section 5.11(c) unless the IDR Reset Election is rescinded pursuant to Section 5.11(d).
(b) To exercise the right specified in Section 5.11(a), the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall deliver a written notice (the Reset Notice ) to the Partnership. Within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the Partnership of such Reset Notice, the Partnership shall deliver a written notice to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights of the Partnerships determination of the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units that each holder of Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive.
(c) The holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and the General Partner will be entitled to receive the related additional General Partner Units on the fifteenth Business Day after receipt by the Partnership of the Reset Notice; provided, however , that the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights shall not occur prior to the approval of the listing or admission for trading of such IDR Reset Common Units by the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then listed or admitted for trading if any such approval is required pursuant to the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange.
(d) If the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then traded has not approved the listing or admission for trading of the IDR Reset Common Units to be issued pursuant to this Section 5.11 on or before the 30th calendar day following the Partnerships receipt of the Reset Notice and such approval is required by the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange, then the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right to either rescind the IDR Reset Election or elect to receive other Partnership Interests having such terms as the General Partner may approve that will provide (i) the same economic value, in the
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aggregate, as the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units would have had at the time of the Partnerships receipt of the Reset Notice, as determined by the General Partner, and (ii) for the subsequent conversion of such Partnership Interests into Common Units within not more than 12 months following the Partnerships receipt of the Reset Notice upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions that are reasonably acceptable to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights).
(e) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions, shall be adjusted at the time of the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units or other Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 5.11 such that (i) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution shall be reset to equal the average cash distribution amount per Common Unit for the two Quarters immediately prior to the Partnerships receipt of the Reset Notice (the Reset MQD ), (ii) the First Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 115% of the Reset MQD, (iii) the Second Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 125% of the Reset MQD and (iv) the Third Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 150% of the Reset MQD.
(f) Upon the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11(a), the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights will (i) first, be allocated to IDR Reset Common Units in an amount equal to the product of (A) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit, and (ii) second, as to any remaining balance in such Capital Account, will be retained by the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights. If there is not sufficient capital associated with the Incentive Distribution Rights to allocate the full Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit to the IDR Reset Common Units in accordance with clause (i) of this Section 5.11(f), the IDR Reset Common Units shall be subject to Sections 6.1(d)(x)(B) and (C).
ARTICLE VI
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 6.1 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes. For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnerships items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) for each taxable period shall be allocated among the Partners as provided herein below.
(a) Net Income . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net Income for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:
(i) First, to the General Partner until the aggregate amount of Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate amount of Net Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable periods; and
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(ii) The balance, if any, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, and (y) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x).
(b) Net Loss . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net Loss for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Loss for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:
(i) First, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata; provided, however , that Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account); and
(ii) The balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.
(c) Net Termination Gains and Losses . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period shall be allocated in the manner set forth in this Section 6.1(c). All allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of Available Cash provided under Section 6.4 and Section 6.5 have been made; provided, however , that solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4.
(i) Except as provided in Section 6.1(c)(iv) and Section 6.1(c)(v), and subject to the provisions set forth in the last sentence of this Section 6.1(c)(i), Net Termination Gain (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain) shall be allocated in the following order and priority:
(A) First , to each Partner having a deficit balance in its Capital Account, in the proportion that such deficit balance bears to the total deficit balances in the Capital Accounts of all Partners, until each such Partner has been allocated Net Termination Gain equal to any such deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account;
(B) Second , (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partners Percentage Interest, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i) or Section 6.4(b)(i) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter referred to as the Unpaid MQD ) and (3) any then-existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage;
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(C) Third , if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit into a Common Unit, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partners Percentage Interest, until the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding equals the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, determined for the taxable period (or portion thereof) to which this allocation of gain relates, and (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iii) with respect to such Subordinated Unit for such Quarter;
(D) Fourth , 100% to the General Partner and all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Unpaid MQD, (3) any then-existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage, and (4) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter after the Closing Date or the date of the most recent IDR Reset Election, if any, over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iv) and Section 6.4(b)(ii) for such period (the sum of (1), (2), (3) and (4) is hereinafter referred to as the First Liquidation Target Amount );
(E) Fifth , (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x) and (y) of this clause (E), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter after the Closing Date or the date of the most recent IDR Reset Election, if any, over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(v) and Section 6.4(b)(iii) for such period (the sum of (1) and (2) is hereinafter referred to as the Second Liquidation Target Amount );
(F) Sixth , (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x) and (y) of this clause (F), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter after the Closing Date or the date of the most recent IDR Reset Election, if any, over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(vi) and Section 6.4(b)(iv) for such period; and
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(G) Finally , (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x) and (y) of this clause (G).
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions in this Section 6.1(c)(i), the General Partner may adjust the amount of any Net Termination Gain arising in connection with a Revaluation Event that is allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in a manner that will result (i) in the Capital Account for each Common Unit that is Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event being equal to the Event Issue Value and (ii) to the greatest extent possible, the Capital Account with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights that are Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event being equal to the amount of Net Termination Gain that would be allocated to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(i) if the Capital Accounts with respect to all Partnership Interests that were Outstanding immediately prior to such Revaluation Event and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property were equal to zero.
(ii) Except as otherwise provided by Section 6.1(c)(iii) or Section 6.1(c)(v), Net Termination Loss (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Loss) shall be allocated:
(A) First , if Subordinated Units remain Outstanding, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partners Percentage Interest, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;
(B) Second , (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partners Percentage Interest, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and
(C) The balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.
(iii) Net Termination Loss deemed recognized pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of Net Termination Loss as a result of a Revaluation Event prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and prior to the Liquidation Date shall be allocated:
(A) First , to the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding equals the Event Issue Value; provided that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(iii) (A) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account);
(B) Second , to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata; provided, however , that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(iii)(B) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account); and
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(C) The balance, if any, to the General Partner.
(iv) If Net Termination Loss has been allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(iii), any subsequent Net Termination Gain recognized as a result of a Revaluation Event prior to the Liquidation Date shall be allocated:
(A) First, to the General Partner until the aggregate Net Termination Gain allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(iv)(A) is equal to the aggregate Net Termination Loss previously allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(iii)(C);
(B) Second, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the aggregate Net Termination Gain allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(iv)(B) is equal to the aggregate Net Termination Loss previously allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(iii)(B); and
(C) The balance, if any, pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(c)(i).
(v) If (A) a Net Termination Loss has been allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(iii), (B) a Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss subsequently occurs (other than as a result of a Revaluation Event) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and (C) after tentatively making all allocations of such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss provided for in Section 6.1(c)(i) or Section 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit does not equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if Section 6.1(c)(iii) had not been part of this Agreement and all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i) or Section 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction included in such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss, as applicable, shall be specially allocated to the General Partner and all Unitholders in a manner that will, to the maximum extent possible, cause the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i) or Section 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable.
(d) Special Allocations . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the following special allocations shall be made for such taxable period in the following order:
(i) Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partners Adjusted Capital
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Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii)). This Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(ii) Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partners Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) and other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii) with respect to such taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(iii) Priority Allocations .
(A) If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed pursuant to Section 12.4) with respect to a Unit exceeds the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed with respect to another Unit (the amount of the excess, an Excess Distribution and the Unit with respect to which the greater distribution is paid, an Excess Distribution Unit ), then (1) there shall be allocated gross income and gain to each Unitholder receiving an Excess Distribution with respect to the Excess Distribution Unit until the aggregate amount of such items allocated with respect to such Excess Distribution Unit pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the amount of the Excess Distribution; and (2) the General Partner shall be allocated gross income and gain with respect to each such Excess Distribution in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (aa) the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partners Percentage Interest at the time when the Excess Distribution occurs by (y) a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partners Percentage Interest at the time when the Excess Distribution occurs, times (bb) the total amount allocated in clause (1) above with respect to such Excess Distribution.
(B) After the application of Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A), all or any portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for the taxable period, if any, shall be allocated (1) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(B) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the cumulative amount of all Incentive Distributions
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made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights from the Closing Date to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable period; and (2) to the General Partner an amount equal to the product of (aa) an amount equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partners Percentage Interest by (y) the sum of 100 less the General Partners Percentage Interest times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1) above.
(iv) Qualified Income Offset . In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership gross income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible; provided, however, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iv) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.1(d)(iv) were not in this Agreement.
(v) Gross Income Allocation . In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, however, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if Section 6.1(d)(iv) and this Section 6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.
(vi) Nonrecourse Deductions . Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners Pro Rata. If the General Partner determines that the Partnerships Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.
(vii) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions . Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, the Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.
(viii) Nonrecourse Liabilities . For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners Pro Rata.
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(ix) Code Section 754 Adjustments . To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation section 1.734-2(b)(1)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) taken into account pursuant to Section 5.5, and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.
(x) Economic Uniformity; Changes in Law .
(A) At the election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon, or after, the termination of the Subordination Period, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period, after taking into account allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(iii), shall be allocated 100% to each Partner holding Subordinated Units that are Outstanding as of the termination of the Subordination Period ( Final Subordinated Units ) in the proportion of the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner to the total number of Final Subordinated Units then Outstanding, until each such Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such Final Subordinated Units to an amount that after taking into account the other allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction to be made with respect to such taxable period will equal the product of (A) the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose of this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying Final Subordinated Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to the conversion of such Final Subordinated Units into Common Units. This allocation method for establishing such economic uniformity will be available to the General Partner only if the method for allocating the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Subordinated Units between the transferred and retained Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.5(c)(ii) does not otherwise provide such economic uniformity to the Final Subordinated Units.
(B) With respect to an event triggering an adjustment to the Carrying Value of Partnership property pursuant to Section 5.5(d) during any taxable period of the Partnership ending upon, or after, the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11, after the application of Section 6.1(d)(x)(A), any Unrealized Gains and Unrealized Losses shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner that to the nearest extent possible results in the Capital Accounts maintained with respect to such IDR Reset Common Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11 equaling the product of (A) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.
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(C) With respect to any taxable period during which an IDR Reset Common Unit is transferred to any Person who is not an Affiliate of the transferor, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the transferor Partner of such transferred IDR Reset Common Unit until such transferor Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such transferred IDR Reset Common Unit to an amount equal to the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.
(D) For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.1(d)(x)(D) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests issued and Outstanding or the Partnership, and if such allocations are consistent with the principles of Section 704 of the Code.
(xi) Curative Allocation .
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of gross income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Required Allocations relating to (1) Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain and (2) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. In exercising its discretion under this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A), the General Partner may take into account future Required Allocations that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Required Allocations previously made. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners. Further, allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall be deferred with respect to allocations pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) hereof to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations are likely to be offset by subsequent Required Allocations.
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(B) The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.
(xii) Equalization of Capital Accounts With Respect to Privately Placed Units . Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss deemed recognized as a result of a Revaluation Event shall first be allocated to the (A) Unitholders holding Privately Placed Units or (B) Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, as applicable, to the extent necessary to cause the Capital Account in respect of each Privately Placed Unit then Outstanding to equal the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit (other than Privately Placed Units) then Outstanding.
(xiii) Corrective and Other Allocations . In the event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items or a Net Termination Loss, the following rules shall apply:
(A) The General Partner shall allocate Additional Book Basis Derivative Items consisting of depreciation, amortization, depletion or any other form of cost recovery (other than Additional Book Basis Derivative Items included in Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) with respect to any Adjusted Property to the Unitholders, Pro Rata, the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights and the General Partner, all in the same proportion as the Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss resulting from the Revaluation Event that gave rise to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items was allocated to them pursuant to Section 6.1(c).
(B) If a sale or other taxable disposition of an Adjusted Property, including, for this purpose, inventory ( Disposed of Adjusted Property ) occurs other than in connection with an event giving rise to Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss, the General Partner shall allocate (1) items of gross income and gain (aa) away from the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights and the General Partner and (bb) to the Unitholders, or (2) items of deduction and loss (aa) away from the Unitholders and (bb) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights and the General Partner, to the extent that the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the Disposed of Adjusted Property (determined in accordance with the last sentence of the definition of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items) treated as having been allocated to the Unitholders pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xiii)(5)(B) exceed their Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to such Disposed of Adjusted Property. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d)(xiii)(B), the Unitholders shall be treated as having been allocated Additional Book Basis Derivative Items to the extent that such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items have reduced the amount of income that would otherwise have been allocated to the Unitholders under the Partnership Agreement (e.g., Additional Book Basis Derivative Items taken into account in computing cost of goods sold would reduce the amount of book income otherwise available for allocation among the Partners). Any allocation made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xiii)(B) shall be made after all of the other Agreed Allocations have been made as if this Section 6.1(d)(xiii) were not in this Agreement and, to the extent necessary, shall require the reallocation of items that have been allocated pursuant to such other Agreed Allocations.
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(C) Net Termination Loss in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) such Net Termination Loss and (2) the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments shall be allocated in such a manner, as determined by the General Partner, that to the extent possible, the Capital Account balances of the Partners will equal the amount they would have been had no prior Book-Up Events occurred, and any remaining Net Termination Loss shall be allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof. In allocating Net Termination Loss pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xiii)(C), the General Partner shall attempt, to the extent possible, to cause the Capital Accounts of the Unitholders, on the one hand, and holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, on the other hand, to equal the amount they would equal if (i) the Carrying Values of the Partnerships property had not been previously adjusted in connection with any prior Book-Up Events, (ii) Unrealized Gain and Unrealized Loss (or, in the case of a liquidation, actual gain or loss) with respect to such Partnership Property were determined with respect to such unadjusted Carrying Values, and (iii) any resulting Net Termination Gain had been allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the provisions set forth in the last sentence of Section 6.1(c)(i)).
(D) In making the allocations required under this Section 6.1(d)(xiii), the General Partner may apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xiii). Without limiting the foregoing, if an Adjusted Property is contributed by the Partnership to another entity classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes (the lower tier partnership ), the General Partner may make allocations similar to those described in Sections 6.1(d)(xiii)(A)(C) to the extent the General Partner determines such allocations are necessary to account for the Partnerships allocable share of income, gain, loss and deduction of the lower tier partnership that relate to the contributed Adjusted Property in a manner that is consistent with the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xiii).
(xiv) Special Curative Allocation in Event of Liquidation Prior to Conversion of the Last Outstanding Subordinated Unit . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1 (other than the Required Allocations), if (A) the Liquidation Date occurs prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and (B) after having made all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit does not equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if Section 6.1(c)(iii) and Section 6.1(c)(v) had not been part of this Agreement and all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i) or Section 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction for such taxable period shall be reallocated among the General Partner and all Unitholders in a manner determined appropriate by the General Partner so as to cause, to the maximum extent possible, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i) or Section 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the reallocation of items set forth in the immediately preceding sentence provides that, to the extent necessary to achieve the Capital Account balances
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described above, (x) items of income and gain that would otherwise be included in Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs, shall be reallocated from the General Partner and Unitholders holding Subordinated Units to Unitholders holding Common Units and (y) items of deduction and loss that would otherwise be included in Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be reallocated from Unitholders holding Common Units to the General Partner and Unitholders holding Subordinated Units. In the event that (i) the Liquidation Date occurs on or before the date (not including any extension of time prescribed by law for the filing of the Partnerships federal income tax return for the taxable period immediately prior to the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs and (ii) the reallocation of items for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs as set forth above in this Section 6.1(d)(xiv) fails to achieve the Capital Account balances described above, items of income, gain, loss and deduction that would otherwise be included in the Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for such prior taxable period shall be reallocated among the General Partner and all Unitholders in a manner that will, to the maximum extent possible and after taking into account all other allocations made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xiv), cause the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i) or Section 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable.
Section 6.2 Allocations for Tax Purposes.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, for federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of book income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
(b) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, as determined to be appropriate by the General Partner (taking into account the General Partners discretion under Section 6.1(d)(x)(D)); provided, however , that the General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d) in all events.
(c) The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnerships property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate
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method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.
(d) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1250-1(f), any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.
(e) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided, however , that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.
(f) Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction, for federal income tax purposes, shall be determined for each taxable period and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided, however , that such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the last Option Closing Date or the expiration of the Underwriters Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the next succeeding month; and provided, further, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income or loss realized and recognized other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which such gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.
(g) Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee, agent or representative in any case in which such nominee, agent or representative has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.
(h) If, as a result of an exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the General Partner shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).
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Section 6.3 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders .
(a) Within 60 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on December 31, 2014, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. All amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, be deemed to be Capital Surplus . All distributions required to be made under this Agreement shall be made subject to Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Act and other applicable law, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a) (but subject to the last sentence of Section 3.6(a)), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all cash received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.
(c) The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, or amounts withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a distribution of Available Cash to such Partners, or as a general expense of the Partnership, as determined appropriate under the circumstances by the General Partner.
(d) Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnerships liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.
Section 6.4 Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus .
(a) During the Subordination Period . Available Cash with respect to any Quarter within the Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3 or 6.5 shall be distributed as follows, except as otherwise required in respect of additional Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Section 5.6(b):
(i) First , (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partners Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
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(ii) Second , (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partners Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage existing with respect to such Quarter;
(iii) Third , (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to the Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partners Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(iv) Fourth , to the General Partner and all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(v) Fifth , (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (v), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;
(vi) Sixth , (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (vi), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and
(vii) Thereafter , (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (vii);
provided, however , if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(a)(vii).
(b) After the Subordination Period . Available Cash with respect to any Quarter after the Subordination Period (which Quarter may include the date on which the Subordination Period ends) that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3 or Section 6.5 shall be distributed as follows, except as otherwise required in respect of additional Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Section 5.6(b):
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(i) First , to the General Partner and all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(ii) Second , to the General Partner and all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(iii) Third , (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iii), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;
(iv) Fourth , (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iv), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and
(v) Thereafter , (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (v);
provided, however , that if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(b)(v).
Section 6.5 Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus . Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3(a) shall be distributed, unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Minimum Quarterly Distribution has been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a). Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus shall then be distributed (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (B) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partners Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage. Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in accordance with Section 6.4.
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Section 6.6 Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels .
(a) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, Target Distributions, Common Unit Arrearages and Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Interests in accordance with Section 5.9. In the event of a distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distributions shall be adjusted proportionately downward to equal the product obtained by multiplying the otherwise applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, as the case may be, by a fraction, of which the numerator is the Unrecovered Initial Unit Price of the Common Units immediately after giving effect to such distribution and of which the denominator is the Unrecovered Initial Unit Price of the Common Units immediately prior to giving effect to such distribution.
(b) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.11 and Section 6.9.
Section 6.7 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units .
(a) Except with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units, the holder of a Subordinated Unit shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder; provided, however , that immediately upon the conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7, the Unitholder holding a Subordinated Unit shall possess all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder with respect to such converted Subordinated Units, including the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units; provided, however , that such converted Subordinated Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x)(A), 6.7(b) and 6.7(c).
(b) A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer a Subordinated Unit or a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 (other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholders Capital Account with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units would be negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.5(c)(ii)(B).
(c) The holder of a Common Unit that has resulted from the conversion of a Subordinated Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 or Section 11.4 shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to Section 4.1 (if the Common Units are represented by Certificates) and
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shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Unit to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each such Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.7(c), the General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such Common Units, including the application of Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x) and 6.7(b); provided, however , that no such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units.
Section 6.8 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights .
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights (1) shall (x) possess the rights and obligations provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to Article III and Article VII and (y) have a Capital Account as a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5 and all other provisions related thereto and (2) shall not (x) be entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval or vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, except as provided by law, (y) be entitled to any distributions other than as provided in Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii), Sections 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v), and Section 12.4 or (z) be allocated items of income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in this Article VI; provided, however, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not preclude the Partnership from making any other payments or distributions in connection with other actions permitted by this Agreement.
(b) A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer an IDR Reset Common Unit (other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholders Capital Account with respect to the retained IDR Reset Common Units would be negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.5(c)(iii).
(c) A holder of an IDR Reset Common Unit that was issued in connection with an IDR Reset Election pursuant to Section 5.11 shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to Section 4.1 (if the Common Units are evidenced by Certificates) or evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Common Units, and shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Unit to a Person that is not an Affiliate of such holder, until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each such IDR Reset Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.8(c), the General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such IDR Reset Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such IDR Reset Common Units, including the application of Section 5.5(c)(iii), Section 6.1(d)(x)(B), or Section 6.1(d)(x)(C); provided , however , that no such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units.
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Section 6.9 Entity-Level Taxation . If legislation is enacted or the official interpretation of existing legislation is modified by a governmental authority, which after giving effect to such enactment or modification, results in a Group Member becoming subject to federal, state or local or non-U.S. income or withholding taxes in excess of the amount of such taxes due from the Group Member prior to such enactment or modification (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any increase in the rate of such taxation applicable to the Group Member), then the General Partner may, at its option, reduce the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions by the amount of income or withholding taxes that are payable by reason of any such new legislation or interpretation (the Incremental Income Taxes ), or any portion thereof selected by the General Partner, in the manner provided in this Section 6.9. If the General Partner elects to reduce the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions for any Quarter with respect to all or a portion of any Incremental Income Taxes, the General Partner shall estimate for such Quarter the Partnership Groups aggregate liability (the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount ) for all (or the relevant portion of) such Incremental Income Taxes; provided, however, that any difference between such estimate and the actual liability for Incremental Income Taxes (or the relevant portion thereof) for such Quarter may, to the extent determined by the General Partner, be taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined. For each such Quarter, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be the product obtained by multiplying (a) the amounts therefor that are set out herein prior to the application of this Section 6.9 times (b) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) Available Cash with respect to such Quarter by (ii) the sum of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for such Quarter, as determined by the General Partner. For purposes of the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to a Quarter will be deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for that Quarter.
ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
Section 7.1 Management.
(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, but without limitation on the ability of the General Partner to delegate its rights and power to other Persons, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner in its capacity as such shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.4, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:
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(i) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests, and the incurring of any other obligations;
(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;
(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.4 and Article XIV);
(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the business or operations of the Partnership Group, whether through a Subsidiary or a Joint Venture; subject to Section 7.7(a), the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group Member; and the making of capital contributions to any Group Member;
(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if the same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);
(vi) the distribution of cash held by the Partnership;
(vii) the selection and dismissal of officers, employees, agents, internal and outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
(viii) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and Indemnitees;
(ix) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of assets and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other Persons (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of assets to, any Group Member from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.4;
(x) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;
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(xi) the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange regarding some or all of the Limited Partner Interests or other securities issued by a Group Member or the delisting of such securities from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section 4.8);
(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Interests, or the issuance of Derivative Partnership Interests;
(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnerships participation in the management of any Group Member or Joint Venture; and
(xv) the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and each other Person who may acquire an interest in Partnership Interests or is otherwise bound by this Agreement hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement and the Group Member Agreement of each other Group Member, the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the IPO Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement (collectively, the Transaction Documents ) (in each case other than this Agreement, without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or restatements thereof entered into after the date such Person becomes bound by the provisions of this Agreement); (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or on behalf of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Interests or are otherwise bound by this Agreement; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV) shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise.
Section 7.2 Replacement of Fiduciary Duties . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that, at law or in equity, the General Partner or any other Indemnitee would have duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Partnership, to another Partner, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or to any other Person
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bound by this Agreement, all such duties (including fiduciary duties) are hereby eliminated, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and replaced with the duties expressly set forth herein. The elimination of duties (including fiduciary duties) and replacement thereof with the duties expressly set forth herein are approved by the Partnership, each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement.
Section 7.3 Certificate of Limited Partnership . The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.
Section 7.4 Restrictions on the General Partners Authority to Sell Assets of the Partnership Group . Except as provided in Article XII and Article XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partners ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance.
Section 7.5 Reimbursement of the General Partner .
(a) Except as provided in this Section 7.5 and elsewhere in this Agreement or in the Omnibus Agreement, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner or managing member of any Group Member.
(b) Except as provided in the Omnibus Agreement, the General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person, including Affiliates of the General Partner, to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group), and (ii) all other
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expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner or its Affiliates in connection with managing and operating the Partnership Groups business and affairs (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.5 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.8. Any allocation of expenses to the Partnership by the General Partner in a manner consistent with its or its Affiliates past business practices and, in the case of assets regulated by FERC, then applicable accounting and allocation methodologies generally permitted by FERC for rate-making purposes (or in the absence of then-applicable methodologies permitted by FERC, consistent with the most-recently applicable methodologies), shall be deemed to have been made in good faith. This provision does not affect the ability of the General Partner and its Affiliates to enter into an agreement to provide services to any Group Member for a fee or otherwise than for cost.
(c) The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates in each case for the benefit of officers, employees and directors of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any officers, employees, consultants and directors pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.5(b). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.5(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partners General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6.
(d) The General Partner and its Affiliates may charge any member of the Partnership Group a management fee to the extent necessary to allow the Partnership Group to reduce the amount of any state franchise or income tax or any tax based upon the revenues or gross margin of any member of the Partnership Group if the tax benefit produced by the payment of such management fee or fees exceeds the amount of such fee or fees.
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Section 7.6 Outside Activities .
(a) The General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership, (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a Limited Partner in the Partnership) and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement, (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt securities or equity interests in any Group Member, (C) the guarantee of, and mortgage, pledge or encumbrance of any or all of its assets in connection with, any indebtedness of any Group Member or (D) subject to the limitations contained in the Omnibus Agreement, the performance of its obligations under the Omnibus Agreement.
(b) Subject to the terms of Section 7.6(c), each Unrestricted Person (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise, to any Group Member or any Partner. None of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any Unrestricted Person.
(c) Subject to the terms of Sections 7.6(a) and (b), but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Unrestricted Person (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.6 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, of the General Partner or any other Unrestricted Person for the Unrestricted Persons (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) the Unrestricted Persons shall have no obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, to present business opportunities to the Partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty existing at law or in equity, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to any Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner). No Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Partnership, shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Partnership, and such Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) shall not be liable to the Partnership, to any Limited Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement for breach of any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) pursues or acquires for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the Partnership, provided, however , that such Unrestricted Person does not engage in such business or activity using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to such Unrestricted Person.
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(d) The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Interests in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units and/or other Partnership Interests acquired by them. The term Affiliates when used in this Section 7.6(d) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.
Section 7.7 Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members .
(a) The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however , that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arms-length basis (without reference to the lending partys financial abilities or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes of this Section 7.7(a) and Section 7.7(b), the term Group Member shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.
(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner. No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another Group Member).
(c) No borrowing by any Group Member or the approval thereof by the General Partner shall be deemed to constitute a breach of any duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever, expressed or implied, of the General Partner or its Affiliates to the Partnership or the Limited Partners existing hereunder, or existing at law, in equity or otherwise by reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly or indirectly to (i) enable distributions to the General Partner or its Affiliates (including in their capacities as Limited Partners) to exceed the General Partners Percentage Interest of the total amount distributed to all partners or (ii) hasten the expiration of the Subordination Period or the conversion of any Subordinated Units into Common Units.
Section 7.8 Indemnification .
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or
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other amounts arising from any and all threatened, pending or completed claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal and including appeals, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee and acting (or omitting or refraining to act) in such capacity on behalf of or for the benefit of the Partnership; provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless pursuant to this Agreement if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was unlawful; provided, further , no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.8 shall be available to any Indemnitee (other than a Group Member) with respect to any such Affiliates obligations pursuant to the Transaction Documents. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.8 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.8(a) in appearing at, participating in or defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Section 7.8.
(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.8 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under this Agreement, any other agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law, in equity or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitees capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity under the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.
(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates, the Indemnitees and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnerships activities or such Persons activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.
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(e) For purposes of this Section 7.8, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute fines within the meaning of Section 7.8(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.8 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(h) The provisions of this Section 7.8 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees and their heirs, successors, assigns, executors and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.
(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
Section 7.9 Liability of Indemnitees .
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, to the fullest extent allowed by law, no Indemnitee or any of its employees or Persons acting on its behalf shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Partners, or any other Persons who have acquired interests in Partnership Interests or are bound by this Agreement, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred, of any kind or character, as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee or any of its employees or Persons acting on its behalf unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee or any of its employees or Persons acting on its behalf acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was criminal.
(b) The General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner if such appointment was not made in bad faith.
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(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee or any of its employees or Persons acting on its behalf has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners or to any other Persons who have acquired a Partnership Interest or are otherwise bound by this Agreement, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee or any of its employees or Persons acting on its behalf acting in connection with the Partnerships business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, or any other Persons who have acquired interests in the Partnership Interests or are bound by this Agreement for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.
(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.9 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.9 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
Section 7.10 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties .
(a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, on the other, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special Approval, (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) determined by the Board of Directors to be on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iv) determined by the Board of Directors to be fair and reasonable to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership). The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval or Unitholder approval of such resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval or Unitholder approval. Whenever the General Partner makes a determination to refer or not to refer any potential conflict of interest to the Conflicts Committee for Special Approval, to seek or not to seek Unitholder Approval or to adopt or not to adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval or Unitholder Approval, then the General Partner shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, and the General Partner shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard or duty imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in making such determination or taking or declining to take
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such other action shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion. If Special Approval is sought, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Conflicts Committee acted in good faith, and if the Board of Directors determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above or that a director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Conflicts Committee, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of Directors acted in good faith. In any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner or the Partnership challenging any action by the Conflicts Committee with respect to any matter referred to the Conflicts Committee for Special Approval by the General Partner, any action by the Board of Directors in determining whether the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above or whether a director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Conflicts Committee, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming the presumption that the Conflicts Committee or the Board of Directors, as applicable, acted in good faith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or equity, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the IPO Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or any such duty.
(b) Whenever the General Partner or the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee), makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any Affiliate of the General Partner causes the General Partner to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement, then, unless another express lesser standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, the Board of Directors or such committee or such Affiliates causing the General Partner to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any other or different duties or standards (including fiduciary duties or standards) imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. A determination or other action or inaction will conclusively be deemed to be in good faith for all purposes of this Agreement, if the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action subjectively believe that the determination or other action or inaction is in, or not adverse to, the best interests of the Partnership Group; provided, however, that if the Board of Directors is making a determination or taking or declining to take an action pursuant to clause (iii) or clause (iv) of the first sentence of Section 7.10(a), then in lieu thereof, such determination or other action or inaction will conclusively be deemed to be in good faith for all purposes of this Agreement if the members of the Board of Directors making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action subjectively believe that the determination or other action or inaction meets the standard set forth in clause (iii) or clause (iv) of the first sentence of Section 7.10(a), as applicable.
(c) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or
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otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action shall be permitted to do so in their sole and absolute discretion. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrase, the General Partner at its option, or some variation of that phrase, is used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its Partnership Interests, or refrains from voting or transferring its Partnership Interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity.
(d) The General Partners organizational documents may provide that determinations to take or decline to take any action in its individual, rather than representative, capacity may or shall be determined by its members, if the General Partner is a limited liability company, stockholders, if the General Partner is a corporation, or the members or stockholders of the General Partners general partner, if the General Partner is a partnership.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be at its option.
(f) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or expressly required by the Delaware Act, neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall have any duties or liabilities, including fiduciary duties, to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and the provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict, eliminate or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of the General Partner or any other Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of the General Partner or such other Indemnitee.
(g) The Unitholders hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a general partner or managing member of a Group Member, to approve actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.10.
Section 7.11 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner.
(a) The General Partner and any other Indemnitee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
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(b) The General Partner and any other Indemnitee may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the advice or opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner or such Indemnitee, respectively, reasonably believes to be within such Persons professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.
(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership or any Group Member.
Section 7.12 Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests . The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests; provided that, except as permitted pursuant to Section 4.10, the General Partner may not cause any Group Member to purchase Subordinated Units during the Subordination Period. As long as Partnership Interests are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Interests shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Interests for its own account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and X.
Section 7.13 Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) Demand Registration. Upon receipt of a Notice from any Holder at any time after the 180th day after the Closing Date, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as reasonably practicable a registration statement under the Securities Act (each, a Registration Statement ) providing for the resale of the Registrable Securities identified in such Notice, which may, at the option of the Holder giving such Notice, be a Registration Statement that provides for the resale of the Registrable Securities from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Partnership shall not be required pursuant to this Section 7.13(a) to file more than one Registration Statement in any twelve-month period nor to file more than three Registration Statements in the aggregate. The Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement and to remain effective and available for the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Selling Holders named therein until the earlier of (i) six months following such Registration Statements effective date and (ii) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold. In the event one or more Holders request in a Notice to dispose of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement in an Underwritten Offering and such Holder or Holders reasonably anticipate gross proceeds from such Underwritten Offering of at least $30.0 million in the aggregate, the Partnership shall retain underwriters that are reasonably acceptable to such
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Selling Holders in order to permit such Selling Holders to effect such disposition through an Underwritten Offering; provided the Partnership shall have the exclusive right to select the bookrunning managers. The Partnership and such Selling Holders shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form that is reasonably acceptable to the Partnership and take all reasonable actions as are requested by the managing underwriters to facilitate the Underwritten Offering and sale of Registrable Securities therein. No Holder may participate in the Underwritten Offering unless it agrees to sell its Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement on the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and completes and delivers all necessary documents and information reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. In the event that the managing underwriter of such Underwritten Offering advises the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in its opinion the inclusion of all or some Registrable Securities would adversely and materially affect the timing or success of the Underwritten Offering, the amount of Registrable Securities that each Selling Holder requested be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be reduced on a Pro Rata basis to the aggregate amount that the managing underwriter deems will not have such material and adverse effect. Any Holder may withdraw from such Underwritten Offering by notice to the Partnership and the managing underwriter; provided such notice is delivered prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering.
(b) Piggyback Registration. At any time after the 180th day after the Closing Date, if the Partnership shall propose to file a Registration Statement (other than pursuant to a demand made pursuant to Section 7.13(a)) for an offering of Partnership Interests for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan, an offering relating to a transaction on Form S-4 or an offering on any registration statement that does not permit secondary sales), the Partnership shall notify all Holders of such proposal at least five business days before the proposed filing date. The Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to include such number of Registrable Securities held by any Holder in such Registration Statement as each Holder shall request in a Notice received by the Partnership within two business days of such Holders receipt of the notice from the Partnership. If the Registration Statement about which the Partnership gives notice under this Section 7.13(b) is for an Underwritten Offering, then any Holders ability to include its desired amount of Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement shall be conditioned on such Holders inclusion of all such Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Offering; provided, however, that, in the event that the managing underwriter of such Underwritten Offering advises the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in its opinion the inclusion of all or some Registrable Securities would adversely and materially affect the timing or success of the Underwritten Offering, the amount of Registrable Securities that each Selling Holder requested be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be reduced on a Pro Rata basis to the aggregate amount that the managing underwriter deems will not have such material and adverse effect. In connection with any such Underwritten Offering, the Partnership and the Selling Holders involved shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form that is reasonably acceptable to the Partnership and take all reasonable actions as are requested by the managing underwriters to facilitate the Underwritten Offering and sale of Partnership Interests therein. No Holder may participate in the Underwritten Offering unless it agrees to sell its Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement on the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and completes and delivers all necessary documents and information reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. Any Holder may withdraw from such Underwritten Offering by notice to the Partnership and the managing underwriter;
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provided such notice is delivered prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering. The Partnership shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any Registration Statement or Underwritten Offering initiated by it under this Section 7.13(b) prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement or the pricing date of the Underwritten Offering, as applicable.
(c) Sale Procedures. In connection with its obligations under this Section 7.13, the Partnership shall:
(i) furnish to each Selling Holder (A) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing a Registration Statement or any supplement or amendment thereto, upon request, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the Commission), and provide each such Selling Holder the opportunity to object to any information pertaining to such Selling Holder and its plan of distribution that is contained therein and make the corrections reasonably requested by such Selling Holder with respect to such information prior to filing a Registration Statement or supplement or amendment thereto, and (B) such number of copies of such Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Persons may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Partnership will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to clause (B) hereof that is available on the Commissions website;
(ii) if applicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the managing underwriter, shall reasonably request; provided, however , that the Partnership will not be required to qualify generally to transact business in any jurisdiction where it is not then required to so qualify or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;
(iii) promptly notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (A) the filing of a Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement to be used in connection therewith, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and, with respect to such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective; and (B) any written comments from the Commission with respect to any Registration Statement or any document incorporated by reference therein and any written request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement thereto;
(iv) immediately notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (A) the occurrence of any event or existence of any fact (but not a description of such event or fact) as a result of which the prospectus or prospectus supplement contained in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the
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case of the prospectus contained therein, in the light of the circumstances under which a statement is made); (B) the issuance or threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; or (C) the receipt by the Partnership of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction. Following the provision of such notice, subject to Section 7.13(f), the Partnership agrees to, as promptly as practicable, amend or supplement the prospectus or prospectus supplement or take other appropriate action so that the prospectus or prospectus supplement does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and to take such other reasonable action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings related thereto; and
(v) enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities, including the provision of comfort letters and legal opinions as are customary in such securities offerings.
(d) Suspension. Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from the Partnership of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 7.13(c)(iv), shall forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registrable Securities by means of a prospectus or prospectus supplement until such Selling Holders receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by such subsection or until it is advised in writing by the Partnership that the use of the prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus.
(e) Expenses. Except as set forth in an underwriting agreement for the applicable Underwritten Offering or as otherwise agreed between a Selling Holder and the Partnership, all costs and expenses of a Registration Statement filed or an Underwritten Offering that includes Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 7.13 (other than underwriting discounts and commissions on Registrable Securities and fees and expenses of counsel and advisors to Selling Holders) shall be paid by the Partnership.
(f) Delay Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the General Partner determines that the Partnerships compliance with its obligations in this Section 7.13 would be detrimental to the Partnership because such registration would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (y) require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render the Partnership unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to postpone compliance with such obligations for a period of not more than six months; provided, however, that such right may not be exercised more than twice in any 24-month period.
(g) Indemnification.
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(i) In addition to and not in limitation of the Partnerships obligation under Section 7.8, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Selling Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, Indemnified Persons ) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.13(g) as a claim and in the plural as claims) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus under which any Registrable Securities were registered or sold by such Selling Holder under the Securities Act, or arising out of, based upon or resulting from 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; provided, however , that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Selling Holder specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
(ii) Each Selling Holder shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership, the General Partner, the General Partners officers and directors and each Person who controls the Partnership or the General Partner (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Partnership to the Selling Holders, but only with respect to information regarding such Selling Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or free writing prospectus.
(iii) The provisions of this Section 7.13(g) shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnified Person may be entitled under law, equity, contract or otherwise.
(h) Specific Performance. Damages in the event of breach of Section 7.13 by a party hereto may be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that each party, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to seek an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses it may have on the ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief. The existence of this right will not preclude any such party from pursuing any other rights and remedies at law or in equity that such party may have.
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Section 7.14 Reliance by Third Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnerships sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.
ARTICLE VIII
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
Section 8.1 Records and Accounting. The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnerships business, including the Register and all other books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the Register, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, however , that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Partnership shall not be required to keep books maintained on a cash basis and the General Partner shall be permitted to calculate cash-based measures, including Operating Surplus and Adjusted Operating Surplus, by making such adjustments to its accrual basis books to account for non-cash items and other adjustments as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
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Section 8.2 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.
Section 8.3 Reports.
(a) Whether or not the Partnership is subject to the requirement to file reports with the Commission, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 105 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership (or such shorter period as required by the Commission), the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including posting on or accessible through the Partnerships or the Commissions website) to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner, and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
(b) Whether or not the Partnership is subject to the requirement to file reports with the Commission, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 50 days after the close of each Quarter (or such shorter period as required by the Commission) except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including posting on or accessible through the Partnerships or the Commissions website) to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
ARTICLE IX
TAX MATTERS
Section 9.1 Tax Returns and Information. The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable period or year that it is required by law to adopt, from time to time, as determined by the General Partner. In the event the Partnership is required to use a taxable period other than a year ending on December 31, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to change the taxable period of the Partnership to a year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal and state income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable period shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnerships taxable period ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.
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Section 9.2 Tax Elections.
(a) The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partners determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(f) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.
Section 9.3 Tax Controversies. Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the tax matters partner (as defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnerships expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnerships affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the General Partner to conduct such proceedings.
Section 9.4 Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code, or established under any foreign law. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 or Section 12.4(c) in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.
ARTICLE X
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
Section 10.1 Admission of Limited Partners.
(a) Upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights to the General Partner, Holdings and the IPO Underwriters in connection with the Initial Public Offering as described in Article V, such Persons shall, by acceptance of such Partnership Interests, and upon becoming the Record Holders of such Partnership Interests, be admitted to the Partnership as Initial Limited Partners in respect of the Common Units, Subordinated Units or Incentive Distribution Rights issued to them and be bound by this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Persons.
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(b) By acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests transferred in accordance with Article IV or acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to Article V or pursuant to a merger, consolidation or conversion pursuant to Article XIV, and except as provided in Section 4.9, each transferee of, or other such Person acquiring, a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee, agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person or Group, which nominee, agent or representative shall be subject to Section 10.1(c) below) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued to such Person when such Person becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or acquired, (ii) shall become bound, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound, by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) shall be deemed to represent that the transferee or acquirer has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and (iv) shall be deemed to make any consents, acknowledgements or waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement. A Person may become a Limited Partner without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A Person may not become a Limited Partner without acquiring a Limited Partner Interest and becoming the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest. The rights and obligations of a Person who is an Ineligible Holder shall be determined in accordance with Section 4.9.
(c) With respect to Units that are held for a Persons account by another Person that is the Record Holder (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), such Record Holder shall, in exercising the rights of a Limited Partner in respect of such Units, including the right to vote, on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, take all action as a Limited Partner by virtue of being the Record Holder of such Units in accordance with the direction of the Person who is the beneficial owner of such Units, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume such Record Holder is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 10.1(c) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.
(d) The name and mailing address of each Record Holder shall be listed in the Register. The General Partner shall update the Register from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable).
(e) Any transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to share in the profits and losses, to receive distributions, to receive allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit or any similar item or to any other rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.1(b).
Section 10.2 Admission of Successor General Partner . A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to (a) the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General
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Partner pursuant to Sections 11.1 or 11.2 or (b) the transfer of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6; provided, however , that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor is hereby authorized to and shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.
Section 10.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership . To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary or appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the Register and any other records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership.
ARTICLE XI
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner .
(a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an Event of Withdrawal );
(i) The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;
(ii) The General Partner transfers all of its General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6;
(iii) The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;
(iv) The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A) through (C) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;
(v) A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or
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(vi) (A) if the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) if the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) if the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) if the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise upon the termination of the General Partner.
If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi)(A), (B), (C) or (E) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.
(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 12:00 midnight, Central Time, on December 31, 2024 the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided, however, that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel ( Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed); (ii) at any time after 12:00 midnight, Central Time, on December 31, 2024 the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2; or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partners withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1 unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.
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Section 11.2 Removal of the General Partner . The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) voting as a single class. Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a majority of the outstanding Common Units voting as a class and Unitholders holding a majority of the outstanding Subordinated Units (if any Subordinated Units are then Outstanding) voting as a class (including, in each case, Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.2. The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.2, automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.
Section 11.3 Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner .
(a) In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if the successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, the Departing General Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or removal of such Departing General Partner, to require its successor to purchase its General Partner Interest and its or its Affiliates general partner interest (or equivalent interest), if any, in the other Group Members and all of its or its Affiliates Incentive Distribution Rights (collectively, the Combined Interest ) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its withdrawal or removal. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or removal of such Departing General Partner (or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such Combined Interest. In either event, the Departing General Partner shall be entitled to receive all
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reimbursements due such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 7.5, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing General Partner or its Affiliates (other than any Group Member) for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.
For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing General Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing General Partners withdrawal or removal, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing General Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such withdrawal or removal, then the Departing General Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing General Partners successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed or admitted to trading, the value of the Partnerships assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing General Partner, the value of the Incentive Distribution Rights and the General Partner Interest and other factors it may deem relevant.
(b) If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and its Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.
(c) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the amount equal to the product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the
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Departing General Partner by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner and (y) the Net Agreed Value of the Partnerships assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to its Percentage Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing General Partner was entitled. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partners admission, the successor General Partners interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be its Percentage Interest.
Section 11.4 Termination of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, if the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership under circumstances where Cause does not exist and Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal, (i) the Subordination Period will end and all Outstanding Subordinated Units will immediately and automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis (provided, however, that such converted Subordinated Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Section 6.7(c)), (ii) all Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages on the Common Units will be extinguished and (iii) the General Partner will have the right to convert its General Partner Interest and its Incentive Distribution Rights into Common Units or to receive cash in exchange therefor in accordance with Section 11.3.
Section 11.5 Withdrawal of Limited Partners . No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partners Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Section 12.1 Dissolution . The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 11.1, Section 11.2 or Section 12.2, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:
(a) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section 11.1(b) or 11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.2;
(b) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;
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(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or
(d) at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.
Section 12.2 Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution . Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:
(i) the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;
(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and
(iii) the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement;
provided, however, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner under the Delaware Act and (y) neither the Partnership nor any Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).
Section 12.3 Liquidator . Upon dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units voting as a single class. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units voting as a single class.
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Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units voting as a single class. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.4) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.
Section 12.4 Liquidation . The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:
(a) The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnerships assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnerships assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnerships assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.
(b) Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.
(c) All property and all cash in excess of that required to satisfy or discharge liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable period of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable period (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).
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Section 12.5 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership . Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.
Section 12.6 Return of Contributions . The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from assets of the Partnership.
Section 12.7 Waiver of Partition . To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.
Section 12.8 Capital Account Restoration . No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable year of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
Section 13.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner . Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:
(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal office of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;
(b) admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;
(c) a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for federal income tax purposes;
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(d) a change that the General Partner determines (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners considered as a whole or any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests in any material respect (except as permitted by Section 13.1(g)), (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed or admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.9 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the IPO Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;
(e) a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including a change in the definition of Quarter and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;
(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or plan asset regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;
(g) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 5.6;
(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;
(i) an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion approved in accordance with Section 14.3;
(j) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4 or Section 7.1(a);
(k) an amendment to Schedule I or an amendment to Section 10.1 providing that any transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interest for the account of another Person) shall be deemed to certify that the transferee is an Eligible Taxable Holder;
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(l) a merger, conveyance or conversion pursuant to Sections 14.3(d) or (e); or
(m) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.
Section 13.2 A mendment Procedures . Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner. The General has no obligation or duty to the Partnership or the Limited Partners to propose or approve, and may decline to propose or approve, any amendment to this Agreement in its sole and absolute discretion. An amendment to this Agreement shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.1 or Section 13.3, the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage of Outstanding Units is required under this Agreement. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any amendments. The General Partner shall be deemed to have notified all Record Holders as required by this Section 13.2 if it has posted or made accessible such amendment through the Partnerships or the Commissions website.
Section 13.3 Amendment Requirements .
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of (i) in the case of any provision of this Agreement other than Section 11.2 or Section 13.4, reducing such percentage or (ii) in the case of Section 11.2 or Section 13.4, increasing such percentages, unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute (x) in the case of a reduction as described in subclause (a)(i) hereof, not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced, (y) in the case of an increase in the percentage in Section 11.2, not less than 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Units, or (z) in the case of an increase in the percentage in Section 13.4, not less than a majority of the Outstanding Units.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c) or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.
(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3, and without limitation of the General Partners authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any Partners as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected.
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(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable partnership law of the state under whose laws the Partnership is organized.
(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.
Section 13.4 Special Meetings . All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called and the class or classes of Units for which the meeting is proposed. No business may be brought by any Limited Partner before such special meeting except the business listed in the related request. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send or cause to be sent a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given as provided in Section 16.1. Limited Partners shall not be permitted to vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business. If any such vote were to take place, to the fullest extent permitted by law, it shall be deemed null and void to the extent necessary so as not to jeopardize the Limited Partners limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.
Section 13.5 Notice of a Meeting . Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1.
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Section 13.6 Record Date . For purposes of determining the Limited Partners who are Record Holders of the class or classes of Limited Partner Interests entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11, the General Partner shall set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading or U.S. federal securities laws, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange or U.S. federal securities laws shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which such Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals. If the General Partner does not set a Record Date, then (i) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, and (ii) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall be the date the first written approval is deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner in accordance with Section 13.11.
Section 13.7 Postponement and Adjournment . Prior to the date upon which any meeting of Limited Partners is to be held, the General Partner may postpone such meeting one or more times for any reason by giving notice to each Limited Partner entitled to vote at the meeting so postponed of the place, date and hour at which such meeting would be held. Such notice shall be given not fewer than two days before the date of such meeting and otherwise in accordance with this Article XIII. When a meeting is postponed, a new Record Date need not be fixed unless the aggregate amount of such postponement shall be for more than 45 days after the original meeting date. Any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned by the General Partner one or more times for any reason, including the failure of a quorum to be present at the meeting with respect to any proposal or the failure of any proposal to receive sufficient votes for approval. No vote of the Limited Partners shall be required for any adjournment. A meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned by the General Partner as to one or more proposals regardless of whether action has been taken on other matters. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.
Section 13.8 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting . The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after call and notice in accordance with Sections 13.4 and 13.5, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove of any matters submitted for consideration or to object to the failure to submit for consideration any matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the beginning of the meeting.
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Section 13.9 Quorum and Voting . The presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of such Units, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage. At any meeting of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent at least such different percentage shall be required. The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the exit of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by the required percentage of Outstanding Units specified in this Agreement.
Section 13.10 Conduct of a Meeting . The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the submission and revocation of approvals in writing.
Section 13.11 Action Without a Meeting . If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities
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Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Outstanding Units held by such Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Outstanding Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any permitted action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals are first deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.
Section 13.12 Right to Vote and Related Matters .
(a) Only those Record Holders of the Outstanding Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of Outstanding) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.
(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Persons account by another Person that is the Record Holder (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), such Record Holder shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and in accordance with the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner of such Units, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume such Record Holder is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.
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ARTICLE XIV
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION
Section 14.1 Authority . The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America or any other country, pursuant to a written plan of merger or consolidation ( Merger Agreement ) or a written plan of conversion ( Plan of Conversion ), as the case may be, in accordance with this Article XIV.
Section 14.2 Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion .
(a) Merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided, however , that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to consent to a merger, consolidation or conversion, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in determining whether to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion.
(b) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:
(i) name and state or country of domicile of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;
(ii) the name and state of domicile of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the Surviving Business Entity );
(iii) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;
(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (A) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (B) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;
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(v) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership, operating agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;
(vi) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement ( provided, however , that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated therein); and
(vii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
(c) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the conversion, the General Partner shall approve the Plan of Conversion, which shall set forth:
(i) the name of the converting entity and the converted entity;
(ii) a statement that the Partnership is continuing its existence in the organizational form of the converted entity;
(iii) a statement as to the type of entity that the converted entity is to be and the state or country under the laws of which the converted entity is to be incorporated, formed or organized;
(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the converted entity;
(v) in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership;
(vi) in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership, articles of incorporation, or other organizational documents of the converted entity;
(vii) the effective time of the conversion, which may be the date of the filing of the articles of conversion or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Plan of Conversion ( provided, however , that if the effective time of the conversion is to be later than the date of the filing of such articles of conversion, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such articles of conversion and stated therein); and
(viii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed conversion that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
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Section 14.3 Approval by Limited Partners .
(a) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and (e), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent and, subject to any applicable requirements of Regulation 14A pursuant to the Exchange Act or successor provision, no other disclosure regarding the proposed merger, consolidation or conversion shall be required.
(b) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d) and Section 14.3(e), the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority unless the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, effects an amendment to any provision of this Agreement that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement adopted pursuant to Article XIII, would require for its approval the vote or consent of a greater percentage of the Outstanding Units or of any class of Limited Partners, in which case such greater percentage vote or consent shall be required for approval of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.
(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d) and Section 14.3(e), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or articles of conversion pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger, consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.
(d) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnerships assets to, another limited liability entity that shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion, merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of limited liability under the laws of the jurisdiction governing the other limited liability entity (if that jurisdiction is not Delaware) of any Limited Partner as compared to its limited liability under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger, or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the General Partner determines that the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with substantially the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.
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(e) Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another limited liability entity if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner under the laws of the jurisdiction governing the other limited liability entity (if that jurisdiction is not Delaware) as compared to its limited liability under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (ii) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to this Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section 13.1, (iii) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (iv) each Unit outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Unit of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, and (v) the number of Partnership Interests to be issued by the Partnership in such merger or consolidation does not exceed 20% of the Partnership Interests (other than Incentive Distribution Rights) Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.
(f) Pursuant to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Article XIV may (i) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (ii) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for the Partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.3 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.
Section 14.4 Certificate of Merger or Certificate of Conversion . Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger or certificate of conversion or other filing, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or the appropriate filing office of any other jurisdiction, as applicable, in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act or other applicable law.
Section 14.5 Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion .
(a) At the effective time of the merger:
(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;
(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;
(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and
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(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
(b) At the effective time of the conversion:
(i) the Partnership shall continue to exist, without interruption, but in the organizational form of the converted entity rather than in its prior organizational form;
(ii) all rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by the Partnership shall continue to be owned by the converted entity in its new organizational form without reversion or impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or assignment having occurred, but subject to any existing liens or other encumbrances thereon;
(iii) all liabilities and obligations of the Partnership shall continue to be liabilities and obligations of the converted entity in its new organizational form without impairment or diminution by reason of the conversion;
(iv) all rights of creditors or other parties with respect to or against the prior interest holders or other owners of the Partnership in their capacities as such in existence as of the effective time of the conversion will continue in existence as to those liabilities and obligations and may be pursued by such creditors and obligees as if the conversion did not occur;
(v) a proceeding pending by or against the Partnership or by or against any of Partners in their capacities as such may be continued by or against the converted entity in its new organizational form and by or against the prior Partners without any need for substitution of parties; and
(vi) the Partnership Interests that are to be converted into partnership interests, shares, evidences of ownership, or other securities in the converted entity as provided in the plan of conversion shall be so converted, and Partners shall be entitled only to the rights provided in the Plan of Conversion.
ARTICLE XV
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests .
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and its Affiliates hold more than 75% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three Business Days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed.
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(b) If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the applicable Transfer Agent or exchange agent notice of such election to purchase (the Notice of Election to Purchase ) and shall cause the Transfer Agent or exchange agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner), together with such information as may be required by law, rule or regulation, at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be filed and distributed as may be required by the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, or instructions agreeing to such redemption in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent or exchange agent as the Transfer Agent or exchange agent, as applicable, may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the Register shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent or exchange agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate or redemption instructions shall not have been surrendered for purchase or provided, respectively, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI, and Article XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent or the exchange agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, or instructions agreeing to such redemption, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, in the Register, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the Record Holder of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI and Article XII).
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(c) In the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, at any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent or exchange agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon, in accordance with procedures set forth by the General Partner.
ARTICLE XVI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 16.1 Addresses and Notices; Written Communications .
(a) Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below. Except as otherwise provided herein, any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interests at his address as shown in the Register, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Interests by reason of any assignment or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a Partner shall consent to receiving notices, demands, requests, reports or proxy materials via electronic mail or by the Internet or (ii) the rules of the Commission shall permit any report or proxy materials to be delivered electronically or made available via the Internet, any such notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials shall be deemed given or made when delivered or made available via such mode of delivery. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing in the Register is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.
(b) The terms in writing, written communications, written notice and words of similar import shall be deemed satisfied under this Agreement by use of e-mail and other forms of electronic communication.
107
Section 16.2 Further Action . The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
Section 16.3 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
Section 16.4 Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.
Section 16.5 Creditors . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.
Section 16.6 Waiver . No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
Section 16.7 Third-Party Beneficiaries . Each Partner agrees that (a) any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Indemnitee and (b) any Unrestricted Person shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Unrestricted Person.
Section 16.8 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest, pursuant to Section 10.1(a) or (b) without execution hereof.
Section 16.9 Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury .
(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.
(b) Each of the Partners and each Person or Group holding any beneficial interest in the Partnership (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise):
108
(i) irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (A) arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of this Agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among Partners or of Partners to the Partnership, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Partners or the Partnership), (B) brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the Partnership, (C) asserting a claim of breach of a duty (including a fiduciary duty) owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the Partnership or the General Partner, or owed by the General Partner, to the Partnership or the Partners, (D) asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (E) asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction), in each case regardless of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims;
(ii) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding;
(iii) agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such courts or of any other court to which proceedings in such courts may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper;
(iv) expressly waives any requirement for the posting of a bond by a party bringing such claim, suit, action or proceeding; and
(v) consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such services shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof; provided, however , nothing in clause (v) hereof shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
Section 16.10 Invalidity of Provisions . If any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement is or becomes for any reason, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions and/or parts thereof contained herein shall not be affected thereby and this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been contained herein, and such provisions and/or part shall be reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.
Section 16.11 Consent of Partners . Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.
109
Section 16.12 Facsimile and Email Signatures . The use of facsimile signatures and signatures delivered by email in portable document format (.pdf) or similar format affixed in the name and on behalf of the Transfer Agent of the Partnership on certificates representing Common Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.
[ REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. ]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
GENERAL PARTNER: | ||
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS GP LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Margaret C. Montana |
|
Name: Margaret C. Montana | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
ORGANIZATIONAL LIMITED PARTNER: | ||
SHELL MIDSTREAM LP HOLDINGS LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Margaret C. Montana |
|
Name: Margaret C. Montana | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President |
Signature Page to First Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.
EXHIBIT A
to the First Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.
Certificate Evidencing Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.
No. Common Units
In accordance with Section 4.1 of the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the Partnership Agreement), Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership), hereby certifies that (the Holder) is the registered owner of Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the Common Units) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal executive offices of the Partnership located at One Shell Plaza, 910 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT) WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). THE GENERAL PARTNER OF SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THIS SECURITY MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON ITS TRANSFER PROVIDED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED
A-1
AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS SECURITY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL PARTNER AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE PARTNERSHIP. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, and (iii) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent. This Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
Dated: | Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. | |||||||
By: | Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC | |||||||
By: |
|
|||||||
By: |
|
Countersigned and Registered by: | ||
as Transfer Agent and Registrar |
||
By: |
|
|
Authorized Signature |
A-2
[Reverse of Certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM as tenants in common |
UNIF GIFT TRANSFERS MIN ACT |
|
TEN ENT as tenants by the entireties |
_________Custodian__________ (Cust) (Minor) |
JT TEN as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common | under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors Act (State) |
Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.
A-3
ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS OF
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto
|
|
|
(Please print or typewrite name and address of assignee) | (Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee) |
Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE
GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE
GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN
ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS
WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION
PROGRAM), PURSUANT
TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15
No transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.
A-4
SCHEDULE I
Eligible Tax Holders
This schedule sets forth the types or categories of holders that the General Partner has determined are Eligible Taxable Holders and the types or categories of holders that the General Partner has determined are not Eligible Taxable Holders. The General Partner may change these determinations in accordance with the Partnership Agreement.
Eligible Taxable Holders
The following are currently considered to be Eligible Taxable Holders:
| Individuals (U.S. or non-U.S.) |
| C corporations (U.S. or non-U.S.) |
| Tax exempt organizations subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income or UBTI, including IRAs, 401(k) plans and Keogh accounts |
| S corporations whose only shareholders are individuals, trusts or tax exempt organizations subject to tax on UBTI |
| Mutual Funds |
| Partnerships with no partners that are Ineligible Holders |
| Trusts with no beneficiaries that are Ineligible Holders |
Not Eligible Taxable Holders
The following are currently not considered to be Eligible Taxable Holders:
| Real estate investment trusts |
| Governmental entities and agencies |
| S corporations with any shareholders that are employee stock ownership plans |
| Partnerships with any partner that is an Ineligible Holder |
| Trusts with any beneficiary that is an Ineligible Holder |
Exhibit 3.2
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS GP LLC
A Delaware Limited Liability Company
Dated as of
November 3, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||||
Section 1.1 |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Construction | 5 | ||||
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION |
5 | |||||
Section 2.1 |
Formation | 5 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
Name | 5 | ||||
Section 2.3 |
Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices | 5 | ||||
Section 2.4 |
Purposes and Powers | 6 | ||||
Section 2.5 |
Term | 6 | ||||
Section 2.6 |
No State Law Partnership | 6 | ||||
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP |
6 | |||||
Section 3.1 |
Membership Interests; Additional Members | 6 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
Access to Information | 6 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Liability | 7 | ||||
Section 3.4 |
Withdrawal | 7 | ||||
Section 3.5 |
Meetings | 7 | ||||
Section 3.6 |
Action by Consent of Members | 7 | ||||
Section 3.7 |
Conference Telephone Meetings | 7 | ||||
Section 3.8 |
Quorum | 7 | ||||
ARTICLE IV ADMISSION OF MEMBERS; DISPOSITION OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS |
8 | |||||
Section 4.1 |
Assignment; Admission of Assignee as a Member | 8 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
Requirements Applicable to All Dispositions and Admissions | 8 | ||||
ARTICLE V CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
8 | |||||
Section 5.1 |
Initial Capital Contributions | 8 | ||||
Section 5.2 |
Additional Capital Contributions | 8 | ||||
Section 5.3 |
Loans | 8 | ||||
Section 5.4 |
Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Membership Interests | 8 | ||||
Section 5.5 |
Return of Contributions | 9 | ||||
ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS |
9 | |||||
Section 6.1 |
Distributions | 9 | ||||
Section 6.2 |
Limitations on Distributions | 9 | ||||
ARTICLE VII MANAGEMENT |
9 | |||||
Section 7.1 |
Management by Board of Directors | 9 | ||||
Section 7.2 |
Number; Qualification; Tenure | 10 | ||||
Section 7.3 |
Regular Meetings | 10 | ||||
Section 7.4 |
Special Meetings | 10 | ||||
Section 7.5 |
Notice | 10 | ||||
Section 7.6 |
Action by Consent of Board | 10 | ||||
Section 7.7 |
Telephone Conference Meetings | 10 |
i
Section 7.8 |
Quorum and Action | 10 | ||||
Section 7.9 |
Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors | 11 | ||||
Section 7.10 |
Committees | 11 | ||||
Section 7.11 |
Removal | 12 | ||||
Section 7.12 |
Compensation of Directors | 12 | ||||
Section 7.13 |
Responsibility and Authority of the Board; Director Standards of Conduct | 12 | ||||
Section 7.14 |
Other Business of Members, Directors and Affiliates | 14 | ||||
Section 7.15 |
Reliance by Third Parties | 15 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII OFFICERS |
15 | |||||
Section 8.1 |
Officers | 15 | ||||
Section 8.2 |
Election and Term of Office | 16 | ||||
Section 8.3 |
Chairman of the Board | 16 | ||||
Section 8.4 |
Chief Executive Officer | 16 | ||||
Section 8.5 |
President | 16 | ||||
Section 8.6 |
Vice Presidents | 16 | ||||
Section 8.7 |
Treasurer | 16 | ||||
Section 8.8 |
Secretary | 17 | ||||
Section 8.9 |
Removal | 17 | ||||
Section 8.10 |
Vacancies | 17 | ||||
Section 8.11 |
Responsibility and Authority of Officers; Officer Standards of Conduct | 17 | ||||
ARTICLE IX INDEMNITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY |
18 | |||||
Section 9.1 |
Indemnification | 18 | ||||
Section 9.2 |
Liability of Indemnitees | 20 | ||||
ARTICLE X TAXES |
21 | |||||
Section 10.1 |
Taxes | 21 | ||||
ARTICLE XI BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS |
21 | |||||
Section 11.1 |
Maintenance of Books | 21 | ||||
Section 11.2 |
Reports | 21 | ||||
Section 11.3 |
Bank Accounts | 21 | ||||
ARTICLE XII DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP, TERMINATION AND CONVERSION |
21 | |||||
Section 12.1 |
Dissolution | 21 | ||||
Section 12.2 |
Winding-Up and Termination | 22 | ||||
Section 12.3 |
Certificate of Cancellation | 23 | ||||
ARTICLE XIII MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION |
23 | |||||
Section 13.1 |
Authority | 23 | ||||
Section 13.2 |
Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion | 23 | ||||
Section 13.3 |
Approval by Members of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion | 24 | ||||
Section 13.4 |
Certificate of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion | 25 | ||||
ARTICLE XIV GENERAL PROVISIONS |
25 | |||||
Section 14.1 |
Offset | 25 | ||||
Section 14.2 |
Notices | 25 | ||||
Section 14.3 |
Entire Agreement; Superseding Effect | 26 | ||||
Section 14.4 |
Effect of Waiver or Consent | 26 |
ii
Section 14.5 |
Amendment or Restatement | 26 | ||||
Section 14.6 |
Binding Effect | 26 | ||||
Section 14.7 |
Governing Law; Severability | 26 | ||||
Section 14.8 |
Venue | 27 | ||||
Section 14.9 |
Further Assurances | 27 | ||||
Section 14.10 |
Waiver of Certain Rights | 27 | ||||
Section 14.11 |
Counterparts | 27 |
iii
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS GP LLC
This FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) of Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC (the Company ), dated as of November 3, 2014, is adopted, executed and agreed to by Shell Pipeline Company LP ( SPLC ), as the sole member of the Company.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company under the name Gutenberg 1965 Company LLC on March 19, 2014;
WHEREAS, SPLC, as the sole member of the Company, executed the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Gutenberg 1965 Company LLC, dated as of March 19, 2014 (the Original Agreement ); and
WHEREAS, SPLC, as the sole member of the Company, deems it advisable to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises, the covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, SPLC, as the sole member of the Company, hereby amends and restates the Original Agreement in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions .
(a) As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Sections referred to below:
Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Agreement is defined in the introductory paragraph, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Applicable Law means (a) any United States federal, state or local law, statute or ordinance or any rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction, judgment, decree or permit of any Governmental Authority and (b) any rule or listing requirement of any national securities exchange or trading market recognized by the Commission on which securities issued by the Partnership are listed or quoted.
Assignee means any Person that acquires a Members share of the income, gain, loss, deductions and credits of, and the right to receive distributions from, the Company or any portion thereof through a Disposition; provided, however, that an Assignee shall have no right to be admitted to the Company as a Member except in accordance with Article IV . The Assignee of a dissolved Member shall be the shareholder, partner, member or other equity owner or owners of the dissolved Member or such other Persons to whom such Members Membership Interest is assigned by the Person conducting the liquidation or winding up of such Member.
Audit Committee is defined in Section 7.10(b) .
Audit Committee Independent Director is defined in Section 7.10(b) .
Bankruptcy or Bankrupt means, with respect to any Person, that (a) such Person (i) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition; (iii) becomes the subject of an order for relief or is declared insolvent in any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings; (iv) files a petition or answer seeking for such Person a reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief under any Applicable Law; (v) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against such Person in a proceeding of the type described in subclauses (i) through (iv) of this clause (a); or (vi) seeks, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Persons properties or (b) a proceeding seeking reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief under any Applicable Law has been commenced against such Person and 120 days have expired without dismissal thereof or with respect to which, without such Persons consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Persons properties has been appointed and 90 days have expired without the appointment having been vacated or stayed, or 90 days have expired after the date of expiration of a stay, if the appointment has not previously been vacated. The foregoing definition of Bankruptcy is intended to replace and shall supersede and replace the definition of Bankruptcy set forth in the Act.
Board is defined in Section 7.1(c) .
Business Day means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of Texas shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
Capital Contribution means, with respect to any Member, the amount of cash and cash equivalents and the net agreed value of any property (other than cash and cash equivalents) contributed to the Company by such Member. Any reference in this Agreement to the Capital Contribution of a Member shall include any Capital Contribution of its predecessors in interest.
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Commission means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Units is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Company is defined in the introductory paragraph.
Conflicts Committee is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Conflicts Committee Independent Director means a Director who meets the standards set forth in the definition of Conflicts Committee in the Partnership Agreement.
Delaware Certificate is defined in Section 2.1 .
Director or Directors means a member or members of the Board.
Dispose , Disposing or Disposition means with respect to any asset (including a Membership Interest or any portion thereof), a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, gift, exchange or other disposition of such asset, whether such disposition be voluntary, involuntary or by operation of Applicable Law.
Disposing Member is defined in Section 4.1 .
Dissolution Event is defined in Section 12.1(a) .
General Partner Interest is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Governmental Authority means any federal, state or local court or governmental or regulatory agency or authority or any arbitration board, tribunal or mediator having jurisdiction over the Company or its assets or Members.
Group Member is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Group Member Agreement is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Indemnitee means any of (a) the Members, (b) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the Company (other than any Group Member), (c) any Person who is or was a manager, member, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (other than any Group Member), (d) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company as a manager, member, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of another Person; provided, however , that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, and (e) any Person the Board designates as an Indemnitee for purposes of this Agreement.
Limited Partner and Limited Partners are defined in the Partnership Agreement.
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Majority Interest means Membership Interests in the Company entitled to more than 50% of the Sharing Ratios.
Member means SPLC, as the initial member of the Company, and includes any Person hereafter admitted to the Company as a member as provided in this Agreement, each in its capacity as a member of the Company, but such term does not include any Person who has ceased to be a member of the Company.
Membership Interest means, with respect to any Member, that Members limited liability company interests in the Company, including its share of the income, gain, loss, deductions and credits of, and the right to receive distributions from, the Company.
Merger Agreement is defined in Section 13.1 .
Notices is defined in Section 14.2 .
Officers is defined in Section 8.1(b) .
Original Agreement is defined in the Recitals.
Partnership means Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
Partnership Agreement means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, to be dated as of even date herewith, as it may be further amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Partnership Group is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Partnership Interests is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Person means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, Governmental Authority or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
Plan of Conversion is defined in Section 13.1 .
Sharing Ratio means, subject in each case to adjustments in accordance with this Agreement or in connection with Dispositions of Membership Interests, (a) in the case of a Member executing this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement or a Person acquiring such Members Membership Interest, the percentage specified for that Member as its Sharing Ratio on Exhibit A and (b) in the case of Membership Interests issued pursuant to Section 3.1 , the Sharing Ratio established pursuant thereto; provided, however , that the total of all Sharing Ratios shall always equal 100%.
SPLC is defined in the introductory paragraph.
Subsidiary is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
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Surviving Business Entity is defined in Section 13.1 .
Treasury Regulations means the regulations (including temporary regulations) promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. All references herein to sections of the Treasury Regulations shall include any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding, similar or substitute, temporary or final Treasury Regulations.
Withdraw , Withdrawing or Withdrawal means the resignation of a Member from the Company as a Member. Such terms shall not include any Dispositions of Membership Interests (which are governed by Article IV ), even though the Member making a Disposition may cease to be a Member as a result of such Disposition.
(b) Other terms defined herein have the meanings so given them.
Section 1.2 Construction . Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms include, includes, including or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation; and (d) the terms hereof, herein or hereunder refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
Section 2.1 Formation . The Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of a Certificate of Formation (as amended, the Delaware Certificate ) on March 19, 2014 with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware under and pursuant to the Act and by the entering into of the Original Agreement.
Section 2.2 Name . The name of the Company is Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC and all Company business must be conducted in that name or such other names that comply with Applicable Law as the Board or the Members may select.
Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices . The registered office of the Company required by the Act to be maintained in the State of Delaware shall be the office of the initial registered agent for service of process named in the Delaware Certificate or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Board may designate in the manner provided by Applicable Law. The registered agent for service of process of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be the initial registered agent for service of process named in the Delaware Certificate or such other Person or Persons as the Board may designate in the manner provided by Applicable Law. The principal office of the Company in the United States shall be at such a place as the Board may from time to time designate, which need not be in the State of Delaware, and the Company shall maintain records there. The Company may have such other offices as the Board of Directors may designate.
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Section 2.4 Purposes and Powers. The purpose of the Company is to own, acquire, hold, sell, transfer, assign, dispose of or otherwise deal with partnership interests in, and act as the general partner of, the Partnership as described in the Partnership Agreement and to engage in any lawful business or activity ancillary or related thereto. The Company shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges granted by the Act, by any other Applicable Law or by this Agreement, together with any powers incidental thereto, including such powers and privileges as are necessary or appropriate to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business, purposes or activities of the Company.
Section 2.5 Term . The term of the Company commenced upon the filing of the Delaware Certificate on March 19, 2014 in accordance with the Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article XII . The existence of the Company as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Delaware Certificate as provided in the Act.
Section 2.6 No State Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company shall not be a partnership (whether general, limited or other) or joint venture, and that no Member shall be a partner or joint venturer with any other Member, for any purposes other than (if the Company has more than one Member) federal and state income tax purposes, and this Agreement may not be construed or interpreted to the contrary.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 3.1 Membership Interests; Additional Members. SPLC is the sole initial Member of the Company as reflected in Exhibit A attached hereto. Additional Persons may be admitted to the Company as Members, and Membership Interests may be issued, on such terms and conditions as the existing Members, voting as a single class, may determine at the time of admission. The terms of admission or issuance must specify the Sharing Ratios applicable thereto and may provide for the creation of different classes or groups of Members or Membership Interests having different (including senior) rights, powers and duties. The Members may reflect the creation of any new class or group in an amendment to this Agreement, indicating the different rights, powers and duties, and such an amendment shall be approved and executed by the Members in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Any such admission shall be effective only after such new Member has executed and delivered to the Members and the Company an instrument containing the notice address of the new Member, the new Members ratification of this Agreement and agreement to be bound by it.
Section 3.2 Access to Information . Each Member shall be entitled to receive, for any purpose reasonably related to its interest as a Member, any information that it may request concerning the Company; provided, however , that this Section 3.2 shall not obligate the Company to create any information that does not already exist at the time of such request (other than to convert existing information from one medium to another, such as providing a printout of information that is stored in a computer database). Each Member shall also have the right, upon reasonable notice, and at all reasonable times during usual business hours to inspect the properties of the Company and to audit, examine and make copies of the books of account and other records of the Company. Such right may be exercised through any agent or employee of such Member designated in writing by it or by an independent public accountant, engineer, attorney or other consultant so designated. All costs and expenses incurred in any inspection, examination or audit made on such Members behalf shall be borne by such Member.
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Section 3.3 Liability . Except as otherwise provided by the Act, no Member shall be liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company solely by reason of being a member of the Company. The Company and the Members agree that the rights, duties and obligations of the Members in their capacities as members of the Company are only as set forth in this Agreement and as otherwise arise under the Act. Furthermore, the Members agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the existence of any rights of a Member, or the exercise or forbearance from exercise of any such rights, shall not create any duties or obligations of the Member in its capacity as a member of the Company, nor shall such rights be construed to enlarge or otherwise to alter in any manner the duties and obligations of such Member.
Section 3.4 Withdrawal . A Member does not have the right or power to Withdraw.
Section 3.5 Meetings . A meeting of the Members may be called at any time at the request of any Member.
Section 3.6 Action by Consent of Members . Except as otherwise required by Applicable Law or otherwise provided in this Agreement, all decisions of the Members shall require the affirmative vote of the Members representing a Majority Interest present at a meeting at which a quorum is present in accordance with Section 3.8 . To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Members may act without a meeting and without notice so long as the number of Members who own the percentage of Sharing Ratios that would be required to take such action at a duly held meeting shall have executed a written consent with respect to any such action taken in lieu of a meeting.
Section 3.7 Conference Telephone Meetings . Any Member may participate in a meeting of the Members by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment or by such other means by which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 3.8 Quorum . The Members owning a majority of Sharing Ratios, present in person or participating in accordance with Section 3.7 , shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided, however , that, if at any meeting of the Members there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the Members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. The Members present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Members to leave less than a quorum.
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ARTICLE IV
ADMISSION OF MEMBERS; DISPOSITION OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 4.1 Assignment; Admission of Assignee as a Member . Subject to this Article IV , a Member may assign in whole or in part its Membership Interests. An Assignee has the right to be admitted to the Company as a Member, with the Membership Interests (and attendant Sharing Ratio) so transferred to such Assignee, only if (a) the Member making the Disposition (a Disposing Member ) has granted the Assignee either (i) all, but not less than all, of such Disposing Members Membership Interests or (ii) the express right to be so admitted and (b) such Disposition is effected in strict compliance with this Article IV . If a Member transfers all of its Membership Interest in the Company pursuant to this Article IV , such admission shall be deemed effective immediately upon the transfer and, immediately upon such admission, the transferor Member shall cease to be a member of the Company.
Section 4.2 Requirements Applicable to All Dispositions and Admissions . Any Disposition of Membership Interests and any admission of an Assignee as a Member shall also be subject to the following requirements, and such Disposition (and admission, if applicable) shall not be effective unless such requirements are complied with:
(a) Payment of Expense s . The Disposing Member and its Assignee shall pay, or reimburse the Company for, all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Disposition and admission of the Assignee as a Member.
(b) No Release . No Disposition of Membership Interests shall effect a release of the Disposing Member from any liabilities to the Company or the other Members arising from events occurring prior to the Disposition, except as otherwise may be provided in any instrument or agreement pursuant to which a Disposition of Membership Interests is effected.
(c) Agreement to be Bound . The Assignee shall execute a counterpart to this Agreement or other instrument by which such Assignee agrees to be bound by this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Section 5.1 Initial Capital Contributions . In connection with the formation of the Company, SPLC, as the initial or organizational member of the Company, made the Capital Contribution set forth next to its name on Exhibit A .
Section 5.2 Additional Capital Contributions . The Members shall not be obligated to make additional Capital Contributions to the Company.
Section 5.3 Loans . If the Company does not have sufficient cash to pay its obligations, any Member(s) that elect(s) to do so may advance all or part of the needed funds to or on behalf of the Company. Any advance described in this Section 5.3 will constitute a loan from the Member to the Company, will bear interest at a lawful rate determined by the Members from the date of the advance until the date of payment and will not be a Capital Contribution.
Section 5.4 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Membership Interests . All Membership Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with, the requirements of this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Membership Interests, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Act.
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Section 5.5 Return of Contributions . Except as expressly provided herein, no Member is entitled to the return of any part of its Capital Contributions or to be paid interest in respect of either its capital account or its Capital Contributions. An unreturned Capital Contribution is not a liability of the Company or of any Member. A Member is not required to contribute or to lend any cash or property to the Company to enable the Company to return any Members Capital Contributions.
ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 6.1 Distributions . Distributions to the Members shall be made only to all Members simultaneously in proportion to their respective Sharing Ratios (at the time the amounts of such distributions are determined) and in such aggregate amounts and at such times as shall be determined by the Board; provided, however , that any loans from Members pursuant to Section 5.3 shall be repaid prior to any distributions to Members pursuant to this Section 6.1 .
Section 6.2 Limitations on Distributions . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not make a distribution to any Member on account of its interest in the Company if such distribution would violate the Act or other Applicable Law.
ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT
Section 7.1 Management by Board of Directors.
(a) The management of the Company is fully reserved to the Members, and the Company shall not have managers as that term is used in the Act. The powers of the Company shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of, the Members, who, except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, shall make all decisions and take all actions for the Company.
(b) The Members shall have the power and authority to delegate to one or more other persons the Members rights and power to manage and control the business and affairs, or any portion thereof, of the Company, including to delegate to agents, officers and employees of a Member or the Company, and to delegate by a management agreement with or otherwise to other Persons.
(c) Except to the extent specifically reserved to the Members hereunder, the Members hereby delegate to the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board ), to the fullest extent permitted under this Agreement and Delaware law, all power and authority related to the Companys management of the business and affairs of the Partnership.
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Section 7.2 Number; Qualification; Tenure.
(a) The number of Directors constituting the Board shall be at least two and no more than 12, and may be fixed from time to time pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Members. Each Director shall be elected or approved by the Members at an annual meeting of the Members and shall serve as a Director of the Company for a term of one year (or their earlier death or removal from office) or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
(b) The Directors of the Company in office at the date of this Agreement are set forth on Exhibit B hereto.
Section 7.3 Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such time and place as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board. Notice of such regular meetings shall not be required.
Section 7.4 Special Meetings . A special meeting of the Board may be called at any time at the request of (a) the Chairman of the Board or (b) a majority of the Directors then in office.
Section 7.5 Notice . Written notice of all special meetings of the Board must be given to all Directors at least two Business Days prior to any special meeting of the Board. All notices and other communications to be given to Directors shall be sufficiently given for all purposes hereunder if in writing and delivered by hand, courier or overnight delivery service or three days after being mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with appropriate postage prepaid, or when received in the form of an e-mail or facsimile, and shall be directed to the address, e-mail address or facsimile number as such Director shall designate by notice to the Company. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to this Agreement, as provided herein. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the Directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting either before or after such meeting.
Section 7.6 Action by Consent of Board . To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board, or any committee of the Board, may act without a meeting so long as a majority of the members of the Board or committee shall have executed a written consent with respect to any action taken in lieu of a meeting.
Section 7.7 Telephone Conference Meetings . Directors or members of any committee of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of telephone or video conference or similar communications equipment or by such other means by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 7.8 Quorum and Action . A majority of all Directors, present in person or participating in accordance with Section 7.7 , shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. Except as otherwise required by Applicable Law, all decisions of the Board shall require the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Directors at any meeting at which a quorum is present.
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Section 7.9 Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors . Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of Directors shall be filled by the appointment of individuals approved by the Members. Any Director so appointed shall hold office until the next annual election and until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified, unless sooner displaced.
Section 7.10 Committees .
(a) The Board may establish committees of the Board and may delegate any of its responsibilities to such committees, except as prohibited by Applicable Law.
(b) The Board shall have an audit committee (the Audit Committee ) composed of Directors who meet the independence standards required of directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the New York Stock Exchange or any national securities exchange on which the Common Units are listed (each, an Audit Committee Independent Director ). The Audit Committee shall establish a written audit committee charter in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission and the New York Stock Exchange or any national securities exchange on which the Common Units are listed from time to time, in each case as amended from time to time. Each member of the Audit Committee shall satisfy the rules and regulations of the Commission and the New York Stock Exchange or any national securities exchange on which the Common Units are listed from time to time, in each case as amended from time to time, pertaining to qualification for service on an audit committee.
(c) The Board may, from time to time, establish a Conflicts Committee. The Conflicts Committee shall be composed of one Conflicts Committee Independent Director at any time where there is only one Conflicts Committee Independent Director on the Board and shall be composed of two or more Conflicts Committee Independent Directors if there is more than one Conflicts Committee Independent Director on the Board. The Conflicts Committee shall function in the manner described in the Partnership Agreement. Notwithstanding any duty otherwise existing at law or in equity, any matter approved by the Conflicts Committee in accordance with the provisions, and subject to the limitations, of the Partnership Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a breach of any duties owed by the Board or any Director to the Company or the Members.
(d) A majority of any committee, present in person or participating in accordance with Section 7.7 , shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of such committee. Except as otherwise required by Applicable Law or the Partnership Agreement, all decisions of a committee shall require the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the committee members at any meeting at which a quorum is present.
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(e) A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings unless the Board shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in Section 7.5 . The Board shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.
Section 7.11 Removal . Any Director or the entire Board may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Members.
Section 7.12 Compensation of Directors . Except as expressly provided in any written agreement between the Company and a Director or by resolution of the Board, no Director shall receive any compensation from the Company for services provided to the Company in its capacity as a Director, except that each Director shall be compensated for attendance at Board meetings at rates of compensation as from time to time established by the Board or a committee thereof; provided , however , that Directors who are also employees of the Company or any Affiliate thereof shall receive no compensation for their services as Directors or committee members. In addition, the Directors who are not employees of the Company or any Affiliate thereof shall be entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board or committees thereof.
Section 7.13 Responsibility and Authority of the Board; Director Standards of Conduct.
(a) General . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the relative authority, duties and functions of the Board, on the one hand, and the Officers, on the other hand, shall be identical to the relative authority, duties and functions of the board of directors and officers, respectively, of a corporation organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; provided that any authority or function of the Board may be delegated by the Board to the Officers. The Officers shall be vested with such powers and duties as are set forth in Article VIII hereof and as are specified by the Board from time to time. Accordingly, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the day-to-day activities of the Company shall be conducted on the Companys behalf by the Officers who shall be agents of the Company. In addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred on the Board by this Agreement, the Board may exercise all such powers of the Company and do all such acts and things as are not restricted by this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Act or Applicable Law. Notwithstanding any duty (including fiduciary duties) otherwise existing at law or in equity, any matter approved by the Board in accordance with the provisions, and subject to the limitations, of the Partnership Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a breach of any duties owed by the Board or any Director to the Company or the Members.
(b) Specified Standard . Whenever the Directors (in their respective capacities as such), make a determination or cause the Company to take or decline to take any action relating to the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership Group for which the Company or the Directors are required to act in accordance with a particular standard under the Partnership Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, as applicable, then the Directors shall make such determination or
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cause the Company to take or decline to take such other action in accordance with such standard and, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, shall not be subject to any other or different standards or duties (including fiduciary duties) imposed by this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Act or any other Applicable Law or in equity.
(c) Default Standard . To the extent that the Directors (in their capacities as such), make a determination or cause the Company to take or decline to take any other action in any circumstance not described in Section 7.13(b) under any express authorization or direction of the Members representing a Majority Interest that may be in effect from time to time, then unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement or the Partnership Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, the Directors shall make such determination or cause the Company to take or decline to take such other action in the subjective belief that the determination or other action is not adverse to the best interest of the Members representing a Majority Interest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not otherwise be subject to any other or different standards or duties (including fiduciary duties) imposed by this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Act or any other Applicable Law or in equity.
(d) Member Consent Required for Extraordinary Matters . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board will not take any action without approval of the Members with respect to an extraordinary matter that would have, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material effect, directly or indirectly, on the Members interests in the Company. The type of extraordinary matter referred to in the prior sentence shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (i) commencement of any action relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors by the Company or any Group Member; (ii) a merger, consolidation, recapitalization or similar transaction involving the Company, the Partnership or any material Subsidiary of the Partnership; (iii) a sale, exchange or other transfer not in the ordinary course of business of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company or any Group Member, viewed on a consolidated basis, in one or a series of related transactions; (iv) the issuance or repurchase of any equity interests in the Company, (v) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Group Member; (vi) for so long as the Company holds Incentive Distribution Rights (as defined in the Partnership Agreement), a temporary or permanent reduction by the Company of the amount of Incentive Distributions (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) that would otherwise be distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights; and (vii) a material amendment of the Partnership Agreement. An extraordinary matter will be deemed approved by the Members if the Board receives a written, facsimile or electronic instruction evidencing such approval from Members. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, a Director, acting as such, shall have no duty, responsibility or liability to the Members with respect to any action by the Board approved by the Members.
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(e) Member-Managed Decisions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Members shall have exclusive authority over the internal business and affairs of the Company that do not relate to the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership Group except as may be expressly authorized and directed from time to time by the Members. For illustrative purposes, the internal business and affairs of the Company where the Members shall have exclusive authority include (i) the amount and timing of distributions paid by the Company, (ii) the prosecution, settlement or management of any claim made directly against the Company and not involving or relating to the Partnership Group, (iii) the decision to sell, convey, transfer or pledge any asset of the Company, (iv) the decision to amend, modify or waive any rights relating to the assets of the Company, (v) the voting of, or exercise of other rights with respect to, any Partnership Interests (other than the General Partner Interest) held by the Company or its Affiliates, and (vi) the decision to enter into any agreement to incur an obligation of the Company other than an agreement entered into for and on behalf of any Group Member for which the Company is liable exclusively by virtue of the Companys capacity as general partner of the Partnership.
In addition, the Members may delegate the authority to the Board, except as such delegation may be hereafter revoked or restricted by resolution adopted by the Members and subject to Section 7.13(d) , to cause the Company to exercise the rights of the Company as general partner of the Partnership (or those exercisable after the Company ceases to be the general partner of the Partnership) where (a) the Company makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action in its individual capacity under the Partnership Agreement or (b) where the Partnership Agreement permits the Company to make a determination or take or decline to take any other action in its sole discretion.
Section 7.14 Other Business of Members, Directors and Affiliates.
(a) Existing Business Ventures . The Members, each Director and their respective Affiliates may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Company or the Partnership, and the Company, the Partnership, the Directors and the Members shall have no rights by virtue of this Agreement in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Company or the Partnership, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper.
(b) Business Opportunities . None of the Members, any Director or any of their respective Affiliates who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Company, shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Company or the Partnership, and such Persons shall not be liable to the Company or any Member for breach of any duty by reason of the fact that such Person pursues or acquires for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the Company; provided such Member, Director or any of their Affiliates do not engage in such business or activity using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Company to such Persons.
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Section 7.15 Reliance by Third Parties . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Company shall be entitled to assume that any Officer authorized by the Board to act on behalf of and in the name of the Company has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Company and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Company, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with any such Officer as if it were the Companys sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. The Members hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of any such Officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with any such Officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of any such Officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Company by the Officers shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Company.
ARTICLE VIII
OFFICERS
Section 8.1 Officers .
(a) The Board shall elect one or more persons to be officers of the Company to assist in carrying out the Boards decisions and the day-to-day activities of the Company in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership. Officers are not managers as that term is used in the Act. Any individuals who are elected as officers of the Company shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall have such titles and the authority and duties specified in this Agreement or otherwise delegated to each of them, respectively, by the Board from time to time.
(b) The officers of the Company (collectively, the Officers ) may consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other officers as the Board from time to time may deem proper. The Chairman of the Board, if any, who shall not be deemed to be an Officer unless he or she has otherwise been elected as such, shall be chosen from among the Directors. All Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to Section 7.13 and the specific provisions of this Article VIII . The Board may from time to time elect such other Officers or appoint such agents as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Company as the general partner of the Partnership. Such other Officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in this Agreement or as may be prescribed by the Board, as the case may be from time to time.
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Section 8.2 Election and Term of Office . The Officers shall be elected from time to time by the Board. Each Officer shall hold office until such persons successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until such persons death or until he or she shall resign or be removed pursuant to Section 8.9 .
Section 8.3 Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board shall preside, if present, at all meetings of the Board and of the Limited Partners of the Partnership and shall perform such additional functions and duties as the Board may prescribe from time to time. The Directors also may elect a Vice Chairman of the Board to act in the place of the Chairman of the Board upon his or her absence or inability to act.
Section 8.4 Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer, who may also be the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board and/or the President, shall have general and active management authority over the business of the Company and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. The Chief Executive Officer shall also perform all duties and have all powers incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer and perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as may be assigned by this Agreement or prescribed by the Board from time to time.
Section 8.5 President . The President shall, subject to the control of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, in general, supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Company. The President shall perform all duties and have all powers incident to the office of President and perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as may be delegated by the Chief Executive Officer or as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.
Section 8.6 Vice Presidents . Any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President and Vice President, in the order of seniority, unless otherwise determined by the Board, shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President. They shall also perform the usual and customary duties and have the powers that pertain to such office and generally assist the President by executing contracts and agreements and exercising such other powers and performing such other duties as are delegated to them by the Chief Executive Officer or President or as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.
Section 8.7 Treasurer . The Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Company and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Company in such form and as often as required by this Agreement, the Board or a President. The Treasurer, subject to the order of the Board, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Company. The Treasurer shall perform the usual and customary duties and have the powers that pertain to such office and exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as are delegated to him by the Chief Executive Officer or a President or as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.
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Section 8.8 Secretary . The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board, the Members and the Limited Partners. The Secretary shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and as required by Applicable Law; shall be custodian of the records and the seal of the Company (if any) and affix and attest the seal (if any) to all documents to be executed on behalf of the Company under its seal; and shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by Applicable Law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general, shall perform all duties and have all powers incident to the office of Secretary and perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as may be delegated by the Chief Executive Officer or President or as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.
Section 8.9 Removal . Any Officer elected, or agent appointed, by the Board may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board whenever, in such majoritys judgment, the best interests of the Company would be served thereby. No Officer shall have any contractual rights against the Company for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of such persons successor, such persons death, such persons resignation or such persons removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.
Section 8.10 Vacancies . A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation or removal may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board.
Section 8.11 Responsibility and Authority of Officers; Officer Standards of Conduct.
(a) General . The Officers may exercise only such powers of the Company and do such acts and things as are expressly authorized or delegated by this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement or any Group Member Agreement or by the Board. Notwithstanding any duty (including any fiduciary duty) otherwise existing at law or in equity, any matter approved by the Board in accordance with the provisions, and subject to the limitations, of this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a breach of any duties owed by any Officer to the Company or the Members.
(b) Specified Standard . Whenever the Officers (in their capacities as such) make a determination or cause the Company to take or decline to take any action relating to the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership Group for which the Company is required to act in accordance with a particular standard under the Partnership Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, as applicable, then the Officers shall make such determination or cause the Company to take or decline to take such other action in accordance with such standard and, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, shall not be subject to any other or different standards or duties (including fiduciary duties) imposed by this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Act or any other Applicable Law or in equity.
(c) Default Standard . To the extent that the Officers (in their capacities as such) make a determination or cause the Company to take or decline to take any other action in any circumstance not described in Section 8.11(b) , then unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement or the Partnership Agreement or a Group
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Member Agreement, the Officers shall make such determination or cause the Company to take or decline to take such other action in the subjective belief that the determination or other action is not adverse to the best interest of the Members representing a Majority Interest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not otherwise be subject to any other or different standards or duties (including fiduciary duties) imposed by this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Act or any other Applicable Law or in equity.
(d) Officers Delegation of Authority . Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board, no Officer shall have the power or authority to delegate to any Person such Officers rights and powers as an Officer to manage the business and affairs of the Company.
(e) Compensation . The Officers shall receive such compensation for their services as may be designated by the Board or any committee thereof established for the purpose of setting compensation.
ARTICLE IX
INDEMNITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Section 9.1 Indemnification.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all threatened, pending or completed claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal and including appeals, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee and acting (or refraining to act) in such capacity on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company; provided , however , that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless pursuant to this Agreement if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was unlawful. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 9.1 shall be made only out of the assets of the Company, it being agreed that no Member shall be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Company to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.
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(b) To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 9.1(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 9.1 , the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Company of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Section 9.1 .
(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 9.1 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, as a matter of law, in equity or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitees capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.
(d) The Company may purchase and maintain (or reimburse its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance on behalf of the Indemnitees, the Company and its Affiliates and such other Persons as the Company shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Companys activities or such Persons activities on behalf of the Company, regardless of whether the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.
(e) For purposes of this Section 9.1 , the Company shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Company also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to Applicable Law shall constitute fines within the meaning of this Section 9.1 ; and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Company.
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Members to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 9.1 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(h) The provisions of this Section 9.1 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees and their heirs, successors, assigns, executors and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.
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(i) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 9.1 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Company, nor the obligations of the Company to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.1 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
(j) TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND SUBJECT TO SECTION 9.1(a) , THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDEMNIFICATION PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION 9.1 ARE INTENDED BY THE PARTIES TO APPLY EVEN IF SUCH PROVISIONS HAVE THE EFFECT OF EXCULPATING THE INDEMNITEE FROM LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PERSONS NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR OTHER CONDUCT.
Section 9.2 Liability of Indemnitees.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Company, the Partnership, the Members or any other Person bound by this Agreement, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was criminal.
(b) Subject to its obligations and duties as set forth in Article VII , the Board and any committee thereof may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through the Companys Officers or agents, and neither the Board nor any committee thereof shall be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such Officer or agent appointed by the Board or any committee thereof in good faith.
(c) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no Member or any other Indemnitee shall have any duties or liabilities, including fiduciary duties, to the Company or any Member, notwithstanding any duty otherwise existing at law or in equity, and the provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict, eliminate or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of the Members or any other Indemnitee otherwise existing under Applicable Law or in equity, are agreed by the Members to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Members and such other Indemnitee.
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(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 9.2 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 9.2 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
ARTICLE X
TAXES
Section 10.1 Taxes . The Company and the Members acknowledge that for federal income tax purposes, the Company will be disregarded as an entity separate from the Members pursuant to Treasury Regulation §301.7701-3 as long as all of the Membership Interests in the Company are owned by a sole Member.
ARTICLE XI
BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS
Section 11.1 Maintenance of Books.
(a) The Board shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Company or at such other location approved by the Board complete and accurate books and records of the Company, supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the conduct of the Companys business and minutes of the proceedings of the Board and any other books and records that are required to be maintained by Applicable Law.
(b) The books of account of the Company shall be maintained on the basis of a fiscal year that is the calendar year and on an accrual basis in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
Section 11.2 Reports . The Board shall cause to be prepared and delivered to each Member such reports, forecasts, studies, budgets and other information as the Members may reasonably request from time to time.
Section 11.3 Bank Accounts . Funds of the Company shall be deposited in such banks or other depositories as shall be designated from time to time by the Board. All withdrawals from any such depository shall be made only as authorized by the Board and shall be made only by check, wire transfer, debit memorandum or other written instruction.
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP, TERMINATION AND CONVERSION
Section 12.1 Dissolution .
(a) The Company shall dissolve and its affairs shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following events (each a Dissolution Event):
(i) | the unanimous consent of the Members; |
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(ii) | entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Act; and |
(iii) | at any time there are no Members of the Company, unless the Company is continued in accordance with the Act or this Agreement. |
(b) No other event shall cause a dissolution of the Company.
(c) Upon the occurrence of any event that causes there to be no Members of the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the personal representative of the last remaining Member is hereby authorized to, and shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of the event that terminated the continued membership of such Member in the Company, agree in writing (i) to continue the Company and (ii) to the admission of the personal representative or its nominee or designee, as the case may be, as a substitute Member of the Company, effective as of the occurrence of the event that terminated the continued membership of such Member in the Company.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Bankruptcy of a Member shall not cause such Member to cease to be a member of the Company and, upon the occurrence of such an event, the Company shall continue without dissolution.
Section 12.2 Winding-Up and Termination.
(a) On the occurrence of a Dissolution Event, the Members shall act as, or alternatively appoint, a liquidator (which shall be the liquidating trustee for purposes of the Act). The liquidator shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Act. The costs of winding up shall be borne as a Company expense. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidator are as follows:
(i) | as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final winding up, the liquidator shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Companys assets, liabilities, and operations through the last day of the month in which the dissolution occurs or the final winding up is completed, as applicable; |
(ii) | subject to the Act, the liquidator shall discharge from Company funds all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including all expenses incurred in winding up or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the establishment of a cash escrow fund for contingent, conditional and unmatured liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidator may reasonably determine)); and |
(iii) | all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members in accordance with Section 6.1 . |
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(b) The distribution of cash or property to a Member in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.2 constitutes a complete return to the Member of its Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Member of its Membership Interest and all the Companys property and constitutes a compromise to which all Members have consented pursuant to Section 18-502(b) of the Act. To the extent that a Member returns funds to the Company, such Member shall have no claim against any other Member for those funds.
Section 12.3 Certificate of Cancellation . On completion of the winding up of the Company as provided herein and under the Act, the Members (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company. Upon the filing of such certificate of cancellation, the existence of the Company shall terminate, except as may be otherwise provided by the Act or by Applicable Law.
ARTICLE XIII
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION
Section 13.1 Authority . Subject to compliance with Section 7.13 , the Company may merge or consolidate with one or more domestic corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)), or convert into any such domestic entity, pursuant to a written agreement of merger or consolidation ( Merger Agreement ) or a written plan of conversion ( Plan of Conversion ), as the case may be, in accordance with this Article XIII . The surviving entity to any such merger, consolidation or conversion is referred to herein as the Surviving Business Entity .
Section 13.2 Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion .
(a) The merger, consolidation or conversion of the Company pursuant to this Article XIII requires the prior approval of a majority of the Board and compliance with Section 13.3 .
(b) If the Board shall determine to consent to a merger or consolidation, the Board shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:
(i) | the names and jurisdictions of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate; |
(ii) | the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the Surviving Business Entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation; |
(iii) | the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation; |
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(iv) | the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (A) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (B) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered; |
(v) | a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation; |
(vi) | the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 13.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement; provided , however , that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated therein; and |
(vii) | such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board. |
(c) If the Board shall determine to consent to a conversion of the Company, the Board shall approve and adopt a Plan of Conversion containing such terms and conditions that the Board of Directors determines to be necessary or appropriate.
Section 13.3 Approval by Members of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion .
(a) The Board, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of the Members, whether at a meeting or by written consent. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.
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(b) The Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, shall be approved by the Members.
(c) After such approval by vote or consent of the Members, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger, consolidation or conversion pursuant to Section 13.4 , the merger, consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.
Section 13.4 Certificate of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion .
(a) Upon the required approval by the Board and the Members of a Merger Agreement or a Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger, consolidation or conversion, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Act and shall have such effect as provided under the Act or other Applicable Law.
(b) A merger, consolidation or conversion effected pursuant to this Article XIII shall not (i) to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, be deemed to result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another having occurred or (ii) require the Company (if it is not the Surviving Business Entity) to wind up its affairs, pay its liabilities or distribute its assets as required under Article XII of this Agreement or under the applicable provisions of the Act.
ARTICLE XIV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 14.1 Offset . Whenever the Company is to pay any sum to any Member, any amounts that Member owes the Company may be deducted from that sum before payment.
Section 14.2 Notices . All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other communications (collectively, Notices ) required or permitted to be given hereunder or which are given with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served, delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery or facsimile, addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Notice shall be deemed given on the date of service or transmission if personally served or transmitted by facsimile. Notice otherwise sent as provided herein shall be deemed given upon delivery of such notice:
To the Company:
Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
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Attn: General Counsel
To SPLC:
Shell Pipeline Company LP
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: President
Section 14.3 Entire Agreement; Superseding Effect . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Members relating to the Company and the transactions contemplated hereby, and supersedes all provisions and concepts contained in all prior contracts or agreements between the Members with respect to the Company, whether oral or written.
Section 14.4 Effect of Waiver or Consent . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a waiver or consent, express or implied, to or of any breach or default by any Member in the performance by that Member of its obligations with respect to the Company is not a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Member of the same or any other obligations of that Member with respect to the Company. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, failure on the part of a Member to complain of any act of any Member or to declare any Member in default with respect to the Company, irrespective of how long that failure continues, does not constitute a waiver by that Member of its rights with respect to that default until the applicable statute-of-limitations period has run.
Section 14.5 Amendment or Restatement . This Agreement may be amended or restated only by a written instrument executed by all Members; provided, however , that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, each Member agrees that the Board, without the approval of any Member, may amend any provision of the Delaware Certificate and this Agreement, and may authorize any officer to execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record any such amendment and whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect any change that does not require consent or approval (or for which such consent or approval has been obtained) under this Agreement or does not materially adversely affect the rights of the Members.
Section 14.6 Binding Effect . Subject to the restrictions on Dispositions set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement is binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Members and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 14.7 Governing Law; Severability . THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT REFER THE GOVERNANCE OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any mandatory, non-waivable provision of the Act, such provision of the Act shall control. If any provision of the Act may be varied or superseded in a limited liability company agreement (or otherwise by agreement of the members or managers of
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a limited liability company), such provision shall be deemed superseded and waived in its entirety if this Agreement contains a provision addressing the same issue or subject matter. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Member or circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (a) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of that provision to other Members or circumstances is not affected thereby, and (b) the Members shall negotiate in good faith to replace that provision with a new provision that is valid and enforceable and that puts the Members in substantially the same economic, business and legal position as they would have been in if the original provision had been valid and enforceable.
Section 14.8 Venue . Any and all claims, suits, actions or proceedings arising out of, in connection with or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent the Court of Chancery lacks jurisdiction, any other state court in the State of Delaware). Each party hereto unconditionally and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent the Court of Chancery lacks jurisdiction, any other state court in the State of Delaware) with respect to any such claim, suit, action or proceeding and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, waives any objection that such party may have to the laying of venue of any claim, suit, action or proceeding in the Court of Chancery (or other state court) of the State of Delaware.
Section 14.9 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each Member shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and those transactions.
Section 14.10 Waiver of Certain Rights . Each Member, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, irrevocably waives any right it may have to maintain any action for dissolution of the Company or for partition of the property of the Company.
Section 14.11 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signing parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and constitute the same instrument. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the use of facsimile signatures and signatures delivered by email in portable document format (.pdf) affixed in the name and on behalf of a party is expressly permitted by this Agreement.
[ Signature Page Follows ]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Member has executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
MEMBER: | ||
SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP | ||
By: Shell Pipeline GP LLC, its general partner | ||
By: |
/s/ Kevin M. Nichols |
|
Name: | Kevin M. Nichols | |
Title: | Vice President |
Signature Page to First Amended and Restated
Limited Liability Company Agreement
EXHIBIT A
MEMBERS
Member |
Sharing Ratio |
Capital Contribution |
||
Shell Pipeline Company LP | 100% | $50 |
EXHIBIT B
DIRECTORS
Curtis R. Frasier | Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
James J. Bender | Director | |
Paul R. A. Goodfellow | Director | |
Rob L. Jones | Director | |
Margaret C. Montana | Director | |
Gerard B. Paulides | Director | |
Susan M. Ward | Director |
Exhibit 10.1
CONTRIBUTION, ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
This CONTRIBUTION, ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated and effective as of November 3, 2014 (this Agreement ), is by and among Shell Pipeline Company LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the SPLC ), Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner (the General Partner ) of Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ( SHLX ), SHLX, Shell Midstream LP Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( LP Holdco ), Shell Midstream Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the OpCo LLC ), and Zydeco Pipeline Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( Zydeco ).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the General Partner and LP Holdco formed SHLX pursuant to the provisions of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act as adopted and in effect in the State of Delaware (the Act ) for the purpose of engaging in any lawful act or activity for which limited partnerships may be formed under the Act and to engage in all activities and to take whatever actions as may be incident thereto;
WHEREAS, to accomplish the purpose in the preceding recital, the following actions were taken prior to the date hereof:
1. SPLC formed the General Partner pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and made an initial capital contribution in exchange for all of the membership interests in the General Partner;
2. SPLC formed LP Holdco pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and made an initial capital contribution in exchange for all of the membership interests in LP Holdco;
3. The General Partner and LP Holdco formed SHLX under the terms of the Act and contributed $50.00 and $50.00 in exchange for a 2.0% general partner interest and a 98.0% limited partner interest, respectively, in SHLX; and
WHEREAS, SHLX formed OpCo LLC pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and made an initial capital contribution in exchange for all of the membership interests in OpCo LLC;
WHEREAS, SPLC owns a 100.0% interest in Zydeco;
WHEREAS, SPLC owns a 71.5% interest in Mars Oil Pipeline Company, a Texas general partnership ( Mars );
WHEREAS, SPLC owns a 50.0% interest in Bengal Pipeline Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( Bengal );
WHEREAS, SPLC owns a 16.12% interest in Colonial Oil Pipeline Company, a Delaware corporation ( Colonial );
WHEREAS, immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering (the IPO ) of common units of SHLX representing limited partner interests in SHLX to occur on the date hereof, SPLC desires to transfer a 40.331% interest in Zydeco, a 28.6% interest in Mars, a 49.0% interest in Bengal and a 1.612% interest in Colonial (together, the Contributed Assets ) to SHLX by (i) effecting a transfer of 2.819% of the Contributed Assets (the GP Contributed Assets ) to the General Partner and a transfer of 97.181% of the Contributed Assets to LP Holdco (the LP Contributed Assets ) and (ii) causing the General Partner and LP Holdco to transfer the respective Contributed Assets to SHLX;
WHEREAS, immediately prior to the completion of the IPO on the date hereof, SHLX desires to transfer the Contributed Assets to OpCo LLC; and
WHEREAS, at the completion of the IPO on the date hereof, which is the Closing Date (as defined in the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of SHLX dated as of November 3, 2014 (the Partnership Agreement )):
1. In exchange for the issuance by Zydeco to OpCo LLC of an additional 2.669% interest in Zydeco (the Additional Zydeco Interest ) such that OpCo LLC will own a 43.0% interest in Zydeco upon the completion of the IPO on the date hereof, (i) OpCo LLC desires to make a cash payment of $115,758,571 to Zydeco to be paid from the proceeds of the IPO received from SHLX and (ii) Zydeco desires to make the cash payment to SPLC described in the next paragraph;
2. Zydeco desires to make a cash payment of $115,758,571 to SPLC to reimburse SPLC for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Zydeco pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d);
3. SHLX desires to make a cash payment of $2,205,468 to the General Partner to be paid from the proceeds of the IPO to reimburse the General Partner for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Zydeco pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d);
4. SHLX desires to make a cash payment of $76,035,961 to LP Holdco to be paid from the proceeds of the IPO to reimburse LP Holdco for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Zydeco pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d);
5. SHLX desires to distribute to the General Partner $16,401,471 and issue to the General Partner (i) 2,754,084 General Partner Units (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) representing a continuation of the General Partners 2.0% general partner interest in SHLX and (ii) the Incentive Distribution Rights (as defined in the Partnership Agreement);
6. SHLX desires to distribute to LP Holdco $697,111,029 and issue to LP Holdco 21,475,068 Common Units (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) and 67,475,068 Subordinated Units (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) representing a recapitalized 64.60% limited partner interest in SHLX;
7. Prior to the date hereof, the IPO Underwriters (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) exercised in full the Underwriters Opinion (as defined in the Partnership Agreement), and the Option Closing Date (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) shall be the same date as the Closing Date; and
8. SHLX desires to redeem the initial interests of the General Partner and LP Holdco and will refund the General Partners initial contribution of $50.00 and LP Holdcos initial contribution of $50.00, as well as any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial capital contributions to the General Partner or LP Holdco;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
1. Agreement for Contribution of Contributed Assets .
a. Effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO, SPLC hereby transfers, assigns, conveys and delivers to the General Partner all of its rights, title and interest in, to and under, and the General Partner accepts and takes assignment from SPLC of, the GP Contributed Assets.
b. Effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO, SPLC hereby transfers, assigns, conveys and delivers to LP Holdco all of its rights, title and interest in, to and under, and LP Holdco accepts and takes assignment from SPLC of, the LP Contributed Assets.
c. Effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO, the General Partner hereby transfers, assigns, conveys and delivers to SHLX all of its rights, title and interest in, to and under, and SHLX accepts and takes assignment from the General Partner of, the GP Contributed Assets.
d. Effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO, LP Holdco hereby transfers, assigns, conveys and delivers to SHLX all of its rights, title and interest in, to and under, and SHLX accepts and takes assignment from LP Holdco of, the LP Contributed Assets.
e. Effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO, SHLX hereby transfers, assigns, conveys and delivers to OpCo LLC all of its rights, title and interest in, to and under, and OpCo LLC accepts and takes assignment from SHLX of, the Contributed Assets.
2. Agreement for Issuance of Additional Zydeco Interest . At the completion of the IPO, Zydeco shall issue to OpCo LLC all of its rights, title and interest in, to and under, and OpCo LLC shall accept and take assignment from Zydeco of, the Additional Zydeco Interest.
3. Consideration for Additional Zydeco Interest .
a. SHLX shall contribute to OpCo LLC, and OpCo LLC shall receive, $115,758,571, payable in immediately available funds following the closing of the IPO to an account designated by OpCo LLC.
b. As consideration for the issuance of the Additional Zydeco Interest by Zydeco to OpCo LLC, at the completion of the IPO, (i) OpCo LLC shall pay to Zydeco, and Zydeco shall receive, $115,758,571, payable in immediately available funds following the closing of the IPO to an account designated by Zydeco and (ii) Zydeco shall make the cash payment to SPLC described in part (c) of the next paragraph.
4. Cash Payments .
a. SHLX shall pay to the General Partner, and the General Partner shall receive, $16,401,471, payable in immediately available funds following the closing of the IPO to an account designated by the General Partner.
b. SHLX shall pay to LP Holdco, and LP Holdco shall receive, $697,111,029 (which amount includes all of the cash proceeds received by SHLX from the sale of Common Units pursuant to the Underwriters Option), payable in immediately available funds following the closing of the IPO to an account designated by LP Holdco.
c. As reimbursement for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Zydeco pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d), at the completion of the IPO, Zydeco shall pay to SPLC, and SPLC shall receive, $115,758,571, payable in immediately available funds following the closing of the IPO to an account designated by SPLC.
d. As reimbursement for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Zydeco pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d), at the completion of the IPO, SHLX shall pay to the General Partner, and the General Partner shall receive, $2,205,468, payable in immediately available funds following the closing of the IPO to an account designated by the General Partner.
e. As reimbursement for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Zydeco pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d), at the completion of the IPO, SHLX shall pay to LP Holdco, and LP Holdco shall receive, $76,035,961, payable in immediately available funds following the closing of the IPO to an account designated by LP Holdco.
5. Additional Transactions . Effective at the completion of the IPO:
a. SHLX hereby issues to the General Partner, and the General Partner accepts, (i) 2,754,084 General Partner Units, representing a continuation of the General Partners 2.0% general partner interest in SHLX (after giving effect to any exercise of the Underwriters Option (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) and the Deferred Issuance and Distribution), and (ii) the Incentive Distribution Rights in SHLX;
b. SHLX hereby issues to LP Holdco, and LP Holdco accepts, 21,475,068 Common Units and 67,475,068 Subordinated Units representing a recapitalized 64.60% limited partner interest in SHLX; and
c. SHLX hereby redeems the initial interests of the General Partner and LP Holdco and refunds to the General Partner and LP Holdco, and the General Partner and LP Holdco each accept, the refund of, the General Partners and LP Holdcos initial contributions of $50.00 each, and any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial capital contribution to the General Partner or LP Holdco.
6. Distributions with Respect to Periods Before the IPO . SHLX shall remit to SPLC any distributions received by SHLX from each of Zydeco, Mars, Bengal and Colonial to the extent such distributions are attributable to ownership of the Contributed Assets for periods prior to the closing date of the IPO. In the event that any distribution is attributable to a period in which the closing date of the IPO occurred, the portion of any distribution to be remitted to SPLC shall be calculated by multiplying the aggregate amount of such distribution by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the beginning of the period to (but not including) the closing date of the IPO and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such period.
7. Further Assurances . From time to time after the date of this Agreement, without the payment of any additional consideration, each party hereto shall execute all such instruments and take all such other actions as the other party shall reasonably request in connection with carrying out and effectuating the intent and purpose hereof and all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
8. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
9. Amendments and Waivers . This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such modification or amendment is sought.
10. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
11. Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement, nor shall they affect their meaning, construction or effect.
12. Counterparts; Electronic Delivery . This Agreement may be executed in two or more 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 instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by electronic means, such as facsimile or portable document format, shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
[ Signature Page Follows ]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP | ||
By: | Shell Pipeline GP LLC, its general partner | |
By: |
/s/ Michele F. Joy |
|
Name: | Michele F. Joy | |
Title: | Vice President | |
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS GP LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Margaret C. Montana |
|
Name: | Margaret C. Montana | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. | ||
By: | Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, its general partner | |
By: |
/s/ Margaret C. Montana |
|
Name: | Margaret C. Montana | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
SHELL MIDSTREAM LP HOLDINGS LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Margaret C. Montana |
|
Name: | Margaret C. Montana | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
SHELL MIDSTREAM OPERATING LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Margaret C. Montana |
|
Name: | Margaret C. Montana | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Signature Page to Contribution Agreement
ZYDECO PIPELINE COMPANY LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Michele F. Joy |
|
Name: | Michele F. Joy | |
Title: | Vice President |
Signature Page to Contribution Agreement
Exhibit 10.2
OMNIBUS AGREEMENT
This Omnibus Agreement ( Agreement ) is entered into on, and effective as of, the Closing Date, among Shell Pipeline Company LP, a Delaware limited partnership ( SPLC ), Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership ), Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership (the General Partner ), Shell Midstream Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the OLLC ), and, solely for purposes of Articles 4 and 5, Shell Oil Company, a Delaware corporation ( Shell ).
RECITALS
1. The Parties desire by their execution of this Agreement to evidence their understanding, as more fully set forth in Article 2 , with respect to certain indemnification obligations of the Parties to each other.
2. The Parties desire by their execution of this Agreement to evidence their understanding, as more fully set forth in Article 3 , with respect to the amount to be paid by the Partnership for the centralized general and administrative services to be performed by SPLC and its Affiliates (including the General Partner) for and on behalf of the Partnership Group.
3. The Parties desire by their execution of this Agreement to evidence their understanding, as more fully set forth in Article 4 , with respect to the granting of a trademark license from SPLC and its Affiliates to the Partnership Group.
In consideration of the premises and the covenants, conditions, and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Definitions
1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement (including the Recitals, which are incorporated herein for all purposes) the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Administrative Fee is defined in Section 3.2(a) .
Affiliate is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Bengal means Bengal Pipeline Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Business Day means each calendar day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day that is an official holiday in the State of Texas.
Closing Date means November 3, 2014.
Colonial means Colonial Pipeline Company, a Delaware and Virginia corporation.
Confidential Information means any proprietary or confidential information that is competitively sensitive material or otherwise of value to a Party or its Affiliates and not generally known to the public, including trade secrets, scientific or technical information, design, invention, process, procedure, formula, improvements, product planning information, marketing strategies, financial information, information regarding operations, consumer and/or customer relationships, consumer and/or customer identities and profiles, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of a Party or its Affiliates and the consumers, customers, clients and suppliers of any of the foregoing. Confidential Information includes such information as may be contained in or embodied by documents, substances, engineering and laboratory notebooks, reports, data, specifications, computer source code and object code, flow charts, databases, drawings, pilot plants or demonstration or operating facilities, diagrams, specifications, bills of material, equipment, prototypes and models, and any other tangible manifestation (including data in computer or other digital format) of the foregoing; provided, however , that Confidential Information does not include information that a receiving Party can show (A) has become available to the general public as part of the public domain without breach of this Agreement, (B) has been furnished or made known to the receiving Party without any obligation to keep it confidential by a third party under circumstances which are not known to the receiving Party to involve a breach of the third partys obligations to a Party or its Affiliates or (C) was developed independently of information furnished or made available to the receiving Party in accordance with this Agreement.
Contribution Agreement means that certain Contribution, Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the General Partner, the Partnership, the OLLC and SPLC, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Covered Environmental Losses is defined in Section 2.1(a) .
Covered Right-of-Way and Permits Losses is defined in Section 2.2(a) .
Environmental Deductible is defined in Section 2.5(b) .
Environmental Laws means all federal, state, and local laws, statutes, rules, regulations, orders, judgments, ordinances, codes, injunctions, decrees, Environmental Permits and other legally enforceable requirements and rules of common law relating to pollution or protection of natural resources, wildlife and the environment or workplace health or safety including the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§9601 et seq. , the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§6901 et seq. , the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§7401 et seq. , the Energy Independence and Security Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§17001 et seq. , the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. §§1251 et seq ., the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. §§2601 et seq. , the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. §§2701 et seq. , the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§300f et seq. , the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. §§ 5101 et seq. , the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, 49 U.S.C. §§60101 et seq ., the Endangered Species
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Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq . and other environmental conservation and protection laws and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. §§ 651 et seq , and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and any state or local counterparts, each as amended from time to time.
Environmental Permit means any permit, approval, identification number, license, registration, certification, consent, exemption, variance or other authorization required under or issued pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law, including applications for renewal of such permits in which the application allows for continued operation under the terms of an expired permit.
Governmental Authority means any federal, state, tribal, foreign or local governmental entity, authority, department, court or agency, including any political subdivision thereof, exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory or taxing authority or power of any nature, and including any arbitrating body, commission or quasi-governmental authority or self-regulating organization of competent authority exercising or enlisted to exercise similar power or authority.
Group Member is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Hazardous Substance means (a) any substance, whether solid, liquid, gaseous, semi-solid, or any combination thereof, that is designated, defined or classified as a hazardous waste, solid waste, hazardous material, pollutant, contaminant or toxic or hazardous substance, or terms of similar meaning, or that is otherwise regulated under any Environmental Law, including any hazardous substance as defined under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended, and including asbestos and lead-containing paints or coatings, and (b) petroleum, oil, gasoline, natural gas, fuel oil, motor oil, waste oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum hydrocarbons.
Indemnified Person means the Person entitled to indemnification in accordance with Article 2 .
Indemnifying Party means the Party from whom indemnification may be sought in accordance with Article 2 .
Interest Rate means the lesser of (i) 2% over the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) prevailing during the period in question, and (ii) the maximum rate permitted by applicable law.
Joint Venture Entities means Zydeco, Mars, Bengal and Colonial.
Limited Partner is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Litigation Matters Deductible is defined in Section 2.5(e) .
Losses means any losses, damages, liabilities, claims, demands, causes of action, judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, costs and expenses (including court costs and reasonable attorneys and experts fees) of any and every kind or character, known or unknown, fixed or contingent.
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Mark Licensees is defined in Section 4.3 .
Mars means Mars Oil Pipeline Company, a Texas general partnership.
Operated Joint Ventures means the assets and operations of Zydeco and the pipelines of each of Mars and Bengal, in each case to the extent such assets were operated by SPLC.
Operating Permit means any consent, license, permit or approval (other than Environmental Permits and Right-of-Way Consents) necessary to allow an Operated Joint Venture to be operated in substantially the same manner as such Operated Joint Venture was operated immediately prior to the Closing Date and as described in the Registration Statement.
Partnership Agreement means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of the Closing Date, as the same may be amended from time to time.
Partnership Change of Control means SPLC or its Affiliates cease to control, directly or indirectly, the General Partner. For purposes of this definition, control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the general partner of the Partnership, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
Partnership Group is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Party means a signatory to this Agreement, and Parties means all of the signatories to this Agreement.
Person means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
Registration Statement means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by the Partnership with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (Registration No. 333-196850), as amended.
Reimbursable Expenses is defined in Section 3.3(a) .
Representatives is defined in Section 5.1(a) .
Retained Assets means all assets owned by any of the SPLC Entities as of the Closing Date that were not directly or indirectly conveyed, contributed or otherwise transferred to the Partnership Group pursuant to the Contribution Agreement or the other documents referenced in the Contribution Agreement.
Retained Assets Deductible is defined in Section 2.5(d) .
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Right-of-Way Consents means any title, right-of-way, consents, licenses, permits or approvals (other than Environmental Permits) necessary to allow any pipeline included in the Joint Venture Entities to cross the roads, waterways, railroads and other areas upon which any such pipeline is located as of the Closing Date, in each case, where such failure renders the Partnership Group liable to a third party or unable to use or operate such assets in substantially the same manner as such asset was operated immediately prior to the Closing Date and as described in the Registration Statement.
Right-of-Way and Permits Deductible is defined in Section 2.5(c) .
Shell License is defined in Section 4.1 .
Shell Marks is defined in Section 4.1 .
SPLC Entities means SPLC and each of its Affiliates, other than the General Partner and the Group Members.
Subsidiary is defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Tax Matters Deductible is defined in Section 2.5(f) .
United States Area means the United States of America and the District of Columbia but excludes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and other U.S. territories and possessions.
Voluntary Cleanup Program means a program of the United States or a state of the United States enacted pursuant to an Environmental Law that provides for a mechanism for the written approval of, or authorization to conduct, voluntary investigatory and remedial action for the clean-up, removal or remediation of Hazardous Substances that exceed actionable levels established pursuant to Environmental Law.
Zydeco means Zydeco Pipeline Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
1.1 Rules of Construction . Unless expressly provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) If a word or phrase is defined, its other grammatical forms have a corresponding meaning.
(b) The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(c) A reference to any Party to this Agreement or another agreement or document includes the Partys successors and assigns.
(d) The words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and article, section, subsection and schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
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(e) The words including, include, includes and all variations thereof shall mean including without limitation.
(f) The word or shall have the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase and/or.
(g) The words shall and will have equal force and effect.
(h) The schedules identified in this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Agreement.
(i) References to $ or to dollars shall mean the lawful currency of the United States of America.
ARTICLE 2
Indemnification
2.1 Environmental Indemnification .
(a) Subject to Section 2.5 , SPLC shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Group Member from and against any Losses suffered or incurred by or asserted against any Group Member, directly or indirectly, including as a result of any claim by a third party, by reason of or arising out of:
(i) any violation of or any non-compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws resulting or arising from the ownership of its interests in the Joint Venture Entities prior to the Closing Date;
(ii) any environmental remediation or corrective action that is required by Environmental Law, to the extent resulting or arising from releases occurring during the ownership or operation of the Joint Venture Entities by SPLC prior to the Closing Date (including the presence of Hazardous Substances on, under, about or migrating to or from the Joint Venture Entities or the disposal or release of Hazardous Substances generated by operation of the Joint Venture Entities by SPLC at non-Joint Venture Entity locations) including (A) the cost and expense of any investigation, assessment, evaluation, monitoring, containment, cleanup, repair, restoration, remediation, risk-based closure activities, or other corrective action required under Environmental Laws and (B) the cost and expense of the preparation and implementation of any closure, remedial, corrective action, or other plans required under Environmental Laws as in effect prior to the Closing Date; and
(iii) any environmental matter set forth on Schedule A .
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provided, however, that with respect to any violation or non-compliance included under Section 2.1(a)(i) or any environmental remediation or corrective action included under Section 2.1(a)(ii) , SPLC will be obligated to indemnify such Group Member solely to the extent that (x) such violation or need for environmental remediation or corrective action occurred or existed before the Closing Date under Environmental Laws as in effect on or prior to the Closing Date, (y) the violation, remediation or corrective action was not identified in a voluntary audit or investigation undertaken outside the ordinary course of business by any Group Member or any person acting at the request or on behalf of any Group Member and (z) SPLC receives the written notice specified in Section 2.4(a) relating to such violation or need for environmental remediation or corrective action prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date; provided , further , that for purposes of determining the amount of any Loss described in this Section 2.1(a) suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group, the Partnerships ownership of only 43.0% of Zydeco, 28.6% of Mars, 49.0% of Bengal and 1.612% of Colonial shall be taken into account such that any Loss described in this Section 2.1(a) suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group or any Group Member would equal 43.0%, 28.6%, 49.0% or 1.612% of the total such Losses of Zydeco, Mars, Bengal or Colonial, as the case may be. Losses subject to indemnification in this Section 2.1(a) are referred to collectively as Covered Environmental Losses .
(b) Except for Covered Environmental Losses (exceeding the Environmental Deductible, where applicable), the Partnership shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless SPLC from and against any Losses suffered or incurred by any of the SPLC Entities, directly or indirectly, including as a result of any claim by a third party, by reason of or arising out of any of the following:
(i) any violation of or non-compliance with Environmental Laws resulting or arising from the ownership or operation of the Joint Venture Entities by the Partnership Group on or after the Closing Date; and
(ii) any environmental event, condition or matter associated with or arising from the ownership or operation of the Joint Venture Entities by the Partnership Group (including the presence of Hazardous Substances on, under, about or migrating to or from the Joint Venture Entities or the disposal or the release of Hazardous Substances generated by operation of the Joint Venture Entities at non-Joint Venture Entity locations) on or after the Closing Date;
provided , however , that in no event shall the Partnership indemnify, defend or hold harmless SPLC from and against any Covered Environmental Losses relating to, arising from or attributable to any interest in Zydeco, Mars, Bengal or Colonial other than the interest that SPLC owns in each such entity.
2.2 Right-of-Way and Permits Indemnification . Subject to Section 2.5 , SPLC shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Group Member from and against any Losses suffered or incurred by such Group Member, directly or indirectly, including as a result of any claim by a third party, by reason of or arising out of: (a) the failure of any Operated Joint Venture to have any Right-of-Way Consents; (b) the failure of any Operated Joint Venture to have any Operating Permits; (c) the cost of curing any condition set forth in Section 2.2(a) or Section 2.2(b) that does not allow any Operated Joint Venture Entity to be operated in substantially the same manner that the Operated Joint Venture Entity was operated immediately prior to the Closing Date, in each case to the extent that SPLC receives the written notification specified in Section 2.4(a) relating
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to such condition prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date; provided , however , that for purposes of determining the amount of any Loss described in this Section 2.2 suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group, the Partnerships ownership of only 43.0% of Zydeco, 28.6% of Mars and 49.0% of Bengal shall be taken into account such that any Loss described in this Section 2.2 suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group or any Group Member would equal 43.0%, 28.6% or 49.0% of the total such Losses of Zydeco, Mars or Bengal, as the case may be. Losses subject to indemnification in this Section 2.2 are referred to collectively as Covered Right-of-Way and Permits Losses .
2.3 Additional Indemnification .
(a) Subject to Section 2.5 , SPLC shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Group Member from and against any Losses suffered or incurred by such Group Member, directly or indirectly, including as a result of any claim by a third party, by reason of or arising out of:
(i) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement;
(ii) events and conditions associated with the Retained Assets occurring before, on or after the Closing Date, to the extent that SPLC receives the written notification specified in Section 2.4(a) relating to such events and conditions prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date;
(iii) any currently pending or threatened legal actions attributable to the ownership or operation by SPLC of, or otherwise involving or relating to, the Joint Venture Entities prior to the Closing Date (but excluding rate adjustments as a result of any such legal actions), including but not limited to those legal actions pending as of the Closing Date and identified on Schedule B , to the extent that SPLC receives the written notification specified in Section 2.4(a) relating to such actions prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date;
(iv) all federal, state and local tax liabilities attributable to the ownership or the operation of the Joint Venture Entities by SPLC prior to the Closing Date, and any such tax liabilities that may result from the formation of the Partnership Group and the General Partner or from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, to the extent that SPLC receives the written notification specified in Section 2.4(a) relating to such liabilities prior to the date that is 60 days after the expiration of the statute of limitations applicable to such liabilities; and
(v) the failure of SPLC to obtain, as of the Closing Date, title or any consent or approval necessary for the conveyance to the applicable Group Member of interests in the Joint Venture Entities as contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, to the extent that SPLC is notified in writing of such Losses prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date;
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provided , however , that for purposes of determining the amount of any Loss described in this Section 2.3(a) suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group, the Partnerships ownership of only 43.0% of Zydeco, 28.6% of Mars, 49.0% of Bengal and 1.612% of Colonial shall be taken into account such that any Loss described in this Section 2.3(a) suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group or any Group Member would equal 43.0%, 28.6%, 49.0% or 1.612% of the total such Losses of Zydeco, Mars, Bengal or Colonial, as the case may be.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(a)(ii) , the Partnership shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SPLC from and against any Losses suffered or incurred by any of the SPLC Entities, directly or indirectly, including as a result of any claim by a third party, by reason of or arising out of events and conditions to the extent associated with the ownership or operation of the Joint Venture Entities and occurring after the Closing Date, except to the extent that any Group Member is entitled to indemnification hereunder or unless such indemnification would not be permitted under the Partnership Agreement; provided , however , that in no event shall the Partnership indemnify, defend or hold harmless SPLC from and against any Losses under this Section 2.3(b) relating to, arising from or attributable to any interest in Zydeco, Mars, Bengal or Colonial other than the interest that SPLC owns in each such entity.
2.4 Indemnification Procedures .
(a) The Indemnified Person agrees that within a reasonable period of time after it becomes aware of facts giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Article 2 , it will provide notice thereof in writing to the Indemnifying Party, specifying the nature of and specific basis for such claim.
(b) The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to control all aspects of the defense of (and any counterclaims with respect to) any claims brought against the Indemnified Person that are covered by the indemnification under this Article 2 , including the selection of counsel, determination of whether to appeal any decision of any court and the settling of any such claim or any matter or any issues relating thereto; provided, however , that no such settlement for only the payment of money shall be entered into without the consent of the Indemnified Person, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, unless it includes a full release of the Indemnified Person from such claim; provided further , that no such settlement containing any form of injunctive or similar relief shall be entered into without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld.
(c) The Indemnified Person agrees to cooperate in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner with the Indemnifying Party, with respect to all aspects of the defense of and pursuit of any counterclaims with respect to any claims covered by the indemnification under this Article 2 , including the prompt furnishing to the Indemnifying Party of any correspondence or other notice relating thereto that the Indemnified Person may receive, permitting the name of the Indemnified Person to be utilized in connection with such defense and counterclaims, the making available to the Indemnifying Party of any files, records or other information of the Indemnified Person that the Indemnifying Party considers relevant to such defense and counterclaims, the making available to the Indemnifying Party of any employees of the Indemnified Person and the granting to the Indemnifying Party of reasonable access rights to
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the properties and facilities of the Indemnified Person; provided, however , that in connection therewith the Indemnifying Party agrees to use reasonable efforts to minimize the impact thereof on the operations of the Indemnified Person and further agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all files, records, and other information furnished by the Indemnified Person pursuant to this Section 2.4 . The obligation of the Indemnified Person to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall not be construed as imposing upon the Indemnified Person an obligation to hire and pay for counsel in connection with the defense of and pursuit of any counterclaims with respect to any claims covered by the indemnification set forth in this Article 2 ; provided, however , that the Indemnified Person may, at its own option, cost and expense, hire and pay for counsel in connection with any such defense and counterclaims. The Indemnifying Party agrees to keep any such counsel hired by the Indemnified Person informed as to the status of any such defense or counterclaim, but the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to retain sole control over such defense and counterclaims so long as the Indemnified Person is still seeking indemnification hereunder.
(d) In determining the amount of any loss, cost, damage or expense for which the Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the gross amount of the indemnification will be reduced by (i) any insurance proceeds realized by the Indemnified Person from third party insurers, and such correlative insurance benefit shall be net of any expenses related to the receipt of such proceeds, including any premium adjustments that become due and payable by the Indemnified Person as a result of such claim, and (ii) all amounts recovered by the Indemnified Person under contractual indemnities from third Persons.
2.5 Limitations Regarding Indemnification .
(a) The aggregate liability of SPLC under Section 2.1(a)(i) , Section 2.1(a)(ii) , Section 2.2 , Section 2.3(a)(iii) and Section 2.3(a)(v) shall not exceed $15,000,000.
(b) With respect to Covered Environmental Losses under Section 2.1(a)(i) , 2.1(a)(ii) and Section 2.1(a)(iii) , SPLC shall not be obligated to indemnify, defend or hold harmless any Group Member until such time as the aggregate amount of Losses incurred by the Partnership Group for such Covered Environmental Losses exceeds $500,000 (the Environmental Deductible ), at which time SPLC shall be obligated to indemnify the Partnership Group for the excess of such Covered Environmental Losses over the Environmental Deductible.
(c) With respect to Covered Right-of-Way and Permits Losses, SPLC shall not be obligated to indemnify, defend and hold harmless any Group Member until such time as the aggregate amount of Covered Right-of-Way and Permits Losses exceeds $500,000 (the Right-of-Way and Permits Deductible ), at which time SPLC shall be obligated to indemnify the Partnership Group for the excess of such Losses over the Right-of-Way and Permits Deductible.
(d) With respect to Losses covered under Section 2.3(a)(ii) , SPLC shall not be obligated to indemnify, defend and hold harmless any Group Member until such time as the aggregate amount of such Losses exceeds $500,000 (the Retained Assets Deductible ), at which time SPLC shall be obligated to indemnify the Partnership Group for the excess of such Losses over the Retained Assets Deductible.
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(e) With respect to Losses covered under Section 2.3(a)(iii) , SPLC shall not be obligated to indemnify, defend and hold harmless any Group Member until such time as the aggregate amount of such Losses exceeds $500,000 (the Litigation Matters Deductible ), at which time SPLC shall be obligated to indemnify the Partnership Group for the excess of such Losses over the Litigation Matters Deductible.
(f) With respect to Losses covered under Section 2.3(a)(iv) , SPLC shall not be obligated to indemnify, defend and hold harmless any Group Member until such time as the aggregate amount of such Losses exceeds $500,000 (the Tax Matters Deductible ), at which time SPLC shall be obligated to indemnify the Partnership Group for the excess of such Losses over the Tax Matters Deductible.
(g) For the avoidance of doubt, there is no deductible with respect to the indemnification owed by any Indemnifying Party under any portion of this Article 2 other than that described in Sections 2.5(b) through 2.5(f) and no monetary cap on the amount of indemnity coverage provided by any Indemnifying Party under this Article 2 other than that that described in Section 2.5(a) .
(h) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTYS INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATION HEREUNDER COVER OR INCLUDE CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL OR SIMILAR DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS (INCLUDING ANY DIMINUTION IN VALUE OF ANY PARTYS RESPECTIVE INVESTMENT IN THE PARTNERSHIP OR ANY JOINT VENTURE ENTITY) SUFFERED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, BY ANY OTHER PERSON ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT AS A REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES AS ARE PAID TO A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OR OTHER UNAFFILIATED THIRD PARTY, WHETHER OR NOT THE INDEMNIFYING PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
(i) THE FOREGOING INDEMNITIES ARE INTENDED TO BE ENFORCEABLE AGAINST THE PARTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXPRESS TERMS AND SCOPE THEREOF NOTWITHSTANDING ANY EXPRESS NEGLIGENCE RULE OR ANY SIMILAR DIRECTIVE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT OR OTHERWISE LIMIT INDEMNITIES BECAUSE OF THE SOLE, CONCURRENT, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR FAULT OF ANY OF THE INDEMNIFIED PERSONS.
ARTICLE 3
General and Administrative Services
3.1 General . SPLC agrees to provide, and agrees to cause its Affiliates to provide, to the Partnership Group, for the Partnership Groups benefit, the centralized general and administrative services that SPLC and its Affiliates have traditionally provided in connection
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with the ownership and operation of the Joint Venture Entities, which consist of the services set forth on Schedule C (the General and Administrative Services ). In performing the General and Administrative Services, SPLC and its Affiliates shall be entitled to contract with third parties on behalf of and as agent for (but without fiduciary liability to) any Group Member. SPLC agrees to, or cause its Affiliates to, provide the Partnership Group with the General and Administrative Services in a manner at or above industry standards (as determined by SPLC).
3.2 Administrative Fee .
(a) As consideration for the General and Administrative Services, the Partnership will pay SPLC a fee (the Administrative Fee ) of $8.5 million per year, payable in equal monthly installments as provided in Section 3.4 . The Administrative Fee for the 2014 fiscal year will be prorated based on the number of days from the Closing Date to December 31, 2014.
(b) The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Administrative Fee may change each calendar year, as determined by the General Partner in good faith, to accurately reflect the degree and extent of the General and Administrative Services provided to the Partnership Group and may be adjusted to reflect, among other things, the contribution, acquisition or disposition of assets to or by the Partnership Group or to reflect any change in the cost of providing General and Administrative Services to the Partnership Group due to inflation and to changes in any law, rule or regulation applicable to the SPLC Entities or the Partnership Group, including any interpretation of such laws, rules or regulations.
(c) From time to time, but not more frequently that once during any calendar year:
(i) the General Partner will have the right to submit to SPLC a proposal to reduce the amount of the Administrative Fee for the following twelve-month period or a portion thereof if the General Partner believes, in good faith, that the prospective value of the General and Administrative Services to be performed by SPLC and its Affiliates (other than the Partnership Group) for the benefit of the Partnership Group will be less than the Administrative Fee in effect as such time; and
(ii) SPLC may propose to increase the Administrative Fee for the following twelve-month period or a portion thereof if SPLC believes, in good faith, that the prospective cost of the General and Administrative Services to be performed by SPLC and its Affiliates (other than the Partnership Group) for the benefit of the Partnership Group (including costs incurred by reason of the Partnerships acquisition or development of assets or changes in the complexity of the Partnerships operations) will exceed the Administrative Fee in effect at such time.
If either Party submits such a proposal to the other Party, both Parties will negotiate in good faith to determine if the Administrative Fee should be changed and, if so, the amount of such change. If the Parties agree that the Administrative Fee should be changed, then the Administrative Fee shall be changed as of the first day of the month following such agreement.
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3.3 Reimbursable Expenses .
(a) The Partnership shall reimburse the General Partner for all expenses and expenditures incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership, if any, including as a result of the Partnership becoming and continuing as a publicly traded entity, including costs associated with annual and quarterly reports, independent auditor fees, partnership governance and compliance, registrar and transfer agent fees, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, legal fees and independent director compensation, incurred by SPLC and its Affiliates (other than the Partnership Group) on behalf of the Partnership Group, to the extent such services are not included in the General and Administrative Services ( Reimbursable Expenses ).
(b) Such reimbursements shall be made in accordance with Section 3.4 . For the avoidance of doubt, Reimbursable Expenses shall be paid by the Partnership in addition to, and not as a part of or included in, the Administrative Fee.
3.4 Invoicing and Payment . On or before the tenth Business Day after each calendar month during which this Agreement is in effect, SPLC shall submit an invoice (either in paper format or in such electronic format as is reasonably requested by SPLC) to the Partnership for the Administrative Fee installment due with respect to such month, as well as any Reimbursable Expenses incurred through the end of such month and not previously paid by the Partnership. The Partnership shall, within ten calendar days of receipt, pay such invoice, except for any Reimbursable Expenses therein being disputed in good faith by the Partnership. Any amounts that the Partnership has disputed in good faith and that are later determined by any court or other competent authority having jurisdiction, or by agreement of the Parties, to be owing from the Partnership shall be paid in full within ten calendar days of such determination, together with interest thereon at the Interest Rate, from the date due under the original invoice until the date of payment.
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ARTICLE 4
Licenses of Marks
4.1 Grant of Shell License . Shell hereby grants to the Partnership and to each entity comprising a part of the Partnership Group, subject to third party rights and to the terms and conditions herein, a royalty-free, non-exclusive license in the United States Area to use the trade name SHELL or Shell as part of its company name and to use the trade name SHELL or Shell and the Shell Pecten design as part of its company identification, in each case to indicate such companys affiliation with the Shell brand on stationery, business cards, business forms, company publications and press releases, company marketing materials (including promotional merchandise), company public filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities, and company websites or social media presences, subject to Shells prior written approval as to the form and manner of such identifications, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by Shell. The trade name SHELL or Shell and the Shell Pecten design are collectively referred to herein as the Shell Marks .
4.2 Ownership and Quality of Shell Marks . The Partnership, on behalf of itself and the other Group Members, agrees that ownership of the Shell Marks and the goodwill relating thereto shall remain vested in Shell and its affiliates, during the term of the Shell License and thereafter. The Partnership agrees, and agrees to cause the other Group Members, never to challenge, contest or question the validity of Shells or the applicable Shell affiliates ownership of the Shell Marks or any registration thereof by Shell or the applicable Shell affiliate. In connection with the use of the Shell Marks, the Partnership and any other Group Member shall not in any manner represent that they have any ownership in the Shell Marks or registration thereof. The Partnership, on behalf of itself and the other Group Members, acknowledges that the use of the Shell Marks by the Partnership or the other Group Members shall not create any right, title or interest in or to the Shell Marks, and all use of the Shell Marks by the Partnership or any other Group Member shall inure to the benefit of Shell or the applicable Shell affiliate. The Partnership agrees, and agrees to cause the other Group Members, to use the Shell Marks, if at all, in accordance with such quality standards established by Shell or any of its affiliates (excluding the Partnership Group) and communicated to the Partnership Group from time to time. The Parties agree that the products and services offered by the Partnership as of the Closing Date are of a quality that is acceptable to Shell. If Shell or the applicable Shell affiliate elects to modify or change the quality standards or format of the Shell Marks, then the Partnership shall modify or change, and shall cause the other Group Members or licensees hereunder to change, the format of the Shell Marks within six months of prior written notice from SPLC of such modification or change in the quality standards or format of the Shell Marks.
4.3 In the event that the Partnership or any of the other Group Members or licensees hereunder (the Mark Licensees ) is in material breach of this Article 4, Shell shall transmit written notice of such material breach to the Partnership, and the relevant Mark Licensee shall have 60 days to cure such material breach. If the Mark Licensee cures such material breach, then the license to such Mark Licensee shall continue to in force and effect. If the Mark Licensee fails to cure such material breach within such sixty 60-day period, then Shell shall have the right to terminate the license grant to such Mark Licensee, however, the license to the remaining Mark Licensees shall continue in force and effect.
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4.4 Termination . The Shell License shall terminate automatically upon a Partnership Change of Control.
ARTICLE 5
Miscellaneous
5.1 Confidentiality .
(a) From and after the Closing Date, each of the Parties shall hold, and shall c ause their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates and its and their directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, and other representatives (collectively, Representatives ) to hold all Confidential Information disclosed to a Party hereunder in strict confidence, with at least the same degree of care that applies to such Partys confidential and proprietary information and shall not use such Confidential Information and shall not release or disclose such Confidential Information to any other Person, except its Representatives or except as required by applicable law. Each Party shall be responsible for any breach of this section by any of its Representatives.
(b) If a Party receives a subpoena or other demand for disclosure of Confidential Information received from any other Party or must disclose to a Governmental Authority any Confidential Information received from such other Party in order to obtain or maintain any required governmental approval, the receiving Party shall, to the extent legally permissible, provide notice to the providing Party before disclosing such Confidential Information. Upon receipt of such notice, the providing Party shall promptly either seek an appropriate protective order, waive the receiving Partys confidentiality obligations hereunder to the extent necessary to permit the receiving Party to respond to the demand, or otherwise fully satisfy the subpoena or demand or the requirements of the applicable Governmental Authority. If the receiving Party is legally compelled to disclose such Confidential Information or if the providing Party does not promptly respond as contemplated by this Section 5.1, the receiving Party may disclose that portion of Confidential Information covered by the notice or demand.
(c) Each Party acknowledges that the disclosing Party would not have an adequate remedy at law for the breach by the receiving Party of any one or more of the covenants contained in this Section 5.1 and agrees that, in the event of such breach, the disclosing Party may, in addition to the other remedies that may be available to it, apply to a court for an injunction to prevent breaches of this Section 5.1 and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Section 5.1 . Notwithstanding any other Section hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the provisions of this Section 5.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
5.2 Choice of Law; Arbitration; Submission to Jurisdiction .
(a) This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Texas, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might refer the construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state.
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(b) The Parties agree that any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be settled by submission to binding arbitration in Houston, Texas, such arbitration to be conducted as follows: If the Parties cannot resolve any such dispute, controversy, or claim, then no earlier than 10 days following written notice to the other Parties, any Party may initiate binding arbitration by giving a notice of intent to arbitrate to the other Parties to such dispute, controversy, or claim. SPLC, on behalf of the affected SPLC Entities, and the General Partner, on behalf of the affected Group Members, will each select a single arbitrator within 15 days of the delivery of the notice of intent to arbitrate by any Party. The arbitrators must be attorneys familiar by training and experience with midstream operations, master limited partnerships and Texas law or otherwise specialized or skilled so as to be fit for the nature of the dispute. The two selected arbitrators shall select a third arbitrator who will serve as the chairman. In addition, the arbitrators must be impartial and independent of the parties to such dispute, controversy, or claim. If a Party is unable or unwilling to select an arbitrator within 15 days of the notice of intent to arbitrate, then the single selected arbitrator shall select the third arbitrator and those two arbitrators shall select the other Partys arbitrator. The arbitration proceeding shall be governed by Texas law and shall be informal and expeditious and conducted in such manner as to result in a good faith resolution as soon as reasonably possible under the circumstances. A hearing, if one is desired by the arbitrators, shall be held in Houston, Texas, no later than 15 days after selection of all of the arbitrators. The arbitrators shall set the schedule and requirements for any further proceedings and move the arbitration to completion as soon as reasonably practicable. It is the intent of the Parties, subject to any agreement or ruling to the contrary, that they may present such evidence and witnesses as they may choose, with or without counsel. Adherence to formal rules of evidence shall not be required, but the arbitrators shall consider any evidence and testimony that they determine to be relevant, in accordance with procedures that they determine to be appropriate. Any award entered in the arbitration shall be made by a written opinion stating the reasons and basis for the award made and any payment due pursuant to the arbitration shall be made within 15 days of the arbitrators decision. The final decision of the arbitrators shall be binding on the Parties. Each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses of the arbitration; provided, however, that the costs of employing arbitrators shall be borne equally by each side.
(c) Any Party may bring any action or proceeding to enforce the final decision of the arbitrators exclusively in any federal or state courts located in Texas and each Party (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in such courts, (iii) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over it and (iv) agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, service of process upon it may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to it at its address specified in Section 5.3 . The foregoing consents to jurisdiction and service of process shall not constitute general consents to service of process in the State of Texas for any purpose except as provided herein and shall not be deemed to confer rights on any Person other than the Parties.
5.3 Notice . All notices, requests, demands, and other communications hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given: (a) if by transmission by facsimile or hand delivery, when delivered; (b) if mailed via the official governmental mail system, five business days after mailing, provided said notice is sent first class, postage pre-paid, via certified or registered mail, with a return receipt requested; (c) if mailed by an internationally-recognized overnight express mail service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL Worldwide, one Business Day after deposit therewith is prepaid; or (d) if by e-mail, one business day after delivery with receipt is confirmed. All notices will be addressed to the Parties at the respective addresses as follows.
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If to SPLC:
Shell Pipeline Company LP
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: Assistant General CounselDownstream Americas
Facsimile: (713) 241-6161
If to any Group Member:
Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.
c/o Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, its general partner
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: General Counsel
Facsimile: (713) 241-6161
5.4 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.
5.5 Termination of Agreement . This Agreement, other than the provisions set forth in Article 2 and Article 5 hereof, may be terminated (a) by the written agreement of all of the Parties or (b) by the General Partner or the Partnership immediately upon a Partnership Change of Control by written notice given to the other Parties to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties indemnification obligations arising prior to the termination of this Agreement under Article 2 shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, survive such termination in accordance with their respective terms.
5.6 Amendment or Modification . This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the Parties. Each such instrument shall be reduced to writing and shall be designated on its face an Amendment or an Addendum to this Agreement.
5.7 Assignment . No Party shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other Parties.
5.8 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signatory parties had signed the same document and shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or in portable document format (.pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.
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5.9 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable by a court or regulatory body of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
5.10 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each signatory party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.
5.11 Rights of Limited Partners . The provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the Parties to this Agreement, and no Limited Partner or other interest holder of the Partnership shall have the right, separate and apart from the Partnership, to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to compel any Party to this Agreement to comply with the terms of this Agreement.
[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank .]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the Closing Date.
SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP | ||||
By: | Shell Pipeline GP LLC, its general partner | |||
By: |
/s/ Kevin M. Nichols |
|||
Name: Kevin M. Nichols | ||||
Title: Vice President | ||||
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. | ||||
By: | Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, its general partner | |||
By: |
/s/ Margaret C. Montana |
|||
Name: Margaret C. Montana | ||||
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President | ||||
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS GP LLC | ||||
By: |
/s/ Margaret C. Montana |
|||
Name: Margaret C. Montana | ||||
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President | ||||
SHELL MIDSTREAM OPERATING LLC | ||||
By: |
/s/ Margaret C. Montana |
|||
Name: Margaret C. Montana | ||||
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President | ||||
SHELL OIL COMPANY | ||||
By: |
/s/ Craig M. Lundell |
|||
Name: Craig M. Lundell | ||||
Title: Vice President Intellectual Property |
Exhibit 10.3
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS WORKING CAPITAL FACILITY AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2014
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P as the Borrower
AND
SHELL TREASURY CENTER (WEST) INC.
as the Lender
THIS SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS WORKING CAPITAL FACILITY AGREEMENT is dated as of October 31, 2014 and made between:
(1) SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P (the Borrower ); and
(2) SHELL TREASURY CENTER (WEST) INC. (the Lender ).
WHEREAS:
The Lender and the Borrower desire to enter into a Working Capital Facility Agreement pursuant to which the Lender agrees to make available to the Borrower a short term working capital facility for an amount not exceeding Three Hundred Million United States Dollars (USD $300,000,000).
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1. | DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION |
1.1 Definitions
In this working capital credit facility agreement:
Affiliate means, for any entity, any entity which it directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with it. For this purpose control means the direct or indirect ownership of in aggregate fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting rights in an entity; provided that the Borrower shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Lender and vice versa.
Agreement means this Working Capital Facility Agreement between the Lender and the Borrower.
Authorisation means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.
Availability Period means the period from and including October 31, 2014, to and including the date falling one (1) Business Day before the Repayment Date.
Available Facility means the Commitment minus:
(a) | the amount of any outstanding Loans under the Facility; and |
(b) | the amount of any proposed Loans for which a Utilisation Request has been delivered in accordance with Clause 5. |
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in New York and either of London or Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Closing Date means the date of this Agreement.
Commitment means three-hundred million United States Dollars (USD $300,000,000), to the extent not cancelled or reduced by the Lender under this Agreement.
Commitment Fee has the meaning set forth in Clause 6(c).
Commitment Fee Rate means 19 basis points (.19%) per annum.
Default means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 16 which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under this Agreement or any combination of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default.
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Disruption Event means either or both of:
(a) | a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Loan (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, either of the Parties; or |
(b) | the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing either Party: |
(i) | from performing its payment obligations under this Agreement; or |
(ii) | from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, |
and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.
Event of Default means any event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 16.
Facility means the short term working capital facility made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 2.
Facility Repayment Date means October 31, 2019.
Financial Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of:
(a) | moneys borrowed; |
(b) | any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility; |
(c) | any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument; |
(d) | the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, be treated as a finance or capital lease; |
(e) | receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis); |
(f) | any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing; or |
(g) | the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (f) above. |
Fee Payment Date means the twenty-fifth (25 th ) day of April, July, October and January in each year or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not)and the Facility Repayment Date.
Group Company means and includes Royal Dutch Shell plc and any entity (other than the Lender) which Royal Dutch Shell plc from time to time directly or indirectly controls. For this purpose:
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(a) | an entity directly controls another entity if it owns more than fifty per cent (50%) of the voting rights of the other entity; and |
(b) | an entity indirectly controls another entity if a series of entities can be specified beginning with the first entity and ending with the other entity, so related that each entity of the series (except the ultimate controlling entity) is directly controlled by one or more of the entities earlier in the series. |
Interest Payment Date means, in relation to each Loan and subject to Clause 20.3, any Prepayment Date and the Repayment Date.
Interest Period means, in respect of each Loan, the period commencing from the Utilisation Date of that Loan and ending on the Loan Repayment Date for that Loan.
Issuance Fee shall have the meaning set forth in Clause 6(b).
LIBOR means, in relation to any Loan:
(a) | the applicable Screen Rate; or |
(b) | (if no Screen Rate is available for US Dollars for the Interest Period of that Loan) the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded to four (4) decimal places) as supplied to the Lender at its request quoted by the Reference Banks to leading banks in the London interbank market, |
as at 11 a.m. on the Quotation Day for the offering of deposits in US Dollars for a three (3) month period.
Loan means each loan made or to be made under the Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
Loan Repayment Date means the date a Loan is scheduled to be repaid, as confirmed pursuant to Clause 5.3(c) of this Agreement, which shall in no event be later than the earlier of (i) the date falling six (6) Months from the relevant Utilisation Date and (ii) the Facility Repayment Date.
Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrower to perform its payment obligations under this Agreement.
Month means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, except that:
(a) | if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day; |
(b) | if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month. |
Party means a party to this Agreement.
Quotation Day means, in relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be determined, the day which is two (2) Business Days before the first day of that period.
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Reference Banks means the principal London offices of HSBC plc, Citibank N.A. and BNP Paribas or such other banks as may be appointed by the Lender in consultation with the Borrower.
Representations means each representation made by the Borrower in Clause 14.
Screen Rate means the ICE Benchmark Administrations London interbank offered rate for US Dollars for three months, displayed on the appropriate page of the Reuters screen. If the agreed page is replaced or service ceases to be available, the Lender may specify another page or service displaying the appropriate rate after consultation with the Borrower.
Security means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.
Tax means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).
Unpaid Sum means any sum due and payable but unpaid by the Borrower under this Agreement.
Utilisation means a utilisation of all or part of the Commitment under this Agreement.
Utilisation Date means the date of a Utilisation, being the date on which the relevant Loan is to be made.
Utilisation Fee has the meaning set forth in Clause 6(d).
Utilisation Fee Rate means LIBOR plus 126 basis points (LIBOR + 1.26%) per annum.
Utilisation Request means a notice from the Borrower requesting a drawdown under the Facility in the form attached to Schedule 1.
Shell Midstream Partners, L.P means Shell Midstream Partners, L.P registered in Delaware with registered company number 46-5223743 46-5223743 and registered address at The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA.
1.2 Construction
(a) | Unless a contrary indication appears, any reference in this Agreement to: |
(i) | the Lender , the Borrower or any Party shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees; |
(ii) | assets includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description; |
(iii) | any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that other agreement or instrument as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated; |
(iv) | a person includes any individual, firm, company, limited liability company or LLC, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality); |
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(v) | a regulation includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation; |
(vi) | a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted; and |
(vii) | a time of day is a reference to London time, unless otherwise specified. |
(b) | Section, Clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only. |
(c) | A Default (other than an Event of Default) is continuing if it has not been remedied or waived and an Event of Default is continuing if it has not been remedied or waived. |
2. | THE FACILITY |
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lender makes available to the Borrower a US Dollar working capital facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Commitment.
3. | PURPOSE |
3.1 Purpose
The Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under this Agreement for its working capital purposes.
3.2 Monitoring
The Lender is not bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.
4. | CONDITIONS OF UTILISATION |
Conditions precedent
The Lender will only be obliged to comply with Clause 2 if on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date:
(a) | no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan; and |
(b) | the Representations to be made by the Borrower are true in all material respects. |
5. | UTILISATION |
5.1 Utilisation Request
The Borrower may utilise the Facility by delivery to the Lender of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later two (2) Business Days prior to the proposed Utilisation Date and Lender shall make the Loan available in immediately available funds by close of business (New York City time) on the Utilisation Date.
5.2 Change or Cancellation of a Utilisation Request
A Utilisation Request shall be irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:
(a) | the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period; |
(b) | the amount of the proposed Loan must be an amount which is not more than the Available Facility; and |
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(c) | it specifies the account and bank to which the proceeds of the utilisation are to be credited. |
5.3 Confirmation of Terms
Promptly upon receipt of a duly completed Utilisation Request, and in no event later than two (2) Business Days after receipt of such Utilisation Request, the Lender shall make available to the Borrower, electronically or otherwise, the following information:
(a) | the amount of the Loan in US Dollars; |
(b) | the rate of interest to be charged with respect to the Loan, as calculated under Section 8.1 of this Agreement; and |
(c) | the Loan Repayment Date. |
6. | REPAYMENT AND FEES |
(a) | Each Loan will be repaid in full together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon by the Borrower on the relevant Loan Repayment Date, net of any previous prepayments made in accordance with this Agreement. All Loans, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, outstanding as of the Facility Repayment Date shall immediately become due and payable to Lender on the Facility Repayment Date. |
(b) | On the Closing Date or within five (5) Business Days of the date of the Agreement, Borrower shall pay to Lender an issuance fee (the Issuance Fee) of five-hundred and ten thousand dollars ($510,000). |
(c) | Borrower shall pay Lender a commitment fee (the Commitment Fee) for the period from and including the Closing Date to the Facility Repayment Date, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Facility during the period for which payment is made. The Commitment Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the Closing Date. |
(d) | With respect to each Loan, Borrower shall pay Lender a utilisation fee (the Utilisation Fee) on the average daily principal amount of the Loan, computed at the Utilisation Fee Rate; provided, however, that if any portion of the Loan remains outstanding after the relevant Loan Repayment Date, Borrower shall continue to pay the Utilisation Fee with respect to such unpaid portion of the Loan. In any quarter in which a Utilisation is outstanding, the Utilisation Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date. |
7. | PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION |
7.1 Illegality
If at any time prior to the Repayment Date, it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for the Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its participation in any Loan:
(a) | the Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower upon becoming aware of that event; |
(b) | the Commitment will be immediately cancelled; and |
(c) | the Borrower shall prepay the Loan in full, together with all accrued interest and fees payable hereunder, on the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Borrower (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law). |
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7.2 Voluntary prepayment of Loans
The Borrower may prepay the whole or any part of any Loan by giving at least two (2) Business Days written notice to the Lender.
7.3 Restrictions
(a) | Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under this Clause 7 shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment. |
(b) | Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and without premium or penalty. |
(c) | Any amounts repaid by the Borrower under this Agreement may be re-borrowed. |
(d) | No amount of the Commitment cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated. |
8. | INTEREST |
8.1 Calculation of interest
The rate of interest on each Loan for each Interest Period shall be the 3 month LIBOR as of the Quotation Day relating to such Interest Period.
8.2 Payment of interest
The Borrower shall pay accrued interest on each Loan on the Repayment Date and any prepayment date.
8.3 Default interest
(a) | If the Borrower fails to pay any amount payable by it under this Agreement on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to paragraph (b) below, is two per cent (2%) per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Loan for successive Interest Periods. Any interest accruing under this Clause 8.3 shall be immediately payable by the Borrower on demand by the Lender. |
(b) | Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable. |
9. | CHANGES TO THE CALCULATION OF INTEREST |
9.1 Absence of quotations
Subject to Clause 9.2, if LIBOR is to be determined by reference to the Reference Banks but a Reference Bank does not supply a quotation by 11 a.m. on the Quotation Day, the 3 month LIBOR shall be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining Reference Banks.
9.2 Market disruption
(a) | In this Agreement Market Disruption Event means at or about noon on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period if the Screen Rate is not available and none or only one of the Reference Banks supplies a rate to the Lender to determine 3 month LIBOR for US Dollars. |
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If a Market Disruption Event occurs in relation to a Loan for any Interest Period, then the rate of interest on that Loan for the Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the rate notified to the Borrower by the Lender as soon as practicable and in any event before interest is due to be paid in respect of that Loan, to be that which expresses the latest Screen Rate available before 11 a.m. on the Quotation Day for the offering of deposits in US Dollars for a three (3) month period.
10. | INCREASED COSTS |
10.1 Increased costs
(a) | Subject to Clause 10.2 the Borrower shall, within three (3) Business Days of a demand by the Lender, pay the amount of any Increased Costs incurred by the Lender or any of its Affiliates as a result of (i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any applicable law or regulation or (ii) compliance with any applicable law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement. |
(b) | In this Agreement Increased Costs means: |
(i) | an additional or increased cost; or |
(ii) | a reduction of any amount due and payable under this Agreement, |
which is incurred or suffered by the Lender or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to the Lender having entered into the Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under this Agreement.
10.2 Exceptions
Clause 10.1 does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is attributable to the wilful breach by the Lender or its Affiliates of any law or regulation or to the transfer, assignment or subparticipation of this Facility in accordance with Clause 18.
11. | TAX GROSS-UP AND INDEMNITY |
11.1 No deduction
All payments by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be made without any deduction and free and clear of and without deduction for or on account of any Taxes, except to the extent that the Borrower is required by law to make payment subject to any Taxes.
11.2 Indemnity
(a) | If any relevant Tax or amounts in respect of relevant Tax must be deducted from any amounts payable or paid by the Borrower to the Lender under this Agreement, the Borrower shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to ensure that the Lender receives on the due date a net amount equal to the full amount which it would have received had the payment not been made subject to the relevant Tax. |
(b) | Borrowers obligation to pay additional amounts pursuant to Clause 11.2(a) shall not apply to the extent that such additional amounts are the result of, with respect to the Lender, (i) income or franchise Taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States of America, or by any laws of the jurisdiction in which the Lender is located, (ii) any branch profits Taxes imposed by the United States of America, (iii) any United States federal withholding Tax payable as a result of the Lenders failure to comply with Clause 11.3, or (iv) due to the transfer, assignment or subparticipation of this Facility in accordance with Clause 18. |
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11.3 Exemptions
If the Lender is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under any law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement, it shall deliver to the Borrower, prior to the first Utilisation and at such other time(s) prescribed by law or reasonably requested by the Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate.
12. | MITIGATION BY THE LENDER |
12.1 Mitigation
(a) | The Lender shall, in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of Clause 7.1 or 10 including (but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under this Agreement to another Affiliate. |
(b) | Paragraph (a) above does not in any way limit the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. |
12.2 Limitation of liability
(a) | The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Lender as a result of steps taken by it under Clause 12.1. |
(b) | The Lender is not obliged to take any steps under Clause 12.1 if, in its opinion (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it. |
13. | COSTS AND EXPENSES |
The Borrower shall, within fifteen (15) Business Days of demand, pay to the Lender the amount of all loss, liability, costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by the Lender in connection with:
(a) | the occurrence of any Event of Default; or |
(b) | the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, this Agreement. |
14. | REPRESENTATIONS |
The Borrower makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 14 to the Lender on the date of this Agreement.
14.1 Due Incorporation
The Borrower:
(a) | is a duly incorporated limited liability company validly existing under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation; and |
(b) | has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted. |
14.2 Binding obligations
The obligations expressed to be assumed by it in this Agreement are legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and general principles of equity.
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14.3 Non-conflict with other obligations
The entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement do not and will not conflict with:
(a) | any law or regulation applicable to it; |
(b) | its constitutional documents; or |
(c) | any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of its subsidiaries or any of its assets. |
14.4 Power and authority
It has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, this Agreement.
14.5 Validity and admissibility in evidence
All Authorisations required or desirable:
(a) | to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations in this Agreement to which it is a party; and |
(b) | to make this Agreement admissible in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation, |
have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.
14.6 Deduction of Tax
Subject to receipt by the Borrower from the Lender of the documents referred to in Clause 11.3, it is not required to make any deduction for or on account of tax from any payment it may make under this Agreement.
14.7 No filing or stamp taxes
Under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation it is not necessary that this Agreement be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to the this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
14.8 No Default
(a) | No Event of Default is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the making of any Utilisation. |
(b) | No other event or circumstance is outstanding, which constitutes a default under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on it or any of its subsidiaries or to which its (or any of its subsidiaries) assets are subject which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
14.9 Pari passu ranking
Its payment obligations under this Agreement rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally. In the event that a lender is permitted to and receives Security under the terms of any other Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower, the Lender shall be secured hereunder on substantially similar terms.
14.10 No proceedings pending or threatened
No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings of or before any court, arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect have (to the best of its knowledge and belief) been started or threatened against it or any of its subsidiaries.
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14.11 Authorisations
Under the laws of Delaware all authorisations required on its part in the United States of America with its entry into, performance and validity and enforceability of this Agreement have been obtained or effected (as appropriate) and are in full force and effect.
14.12 No Misleading Information
(a) | Any factual information provided by the Borrower to the Lender in connection with this Agreement was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated. |
(b) | Nothing has occurred or been omitted from the information provided to the Lender in connection with this Agreement and no information has been given or withheld that results in the information provided being untrue or misleading in any material respect. |
14.13 Compliance with Law
The Borrower has complied in all respects with all laws to which it may be subject, if failure to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
14.14 Repetition
The Representations are deemed to be made by the Borrower by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on the date of each Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period.
15. | GENERAL COVENANTS |
The undertakings in this Clause 15 remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under this Agreement.
15.1 Authorisations
The Borrower shall promptly:
(a) | obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect; and |
(b) | supply certified copies to the Lender of, |
any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of its jurisdiction of incorporation to enable it to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation of this Agreement.
15.2 Compliance with laws
The Borrower shall comply in all respects with all laws to which it may be subject, if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
15.3 Negative pledge
The Borrower shall not create or permit to subsist any Security over any of its assets other than such Security as agreed between the Lender and the Borrower.
15.4 Pari Passu Ranking
The Borrower shall procure that its payment obligations under this Agreement do and will rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by laws of general application.
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15.5 No additional indebtedness
The borrower shall not incur additional indebtedness either through loans, issuing bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument, except for:
a) | Bank loans or Group company loans up to USD 600,000,000. |
without the express written consent of the Lender.
16. | EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 16 is an Event of Default.
16.1 Non-payment
The Borrower does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to this Agreement at the place in which it is required to be paid unless its failure to pay is caused by:
(a) | an administrative or technical error; or |
(b) | a Disruption Event, |
and repayment is made within two (2) Business Days of its due date.
16.2 Breach of Covenant
If there is a material breach of any of the covenants in Clause 15, which if capable of remedy, is not remedied within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of written notice from the Lender, requiring such breach to be remedied.
16.3 Misrepresentation
Any representation or statement made or deemed to have been made by the Borrower in this Agreement or any other document delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower under or in connection with this Agreement is or proves to have been materially incorrect or misleading when made or deemed to have been made.
16.4 Cross default
(a) | Any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period. |
(b) | Any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(c) | Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of the Borrower as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(d) | Any creditor of the Borrower becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(e) | No Event of Default will occur under this clause 16.4 if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness falling within clauses 16.4(a) to 16.4(d) above is less than one hundred million US Dollars (USD 100,000,000) (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies). |
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16.5 Insolvency
(a) | The Borrower is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due, suspends making payments on any of its debts or, by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its Financial Indebtedness. |
(b) | A moratorium is declared in respect of any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower. |
16.6 Insolvency proceedings
Any corporate action, legal proceeding, filing or other procedure or step is taken in relation to:
(a) | the suspension (provisional or otherwise) of payments, a moratorium of any Financial Indebtedness, the bankruptcy, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of the Borrower or any of its assets; |
(b) | the making of a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; |
(c) | the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, trustee in bankruptcy, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of the Borrower or any of its assets; or |
(d) | enforcement of any Security over any assets of the Borrower, |
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.
16.7 Creditors process
Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution either before judgment or under an execution, affecting any asset or assets of the Borrower having a book value of ten million US Dollars (USD $10,000,000) or more, excluding any such action which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted.
16.8 Unlawfulness and Invalidity
(a) | It is or becomes unlawful for the Borrower to perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement. |
(b) | Any obligation(s) of the Borrower under this Agreement is not or ceases to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable and the cessation individually or cumulatively materially and adversely affects the interests of the Lender under this Agreement. |
(c) | This Agreement ceases to be in full force and effect or is alleged by either party to be ineffective. |
16.9 Repudiation
The Borrower repudiates this Agreement or evidences an intention to repudiate this Agreement.
16.10 Acceleration
On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing, the Lender may by notice to the Borrower:
(a) | cancel the Commitment whereupon it shall immediately be cancelled; and/or |
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(b) | declare that all or part of the Loans, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under this Agreement be immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due and payable. |
17. | TERMINATION EVENT |
In the event the Group Companies dispose of their aggregate shareholding in the Borrower (whether held directly or indirectly), the Lender shall have the right to terminate the Facility by giving the Borrower forty-five (45) days prior written notice requiring repayment of all outstanding amounts by the end of that forty-five day period or as otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Lender.
18. | CHANGES TO THE LENDER |
The Lender may transfer, assign or sub-participate all or any part of its commitments under the Facility to a Group Company with the Borrowers prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
19. | CHANGES TO THE BORROWER |
The Borrower may not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement.
20. | PAYMENT MECHANICS |
20.1 Payments to the Lender
(a) | On each date on which the Borrower is required to make a payment under this Agreement, the Borrower shall make the same available to the Lender (unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement) for value on the due date at the time as specified by the Lender as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the place of payment. |
(b) | Payment shall be made in US Dollars to such account with such bank as the Lender specifies. |
20.2 No set-off by the Borrower
All payments to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.
20.3 Business Days
(a) | Any payment which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). |
(b) | During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest shall be payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date. |
20.4 Currency of account
US Dollars are the currency of account and payment for any sum due from the Borrower under this Agreement.
21. | SET-OFF |
The Lender may set off any matured obligation due from the Borrower under this Agreement against any matured obligation owed by the Lender to the Borrower, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Lender may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.
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22. | NOTICES |
22.1 Communications in writing
Any communication to be made under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by e-mail or letter.
22.2 Addresses
The address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with this Agreement is:
(a) | in the case of the Borrower, that identified with its name below; |
(b) | in the case of the Lender, that identified with its name below, with the FACILITY UTILISATION REQUEST also being sent electronically to the following email addresses: |
i. | gxsifstodealingroommailbox@SHELL.com ; |
ii. | gxsiftoexternalmarketsteam@SHELL.com ; |
or any substitute address or department or officer as the Party may notify to the other Party with not less than five (5) Business Days notice.
22.3 Delivery
Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with this Agreement will only be effective when it has been left at the relevant address or five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under Clause 22.2, if addressed to that department or officer.
22.4 English language
Any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English.
23. | CALCULATIONS AND CERTIFICATES |
23.1 Accounts
In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the entries made in the accounts maintained by the Lender are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.
23.2 Certificates and Determinations
Any certification or determination by the Lender of a rate or amount under this Agreement is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.
23.3 Day count convention
Any interest, commission or fee accruing under this Agreement will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of three hundred and sixty (360) days or, in any case where the practice in the London interbank market differs, in accordance with that market practice.
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24. | PARTIAL INVALIDITY |
If, at any time, any provision of this Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
25. | REMEDIES AND WAIVERS |
No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Lender, any right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
26. | AMENDMENTS |
No variation or amendment of this Agreement or the obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by or on behalf of each of the Parties.
27. | COUNTERPARTS |
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
28. | GOVERNING LAW |
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of New York.
29. | EFFECTIVE DATE |
This Agreement shall come into effect on the date hereof upon which the Third Amended and Restated Short Term Working Capital Facility Agreement shall be superseded.
(Signature Page Follows)
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This Agreement has been entered into as of the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
Signed by | ||
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P | ||
C/O Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC | ||
910 Louisiana Street | ||
Houston, Texas 77002 | ||
Facsimile: 832 337 3525 | ||
Attention: Treasurer | ||
By: | SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS GP LLC | |
Its General partner | ||
By: |
/s/ Susan M. Ward |
|
Name: | Susan M. Ward | |
Title: | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
Signed by | ||
SHELL TREASURY CENTER (WEST) INC. | ||
Facsimile: 832-337-0025 | ||
Attention: Treasurer | ||
By: |
/s/ Eric Moses |
|
Name: | Eric Moses | |
Title: | Treasurer |
Signature Page to Working Capital Facility Agreement
SCHEDULE 1
Notice
Utilisation Request
From: SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P
To: Shell Treasury Center (West) Inc
Dated:
Dear Sirs
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS WORKING CAPITAL FACILITY AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF October 31, 2014
(the Agreement )
1. | We refer to the Agreement. This is a Utilisation Request. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request. |
2. | We wish to borrow a Loan on the following terms: |
Proposed Utilisation Date: [ ] | (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day) | |
Amount: [ ] | ||
Proposed Loan Repayment Date: [ ] |
3. | We confirm that each condition specified in Clause 4 ( Further conditions precedent) is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request. |
4. | The proceeds of this Loan should be credited to [account]. |
5. | This Utilisation Request is irrevocable. |
Sincerely,
.
Authorised signatory for
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P
SCHEDULE 1
Exhibit 10.4
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS GP LLC
2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose of the Plan.
The Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan ) has been adopted by Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company ), in its capacity as the general partner of Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership ), and is intended to promote the interests of the Partnership and the Company and their Affiliates (as defined below) by providing to employees, consultants, and directors of the Company and its Affiliates who perform services for or on behalf of the Partnership or its Affiliates incentive compensation awards for superior performance that are based on Units (as defined below). The Plan is also contemplated to enhance the ability of the Company and its Affiliates to attract and retain the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Partnership and its subsidiaries and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to advancing the business of the Partnership and its subsidiaries.
2. Definitions.
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Award means a Unit, Restricted Unit, Phantom Unit, Option, Unit Appreciation Right or DER granted under the Plan.
Award Agreement means the written agreement or other instrument by which an Award shall be evidenced.
Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Committee means the Conflicts Committee of the Board or, if none, the Board or such committee of the Board, if any, as may be appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.
Consultant means an individual, other than an Employee or a Director, providing bona fide services to the Partnership or any of its Affiliates as a consultant or advisor, as applicable, provided that such individual is a natural person.
DER or Distribution Equivalent Right means a right to receive an amount in cash or additional Awards equal to the cash distributions made by the Partnership with respect to a Unit during a specified period.
Director means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
Employee means any employee of the Company or an Affiliate who performs services for the Partnership or its Affiliates.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Fair Market Value of a Unit means the closing sales price of a Unit on the principal national securities exchange or other market in which trading in Units occurs on the applicable date (or if there is no trading in the Units on such date, on the next preceding date on which there was trading) as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or other reporting service approved by the Committee). In the event Units are not traded on a national securities exchange or other market at the time a determination of fair market value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of fair market value shall be made in good faith by the Committee and in compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to an Award granted on the effective date of the initial public offering of Units, Fair Market Value on such date shall mean the initial offering price per Unit as stated on the cover page of the prospectus which is part of the registration statement on Form S-1 for such offering.
Option means an option to purchase Units granted under the Plan.
Participant means any Employee, Consultant or Director granted an Award under the Plan.
Person means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
Phantom Unit means a right granted under the Plan which entitles the Participant to receive, in the discretion of the Committee, a Unit or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit.
Restricted Period means the period established by the Committee with respect to an Award during which the Award remains nontransferable and subject to forfeiture or is either not exercisable by or payable to the Participant, as the case may be.
Restricted Unit means a Unit granted under the Plan that is subject to a Restricted Period.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.
UAR or Unit Appreciation Right means an Award that, upon exercise, entitles the holder to receive, in cash or Units in the discretion of the Committee, the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the exercise date over the exercise price per Unit established for such Unit Appreciation Right.
Unit means a common unit of the Partnership.
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3. Administration.
(a) General . The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of Units to be covered by Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award (including but not limited to performance requirements for such Award); (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, or forfeited; (vi) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award made under the Plan; (vii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (viii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee may, in its discretion, provide for the extension of the exercisability of an Award, accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an Award, eliminate or make less restrictive any restrictions applicable to an Award, waive any restriction or other provision of this Plan or an Award or otherwise amend or modify an Award or Award Agreement in any manner that is compliant with or exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and is either (i) not materially adverse to the Participant to whom such Award was granted or (ii) consented to by such Participant. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, the Partnership, any Affiliate, any Participant, and any beneficiary of any Award. No member of the Committee or officer of the Company to whom the Committee has delegated authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(b) of this Plan shall be liable for anything done or omitted to be done by him or her, by any member of the Committee or by any officer of the Company in connection with the performance of any duties under this Plan, except for his or her own willful misconduct.
(b) Delegation . The Board or the Committee may authorize a committee of one or more members of the Board to grant individual Awards pursuant to such conditions or limitations as the Board or the Committee may establish. The Committee may also delegate to the Chief Executive Officer and to other employees of the Company (i) the authority to grant individual Awards to Consultants and to Employees who are not subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and (ii) other administrative duties under this Plan pursuant to such conditions or limitations as the Committee may establish. The Committee may engage or authorize the engagement of a third party administrator to carry out administrative functions under the Plan.
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4. Units.
(a) Limits on Units Deliverable . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), the maximum number of Units that may be delivered or reserved for delivery or underlying Awards in the aggregate issued under the Plan is 6,000,000. If any Award expires, is canceled, exercised, paid or otherwise terminates without the delivery of Units, then the Units covered by such Award, to the extent of such expiration, cancellation, exercise, payment or termination, shall again be Units with respect to which Awards may be granted. Units that are delivered by a Participant in satisfaction of the exercise or other purchase price of an Award or the tax withholding obligations associated with an Award, are withheld to satisfy the Companys tax withholding obligations or are not otherwise delivered to a Participant pursuant to the international mobility policy (or similar arrangement) of the Company or its Affiliates are available for delivery pursuant to other Awards. The Committee may from time to time adopt and observe such rules and procedures concerning the counting of Units against the Plan maximum or any sublimit as it may deem appropriate, including rules more restrictive than those set forth above to the extent necessary to satisfy the requirements of any national stock exchange on which the Units are listed or any applicable regulatory requirement. The Board, the Committee and the appropriate officers of the Company are authorized to take from time to time whatever actions are necessary, and to file any required documents with governmental authorities, stock exchanges and transaction reporting systems to ensure that Units are available for issuance pursuant to Awards.
(b) Sources of Units Deliverable Under Awards . Any Units delivered pursuant to an Award shall consist, in whole or in part, of Units acquired in the open market, common units already owned by the Company, common units acquired by the Company directly from the Partnership or any other person or any combination of the foregoing.
(c) Adjustments . In the event that any distribution (whether in the form of cash, Units, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Units or other securities of the Partnership, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Units or other securities of the Partnership, or other similar transaction or event affects the Units, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, (ii) the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the grant or exercise price with respect to any Award, or make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award; provided, that the number of Units subject to any Award shall always be a whole number. No adjustment pursuant to this Section 4(c) shall be made in a manner that results in noncompliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable.
5. Eligibility.
Any Employee, Consultant or Director shall be eligible to be designated a Participant and receive an Award under the Plan.
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6. Awards.
Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with or in substitution for any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate. No substitution shall be made in a manner that results in noncompliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
(a) Unrestricted Units . The Committee shall have the discretion to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom unrestricted Units shall be granted and the number of Units to be granted. All unrestricted Units granted shall be fully vested upon grant and shall not be subject to forfeiture.
(b) Restricted Units . The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Restricted Units shall be granted, the number of Restricted Units to be granted to each such Participant, the Restricted Period, the conditions under which the Restricted Units may become vested or forfeited, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards. To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of Restricted Units may provide that distributions made by the Partnership with respect to the Restricted Units shall be subject to the same forfeiture and other restrictions as the Restricted Unit and, if restricted, such distributions shall be held, without interest, until the Restricted Unit vests or is forfeited with the accumulated distributions being paid or forfeited at the same time, as the case may be. Absent such a restriction on the distributions in the Award Agreement, distributions during the Restricted Period shall be paid to the holder of the Restricted Unit without restriction.
(c) Phantom Units . The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Phantom Units shall be granted, the number of Phantom Units to be granted to each such Participant, the Restricted Period, the time or conditions under which the Phantom Units may become vested or forfeited, which may include, without limitation, the accelerated vesting upon the achievement of specified performance goals, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards, including whether DERs are granted with respect to such Phantom Units.
(d) Options . The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Options shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by each Option, whether DERs are granted with respect to such Option, the purchase price therefor and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. The term of an Option may not exceed 10 years. The purchase price per Unit purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Option is granted, provided such purchase price may not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Unit as of the date of grant. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, which may include, without limitation, accelerated vesting upon the achievement of specified performance goals, and the method or methods by which payment of the exercise price
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with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made, which may include, without limitation, cash, check acceptable to the Company, a broker-assisted cashless exercise through procedures approved by the Committee, delivery of previously owned Units having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price, or any combination thereof.
(e) Unit Appreciation Rights . The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Unit Appreciation Rights shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by each grant and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Unit Appreciation Right as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. The exercise price per Unit Appreciation Right shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Unit as of the date of grant. The term of a Unit Appreciation Right may not exceed 10 years.
(f) Distribution Equivalent Rights . The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom DERs are granted, whether such DERs are tandem or separate Awards, whether the DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee) the vesting restrictions and payment provisions applicable to the Award, and such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion all of which shall be specified in the Award Agreements.
7. Limits on Transfer of Awards.
Each Award shall be exercisable or payable only to the Participant during the Participants lifetime, or to the person to whom the Participants rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. No Award and no right under any such Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent specifically provided by the Committee with respect to an Award, an Award may be transferred by a Participant without consideration to immediate family members or related family trusts, limited partnerships or similar entities or on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish.
8. Securities Restrictions.
(a) All certificates for Units or other securities of the Partnership delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such Units or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
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(b) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, delivery of Units pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award may be deferred for any period during which, in the good faith determination of the Committee, the Company is not reasonably able to obtain Units to deliver, or to otherwise deliver Units, pursuant to such Award without violating the rules or regulations of any applicable law or securities exchange. No Units or other securities shall be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement (including, without limitation, any exercise price or tax withholding) is received by the Company.
9. Change of Control.
The effect, if any, of a change of control on outstanding Awards shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
10. Amendment and Termination.
Except as required by applicable law or the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are traded, the Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan in any manner, including increasing the number of Units available for Awards under the Plan, without the consent of any Participant, any other holder or beneficiary of an Award or any other Person. Further, any amendment to the Plan must not violate the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (to the extent applicable) and must be (i) not materially adverse to any affected Participant or (ii) consented to by such Participant.
11. General Provisions.
(a) No Rights to Award . No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.
(b) Tax Withholding . The Company or any Affiliate is authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Units, other securities, or other property) of any applicable taxes payable at the minimum statutory rate in respect of the grant of an Award, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions thereon, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or such Affiliate to satisfy its withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes. If applicable, the Company or any Affiliate may also reduce any Award delivery by the amount of any hypothetical tax and/or social security tax consistent with the international mobility policy (or similar arrangement) of the Company or its Affiliates.
(c) No Right to Employment or Services . The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained as an Employee, Consultant or Director, as applicable. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or service at any time.
(d) Governing Law . The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
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(e) Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any a\Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
(f) Other Laws . The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Units or other consideration under an Award if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Units or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation, the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are then traded, or entitle the Partnership or an Affiliate to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.
(g) No Trust or Fund Created . Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Partnership, Company or any participating Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Partnership, Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Partnership, Company or any participating Affiliate.
(h) No Fractional Units. No fractional Units shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Units or whether such fractional Units or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.
(i) Facility of Payment . Any amounts payable hereunder to any person under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to properly manage his financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such person, or may be applied for the benefit of such person in any manner which the Committee may select, and the Partnership, Company and its Affiliates shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.
(j) Gender and Number . Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
(k) No Guarantee of Tax Consequences . None of the Board, the Partnership, the Company, any Affiliate nor the Committee makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state or local tax treatment will apply or be available to any person participating or eligible to participate hereunder.
(l) No Benefit Rights Conferred. Compensation received by a Participant pursuant to this Plan or any Award Agreement shall not be taken into account in determining benefits under any pension, retirement, profit-sharing or welfare benefit plan. In addition, such compensation shall not be added to base pay or base salary for future salary purposes or be taken into consideration when calculating any incentive compensation.
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12. Section 409A of the Code.
(a) Awards made under this Plan are intended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and ambiguous provisions hereof, if any, shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent. No payment, benefit or consideration shall be substituted for an Award if such action would result in the imposition of taxes under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, if any Plan provision or Award under this Plan would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, that Plan provision or Award shall be reformed, to the extent permissible under Section 409A of the Code, to avoid imposition of the additional tax, and no such action shall be deemed to adversely affect the Participants rights to an Award.
(b) Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, each DER, Restricted Unit or Phantom Unit (or portion thereof if the Award is subject to a vesting schedule) shall be settled no later than the 15th day of the third month after the end of the first calendar year in which the Award (or such portion thereof) is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. If the Committee determines that a DER, Restricted Unit or Phantom Unit is intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code, the applicable Award Agreement shall include terms that are designed to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(c) If the Participant is identified by the Company as a specified employee (as defined by the Company) on the date on which the Participant has a separation from service (as defined by the Company) other than due to death, any Award payable or settled on account of a separation from service that is deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be paid or settled on the earliest of (1) the first business day following the expiration of six months from the Participants separation from service, (2) the date of the Participants death, or (3) such earlier date as complies with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
13. Clawback; Malus.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, any Award shall be subject to recovery or clawback by the Company under any clawback or malus policy adopted by the Company or its Affiliates or required by applicable law, whether before or after the date of grant of the Award.
14. Term of the Plan.
The Plan has been approved by the Board and the limited partners of the Partnership effective as of October 28, 2014. The Plan shall terminate on, and no Awards may be granted after, the earliest of the date established by the Board or the Committee, or such earlier date, if any, required by the rules of the exchange on which Units are traded or the date Units are no longer available for delivery pursuant to Awards under the Plan. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award, shall extend beyond such termination date.
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Exhibit 10.5
VOTING AGREEMENT
This VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of November 3, 2014 (this Agreement ), is by and between SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership ), and SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP, a Delaware limited partnership ( SPLC ) (each, a Party and collectively, the Parties ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS , the Parties have entered into that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which SPLC has agreed to contribute to the Partnership a certain ownership interest in Zydeco (as defined below); and
WHEREAS , the Parties desire to set forth their understanding with respect to certain matters related to the governance of Zydeco and the transfer by SPLC of the SPLC Ownership Interest (as defined below);
NOW , THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms below:
Closing Date has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Effective Time means immediately prior to the closing of the Initial Public Offering.
General Partner means Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership.
Initial Public Offering has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Investment Company Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
Partnership Agreement means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of the Closing Date, as the same may be hereafter amended and/or restated.
Person means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
SPLC Ownership Interest means the ownership interest in Zydeco retained or owned by SPLC following the Closing Date, including such additional ownership interests as are acquired by SPLC after the Closing Date as described in Section 2.3.
Zydeco means Zydeco Pipeline Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Zydeco Board of Managers means the board of managers of Zydeco as described in the Zydeco limited liability company agreement, as amended from time to time.
ARTICLE II
VOTING MATTERS
2.1 Voting . During the term of this Agreement, at every meeting of the holders of ownership interests in Zydeco that is called for any reason, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent of holders of ownership interests in Zydeco with respect to any matter, SPLC shall vote the SPLC Ownership Interest in Zydeco (or, if applicable, act by written consent) as directed by the Partnership.
2.2 Irrevocable Proxy . During the term of this Agreement, SPLC hereby appoints the Partnership and any designee of the Partnership, and each of them individually, as SPLCs proxies, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote or, if applicable, act by written consent with respect to the SPLC Ownership Interest in accordance with Section 2.1. This proxy is given to secure the performance of the duties of SPLC under this Agreement. SPLC shall take such further action or execute such other instruments as may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this proxy. This proxy granted by SPLC shall be irrevocable during the term of this Agreement, shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable proxy and shall revoke any and all prior proxies granted by SPLC with respect to the SPLC Ownership Interest. The proxy granted by SPLC hereunder shall terminate automatically upon the termination of this Agreement with respect to SPLC without any action on the part of any Party.
2.3 Adjustments upon Acquisitions, Changes in Capitalization, Etc . In the event of (a) any change in the SPLC Ownership Interest by reason of a dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, merger, exchange of ownership interests or other similar event or transaction or any other change in the structure of Zydeco (including the declaration or payment of an extraordinary dividend of cash, securities or other property) or (b) any other acquisition by SPLC of any ownership interests in Zydeco, in either case, this Agreement and the obligations hereunder shall attach to any additional ownership interests of Zydeco issued to or acquired by SPLC.
2.4 Restrictions on Other Agreements . SPLC shall not, and SPLC shall cause its affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, grant any proxy or enter into or agree to be bound by any voting trust, agreement or arrangement of any kind with respect to the matters governed hereby other than this Agreement or any other agreements entered into with the Partnership or its successors and assigns (whether or not such proxy, voting trust, agreement or arrangements are with other holders of ownership interests of Zydeco that are not parties to this Agreement or otherwise).
2
ARTICLE III
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
3.1 Transfer Restrictions . SPLC shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of or encumber (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law or otherwise) any interest in any SPLC Ownership Interest in Zydeco, whether now owned or hereafter acquired unless, prior to such transaction, (a) the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, that, after giving effect to such sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, disposition or encumbrance, the Partnership would (i) be able to consolidate the financial results of Zydeco in the Partnerships consolidated financial statements, (ii) control cash distributions by Zydeco and (iii) be deemed to control Zydeco for purposes of the Investment Company Act, or (b) the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement to the same extent as SPLC with respect to such transferred SPLC Ownership Interest.
ARTICLE IV
EFFECTIVENESS
4.1 Effectiveness . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, none of the provisions of this Agreement shall be operative or have any effect until the Effective Time, at which time all such applicable provisions shall be effective and operative in without further action by any Party.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Notice . All notices, requests, demands, and other communications hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given: (a) if by transmission by facsimile or hand delivery, when delivered; (b) if mailed via the official governmental mail system, five business days after mailing, provided said notice is sent first class, postage pre-paid, via certified or registered mail, with a return receipt requested; (c) if mailed by an internationally-recognized overnight express mail service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL Worldwide, one Business Day after deposit therewith is prepaid; or (d) if by e-mail, one business day after delivery with receipt is confirmed. All notices will be addressed to the Parties at the respective addresses as follows.
If to SPLC:
Shell Pipeline Company LP
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: Assistant General CounselDownstream Americas
Facsimile: (713) 241-6161
If to the Partnership:
Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.
c/o Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, its general partner
3
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: General Counsel
Facsimile: (713) 241-6161
5.2 Headings; References; Interpretation . All Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. The words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All references herein to Articles and Sections shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Articles and Sections of this Agreement. All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The use herein of the word including following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as without limitation, but not limited to or other words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.
5.3 Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
5.4 No Third Party Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are intended to bind the Parties as to each other and are not intended to and do not create rights in any other Person or confer upon any other Person any benefits, rights or remedies, and no Person is or is intended to be a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
5.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all Parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.
5.6 Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT INVOLVES AT LEAST U.S. $100,000.00 AND THAT THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO IN EXPRESS RELIANCE UPON 6 Del. C. § 2708. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES (a) TO BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND OF THE FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AND (b) TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS NOT OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, TO APPOINT AND MAINTAIN AN AGENT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS SUCH PARTYS AGENT FOR ACCEPTANCE OF LEGAL PROCESS AND TO NOTIFY THE OTHER PARTIES OF THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF SUCH AGENT.
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5.7 Severability . If any of the provisions of this Agreement are held by any court of competent jurisdiction to contravene, or to be invalid under, the laws of any political body having jurisdiction over the subject matter hereof, such contravention or invalidity shall not invalidate the entire Agreement. Instead, this Agreement shall be construed as if it did not contain the particular provision or provisions held to be invalid and an equitable adjustment shall be made and necessary provision added so as to give effect to the intention of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement at the time of execution of this Agreement.
5.8 Amendment or Modification . This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the Parties. Each such instrument shall be reduced to writing and shall be designated on its face as an amendment to this Agreement.
5.9 Integration . This Agreement and the instruments referenced herein and in the exhibits attached hereto supersede all previous understandings or agreements among the parties, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and such instruments. This Agreement and such instruments contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties. No understanding, representation, promise or agreement, whether oral or written, is intended to be or shall be included in or from part of this Agreement unless it is contained in a written amendment hereto executed by the parties hereto after the date of this Agreement.
5.10 Termination of Agreement . This Agreement may be terminated by the written agreement of all of the Parties.
5.11 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and all matters contemplated by this Agreement, each Party agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the Effective Time.
SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP | ||
By: | Shell Pipeline GP LLC, | |
its general partner | ||
By: | /s/ Kevin M. Nichols | |
Name: Kevin M. Nichols | ||
Title: Vice President | ||
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. | ||
By: | Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, its general partner | |
By: | /s/ Margaret C. Montana | |
Name: | Margaret C. Montana | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Signature Page to Voting Agreement
Exhibit 10.6
VOTING AGREEMENT
This VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of November 3, 2014 (this Agreement ), is by and between SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership ), and SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP, a Delaware limited partnership ( SPLC ) (each, a Party and collectively, the Parties ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS , the Parties have entered into that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which SPLC has agreed to contribute to the Partnership a certain ownership interest in Mars (as defined below); and
WHEREAS , the Parties desire to set forth their understanding with respect to certain matters related to the governance of Mars and the transfer by SPLC of the SPLC Ownership Interest (as defined below);
NOW , THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms below:
Closing Date has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Effective Time means immediately prior to the closing of the Initial Public Offering.
General Partner means Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership.
Initial Public Offering has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Investment Company Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
Partnership Agreement means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of the Closing Date, as the same may be hereafter amended and/or restated.
Mars means Mars Oil Pipeline Company, a Texas general partnership.
Mars Partnership Committee means the partnership committee of Mars, as described in the partnership agreement of Mars, as it may be amended from time to time.
Person means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
SPLC Ownership Interest means the ownership interest in Mars retained or owned by SPLC following the Closing Date, including such additional ownership interests as are acquired by SPLC after the Closing Date as described in Section 2.3.
ARTICLE II
VOTING MATTERS
2.1 Voting . During the term of this Agreement, at every meeting of the holders of ownership interests in Mars that is called for any reason, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent of holders of ownership interests in Mars with respect to any matter, SPLC shall vote the SPLC Ownership Interest in Mars (or, if applicable, act by written consent) as directed by the Partnership.
2.2 Irrevocable Proxy . During the term of this Agreement, SPLC hereby appoints the Partnership and any designee of the Partnership, and each of them individually, as SPLCs proxies, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote or, if applicable, act by written consent with respect to the SPLC Ownership Interest in accordance with Section 2.1. This proxy is given to secure the performance of the duties of SPLC under this Agreement. SPLC shall take such further action or execute such other instruments as may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this proxy. This proxy granted by SPLC shall be irrevocable during the term of this Agreement, shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable proxy and shall revoke any and all prior proxies granted by SPLC with respect to the SPLC Ownership Interest. The proxy granted by SPLC hereunder shall terminate automatically upon the termination of this Agreement with respect to SPLC without any action on the part of any Party.
2.3 Adjustments upon Acquisitions, Changes in Capitalization, Etc . In the event of (a) any change in the SPLC Ownership Interest by reason of a dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, merger, exchange of ownership interests or other similar event or transaction or any other change in the structure of Mars (including the declaration or payment of an extraordinary dividend of cash, securities or other property) or (b) any other acquisition by SPLC of any ownership interests in Mars, in either case, this Agreement and the obligations hereunder shall attach to any additional ownership interests of Mars issued to or acquired by SPLC.
2.4 Designees . Notwithstanding any provision of the partnership agreement of Mars that would entitle each of SPLC and the Partnership to appoint a representative to the Mars Partnership Committee, the Parties hereby agree, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to designate a single representative to the Mars Partnership Committee on behalf of both SPLC and the Partnership. Such representative shall have the power to vote in any actions of the Mars Partnership Committee (including with respect to distributions of distributable cash (as defined in the partnership agreement of Mars) to the owners of Mars) based on the aggregate ownership interests of both SPLC and the Partnership.
2
2.5 Restrictions on Other Agreements . SPLC shall not, and SPLC shall cause its affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, grant any proxy or enter into or agree to be bound by any voting trust, agreement or arrangement of any kind with respect to the matters governed hereby other than this Agreement or any other agreements entered into with the Partnership or its successors and assigns (whether or not such proxy, voting trust, agreement or arrangements are with other holders of ownership interests of Mars that are not parties to this Agreement or otherwise).
ARTICLE III
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
3.1 Transfer Restrictions . SPLC shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of or encumber (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law or otherwise) any interest in any SPLC Ownership Interest in Mars, whether now owned or hereafter acquired unless, prior to such transaction, (a) the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, that, after giving effect to such sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, disposition or encumbrance, the Partnership would (i) control the amount of cash distributions by Mars and (ii) be deemed to control Mars for purposes of the Investment Company Act or (b) the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement to the same extent as SPLC with respect to such transferred SPLC Ownership Interest.
ARTICLE IV
EFFECTIVENESS
4.1 Effectiveness . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, none of the provisions of this Agreement shall be operative or have any effect until the Effective Time, at which time all such applicable provisions shall be effective and operative in without further action by any Party.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Notice . All notices, requests, demands, and other communications hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given: (a) if by transmission by facsimile or hand delivery, when delivered; (b) if mailed via the official governmental mail system, five business days after mailing, provided said notice is sent first class, postage pre-paid, via certified or registered mail, with a return receipt requested; (c) if mailed by an internationally-recognized overnight express mail service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL Worldwide, one Business Day after deposit therewith is prepaid; or (d) if by e-mail, one business day after delivery with receipt is confirmed. All notices will be addressed to the Parties at the respective addresses as follows.
3
If to SPLC:
Shell Pipeline Company LP
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: Assistant General CounselDownstream Americas
Facsimile: (713) 241-6161
If to the Partnership:
Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.
c/o Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, its general partner
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: General Counsel
Facsimile: (713) 241-6161
5.2 Headings; References; Interpretation . All Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. The words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All references herein to Articles and Sections shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Articles and Sections of this Agreement. All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The use herein of the word including following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as without limitation, but not limited to or other words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.
5.3 Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
5.4 No Third Party Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are intended to bind the Parties as to each other and are not intended to and do not create rights in any other Person or confer upon any other Person any benefits, rights or remedies, and no Person is or is intended to be a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
5.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all Parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.
5.6 Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT INVOLVES
4
AT LEAST U.S. $100,000.00 AND THAT THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO IN EXPRESS RELIANCE UPON 6 Del. C. § 2708. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES (a) TO BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND OF THE FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AND (b) TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS NOT OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, TO APPOINT AND MAINTAIN AN AGENT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS SUCH PARTYS AGENT FOR ACCEPTANCE OF LEGAL PROCESS AND TO NOTIFY THE OTHER PARTIES OF THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF SUCH AGENT.
5.7 Severability . If any of the provisions of this Agreement are held by any court of competent jurisdiction to contravene, or to be invalid under, the laws of any political body having jurisdiction over the subject matter hereof, such contravention or invalidity shall not invalidate the entire Agreement. Instead, this Agreement shall be construed as if it did not contain the particular provision or provisions held to be invalid and an equitable adjustment shall be made and necessary provision added so as to give effect to the intention of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement at the time of execution of this Agreement.
5.8 Amendment or Modification . This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the Parties. Each such instrument shall be reduced to writing and shall be designated on its face as an amendment to this Agreement.
5.9 Integration . This Agreement and the instruments referenced herein and in the exhibits attached hereto supersede all previous understandings or agreements among the parties, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and such instruments. This Agreement and such instruments contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties. No understanding, representation, promise or agreement, whether oral or written, is intended to be or shall be included in or from part of this Agreement unless it is contained in a written amendment hereto executed by the parties hereto after the date of this Agreement.
5.10 Termination of Agreement . This Agreement may be terminated by the written agreement of all of the Parties.
5.11 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and all matters contemplated by this Agreement, each Party agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the Effective Time.
SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP | ||||
By: | Shell Pipeline GP LLC, | |||
its general partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Kevin M. Nichols | |||
Name: | Kevin M. Nichols | |||
Title: | Vice President | |||
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. | ||||
By: | Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, its general partner | |||
By: | /s/ Margaret C. Montana | |||
Name: | Margaret C. Montana | |||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Signature Page to Voting Agreement
Exhibit 10.7
VOTING AGREEMENT
This VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of November 3, 2014 (this Agreement ), is by and between SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership ), and SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP, a Delaware limited partnership ( SPLC ) (each, a Party and collectively, the Parties ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS , the Parties have entered into that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which SPLC has agreed to contribute to the Partnership a certain ownership interest in Bengal (as defined below); and
WHEREAS , the Parties desire to set forth their understanding with respect to certain matters related to the governance of Bengal and the transfer by SPLC of the SPLC Ownership Interest (as defined below);
NOW , THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms below:
Bengal means Bengal Pipeline Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Bengal Board of Managers means the board of managers of Bengal, as described in the limited liability company agreement of Bengal, as amended from time to time.
Closing Date has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Effective Time means immediately prior to the closing of the Initial Public Offering.
General Partner means Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership.
Initial Public Offering has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Investment Company Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
Partnership Agreement means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of the Closing Date, as the same may be hereafter amended and/or restated.
Person means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
SPLC Ownership Interest means the ownership interests in Bengal retained or owned by SPLC following the Closing Date, including such additional ownership interests as are acquired by SPLC after the Closing Date as described in Section 2.3.
ARTICLE II
VOTING MATTERS
2.1 Voting . During the term of this Agreement, at every meeting of the holders of ownership interests in Bengal that is called for any reason, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent of holders of ownership interests in Bengal with respect to any matter, SPLC shall vote the SPLC Ownership Interest in Bengal (or, if applicable, act by written consent) as directed by the Partnership.
2.2 Irrevocable Proxy . During the term of this Agreement, SPLC hereby appoints the Partnership and any designee of the Partnership, and each of them individually, as SPLCs proxies, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote or, if applicable, act by written consent with respect to the SPLC Ownership Interest in accordance with Section 2.1. This proxy is given to secure the performance of the duties of SPLC under this Agreement. SPLC shall take such further action or execute such other instruments as may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this proxy. This proxy granted by SPLC shall be irrevocable during the term of this Agreement, shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable proxy and shall revoke any and all prior proxies granted by SPLC with respect to the SPLC Ownership Interest. The proxy granted by SPLC hereunder shall terminate automatically upon the termination of this Agreement with respect to SPLC without any action on the part of any Party.
2.3 Adjustments upon Acquisitions, Changes in Capitalization, Etc . In the event of (a) any change in the SPLC Ownership Interest by reason of a dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, merger, exchange of ownership interests or other similar event or transaction or any other change in the structure of Bengal (including the declaration or payment of an extraordinary dividend of cash, securities or other property) or (b) any other acquisition by SPLC of any ownership interests in Bengal, in either case, this Agreement and the obligations hereunder shall attach to any additional ownership interests of Bengal issued to or acquired by SPLC.
2.4 Designees . SPLC and the Partnership agree, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to designate a single representative to the Bengal Board of Managers on behalf of both SPLC and the Partnership. Such representative shall have the power to vote in any actions of the Bengal Board of Managers (including with respect to the establishment of cash reserves of Bengal) based on the aggregate ownership interests of both SPLC and the Partnership.
2
2.5 Restrictions on Other Agreements . SPLC shall not, and SPLC shall cause its affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, grant any proxy or enter into or agree to be bound by any voting trust, agreement or arrangement of any kind with respect to the matters governed hereby other than this Agreement or any other agreements entered into with the Partnership or its successors and assigns (whether or not such proxy, voting trust, agreement or arrangements are with other holders of ownership interests of Bengal that are not parties to this Agreement or otherwise).
ARTICLE III
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
3.1 Transfer Restrictions . SPLC shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of or encumber (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law or otherwise) any interest in any SPLC Ownership Interest in Bengal, whether now owned or hereafter acquired unless, prior to such transaction, (a) the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, that, after giving effect to such sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, disposition or encumbrance, the Partnership would (i) have sufficient voting power over Bengal such that any cash reserves by Bengal that would reduce the amount of cash distributed by Bengal would require the Partnerships approval and (ii) be deemed to control Bengal for purposes of the Investment Company Act or (b) the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement to the same extent as SPLC with respect to such transferred SPLC Ownership Interest.
ARTICLE IV
EFFECTIVENESS
4.1 Effectiveness . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, none of the provisions of this Agreement shall be operative or have any effect until the Effective Time, at which time all such applicable provisions shall be effective and operative in without further action by any Party.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Notice . All notices, requests, demands, and other communications hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given: (a) if by transmission by facsimile or hand delivery, when delivered; (b) if mailed via the official governmental mail system, five business days after mailing, provided said notice is sent first class, postage pre-paid, via certified or registered mail, with a return receipt requested; (c) if mailed by an internationally-recognized overnight express mail service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL Worldwide, one Business Day after deposit therewith is prepaid; or (d) if by e-mail, one business day after delivery with receipt is confirmed. All notices will be addressed to the Parties at the respective addresses as follows.
3
If to SPLC:
Shell Pipeline Company LP
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: Assistant General CounselDownstream Americas
Facsimile: (713) 241-6161
If to the Partnership:
Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.
c/o Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, its general partner
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: General Counsel
Facsimile: (713) 241-6161
5.2 Headings; References; Interpretation . All Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. The words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All references herein to Articles and Sections shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Articles and Sections of this Agreement. All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The use herein of the word including following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as without limitation, but not limited to or other words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.
5.3 Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
5.4 No Third Party Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are intended to bind the Parties as to each other and are not intended to and do not create rights in any other Person or confer upon any other Person any benefits, rights or remedies, and no Person is or is intended to be a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
5.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all Parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.
5.6 Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT INVOLVES AT LEAST U.S. $100,000.00 AND THAT THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO
4
IN EXPRESS RELIANCE UPON 6 Del. C. § 2708. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES (a) TO BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND OF THE FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AND (b) TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS NOT OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, TO APPOINT AND MAINTAIN AN AGENT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS SUCH PARTYS AGENT FOR ACCEPTANCE OF LEGAL PROCESS AND TO NOTIFY THE OTHER PARTIES OF THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF SUCH AGENT.
5.7 Severability . If any of the provisions of this Agreement are held by any court of competent jurisdiction to contravene, or to be invalid under, the laws of any political body having jurisdiction over the subject matter hereof, such contravention or invalidity shall not invalidate the entire Agreement. Instead, this Agreement shall be construed as if it did not contain the particular provision or provisions held to be invalid and an equitable adjustment shall be made and necessary provision added so as to give effect to the intention of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement at the time of execution of this Agreement.
5.8 Amendment or Modification . This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the Parties. Each such instrument shall be reduced to writing and shall be designated on its face as an amendment to this Agreement.
5.9 Integration . This Agreement and the instruments referenced herein and in the exhibits attached hereto supersede all previous understandings or agreements among the parties, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and such instruments. This Agreement and such instruments contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties. No understanding, representation, promise or agreement, whether oral or written, is intended to be or shall be included in or from part of this Agreement unless it is contained in a written amendment hereto executed by the parties hereto after the date of this Agreement.
5.10 Termination of Agreement . This Agreement may be terminated by the written agreement of all of the Parties.
5.11 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and all matters contemplated by this Agreement, each Party agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the Effective Time.
SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP | ||||
By: | Shell Pipeline GP LLC, | |||
its general partner | ||||
By: |
/s/ Kevin M. Nichols |
|||
Name: | Kevin M. Nichols | |||
Title: | Vice President | |||
SHELL MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. | ||||
By: | Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, its general partner | |||
By: |
/s/ Margaret C. Montana |
|||
Name: | Margaret C. Montana | |||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Signature Page to Voting Agreement