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): March 23, 2015

 

 

RICE ENERGY INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36273   46-3785773

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

400 Woodcliff Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(724) 746-6720

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into Material Definitive Agreement.

Purchase Agreement

On March 23, 2015, Rice Energy Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the Company, certain subsidiary guarantors named therein (the “Guarantors”) and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 7.25% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the “Notes”). On March 26, 2015, the Company completed its private placement (the “Offering”) of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes to the Initial Purchasers. The Notes were sold at 99.233% of their face amount, and the Offering resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $389.3 million.

The Notes were issued and sold to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to Section 4(2) thereunder. The Initial Purchasers intend to resell the Notes (i) inside the United States to “qualified institutional buyers,” as defined in Rule 144A (“Rule 144A”) under the Securities Act in private sales exempt from registration under the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144A, and (ii) to other eligible purchasers pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”) in accordance with Regulation S. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state laws.

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the parties and indemnification and contribution provisions under which the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other, have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Relationships

The Initial Purchasers and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and advisory services for the Company and its affiliates for which they received or may in the future receive customary fees and expenses. In particular, affiliates of all of the Initial Purchasers are lenders under the Company’s revolving credit facility and may receive payments in connection with any repayment of such revolving credit facility; certain of the Initial Purchasers or their affiliates were underwriters in connection with the Company’s prior offerings of debt and equity securities and received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses in connection therewith; and affiliates of certain of the Initial Purchasers are counterparties of the Company’s hedging transactions and may receive customary fees in connection therewith. The Initial Purchasers may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company in the ordinary course of their business for which they will receive fees and expenses.

A copy of the Purchase Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Purchase Agreement in this report is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Purchase Agreement.

Indenture

The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Guarantors: Rice Energy Appalachia, LLC, Rice Drilling B LLC, Rice Drilling C LLC, Rice Drilling D LLC, Rice Marketing LLC, Rice Energy Marketing LLC, Blue Tiger Oilfield Services LLC, Alpha Shale Holdings, LLC and Alpha Shale Resources, LP. The terms of the Notes are governed by the indenture dated as of March 26, 2015 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Notes will mature on May 1, 2023, and interest is payable on the Notes on each May 1 and November 1, commencing on November 1, 2015. At any time prior to May 1, 2018, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the Notes at a redemption price of 107.250% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the proceeds of certain equity offerings so long as the redemption occurs within 180 days of completing

 

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such equity offering and at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes remains outstanding after such redemption. Prior to May 1, 2018, the Company may redeem some or all of the notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus an applicable make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), unless the Company has exercised its optional redemption right in respect of the Notes, the holders of the Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the Notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. On and after May 1, 2018, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 105.438% for the twelve-month period beginning on May 1, 2018, 103.625% for the twelve-month period beginning May 1, 2019, 101.813% for the twelve-month period beginning on May 1, 2020 and 100.000% beginning on May 1, 2021, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

The Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations, will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future senior debt, and will rank senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s future subordinated debt. The Notes will be effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The Indenture restricts the Company’s ability and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to: (i) incur or guarantee additional debt or issue certain types of preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire our capital stock or subordinated debt; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) incur liens; (v) enter into transactions with affiliates; (vi) merge or consolidate with another company; (vii) transfer and sell assets; and (viii) create unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. If at any time when the Notes are rated investment grade by both Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and no Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, many of such covenants will terminate and the Company and its subsidiaries will cease to be subject to such covenants.

The Indenture contains customary events of default, including:

 

    default in any payment of interest on any Note when due, continued for 30 days;

 

    default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any Note when due;

 

    failure by the Company to comply with its other obligations under the Indenture, in certain cases subject to notice and grace periods;

 

    payment defaults and accelerations with respect to other indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) in the aggregate principal amount of $25.0 million or more;

 

    certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary (as defined in the Indenture) or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

 

    failure by the Company or Restricted Subsidiary to pay certain final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million within 60 days; and

 

    any guarantee of the Notes by a Guarantor ceases to be in full force and effect, is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or is denied or disaffirmed by its maker;

A copy of the Indenture is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Indenture is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Indenture.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, the Company and the Guarantors entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Initial Purchasers, dated March 26, 2015. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed to file a

 

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registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission so that holders of the Notes can exchange the Notes for registered notes (the “Exchange Notes”) that have substantially identical terms as the Notes. In addition, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed to exchange the guarantee related to the Notes for a registered guarantee having substantially the same terms as the original guarantee. The Company and the Guarantors will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the exchange to be completed within 365 days after the issuance of the Notes. The Company and the Guarantors are required to pay additional interest if they fail to comply with their obligations to register the Notes within the specified time periods.

A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is filed as Exhibit 4.3 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Registration Rights Agreement in this report is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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

The information included in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 8.01 Other Information.

On March 23, 2015, the Company issued press releases announcing the launch and pricing of the Offering of the Notes. The Company is filing copies of the press releases as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 hereto, which are incorporated by reference into this Item 8.01.

The press releases shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2015, by and among Rice Energy Inc., the several guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
  4.2    Form of 7.25% Senior Note due 2023 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1).
  4.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2015, by and among Rice Energy Inc., the several guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as representative of the initial purchasers named therein.
10.1    Purchase Agreement dated as of March 23, 2015 among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers.
99.1    Press Release dated March 23, 2015.
99.2    Press Release dated March 23, 2015.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

RICE ENERGY INC.
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Daniel J. Rice IV
Director, Chief Executive Officer

Dated: March 26, 2015

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2015, by and among Rice Energy Inc., the several guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
  4.2    Form of 7.25% Senior Note due 2023 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1).
  4.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2015, by and among Rice Energy Inc., the several guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as representative of the initial purchasers named therein.
10.1    Purchase Agreement dated as of March 23, 2015 among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers.
99.1    Press Release dated March 23, 2015.
99.2    Press Release dated March 23, 2015.

 

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Exhibit 4.1

Execution Version

 

 

 

RICE ENERGY INC.

7.25% Senior Notes due 2023

INDENTURE

Dated as of March 26, 2015

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1   

Section 1.1

  

Definitions

     1   

Section 1.2

  

Other Definitions

     32   

Section 1.3

  

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     33   

Section 1.4

  

Rules of Construction

     34   

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES

     34   

Section 2.1

  

Form and Dating

     34   

Section 2.2

  

Execution and Authentication

     35   

Section 2.3

  

Registrar and Paying Agent

     36   

Section 2.4

  

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     37   

Section 2.5

  

Holder Lists

     37   

Section 2.6

  

Transfer and Exchange

     37   

Section 2.7

  

Replacement Securities

     51   

Section 2.8

  

Outstanding Securities

     51   

Section 2.9

  

Temporary Securities

     52   

Section 2.10

  

Cancellation

     52   

Section 2.11

  

Defaulted Interest

     52   

Section 2.12

  

CUSIP Numbers

     53   

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

     53   

Section 3.1

  

Notices to Trustee

     53   

Section 3.2

  

Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed

     53   

Section 3.3

  

Notice of Redemption

     53   

Section 3.4

  

Effect of Notice of Redemption

     54   

Section 3.5

  

Deposit of Redemption Price

     55   

Section 3.6

  

Securities Redeemed in Part

     55   

Section 3.7

  

Optional Redemption

     55   

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

     56   

Section 4.1

  

Payment of Securities

     56   

Section 4.2

  

SEC Reports

     56   

Section 4.3

  

Incurrence of Indebtedness

     57   

Section 4.4

  

Restricted Payments

     61   

Section 4.5

  

Liens

     65   

Section 4.6

  

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

     66   

Section 4.7

  

Asset Sales

     68   

Section 4.8

  

Transactions With Affiliates

     70   

Section 4.9

  

Additional Subsidiary Guarantees

     72   

Section 4.10

  

Business Activities

     73   

Section 4.11

  

Change of Control

     73   

Section 4.12

  

Maintenance of Office or Agency for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Securities

     75   

Section 4.13

  

Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee

     75   

Section 4.14

  

Provision as to Paying Agent

     75   

Section 4.15

  

Maintenance of Corporate Existence

     76   

Section 4.16

  

Compliance Certificate

     76   

 

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Section 4.17

Taxes

  76   

Section 4.18

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

  77   

Section 4.19

Covenant Termination

  77   

ARTICLE V SUCCESSOR COMPANY

  77   

Section 5.1

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

  77   

Section 5.2

Successor Substituted

  78   

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

  79   

Section 6.1

Events of Default

  79   

Section 6.2

Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

  80   

Section 6.3

Other Remedies

  81   

Section 6.4

Waiver of Past Defaults

  81   

Section 6.5

Control by Majority

  81   

Section 6.6

Limitation on Suits

  82   

Section 6.7

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

  82   

Section 6.8

Collection Suit by Trustee

  82   

Section 6.9

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

  82   

Section 6.10

Priorities

  83   

Section 6.11

Undertaking for Costs

  83   

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

  83   

Section 7.1

Duties of Trustee

  83   

Section 7.2

Rights of Trustee

  84   

Section 7.3

Individual Rights of Trustee

  85   

Section 7.4

Trustee’s Disclaimer

  85   

Section 7.5

Notice of Defaults

  86   

Section 7.6

Reports by Trustee to Holders

  86   

Section 7.7

Compensation and Indemnity

  86   

Section 7.8

Replacement of Trustee

  87   

Section 7.9

Successor Trustee by Merger

  88   

Section 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification

  88   

Section 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

  88   

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

  88   

Section 8.1

Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance

  88   

Section 8.2

Conditions to Defeasance

  90   

Section 8.3

Delivery and Application of Trust Money

  91   

Section 8.4

Repayment to Company

  91   

Section 8.5

Indemnity for Government Securities

  91   

Section 8.6

Reinstatement

  91   

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS

  92   

Section 9.1

Without Consent of Holders

  92   

Section 9.2

With Consent of Holders

  92   

Section 9.3

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

  94   

Section 9.4

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

  94   

Section 9.5

Trustee to Sign Amendments

  94   

ARTICLE X SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

  94   

Section 10.1

Subsidiary Guarantees

  94   

 

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Section 10.2

Limitation on Liability

  95   

Section 10.3

Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee

  96   

Section 10.4

Successors and Assigns

  96   

Section 10.5

No Waiver

  96   

Section 10.6

Right of Contribution

  97   

Section 10.7

No Subrogation

  97   

Section 10.8

Modification

  97   

Section 10.9

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets of a Guarantor; Release of a Guarantor

  97   

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

  98   

Section 11.1

Trust Indenture Act Controls

  98   

Section 11.2

Notices

  98   

Section 11.3

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

  99   

Section 11.4

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

  99   

Section 11.5

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

  100   

Section 11.6

When Securities Disregarded

  100   

Section 11.7

Legal Holidays

  100   

Section 11.8

Governing Law

  100   

Section 11.9

Force Majeure

  100   

Section 11.10

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Shareholders

  101   

Section 11.11

Successors

  101   

Section 11.12

Multiple Originals; Counterparts

  101   

Section 11.13

Severability

  101   

Section 11.14

Table of Contents; Headings

  101   

Section 11.15

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

  101   

Section 11.16

Acts of Holders

  101   

Section 11.17

U.S.A. PATRIOT Act

  103   

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A Form of Security
Exhibit B Form of Certificate of Transfer
Exhibit C Form of Certificate of Exchange
Exhibit D Form of Notation of Subsidiary Guarantee
Exhibit E Form of Supplemental Indenture to be Delivered by Future Guarantors

 

iii


THIS INDENTURE, dated as of March 26, 2015, is among RICE ENERGY INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), each of the GUARANTORS (as defined herein) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company’s 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023 issued on the date hereof (the “Initial Securities”), the Holders of any Additional Securities (as defined herein) issued hereafter and, if and when issued in exchange for the Initial Securities or any Additional Securities as provided in a Registration Rights Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the Company’s Exchange Securities (as hereinafter defined):

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.1 Definitions

144A Global Security ” means a Global Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Security Legend and the Private Placement Legend, that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Securities initially sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

ACNTA ” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination:

(1) the sum of:

(a) discounted future net revenue from proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated by the Company or independent engineers in one or more reserve reports prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from:

(i) estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to acquisitions consummated since the date of such year-end reserve report, and

(ii) estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward determinations of estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior year end) due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities which reserves were not reflected in such year-end reserve report,

 

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in the case of the determination made under each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report) before any state or federal income taxes, and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue attributable to:

(iii) estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end reserve report produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end reserve report (before any state or federal income taxes) and

(iv) reductions in the estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end reserve report since the date of such year­end reserve report attributable to downward determinations of estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve report,

in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year­end reserve report) before any state or federal income taxes;

provided, however , that, in the case of each of the determinations made pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv), such increases and decreases shall be as estimated by the Company’s internal engineers or third party engineers;

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

(c) the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements; and

(d) the greater of (I) the net book value on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (II) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers within the immediately preceding 12 months, of other tangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (provided that the Company shall not be required to obtain such an appraisal of such assets if no such appraisal has been performed);

minus

(2) to the extent not otherwise taken into account in the immediately preceding clause (1) the sum of:

(a) minority interests;

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

(c) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report) before any state or federal income taxes, attributable to reserves subject to participation interests, royalty interests, overriding royalty interests, net profits interests or other interests of third parties, pursuant to participation, partnership, vendor financing or other agreements then in effect, or which otherwise are required to be delivered to third parties;

 

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(d) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report) before any state or federal income taxes, attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto; and

(e) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the estimates of production included in determining the discounted future net revenue specified in the immediately preceding clause (1)(a) (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), would be necessary to satisfy fully the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto.

If the Company changes its method of accounting from the successful efforts method to the full cost method or a similar method of accounting, ACNTA will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the successful efforts method of accounting. For the avoidance of doubt, references in this definition to “oil and natural gas reserves” shall include any reserves attributable to natural gas liquids or other hydrocarbons.

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

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person, provided that the amount of any such Acquired Debt shall not exceed the Fair Market Value of the assets subject to such Lien.

Additional Interest ” means, with respect to any Securities, the additional interest thereon, if any, required by the Registration Rights Agreement applicable to such Securities.

Additional Securities ” means any Securities (other than the Initial Securities or the Exchange Securities) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 4.3 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Securities to the extent outstanding and any Exchange Securities then outstanding.

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” shall have correlative meanings.

Agent ” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

 

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Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Security, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Asset Sale ” means:

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition (including, without limitation, by means of a sale and leaseback transaction) of any assets, including, without limitation, any sale of hydrocarbons or other mineral products as a result of the creation of Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that the sale, lease conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Section 4.11 hereof and/or Section 5.1 hereof and not by the provisions of Section 4.7 hereof; and

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Subsidiaries (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary).

Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Sales:

(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that: (a) involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $20.0 million; or (b) results in Net Proceeds to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of less than $20.0 million;

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

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

(4) a disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents, inventory, accounts receivable, surplus or obsolete equipment or other similar property or any other disposition of property in the ordinary course of business (excluding the disposition of oil and gas in place and other interests in real property unless made in connection with a Permitted Business Investment) or the early termination or unwinding of any Hedging Obligation;

(5) a Permitted Investment or a Restricted Payment that is permitted by Section 4.4 hereof;

(6) a disposition of oil, natural gas or other hydrocarbons or other mineral products in the ordinary course of business of the oil and gas production operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(7) any abandonment, relinquishment, farm-in, farm-out, lease and sub-lease of developed and/or undeveloped properties made or entered into in the ordinary course of business, but excluding any disposition as a result of the creation of a Production Payment and Reserve Sale;

(8) the creation or perfection of a Lien or disposition of any asset subject to such Lien in connection with enforcement thereof;

 

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(9) any trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of properties or assets (each, a “Permitted Asset Exchange”) used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business for other properties or assets used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business owned or held by another Person (including Capital Stock of a Person engaged in the Oil and Gas Business that is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary), including any cash or Cash Equivalents necessary in order to achieve an exchange of equivalent value, provided that the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (including any cash or Cash Equivalents to be delivered by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary) is reasonably equivalent to the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets (together with any cash or Cash Equivalents) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided, further, that any cash received in the transaction must be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.7 as if such transaction were an Asset Sale;

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

(11) any assignment of an overriding royalty or net profits interest to an employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with the generation of prospects or the development of oil and natural gas projects;

(12) the sale or other disposition (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of oil and gas properties, provided at the time of such sale or other disposition such properties do not have associated with them any proved reserves;

(13) any Production Payment or Reserve Sale, provided that any such Production Payment or Reserve Sales shall have been created, incurred, issued, assumed or guaranteed in connection with the acquisition or financing of, and within 180 days after the acquisition of, the property that is subject thereto;

(14) the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles to the extent that such license does not prohibit the licensor from using the intellectual property and licenses, leases or subleases of other property; and

(15) any sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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

Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act.

Board of Directors ” means:

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

(2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors or other governing body of the general partner of the partnership;

 

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(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the Board of Directors or other governing body, and in the absence of same, the manager or board of managers or the managing member or members or any controlling committee thereof; and

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

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Capital Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability of a Person in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any lease (whether entered into before or after the Issue Date) that would have been classified as an operating lease pursuant to GAAP as in effect on the Issue Date will be deemed not to represent a Capital Lease Obligation.

Capital Stock ” means:

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

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

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

(4) any other interest or participation (other than any debt security convertible into an equity interest) that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

Cash Equivalents ” means:

(1) United States dollars;

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

(3) demand accounts, time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and Eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $250.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;

 

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

(5) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P Ratings Services (or its successor) and in each case maturing within 270 days after the date of acquisition;

(6) deposits and certificates of deposit with any commercial bank not meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above, provided all such deposits do not exceed $1.0 million in the aggregate at any one time;

(7) securities issued and fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, rated at least “A” by Moody’s or S&P and having maturities of not more than 365 days from the date of acquisition;

(8) Indebtedness or preferred stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” from Moody’s, with maturities of 365 days or less from the date or acquisition; and

(9) money market or other mutual funds substantially all of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (8) of this definition.

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

(1) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, which disposition is followed by a Rating Decline within 90 days after its consummation;

(2) the adoption by the Board of Directors of a plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any Person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders (or the Permitted Control Group or any intermediate companies owned directly or indirectly by one or more Permitted Holders), becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, which occurrence is followed by a Rating Decline within 90 days thereafter.

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or any successor securities clearance agency.

Commodity Agreement ” means any oil or natural gas hedging agreement and other agreement or arrangement designed to protect the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary against or manage exposure to fluctuations in oil or natural gas prices and not for speculative purposes.

 

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Company ” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

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

(1) the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof;

(2) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that net income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders;

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

(4) any write-downs or impairments of non-current assets;

(5) any unrealized non-cash gains or losses or charges in respect of hedge or non-hedge derivatives (including those resulting from the application of ASC 815);

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

(7) any extraordinary or non-recurring gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary or non-recurring gain (or loss); and

(8) any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant or vesting of stock, stock options or other equity-based awards, including profits interests in Rice Energy Holdings LLC or NGP Rice Holdings LLC.

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” means the office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at Wells Fargo Bank National Association, 750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750, Dallas, Texas 75201, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company given in accordance with Section 11.2 hereof.

Credit Agreement ” means the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 10, 2014, among the Company and the commercial lending institutions that are agents and lenders thereunder, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

 

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Credit Facilities ” means, with respect to the Company or any Guarantor, one or more credit facilities, debt facilities, indentures or commercial paper facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), in each case with banks or other financial institutions or lenders or investors, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, private placements, debt securities, receivables financings (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit or letter of credit guarantees, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

Currency Agreements ” means, at any time as to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any foreign currency exchange agreement, option or future contract or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against or manage the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and not for speculative purposes.

Customary Recourse Exceptions ” means, with respect to any Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Non-Recourse Debt for the voluntary bankruptcy of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, fraud, misapplication of cash, environmental claims, waste, willful destruction and other circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings.

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

Definitive Security ” means a certificated Security registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.6 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Security shall not bear the Global Security Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto.

Depositary ” means The Depository Trust Company, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such Depositary pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter shall mean its successor.

Disinterested Member ” means, with respect to any transaction, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors who does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest (other than as an owner of Equity Interests in the Company or as an officer, manager or employee of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) in or with respect to such transaction and is not an Affiliate, or an officer, director, member of a supervisory, executive or management board or employee of any Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), who has any direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such transaction.

Disqualified Stock ” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, for any consideration other than Capital Stock pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable for any consideration other than Capital Stock at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after

 

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the date on which the Securities mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.4 hereof.

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

EBITDAX ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period,

(i) plus the sum of the following, without duplication and to the extent deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

 

  (1) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period;

 

  (2) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments (other than amortization of debt issuance costs), the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net payments, if any, pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements);

 

  (3) depreciation, depletion, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period other than non-cash charges resulting from the application of ASC 410) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period; and

 

  (4) consolidated exploration and abandonment expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(ii) and minus the sum of:

 

  (1) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than items that were accrued in the ordinary course of business, in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP; and

 

  (2)

(to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income) the sum of (a) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during the period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production

 

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  Payments; and (b) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments.

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

Equity Offering ” means any public or private sale after the date of this Indenture of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any contribution to the capital of the Company in respect of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, other than issuances to any Subsidiary of the Company.

Euroclear ” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., or any successor securities clearance agency.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any successor statute thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” means the registration statement of the Company relating to any offer to exchange Exchange Securities for either Initial Securities or Additional Securities pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Securities ” means Securities issued in an exchange offer for Initial Securities or Additional Securities in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchanging Dealer ” means a broker-dealer that exchanges Securities in a Registered Exchange Offer that it has acquired for its own account as a result of market making activities or other trading activities.

Existing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date, other than under the Credit Agreement.

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any Asset Sale (or Permitted Asset Exchange) or Restricted Payment (or Investment or Permitted Investment), the price that would be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of which is under any compulsion to complete the transaction, as such price is determined in good faith by an officer of the Company.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the EBITDAX of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, redeems or repays any Indebtedness (other than revolving credit borrowings unless, in connection with any such repayment, the commitments to lend associated with such revolving credit borrowings are permanently reduced or canceled) or issues or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, redemption or repayment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of preferred stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

 

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

(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and including any related financing transactions, and increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date shall be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;

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

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

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

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

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company; provided that such officer may in his or her discretion include any reasonably identifiable and factually supportable pro forma changes to EBITDAX, including any pro forma expenses and cost reductions, that have occurred or in the judgment of such officer are reasonably expected to occur within 12 months of the date of the applicable transaction (regardless of whether such expense or cost reduction or any other operating improvements could then be reflected properly in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the SEC). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the average rate in effect from the beginning of such period to the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness, but if the remaining term of such Interest Rate Agreement is less than 12 months, then such Interest Rate Agreement shall only be taken into account for that portion of the period equal to the remaining term thereof). If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect bears an interest rate at the option of the Company, the interest rate shall be calculated by applying such optional rate chosen by the Company. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate.

 

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

(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized, including, without limitation, amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments (other than amortization of debt issuance costs or debt extinguishment costs), the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts, and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net payments, if any, pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements; plus

(2) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(3) all dividend payments, whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or preferred stock of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case other than dividend payments on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

GAAP ” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements, and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

Global Securities ” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Securities and the Unrestricted Global Securities.

Global Security Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.6(g)(2) , which is required to be placed on all Global Securities issued under this Indenture.

Government Securities ” means direct obligations, or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations, of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and that are not callable at the issuer’s option.

Guarantee ” means, without duplication, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any other obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

(1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person, or

(2) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment therefor to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

 

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provided, however , that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantors ” means each Subsidiary that executes this Indenture as an initial Subsidiary Guarantor, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns.

Hedging Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under Currency Agreements, Interest Rate Agreements and Commodity Agreements.

Holder ” means a person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any specified Person, without duplication,

(1) all obligations of such Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of:

(a) the principal of and premium, if any, in respect of outstanding (i) Indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (ii) Indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable;

(b) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;

(c) the deferred purchase price of property, which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of taking delivery of title to such property, including all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property under any title retention agreement, but excluding accrued expenses and trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business; and

(d) the reimbursement obligation of any obligor for the principal amount of any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar transaction (excluding obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (a) through (c) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit);

(2) all net obligations in respect of Currency Agreements, Interest Rate Agreements and Commodity Agreements, except to the extent such net obligations are otherwise included in this definition;

(3) all liabilities of others of the kind described in the preceding clause (1) or (2) that such Person has Guaranteed or that are otherwise its legal liability;

(4) with respect to any Production Payment and Reserve Sale, any warranties or guaranties of production or payment by such Person with respect to such Production Payment and Reserve Sale but excluding other contractual obligations of such Person with respect to such Production Payment and Reserve Sale;

 

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(5) Indebtedness (as otherwise defined in this definition) of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person, the amount of such obligations being deemed to be the lesser of

(a) the full amount of such obligations so secured and

(b) the fair market value of such asset as determined in good faith by such specified Person;

(6) Disqualified Stock of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary in an amount equal to the greater of the maximum mandatory redemption or repurchase price (not including, in either case, any redemption or repurchase premium) or the liquidation preference thereof;

(7) the aggregate preference in respect of amounts payable on the issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock of any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up (excluding any such preference attributable to such shares of preferred stock that are owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, that if such Person is the Company, such exclusion shall be for such preference attributable to such shares of preferred stock that are owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries); and

(8) any and all deferrals, renewals, extensions, refinancings and refundings (whether direct or indirect) of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) or (7) or this clause (8), whether or not between or among the same parties, if and to the extent that any of the preceding items (other than in respect of letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” shall not include:

(a) accrued expenses, royalties and trade payables;

(b) contingent obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(c) asset-retirement obligations or obligations in respect of reclamation and workers’ compensation (including pensions and retiree medical care) that are not overdue by more than 90 days;

(d) except as provided in clause (4) above, Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

(e) in-kind obligations relating to net oil or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business;

(f) any obligation of a Person in respect of a farm-in agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or natural gas property; and

 

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(g) any repayment or reimbursement obligation of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Customary Recourse Exceptions, unless and until an event or circumstance occurs that triggers the Person’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s direct repayment or reimbursement obligation (as opposed to contingent or performance obligations) to the lender or other Person to whom such obligation is actually owed, in which case the amount of such direct payment or reimbursement obligation shall constitute Indebtedness.

For purposes hereof, the maximum fixed repurchase price of any Disqualified Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock, such fair market value to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the issuer of such Disqualified Stock.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall not include any indebtedness that has been defeased or discharged in accordance with GAAP or defeased or discharged pursuant to the deposit of cash, U.S. government obligations and Cash Equivalents (sufficient to satisfy all obligations relating thereto at maturity or redemption, as applicable) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, in accordance with the terms of the instruments governing such indebtedness.

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

Indirect Participant ” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Security through a Participant.

Initial Purchasers ” means, with respect to the Initial Securities, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Comerica Securities, Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Capital One Securities, Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

Interest Payment Date ,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

Interest Rate Agreements ” means, with respect to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, interest rate agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements and other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in or manage exposure to interest rates, with respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted to be incurred under this Indenture.

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

(1) Baa3 (or the equivalent) with a stable or better outlook by Moody’s; and

(2) BBB- (or the equivalent) with a stable or better outlook by S&P,

 

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or, if either such entity ceases to make a rating on the Securities publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other rating agency.

Investment Grade Rating Event ” means the first day on which the Securities have an Investment Grade Rating from each of S&P and Moody’s, and no Default has occurred and is then continuing under this Indenture.

Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or indirect loans (including Guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.

Issue Date ” means the first date on which the Securities are issued, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

Joint Marketing Arrangement ” means any joint venture, partnership, lease, joint marketing agreement, operating agreement or other arrangement (which may or may not include joint ownership of any Person) pursuant to which the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries arrange for the marketing, lease or sale of products and services and share in the profits therefrom.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, encumbrance for security purposes, or security interest of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in any assets and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.

Make Whole Premium ” means, with respect to a Security at any time, the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such time of (i) the Redemption Price of such Security at May 1, 2018 set forth in the table in Section 3.7(a) plus (ii) any required interest payments due on such Security through May 1, 2018 (in each case except for currently accrued and unpaid interest), discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (b) the principal amount of such Security.

Midstream Assets ” means (i) assets used primarily for gathering, transmission, compression, storage, processing, marketing, fractionation, dehydration, stabilization or treatment of natural gas, natural gas liquids, oil or other hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide or water and (ii) Equity Interests of any Person whose assets primarily consist of assets referred to in clause (i).

 

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Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Net Cash Proceeds ,” means, with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock or the sale or incurrence of any Indebtedness, the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, listing fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees and charges actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result of such issuance or sale. “Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of, without duplication:

(1) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, title, engineering, environmental, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof;

(2) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof;

(3) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale;

(4) any reserve established in accordance with GAAP against liabilities associated with such Asset Sale or any amount placed in escrow for adjustment in respect of the purchase price of such Asset Sale, until such time as such reserve is reversed or such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds shall be increased by the amount of the reserve so reversed or the amount returned to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries from such escrow arrangement, as the case may be; and

(5) any distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in any Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such Asset Sale.

Net Working Capital ” means:

(1) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, minus

(2) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness;

in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, in each case except for Customary Recourse Exceptions; and

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

 

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Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Controller or the Secretary of such Person.

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and that complies with Sections 11.4 and 11.5 of this Indenture and is delivered to the Trustee.

Oil and Gas Business ” means:

(1) the business of acquiring, exploring, exploiting, developing, producing, operating and disposing of interests in oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas and other hydrocarbons, mineral or renewable energy properties or products produced in association with any of the foregoing;

(2) the business of gathering, marketing, distributing, treating, processing, storing, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith and the marketing of oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons, minerals and renewable energy;

(3) any other related energy business, directly or indirectly, from oil, natural gas and other hydrocarbons, minerals and renewable energy produced substantially from properties in which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, participate;

(4) any business relating to oil field sales and service or drilling rigs; or

(5) any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate or incidental to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.

Oil and Gas Liens ” means:

(1) Liens on any specific property or any interest therein, construction thereon or improvement thereto to secure all or any part of the costs incurred for surveying, exploration, drilling, extraction, development, operation, production, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of, in, under or on such property and the plugging and abandonment of wells located thereon (it being understood that, in the case of oil and gas producing properties, or any interest therein, costs incurred for “development” will include costs incurred for all facilities relating to such properties or to projects, ventures or other arrangements of which such properties form a part or that relate to such properties or interests);

(2) Liens on an oil or gas producing property to secure obligations incurred or Guarantees of obligations incurred in connection with or necessarily incidental to commitments for the purchase or sale of, or the transportation or distribution of, the products derived from such property;

 

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(3) Liens arising under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, overriding royalty agreements, net profits agreements, production payment agreements, royalty trust agreements, incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary, in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, farm­ out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of oil, gas or other hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided, however, that in all instances such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order or contract;

(4) Liens securing Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that such Liens are limited to the property that is subject to such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, and such Production Payments and Reserve Sales; and

(5) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel that complies with Sections 11.4 and 11.5 of this Indenture and is delivered to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

Participant ” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to The Depository Trust Company, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness was Indebtedness:

(1) of an acquired Person prior to the date on which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of having been acquired and not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition; or

(2) of a Person that was merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was not incurred in contemplation of such merger, consolidation or amalgamation,

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

(a) the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test under Section 4.3(a) or

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company would be not less than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company immediately prior to such transaction.

 

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Permitted Business Investments ” means Investments made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business, including through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements that permit one to share risk or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including without limitation:

(1) ownership of oil, natural gas, other related hydrocarbon and mineral properties or any interest therein or gathering, transportation, processing, storage or related systems; and

(2) the entry into operating agreements, joint ventures, processing agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, development agreements, production sharing agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas and related hydrocarbons and minerals, unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), limited liability company agreements or other similar or customary agreements, transactions, properties, interests or arrangements, and Investments and expenditures in connection therewith or pursuant thereto, in each case made or entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, excluding, however, Investments in corporations and publicly-traded limited partnerships.

Permitted Control Group ” means the “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act comprised of (a) Rice Energy Holdings LLC, (b) Rice Energy Family Holdings, LP, (c) NGP Rice Holdings, LLC and (d) Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.; provided that such “group” shall cease to be a “Permitted Control Group” if at any time Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (or its Affiliates) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of a percentage of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, that is greater than the percentage of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, that is Beneficially Owned in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, by the Permitted Holders.

Permitted Holders ” means, collectively, (a) (i) Rice Energy Family Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, Rice Energy Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Rice Energy Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Rice Irrevocable Trust, a Delaware trust, and (ii) Daniel J. Rice III and his spouse, the descendants of Daniel J. Rice III and their spouses, and any executor or personal representative of, or trust for the benefit of, or limited liability company, corporation or partnership owned 50% or more by, any of the foregoing and (b) (i) NGP RE Holdings, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, (ii) NGP RE Holdings II, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, (iii) NGP Rice Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and (iv) any investment fund (or Affiliate thereof) managed by NGP Energy Capital Management, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (but not any portfolio company of any such fund).

Permitted Investments ” means:

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

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

 

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

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

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

or any Investment held by such Person at the time of such transaction, provided such Investment was not made in contemplation of such transaction;

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale (or other disposition excluded from the definition thereof) that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.7 hereof;

(5) any Investment to the extent made in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

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

(7) payroll, travel, relocation and similar advances to officers, directors and employees to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

(8) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary made for bona fide business purposes;

(9) Capital Stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of a debtor or received in connection with a work-out or recapitalization of the issuer or as a result of a foreclosure or other transfer of title or perfection or enforcement of any lien with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(10) Hedging Obligations, which transactions or obligations are incurred in compliance with Section 4.3 hereof;

(11) Permitted Business Investments and/or Permitted Other Business Investments;

(12) Investments in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and worker’s compensation, performance and other similar deposits provided to third parties and endorsements for collection or deposit arising in the ordinary course of business;

(13) advances, deposits and prepayments for purchases of any assets, including any Equity Interests;

 

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(14) Permitted Joint Venture Investments and Joint Marketing Arrangements entered into by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount (measured on the date on which each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) that, when taken together with all other Investments pursuant to this clause, do not exceed $75.0 million at any time outstanding;

(15) Investments arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-outs or similar obligations, in each case incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition or acquisition of any business, assets or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with this Indenture;

(16) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the Oil and Gas Business having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (16) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $75.0 million and (y) 7.5% of ACNTA at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (16) is made in any Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (16) for so long as such Person continues to be the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(17) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (17) since the Issue Date, not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 7.5% of ACNTA determined at the time of such Investment.

In connection with any assets or property contributed or transferred to any Person as an Investment, such property and assets shall be equal to the Fair Market Value at the time of the Investment, without regard to subsequent changes in value.

With respect to any Investment, the Company may, in its sole discretion, allocate or re-allocate all or any portion of any Investment to one or more of the above clauses so that the entire Investment is a Permitted Investment.

Permitted Joint Venture Investment ” means an Investment by such Person in any other Person engaged in the Oil and Gas Business (a) over which such Person is responsible (either directly or through a services agreement) for day-to-day operations or otherwise has operational and managerial control of such other Person, or veto power over significant management decisions affecting such other Person, and (b) of which at least 30% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such other Person are at the time owned directly or indirectly by such Person.

 

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Permitted Liens ” means:

(1) Liens on any property or assets of the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness and other obligations under Credit Facilities that were permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(2) Liens in favor of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

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

(4) Liens on any property or assets existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition;

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

(6) Liens existing on the Issue Date;

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

(8) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured, provided that (i) the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased except as necessary to pay premiums or expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing and (ii) any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced or is in respect of property that is the security for a Permitted Lien hereunder;

(9) Liens securing Hedging Obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(10) Liens for the purpose of securing the payment of all or a part of the purchase price of, or Capital Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations or other payments incurred to finance the acquisition, lease, improvement or construction of or repairs or additions to, assets or property acquired or constructed in the ordinary course of business; provided that:

(a) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens is otherwise permitted to be incurred under this Indenture and does not exceed the cost of the assets or property so acquired or constructed; and

(b) such Liens are created within 180 days of the later of the acquisition, lease, completion of improvements, construction, repairs or additions or commencement of full operation of the assets or property subject to such Lien and do not encumber any other assets

 

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or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than such assets or property (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds, insurance, and dividends or distributions in respect thereof);

(11) any Lien incurred in the ordinary course of business incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries or the ownership of their property (including (a) easements, rights of way and similar encumbrances, (b) rights or title of lessors under leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), (c) rights of collecting banks having rights of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries on deposit with or in the possession of such banks, (d) Liens imposed by law, including Liens under workers’ compensation or similar legislation and mechanics’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, suppliers’ and vendors’ Liens, (e) Liens incurred to secure performance of obligations with respect to statutory or regulatory requirements, performance or return-of-money bonds, surety bonds or other obligations of a like nature and incurred in a manner consistent with industry practice and (f) Oil and Gas Liens, in each case which are not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property (other than trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business));

(12) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges not yet due or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, promptly instituted and diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been established to the extent required by GAAP as in effect at such time;

(13) Liens on the Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent securing Indebtedness of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(14) any extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement, in whole or in part, of any Lien described in the foregoing clauses so long as (x) no additional collateral is granted as security thereby and (y) the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged with such Indebtedness and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

(15) Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) all of the Securities (including Additional Securities) issued under this Indenture;

(16) Liens on property securing a defeasance trust; and

(17) in addition to the foregoing, Liens securing obligations the outstanding principal amount of which does not, taken together with the principal amount of all other obligations secured by Liens Incurred under this clause (17) that are at that time outstanding, exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 5.0% of ACNTA at the time of incurrence.

Permitted MLP Securities ” means equity securities (including incentive distribution rights) of a master limited partnership (or limited liability company or similar business entity with pass-through treatment for U.S. Federal income tax purposes) that has a class of equity securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE AMEX Equities or the Nasdaq Stock Market (or any successor thereof).

 

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Permitted Other Business Investments ” means Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person (including in any Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture of the Company), provided that:

 

  (1) at the time of such Investment and immediately thereafter, the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.3(a) ;

 

  (2) if such Person has outstanding Indebtedness at the time of such Investment, either (a) all such Indebtedness is Non-Recourse Debt or (b) any such Indebtedness of such Person that is recourse to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (which shall include, without limitation, all Indebtedness of such Person for which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may be directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, obligated to pay, whether pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness, by law or pursuant to any guarantee, including, without limitation, any “claw-back,” “make-well” or “keep-well” arrangement) could, at the time such Investment is made, be incurred at that time by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.3(a) ; and

 

  (3) such Person is not engaged, in any material respect, in any business other than the Oil and Gas Business.

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the Net Cash Proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of, plus premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith);

(2) the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the earlier of the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, deferred or refunded or 91 days after the final maturity date of the Securities;

(3) the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the shorter of (A) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, deferred or refunded and (B) 91 days after the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Securities;

(4) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Securities or a Subsidiary Guarantee, such

 

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Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Securities or such Subsidiary Guarantee on terms at least as favorable, taken as a whole, to the Holders of Securities as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and

(5) such Indebtedness is not incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary if the Company is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; provided , however , that a Restricted Subsidiary that is also a Guarantor may Guarantee Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred by the Company, whether or not such Restricted Subsidiary was an obligor or guarantor of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; provided further , however , that if such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the Securities, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to such Restricted Subsidiary’s Subsidiary Guarantee to at least the same extent.

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

Prior Issue Date ” means April 25, 2014.

Private Exchange ” means an offer to exchange Private Exchange Securities for either Initial Securities or Additional Securities in accordance with a Registration Rights Agreement.

Private Exchange Securities ” means Exchange Securities issued in exchange for either Initial Securities or Additional Securities other than pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer.

Private Placement Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.6(g)(1) to be placed on all Securities issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

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

Production Payments and Reserve Sales ” means the grant or transfer by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest or Production Payment in oil and natural gas properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where, in the case of each of the foregoing, the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production for the recovery of its investment in such interest, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard and subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary with respect to the foregoing interests.

QIB ” means any “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A).

 

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Rating Category ” means:

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

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

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

Redemption Date ,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Redemption Price ,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

Registered Exchange Offer ” means an offer to exchange Exchange Securities for either Initial Securities or Additional Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement as required by a Registration Rights Agreement.

Registration Rights Agreement ” means, with respect to the Initial Securities, the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, or any similar registration rights agreement with respect to Additional Securities.

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

Regulation S Global Security ” means a permanent Global Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Security Legend and the Private Placement Legend, that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Securities initially sold in reliance on Regulation S.

Resale Restriction Termination Date ” means (i) in the case of Securities initially sold in reliance on Rule 144A, the date that is one year after the later of the Issue Date (or the date of original issue of any Additional Notes) and the last date on which the Company or any Affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Securities (or any predecessor Securities) or (ii) in the case of Securities initially sold in reliance on Regulation S, 40 days after the later of the Issue Date (or the date of original issue of any Additional Notes) and the date on which Securities (or any predecessor Securities) were first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S.

Restricted Definitive Security ” means a Definitive Security bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Security ” means a Global Security bearing the Private Placement Legend (including the Regulation S Global Security).

 

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Restricted Period ” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

Restricted Security ” means either a Restricted Definitive Security or a Restricted Global Security.

Restricted Subsidiary ” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referenced Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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

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

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

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

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities ” means securities issued under this Indenture. The Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Additional Securities shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase, and unless otherwise provided or the context otherwise requires, all references to the Securities shall include the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Additional Securities.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933 and any successor statute thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Securities Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to a Global Security (as appointed by the Depositary) or any successor Person, and shall initially be the initial Registrar.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a registration statement of the Company used by a Holder in connection with its offer and sale of Securities pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.

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

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

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Company (or a Guarantor) that is expressly subordinated or junior in right of payment to the Securities (or a Subsidiary Guarantee, as appropriate) pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

 

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Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Company. A “subsidiary” of any Person means:

(1) a corporation a majority of whose Voting Stock is at the time, directly or indirectly owned by such Person, by one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person; or

(2) a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity, in which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, either entitled to receive more than 50 percent of the assets of such entity upon its dissolution, or in the case of a limited partnership or limited liability company, is the controlling general partner or managing or controlling member, as applicable.

Subsidiary Guarantee ” means a Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Company’s obligations pursuant to Article X hereof.

Treasury Rate ” means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date fixed for redemption (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to May 1, 2018; provided, however , that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Company shall obtain the Treasury Rate by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to May 1, 2018 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used. The Company will (a) calculate the Treasury Rate on the second Business Day preceding the applicable Redemption Date and (b) prior to such Redemption Date file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Make Whole Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.

Trust Indenture Act ” or “ TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the Issue Date, except as provided in Section 9.3 ; provided, however , that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA’’ means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.

Trust Officer ” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

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Unrestricted Definitive Security ” means one or more Definitive Securities that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Security ” means a permanent Global Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Security Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing a series of Securities that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Security ” means either an Unrestricted Definitive Security or an Unrestricted Global Security.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means (a) Rice Midstream Holdings LLC, Rice Midstream Management LLC and Rice Midstream Partners LP and any Subsidiary of the foregoing and (b) any other Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution (and any Subsidiary thereof), but only to the extent that such other Subsidiary:

(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt, except as permitted under clause (2)(b) of the definition of “Permitted Other Business Investments”;

(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company, except as permitted under Section 4.8 ; and

(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition.

The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation is in compliance with the next succeeding sentence and would not otherwise cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary under clause (b) above, such designation shall be deemed an Investment in the Subsidiary so designated and all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary so designated, shall be valued at their Fair Market Value at the time of such designation for purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.4 hereof; provided, however , that such covenant need not be complied with if the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less. That designation will only be permitted if the amount of such Investment is either permitted as a Restricted Payment under Section 4.4 hereof or a Permitted Investment at that time and if such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary under clause (b) above shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation certified in an Officers’ Certificate that also certifies that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.4 , in which case such designation shall be effective as of the date specified in such resolution. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted

 

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Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.3 hereof, the Company shall be in default of such covenant.

The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.3 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

U.S. Person ” means any U.S. person as defined for purposes of Regulation S.

Volumetric Production Payments ” mean production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

Voting Stock ” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled (without reference to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the directors, managers or trustees of such Person.

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

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

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

 

Section 1.2 Other Definitions

 

“Act” Section 11.16
“Affiliate Transaction” Section 4.8(a)
“Asset Sale Offer” Section 4.7(c)
“Asset Sale Payment” Section 4.7(c)
“Asset Sale Payment Date” Section 4.7(d)
“Authenticating Agent” Section 2.2
“Calculation Date” Section 1.1(“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”)
“Change of Control Offer” Section 4.11(a)

 

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“Change of Control Payment” Section 4.11(a)
“Change of Control Payment Date” Section 4.11(a)
“covenant defeasance option” Section 8.1(b)
“Defaulted Interest” Section 2.11
“Event of Default” Section 6.1
“Excess Proceeds” Section 4.7(c)
“incur” Section 4.3(a)
“Initial Securities” Preamble
“legal defeasance option” Section 8.1(b)
“Legal Holiday” Section 11.7
“Obligations” Section 10.1
“Paying Agent” Section 2.3
“Payment Default” Section 6.1(6)
“Permitted Asset Exchange” Section 1.1(“Asset Sale”)
“Permitted Consideration” Section 4.7(a)
“Permitted Indebtedness” Section 4.3(b)
“Registrar” Section 2.3
“Restricted Payment” Section 4.4(a)

 

Section 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the Trust Indenture Act which are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms have the following meanings:

“Commission” means the SEC;

“indenture securities” means the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

“indenture security holder” means a Holder;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

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

 

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“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any other obligor (including any Guarantor) on the indenture securities.

All other Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by the Trust Indenture Act by reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

 

Section 1.4 Rules of Construction

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

(4) “including” means including without limitation;

(5) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

(6) unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Articles” or “Sections” are to Articles or Sections, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

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

(8) references to any sections or rules of the Accounting Standards Codification shall be deemed to include successor sections or rules adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or any successor thereto); and

(9) “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole (as amended or supplemented from time to time) and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 2.1 Form and Dating

(a) General . The Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The notation of Subsidiary Guarantee shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, and shall be notated on the Securities. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Securities shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The terms and provisions contained in the Securities shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to

 

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be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Security or any Guarantee conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture (to the extent permitted by law) shall govern and be controlling.

(b) Global Securities . The Securities issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Security Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto). The Securities issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Security Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Security” attached thereto). Each Global Security shall represent the amount of outstanding Securities specified therein, and each Global Security shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Securities Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with the instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.6 hereof.

(c) Regulation S Global Securities . Any Securities offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of a Regulation S Global Security, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Securities represented thereby with the Securities Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, any resale or transfer of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Security to U.S. Persons shall not be permitted unless such resale or transfer is made pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S.

(d) 144A Global Securities . Any Securities offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of a 144A Global Security, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Securities represented thereby with the Securities Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.

(e) Definitive Securities . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.1 , any issuance of Definitive Securities shall be at the Company’s discretion, except in the circumstances set forth in Section 2.6(a) hereof.

 

Section 2.2 Execution and Authentication

An Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual, facsimile or electronically transmitted signature. One Officer shall sign each notation of Subsidiary Guarantee for each Guarantor by manual, facsimile or electronically transmitted signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.

A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually authenticates the Security. The signature of the Trustee on a Security shall be conclusive evidence that such Security has been duly and validly authenticated and issued under this Indenture.

 

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The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver: (i) Initial Securities for original issue in an aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000 on the Issue Date, (ii) if and when issued, Additional Securities (which may be issued in either a registered or a private offering under the Securities Act) and (iii) Exchange Securities for issue only in an exchange offer pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, and only in exchange for Initial Securities or Additional Securities of an equal principal amount, in each case upon a written order of the Company signed by an Officer of the Company. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated and whether the Securities are to be in global or definitive form and whether they are to bear the Private Placement Legend. The Company may issue Additional Securities under this Indenture subsequent to the Issue Date, subject to Section 4.3 of this Indenture.

The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.

 

Section 2.3 Registrar and Paying Agent

The Company shall at all times maintain in the continental United States an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”), and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any such additional paying agent.

The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, subject to the provisions of this Section 2.3 and Section 4.14 . Any Paying Agent or Registrar may resign as such upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee; upon resignation of any Paying Agent or Registrar, the Company shall appoint a successor Paying Agent or Registrar, as the case may be, complying with the requirements of this Section 2.3 , no later than 30 days thereafter and shall provide notice to the Trustee of such successor Paying Agent or Registrar.

If at any time there shall be Securities outstanding that are not Global Securities and there shall be no Paying Agent with an office or agency in the City of New York, State of New York, where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, the Company shall forthwith designate such a Paying Agent in order that the Securities shall at all times be payable in the City of New York, the State of New York.

The Company initially appoints Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Registrar and Paying Agent for the Securities.

The immunities, protections and exculpations available to the Trustee under this Indenture shall also be available to each Agent, and the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee shall extend likewise to each Agent.

 

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Section 2.4 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

By at least 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date on which any principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Security is due and payable, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest when due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by such Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest (if any) on the Securities and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section 2.4 , the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

Section 2.5 Holder Lists

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders.

 

Section 2.6 Transfer and Exchange

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities . A Global Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities shall not be entitled to receive Definitive Securities unless:

(1) the Company delivers to the Trustee and the Registrar notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days; or

(2) there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default and the Depositary notifies the Trustee and the Registrar of its decision to exchange the Global Securities for Definitive Securities; provided that in no event shall the Regulation S Global Security be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Securities prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period.

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Securities shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee and the Registrar. Global Securities also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 2.7 hereof. Every Security authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.6 or Section 2.7

 

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hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security. A Global Security may not be exchanged for another Security other than as provided in this Section 2.6(a) ; however, beneficial interests in a Global Security may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.6(b) , (c)  or (f)  hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Securities . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Securities shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Securities shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein, including those set forth in the Private Placement Legend, to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Securities also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following provisions of this Section 2.6 , as applicable:

(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Security . Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Security may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Security in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however , that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, (A) transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Security may not be to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser) and (B) such beneficial interests may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream (as Indirect Participants in the Depositary). Beneficial interests in such Unrestricted Global Security may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in the preceding sentence of this Section 2.6(b)(1) .

(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Securities . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.6(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

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

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

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

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

 

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referred to in Section 2.6(b)(2)(B)(i) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Securities be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Security prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period.

Upon consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.6(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.6(b)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Securities. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Securities contained in this Indenture, the Securities or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the principal amount of the relevant Global Security(s) shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 2.6(h) hereof.

(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Security . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Security may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Security if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.6(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

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

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Security, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof, and if such transfer occurs prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, then the transferee must hold such beneficial interest through either Euroclear or Clearstream (as Indirect Participants in the Depositary).

(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Security for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Security . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Security may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.6(b)(2) above and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal (or via the Depositary’s book-entry system) that it is not (i) a broker­ dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Securities or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

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

 

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

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Security has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a written order in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

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

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

(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Securities to Restricted Definitive Securities . If, in accordance with Section 2.6(a) , any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Security or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Security, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

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

 

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

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

the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Security to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.6(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Security in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Security issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.6(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered. Any Definitive Security issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein. Notwithstanding Sections 2.6(c)(1)(A) and (C)  hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Security may not be exchanged for a Definitive Security or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Security prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(2) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Securities to Unrestricted Definitive Securities . A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Security or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Security, in each case only pursuant to Section 2.6(a) and only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal (or via the Depositary’s book-entry system) that it is not (i) a broker-dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Securities or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

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

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

 

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(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

(3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Securities to Unrestricted Definitive Securities. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Security or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Security, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.6(b)(2) hereof, the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Security to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.6(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Security in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Security issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)(3) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered. Any Definitive Security issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)(3) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Securities for Beneficial Interests.

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

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

 

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

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Security is being transferred to a non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof,

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Security, the Registrar shall increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Security, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Security, and in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Security. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there are no Global Securities outstanding prior to any such transfer, Definitive Securities may be transferred for beneficial interests in a Global Security only if the Company so agrees.

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

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with applicable Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal (or via the Depositary’s book-entry system) that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Securities or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

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

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

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the Holder of such Definitive Securities proposes to exchange such Securities for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

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

 

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

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.6(d)(2) , the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Securities and the Registrar shall increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Security. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there are no Global Securities outstanding prior to any such transfer, Definitive Securities may be transferred for beneficial interests in a Global Security only if the Company so agrees.

(3) Unrestricted Definitive Securities to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Securities . A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Security may exchange such Security for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security or transfer such Definitive Security to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Security and the Registrar shall increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Securities.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Security to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (2)(B), (2)(D) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Security has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Securities so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Securities for Definitive Securities . Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Securities and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.6(e) , the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Securities. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Securities duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.6(e) .

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

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

 

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

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

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

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal (or via the Depositary’s book-entry system) that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Securities or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

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

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

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

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

 

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(f) (1) Registered Exchange Offer . Upon the occurrence of a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a written order in accordance with Section 2.2 , the Trustee shall authenticate:

(A) one or more Unrestricted Global Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Securities tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal (or via the Depositary’s book-entry system), among other things, that (I) they are not broker-dealers, (II) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Securities and (III) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in the Registered Exchange Offer; and

(B) Unrestricted Definitive Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of any Restricted Definitive Securities accepted for exchange in the Registered Exchange Offer.

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

(2) If upon consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer, any Initial Purchaser holds Initial Securities acquired by it as part of the initial distribution thereof, the Company, upon written request of such Initial Purchaser, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Securities pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, shall issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser and, upon receipt of a written order in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate, one or more Restricted Definitive Securities representing Private Exchange Securities in a Private Exchange for the Initial Securities held by such Initial Purchaser, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Initial Securities so exchanged by such Initial Purchaser in the Private Exchange.

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

(1) Private Placement Legend .

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below or as otherwise agreed between the Company and the Holder, each Global Security and each Definitive Security (and all Securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend, until the Resale Restriction Termination Date, in substantially the following form:

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”),

 

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OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE, NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED NOTES, TO OFFER, SELL, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS ONE YEAR (IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES) AFTER THE LATER OF THE ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR THE DATE OF ANY SUBSEQUENT REOFFERING OF THE NOTES) AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE) OR 40 DAYS (IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES) AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S, ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THE HOLDER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE OR AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER OR THE COMPANY ON OR AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.

 

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IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS NOTE, THE HOLDER THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST IN THIS NOTE) CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (“SIMILAR LAWS”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT, OR (2) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST IN THIS NOTE) WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Security or Definitive Security issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.6 (and all Securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend. The Company, acting in its discretion, may remove the Private Placement Legend from any Restricted Security at any time on or after the Resale Restriction Termination Date applicable to such Restricted Security. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Company may effect such removal by issuing and delivering, in exchange for such Restricted Security, an Unrestricted Security, registered to the same Holder and in an equal principal amount, and, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.6 , upon receipt of a written order of the Company given at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed date of exchange specified therein (which shall be no earlier than the Resale Restriction Termination Date), the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Unrestricted Security as directed in such order.

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

“THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL

 

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OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE REGISTRAR MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.6 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.6(a) OF THE INDENTURE AND (III) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.10 OF THE INDENTURE.

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

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Securities . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Security have been exchanged for Definitive Securities or a particular Global Security has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Security shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security or for Definitive Securities, the principal amount of Securities represented by such Global Security shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Security by the Trustee or by the Securities Custodian at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security, such other Global Security shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Security by the Trustee or by the Securities Custodian at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

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(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .

(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Securities and Definitive Securities upon the Company’s order or at the Registrar’s request.

(2) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Security or to a Holder of a Definitive Security for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge or other fee required by law and payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.9 , 3.6 , 3.7 , 4.7 and 4.11 hereof).

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

(4) None of the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar shall be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Securities during a period of 15 days before the day of any selection of Securities for redemption under Section 3.2 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Securities so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Security between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(5) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, each Guarantor, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal, interest and premium (if any) on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(6) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Securities and Definitive Securities upon receipt of a written order of the Company and in accordance with the other provisions of Section 2.2 hereof.

(7) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.6 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

(8) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

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(9) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of optional redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities. The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

Section 2.7 Replacement Securities

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar, or the Company and the Registrar receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of a written order of the Company conforming to Section 2.2 hereof, will authenticate a replacement Security if the Registrar’s and the Company’s reasonable requirements are met. If required by the Registrar or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Registrar, the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Registrar, any other Agent and any Authenticating Agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced.

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Securities duly issued hereunder, provided it is held by a protected purchaser within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, rather than authenticating and delivering a replacement Security for a mutilated, destroyed, loss or stolen Security which has been redeemed or the principal of which has matured, the Company or the Paying Agent may make payment of the amount due on such security to the Holder upon receipt of the above-described indemnity bond.

 

Section 2.8 Outstanding Securities

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 11.6 hereof, a Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

 

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If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.1 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

 

Section 2.9 Temporary Securities

Until Definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Holders of temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as a holder of Definitive Securities.

 

Section 2.10 Cancellation

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee or any Registrar for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or the Registrar (and no one else) shall cancel and destroy (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company unless the Company directs the Trustee and the Registrar to deliver canceled Securities to the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee or the Registrar for cancellation.

 

Section 2.11 Defaulted Interest

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest (“Defaulted Interest”) on the Securities, the Company shall pay Defaulted Interest (as provided in Section 4.1 ) in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the Defaulted Interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed (or upon the Company’s failure to do so the Trustee shall fix pursuant to a written instruction of Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities) any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee which special record date shall not be less than 10 days prior to the payment date for such Defaulted Interest and the Company, or at the Company’s request, the Trustee, shall promptly mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of Defaulted Interest to be paid. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as provided in this Section 2.11 .

 

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Section 2.12 CUSIP Numbers

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP,” “ISIN” or similar numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use such numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

 

Section 3.1 Notices to Trustee

If the Company elects to redeem Securities pursuant to Section 3.7 or Section 4.11(i) hereof, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.

The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee and the Registrar provided for in this Section 3.1 at least (3) Business Days before the date of giving notice of the redemption pursuant to Section 3.3 , unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period. If such redemption is to be effected pursuant to Section 3.7(b) or Section 4.11(i) , then such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions therein. If fewer than all the Securities are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Company and set forth in the related notice given to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than 15 days after the date of such notice.

 

Section 3.2 Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed

In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Securities for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities are listed or, if the Securities are not listed, then on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Securities in global form, the Securities represented thereby will be selected in accordance with the Depositary’s prescribed method) and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities that have denominations larger than $2,000. Securities and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in minimum amounts of $2,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities to be redeemed. The Trustee may rely upon information provided by the Registrar for purposes of this Section 3.2 .

 

Section 3.3 Notice of Redemption

At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or, with respect to Global Securities, otherwise give such notice in accordance with the rules and procedures of the

 

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Depositary; provided , however, notices of redemption may be given more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with the Company’s exercise of its legal defeasance or its covenant defeasance option in accordance with Section 8.1(b) or the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Section 8.1(a) .

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

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the Redemption Price (if then determined and otherwise the basis for its determination);

(3) the name and address of the Paying Agent where Securities are to be surrendered;

(4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price;

(5) if fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the identification and principal amounts of the particular Securities to be redeemed;

(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Securities (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(7) the CUSIP, ISIN or similar number, if any, printed on the Securities being redeemed;

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

(9) any conditions precedent to such redemption.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the giving of notice of redemption (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in the notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

Section 3.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption

Once notice of redemption is mailed to Holders, Securities (or portions thereof) called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price, subject to satisfaction of any condition permitted below. A notice of redemption may be subject to one or more conditions precedent specified in the notice of redemption, including completion of an Equity Offering or other corporate transaction. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the Redemption Price stated in the notice, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date; provided that if the Redemption Date is after the taking of a record of the Holders on a record date and on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, the accrued and unpaid interest shall be payable to the Person in whose name the redeemed Securities are registered on such record date. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

 

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Section 3.5 Deposit of Redemption Price

No later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date. If the Company complies with the provisions of this Section 3.5 , then on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or the portions of Securities called for redemption.

 

Section 3.6 Securities Redeemed in Part

Upon cancellation of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company’s expense) a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered. The Trustee shall notify the Registrar of the issuance of such new Security.

 

Section 3.7 Optional Redemption

(a) On and after May 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Securities at any time or from time to time at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable Redemption Date, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning May 1 of the years indicated:

 

Year

   Redemption Price  

2018

     105.438

2019

     103.625

2020

     101.813

2021 and thereafter

     100.000

(b) Prior to May 1, 2018, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (including Additional Securities) originally issued prior to the Redemption Date under this Indenture in an amount not greater than the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings at a Redemption Price of 107.250% of the principal amount of the Securities, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided , that (i) at least 65% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities (including any Additional Securities) originally issued remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Securities held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of the related Equity Offering.

(c) In addition, at any time prior to May 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or part of the Securities at a Redemption Price equal to the sum of:

(i) the principal amount thereof, plus

(ii) the Make Whole Premium at the Redemption Date, plus

 

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accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date.

(d) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.7 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.1 through 3.6 hereof.

(e) The Securities will not be redeemable at the option of the Company except as set forth in this Section 3.7 and in Section 4.11(i) . The Company is not, however, prohibited from acquiring the Securities by means other than a redemption, whether pursuant to a tender offer, open market transactions or otherwise, so long as the acquisition does not otherwise violate the terms of this Indenture.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.1 Payment of Securities

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities that it shall promptly pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities, this Indenture and, in the case of any Additional Interest, the applicable Registration Rights Agreement. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of the Securities to determine Additional Interest, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of Additional Interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Additional Interest. Payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall be deemed due for all purposes under this Indenture whether such payments are due at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, upon required repurchase pursuant to Section 4.7 or 4.11 hereof, upon declaration or otherwise. Principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall be considered paid on the date due if by 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such date the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

The Company will pay, to the extent lawful, interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate then in effect on the Securities; it will pay, to the extent lawful, interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods), from time to time on demand at the same rate as on overdue principal.

All references in this Indenture, the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees to “interest” shall be deemed to include Additional Interest unless the context otherwise requires. The Company shall give the Trustee advance written notice of the amount of any Additional Interest that may be payable with respect to the Securities.

 

Section 4.2 SEC Reports

Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Securities are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Trustee and the Holders of Securities, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations:

(1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required

 

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to file such Forms, including a section on “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent public accountants; and

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

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

If the Company has designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or that, taken together with other Unrestricted Subsidiaries, would be a Significant Subsidiary), then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

The availability of the foregoing materials on the SEC’s website or on the Company’s website shall be deemed to satisfy the foregoing delivery obligations.

In the event that any direct or indirect parent company of the Company becomes a guarantor of the Securities, the Company may satisfy its obligations in this covenant with respect to financial information relating to the Company by furnishing financial information relating to such parent company; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand. In addition, the Company agrees that, for so long as any Securities remain outstanding and are “restricted securities” under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if at any time it is not required to file with the SEC the reports required by the preceding paragraphs of this Section 4.2 , it will furnish to beneficial owners of Securities and to prospective investors, upon request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

Section 4.3 Incurrence of Indebtedness

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt); provided, however , that the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the Net Cash Proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

 

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(b) Section 4.3(a) will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Indebtedness”):

(1) the incurrence by the Company and any Guarantor of Indebtedness under one or more Credit Facilities; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (1) and outstanding at any time does not exceed an amount equal to the greater of (a) $500.0 million and (b) the sum of (x) $250.0 million and (y) 35.0 % of ACNTA at the time of incurrence;

(2) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness described under clauses (1), (3) or (6) of this Section 4.3(b) );

(3) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by (A) the Initial Securities, (B) any Exchange Securities issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement in exchange for the Securities, and (C) any Subsidiary Guarantees;

(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings, industrial revenue bonds, purchase money obligations or other Indebtedness or preferred stock, or synthetic lease obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, development, construction, installation or improvement of property (real or personal and including Capital Stock), plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, whether through the direct purchase of such assets or the Equity Interests of any Person owning such assets), in an aggregate principal amount, taken together with Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, that does not exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 7.5% of ACNTA at the time of incurrence;

(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the Net Cash Proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.3(a) or clauses (2), (3), (4), (12) or (15) or this clause (5) of this Section 4.3(b) ;

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

(A) (i) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the obligee is not a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the Securities, and (ii) if a Guarantor is the obligor of such Indebtedness and the obligee is neither the Company nor a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations of such Guarantor with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee, and

(B) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof, shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause;

 

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(7) in-kind obligations relating to net oil and natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business;

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

(9) any obligation (including deferred premiums) under Interest Rate Agreements, Currency Agreements and Commodity Agreements; provided, that such Interest Rate Agreements, Currency Agreements and Commodity Agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company);

(10) any obligation arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, Guarantee, adjustment of purchase price, holdback, contingency payment obligation based on the performance of the acquired or disposed asset or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, asset or Capital Stock;

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

(12) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness;

(13) any Guarantee of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the guaranteed Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.3 ; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated or pari passu with the Securities, the Guarantee must be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

(14) Indebtedness incurred on behalf of, or representing guarantees of Indebtedness of, Persons other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries in which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment; provided , however , that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred under this clause (14), when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (14), does not exceed the greater of $50.0 million and 5.0% of ACNTA at the time of incurrence; and

 

59


(15) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in addition to Indebtedness permitted by clauses (1) through (14) of this Section 4.3(b) or Section 4.3(a) in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (15), not to exceed the greater of (a) $75.0 million and (b) 5.0% of the Company’s ACNTA, determined as of the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.3 :

(1) in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (15) of Section 4.3(b) , or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.3(a) , the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) on the date of its incurrence and, subject to clause (2) below may later reclassify such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof), in any manner that complies with this covenant, and only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of such clauses or may include the amount and type of such Indebtedness partially in one such clause and partially in one or more other such clauses;

(2) all Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date under the Credit Agreement after giving effect to this offering and the use of proceeds thereof shall be deemed initially incurred on the Issue Date under clause (1) of Section 4.3(b) and not Section 4.3(a) or clause (2) of Section 4.3(b) ;

(3) Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included;

(4) the amount of Indebtedness issued at a price that is less than the principal amount thereof will be equal to the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; and

(5) Indebtedness of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been incurred by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(6) the accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of preferred equity as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock or preferred equity in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock or preferred equity will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock or preferred equity for purposes of this covenant.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Indebtedness; provided

 

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that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-dominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-dominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced. Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company may incur pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies. The principal amount of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

 

Section 4.4 Restricted Payments

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

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (other than any such Equity Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor, except (a) a payment of interest or principal on or after the date when due or within three Business Days prior thereto, (b) in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment payment or payment due at final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, purchase or other acquisition or retirement or (c) payments on Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(4) make any Investment other than a Permitted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (3) above and this clause (4) being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

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

(1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

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(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.3(a) hereof; and

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Prior Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12) or (13) of Section 4.4(c) below, but including Restricted Payments permitted by clause (1) of Section 4.4(c )), is less than the sum, without duplication, of

(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from April 1, 2014 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus

(B) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds and 100% of the Fair Market Value of securities or other property other than cash (including Capital Stock of Persons engaged in the Oil and Gas Business or assets used in the Oil and Gas Business) received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the Prior Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), other than Equity Interests sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or to an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees, plus

(C) the amount by which Indebtedness is reduced on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to the Prior Issue Date of any Indebtedness convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (plus the amount of any accrued interest then outstanding on such Indebtedness to the extent the obligation to pay such interest is extinguished less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any property (as determined in good faith by an Officer of the Company), distributed by the Company upon such conversion or exchange); provided, however, that the foregoing amount shall not exceed the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the sale of such Indebtedness (excluding Net Cash Proceeds from sales to a Subsidiary of the Company or to an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees); plus

(D) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the net reduction in the Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Person resulting from repurchases, repayments or redemptions of such Investments by such Person, proceeds realized on the sale of such Investments and proceeds representing the return of capital (excluding

 

62


dividends and distributions to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income), in each case received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the Prior Issue Date, and (ii) to the extent such Person is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that to the extent the foregoing sum exceeds, in the case of any such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments (excluding Permitted Investments) previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary since the Prior Issue Date, such excess shall not be included in this clause (D) unless the amount represented by such excess has not been and will not be taken into account in one of the foregoing clauses (A)-(C) of this Section 4.4(b)(3) .

(c) The preceding provisions will not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration or giving of redemption notice, as the case may be, thereof, if at said date of declaration or notice such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture (and such payment shall be deemed to be paid on the date of payment for purposes of any calculation required by this covenant);

(2) any Restricted Payment made in exchange for, or out of the Net Cash Proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) with any such payment being deemed to be “substantially concurrent” if made within 180 days of the sale of the Equity Interests in question; provided that the amount of any such Net Cash Proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition shall be excluded from clause (3)(B) of Section 4.4(b) ;

(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the Net Cash Proceeds from an incurrence of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.3 hereof;

(4) the payment of any dividend or other distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its common Equity Interests on a pro rata basis or on a basis more favorable to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any employees, former employees, directors or former directors of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or heirs, estates or other permitted transferees of such employees or directors) pursuant to any agreements (including employment agreements), management equity subscription agreements or stock option agreements or plans (or amendments thereto), approved by the Board of Directors, under which such individuals purchase or sell or are granted the right to purchase or sell shares of Capital Stock; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not exceed $15.0 million in any calendar year, with unused amounts in any calendar year being permitted to be carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $30.0 million in any calendar year; provided, further, however, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

 

  (a) the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (to the extent contributed to the Company) to members of management, directors, managers or consultants of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Company that occurs after the Prior Issue Date ( provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3)(b) of Section 4.4(b)) , plus

 

  (b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (to the extent contributed to the Company) or the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Prior Issue Date;

provided that the Company may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (a) and (b) above in any calendar year; and provided , further , that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from any present or former employees, directors, managers, officers or consultants of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or the direct or indirect parents of the Company in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parents will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provision of the Indenture;

(6) loans or advances to employees of the Company or employees or directors of any Subsidiary of the Company, in each case as permitted by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the proceeds of which are used to purchase Capital Stock of the Company, or to refinance loans or advances made pursuant to this clause (6), in an aggregate amount not in excess of $2.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(7) repurchases or other acquisitions for value of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise or exchange of stock options, warrants or other convertible securities if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise or exchange price thereof or made in lieu of withholding taxes in connection with any such exercise or exchange;

(8) upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale and within 60 days after the completion of the offer to repurchase the Securities under Section 4.11 or Section 4.7 hereof (including the purchase of all Securities tendered and required to be purchased), any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or other retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness required under the terms thereof as a result of such Change of Control or Asset Sale at a purchase or redemption price not to exceed 101% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, provided that, in the notice to Holders relating to a Change of Control or Asset Sale hereunder, the Company shall describe this clause (8);

 

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(9) the purchase by the Company of fractional shares arising out of stock dividends, splits or business combinations or conversion of convertible or exchangeable securities of debt or equity issued by the Company;

(10) payments to dissenting stockholders (x) pursuant to applicable law or (y) in connection with the settlement or other satisfaction of legal claims made pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets in connection with a transaction that is not prohibited by this Indenture;

(11) dividends on Disqualified Stock of the Company or preferred stock of any Restricted Subsidiary if such dividends are included in the calculation of Fixed Charges;

(12) payments made by any Person other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the stockholders of the Company in connection with or as part of (a) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into such Person or a subsidiary of such Person, or (b) a merger of a subsidiary of such Person into the Company; or

(13) other Restricted Payments not to exceed $30.0 million in the aggregate since the Prior Issue Date.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities other than cash that are required to be valued by this covenant will be determined, in the case of amounts in excess of $20.0 million, by an officer of the Company and, in the case of amounts in excess of $50.0 million, by the Board of Directors of the Company whose Board Resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.4 , if a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Restricted Payments described in clauses (1)-(13) of this Section 4.4(c) or pursuant to Section 4.4(b) , the Company, in its sole discretion, may order and classify, and subsequently reorder and reclassify, such Restricted Payment in any manner in compliance with this covenant.

 

Section 4.5 Liens

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens, to secure (a) any Indebtedness of the Company unless prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, the Securities are equally and ratably secured for so long as such other Indebtedness is so secured, or (b) any Indebtedness of any Guarantor, unless prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor is equally and ratably secured for so long as such other Indebtedness is so secured; provided, however , that if such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the Securities or a Subsidiary Guarantee, the Lien securing such Indebtedness will be subordinated and junior to the Lien securing the Securities or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, with the same relative priority as such Indebtedness has with respect to the Securities or such Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

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Section 4.6 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

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

(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the priority of any preferred stock in receiving dividends, distributions or liquidating distributions prior to dividends, distributions or liquidating distributions being paid on Capital Stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock);

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to other Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries.

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

(1) agreements existing on the Issue Date, including the Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date and this Indenture;

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

(3) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of Capital Stock or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary pending such sale or other disposition;

(4) any amendment, restatement, modification, supplement, extension, renewal, refunding, replacement or refinancing of Indebtedness referred to in clauses (1) or (2) of this Section 4.6(b) , provided that the encumbrances or restrictions contained in the agreements governing the foregoing are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing such Indebtedness as determined in good faith by the Company;

(5) cash or other deposits, or net worth requirements or similar requirements, imposed by suppliers, landlords or customers or required by insurance, security or bonding companies, or restrictions on cash or other deposits by parties under agreements entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business of the types described in the definition of Permitted Business Investments;

 

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(6) any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, approval, license, permit or similar restriction;

(7) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property or transfer of Capital Stock in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements, limited liability company organizational documents, and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice or with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors or any of its officers, which limitation is applicable only to the assets, property or Capital Stock that are the subject of such agreements;

(8) any encumbrance or restriction contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or Capital Stock permitted to be incurred under this Indenture or any agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was incurred if either (x) in the case of Indebtedness, the encumbrance or restriction applies only in the event of a payment default or a default with respect to a financial covenant in such Indebtedness or agreement or (y) the Company determines that any such encumbrance or restriction either (i) will not materially affect the Company’s ability to make principal or interest payments on the Securities and such restrictions are not materially less favorable to Holders of Securities than is customary in comparable financings or (ii) are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date or those contained in this Indenture or the Credit Agreement, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or an officer of the Company; and

(9) with respect to clause (3) of Section 4.6(a) only, any of the following encumbrances or restrictions:

(A) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business or otherwise permitted under this Indenture that impose restrictions on the property so acquired;

(B) Permitted Liens or Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.5 hereof that limit the right of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to dispose of the assets subject to such Lien;

(C) restrictions contained in asset sale agreements limiting the transfer of such assets pending the closing of such sale;

(D) restrictions on the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease, license, sub-license or similar contract, or on the assignment or transfer of any such lease, license, sub-license or other contract;

(E) agreements governing Hedging Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(F) customary restrictions on the disposition or distribution of assets or property in agreements entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business of the types described in the definition of Permitted Business Investments.

 

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Section 4.7 Asset Sales

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

(1) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests or other assets issued or sold or otherwise disposed of (which may be determined at the time of entering into any agreement with respect to such Asset Sale); and

(2) (A) at least 75% of the aggregate consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from such Asset Sale and all other Asset Sales since the Issue Date, on a cumulative basis, is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or assets of the type referred to in clauses (2) or (3) of Section 4.7(b) below, or any combination of the foregoing (together, “Permitted Consideration”) or (B) the Fair Market Value of all forms of consideration other than Permitted Consideration since the Issue Date does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the ACNTA of the Company at the time when such determination is made. For purposes of this provision, each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:

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

(B) with respect to any Asset Sale of properties used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries where the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary retains an interest in such property, the amount of the costs and expenses of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary related to the exploration, development, completion or production of such properties and activities related thereto which the transferee (or an Affiliate thereof) agrees to pay;

(C) Indebtedness (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Securities or a Subsidiary Guarantee) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Sale; provided that the Company and each other Restricted Subsidiary are released from any Guarantee of such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Sale;

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

(E) solely in the case of any Asset Sale of Midstream Assets, Permitted MLP Securities.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of any Asset Sale pursuant to a condemnation, appropriation or similar taking, including by deed in lieu of condemnation, such Asset Sale shall not be required to satisfy the requirements of clauses (1) and (2) above.

(b) Within the later of (x) one year after the date of receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale and (y) six months after the date of an agreement entered into within such one-year period committing the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to make an acquisition or expenditure referred to in clauses (2) or (3) below, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may apply such Net Proceeds at its option, in any one or more of the following:

(1) to repay, prepay, redeem or repurchase any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Subordinated Indebtedness);

(2) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or a majority of the Voting Stock of, a Company principally engaged in the Oil and Gas Business that will, upon such acquisition, become a Restricted Subsidiary or acquire any minority interest in a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(3) to make capital expenditures or to acquire properties or assets, in each case that are used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business.

Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture.

(c) Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in Section 4.7(b) will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Company will make an offer (the “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Securities and, to the extent required by the terms thereof, all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu in right of payment with the Securities containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Securities and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price with respect to the Securities in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the “Asset Sale Payment”), and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use such Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Securities and such other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Securities and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis, on the basis of the aggregate principal amounts tendered in round denominations (which in the case of the Securities will be minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount or multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof). Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

(d) Within 30 days following the date when the Company becomes obligated to make an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder, with a copy to the

 

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Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Asset Sale and offering to repurchase Securities on the date (the “Asset Sale Payment Date”) specified in such notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in such notice.

(e) On the Asset Sale Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(1) accept for payment all Securities or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, subject to proration based on the amount of Excess Proceeds pursuant to clause (c) above of this Section 4.7 ;

(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the amount of Excess Proceeds that, after giving effect to proration with holders of pari passu Indebtedness pursuant to clause (c) above of this Section 4.7 , is allocable to the Securities or portions thereof so tendered (or, if less, the aggregate Asset Sale Payment for all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn); and

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

(f) The Paying Agent will promptly mail (or cause to be transferred through the facilities of the Depositary) to each Holder of Securities so tendered and not withdrawn and accepted for payment in accordance with this Section 4.7 , the Asset Sale Payment for such tendered Securities, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Security equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered, if any, by such Holder; provided that each such new Security will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof.

(g) If the Asset Sale Offer Purchase Date is after the taking of a record of the Holders on a record date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest will be paid to the Person in whose name a purchased Security is registered on such record date, and no other interest will be payable to Holders who tender Securities pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

(h) The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-l under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.7 , the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue of the Company’s compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

(i) The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or as soon as practicable after the date such Asset Sale Offer is completed.

 

Section 4.8 Transactions With Affiliates

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any

 

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transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate consideration to or from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $5.0 million, unless:

(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be expected to be obtained at the time of such transaction in arm’s-length dealings by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate or, if in the good faith judgment of the Company, no comparable transaction is available with which to compare such Affiliate Transaction, such Affiliate Transaction is otherwise fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view; and

(2) (A) the Company delivers to the Trustee with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration to or from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $20.0 million, an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with the requirements of clause (1) above, and (B) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration to or from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $50.0 million, a majority of the Disinterested Members of the Board of Directors, if any, (or, if there is only one Disinterested Member, such Disinterested Member) have determined that the criteria set forth in clause (1) are satisfied with respect to such Affiliate Transaction(s) and have approved such Affiliate Transaction(s), as evidenced by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee and certified by an Officers’ Certificate as having been adopted by the Board of Directors

(b) The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.8(a) hereof:

(1) any employment or severance agreement or other employee, consulting, service, termination or director-compensation agreement, arrangement or plan, (or any amendment thereto with respect thereto), or indemnification agreements, entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with officers and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof and the payment of compensation to officers and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof (including amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans, employee stock option or similar plans), so long as such agreement or payment is in the ordinary course of business or has been approved by a majority of the Disinterested Members of the Board of Directors (or, if there is only one Disinterested Member, such Disinterested Member);

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

(3) Restricted Payments that, in each case, are permitted by Section 4.4 hereof or Permitted Investments;

(4) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case only as permitted by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, but in any event not to exceed $2.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

 

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(5) any transactions undertaken pursuant to any contracts in existence on the Issue Date (as in effect on the Issue Date) and any renewals, replacements or modifications of such contracts (pursuant to new transactions or otherwise) on terms no less favorable to the Holders of the Securities than those in effect on the Issue Date;

(6) in the case of (i) contracts for (A) drilling or other oil-field services or supplies, (B) the sale, storage, gathering or transport of hydrocarbons or (C) the lease or rental of office or storage space or (ii) other operation-type contracts, any such contracts that are entered into in the ordinary course of business on terms substantially similar to those contained in similar contracts entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and third parties or, if neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has entered into a similar contract with a third party, that the terms are on the whole not materially less favorable than those that would be reasonably expected to be available from third parties on an arm’s-length basis, as determined in good faith by the Company;

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

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

(9) any transaction in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, deliver to the Trustee a letter from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing stating that such transaction meets the requirements of clause (1) of Section 4.8(a) ;

(10) any Transaction between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary on the one hand and any Person deemed to be an Affiliate solely because a director of such Person is also a director of the company or a Restricted Subsidiary, on the other hand; provided that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, in connection with the approval of the transaction; and

(11) Transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and otherwise in compliance with this Indenture; provided that such Transactions are on terms substantially similar to those obtained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in similar Transactions with third parties or, if neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has entered into a similar Transaction with a third party, that are on the whole not materially less favorable than those that would be reasonably expected to be available from third parties on an arm’s-length basis, as determined in good faith by the Company.

 

Section 4.9 Additional Subsidiary Guarantees

If, after the Issue Date, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not already a Guarantor guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor under a Credit Facility, then within 30 days of the date on which it guaranteed such Indebtedness, the Company shall cause that Restricted Subsidiary to become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto and delivering it to the Trustee.

 

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Section 4.10 Business Activities

The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than the Oil and Gas Business, except to such extent as would not be material in the opinion of the Board of Directors (which opinion shall be reasonable and made in good faith) to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Section 4.11 Change of Control

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of Securities will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Securities pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”). In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer a payment (the “Change of Control Payment”) in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase. Except as provided in Section 4.11(g) below, no later than 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Securities on the date (the “Change of Control Payment Date”) specified in such notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in such notice. The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-l under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the covenant described herein, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue of the Company’s compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

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

(1) accept for payment all Securities or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Securities or portions thereof so tendered; and

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

(c) The Paying Agent will promptly mail (or cause to be transferred through the facilities of the Depositary) to each Holder of Securities so tendered and not withdrawn the Change of Control Payment for such tendered Securities, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Security equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered,

 

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if any, by such Holder; provided that each such new Security will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Trustee will notify the Registrar of the issuance of the new Security.

(d) If the Change of Control Payment Date is after the taking of a record of the Holders on a record date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest will be paid to the Person in whose name a Security is registered on such record date, and no other interest will be payable to Holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

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

(f) The provisions described above that require the Company to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable regardless of whether or not any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable.

(g) The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer, (2) a notice of redemption for all outstanding Securities has been given in accordance with this Indenture, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable Redemption Price or (3) in connection with or in contemplation of any publicly announced Change of Control, the Company has made an offer to purchase (an “Alternate Offer”) any and all Securities validly tendered at a cash price equal to or higher than the Change of Control Payment and has purchased all Securities properly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Alternate Offer.

(h) A Change of Control Offer or an Alternate Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer.

(i) If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities validly tender and do not withdraw such Securities in a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer and the Company, or any other Person making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company pursuant to Section 4.11(g) , purchases all of the Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all Securities that remain outstanding following such purchase at a Redemption Price in cash equal to the applicable Change of Control Payment or Alternate Offering price, as applicable, plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment or Alternate Offer price, as applicable, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date. Any redemption pursuant to this Section 4.11(i) shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.1 through 3.6 hereof.

 

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Section 4.12 Maintenance of Office or Agency for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Securities

So long as any of the Securities shall remain outstanding, the Company will, in accordance with Section 2.3 hereof, maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, or the Registrar) in the continental United States where the Securities may be surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer and where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment. If the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, such surrenders or presentations may be made at the designated Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive at the aforesaid office all such surrenders or presentations. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies in the continental United States where Securities may be presented or surrendered for any and all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will give to Trustee prompt written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof.

 

Section 4.13 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee

The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.8 , a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

 

Section 4.14 Provision as to Paying Agent

(a) If the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, it will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Agent shall undertake, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.14 :

(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities and will notify the Trustee of the receipt of sums to be so held;

(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall be due and payable;

(3) that it will at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.1 , upon the written request of the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it; and

(4) that it will acknowledge, accept and agree to comply in all aspects with the provisions of this Indenture relating to the duties, rights and liabilities of such Paying Agent.

(b) If the Company shall not act as its own Paying Agent, it will, by 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the due date of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Securities, deposit with such Paying Agent a sum in same day funds sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of Securities entitled to such principal of or premium, if any, or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its failure so to act.

 

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(c) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, by 11:00 a.m., (New York City time) on each due date of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, a sum sufficient to pay such principal or premium or interest so becoming due and will notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

(d) Anything in this Section 4.14 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Paying Agent for delivery to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it, as required by this Section 4.14 , such sums to be delivered by the Paying Agent to the Trustee to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

(e) Anything in this Section 4.14 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.14 is subject to the provisions of Section 8.4 and Section 8.6 .

 

Section 4.15 Maintenance of Corporate Existence

So long as any of the Securities shall remain outstanding, the Company will at all times (except as otherwise provided or permitted in this Article V of this Indenture) do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.

 

Section 4.16 Compliance Certificate

(a) The Company and the Guarantors shall deliver to the Trustee within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, a statement (which need not be an Officers’ Certificate) signed by the principal executive officer, the principal accounting officer or the principal financial officer of each of the Company and the Guarantors, stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether each of the Company and the Guarantors has performed its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe such Default or Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

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

 

Section 4.17 Taxes

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

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Section 4.18 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

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

 

Section 4.19 Covenant Termination

From and after the occurrence of an Investment Grade Rating Event, then upon notice thereof by the Company to the Trustee, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the provisions of this Indenture set forth in Sections 4.3 , 4.4 , 4.6 , 4.7 , 4.8 , 4.10 and Clause (4) of Section 5.l(a) .

After the foregoing provisions have been terminated, the Company may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the second sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” in Section 1.1 .

ARTICLE V

SUCCESSOR COMPANY

 

Section 5.1 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

(a) The Company may not: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(1) either:

(A) the Company is the surviving corporation; or

(B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

 

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(3) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists;

(4) either (a) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.3(a) hereof or (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company is equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately before such transaction; and

(5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture and all conditions precedent herein relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

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

(c) Clauses (a)(3) and (a)(4) of this Section 5.1 will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are Guarantors.

 

Section 5.2 Successor Substituted

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole in accordance with Section 5.1 hereof, the successor formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made (in each case, if not the Company) shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture and the Securities with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein and shall be substituted for the Company (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor and not to the predecessor); and thereafter, except in the case of such a disposition by way of a lease, the Company shall be discharged and released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

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ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.1 Events of Default

Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

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

(2) default in the payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Securities;

(3) failure by the Company to comply with Section 5.1 hereof;

(4) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply for 30 days after receipt of written notice specified below with Sections 4.3 , 4.4 , 4.5 , 4.6 , 4.7 , 4.8 , 4.9 or 4.11 hereof;

(5) failure by the Company for 60 days (or 180 days with respect to Section 4.2 ) after receipt of written notice specified below to comply with any of its other agreements contained in this Indenture;

(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default:

(A) is caused by a failure to pay when due any principal of such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”); or

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

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $25.0 million or more; provided, however , that if any such Payment Default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 30 days from the continuation of such Payment Default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Securities shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree;

(7) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million (net of any amounts covered by insurance or a binding indemnity agreement), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

(8) any Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or, except as permitted by this Indenture, shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case with respect to any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; and

 

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(9) (A) the Company or a Significant Subsidiary or a group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case or proceeding;

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding in which it is a debtor;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property;

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(v) consents to the institution of a bankruptcy or an insolvency proceeding against it; or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency; or

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

(i) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or a group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case in which it is a debtor;

(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or a group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

(iii) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or a group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order, decree or relief remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

However, a Default under clauses (4) and (5) of this Section 6.1 will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities notify the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified in clauses (4) and (5) of this Section 6.1 after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

Section 6.2 Acceleration of Matu rity; Rescission and Annulment

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause (9) of Section 6.1 ) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Securities to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and accrued and

 

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unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default described in clause (9) of Section 6.1 above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any further action or notice on the part of the Trustee or any Holders. The Holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Securities by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Securities and its consequences if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, and interest on the Securities that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

 

Section 6.3 Other Remedies

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 6.4 Waiver of Past Defaults

The Holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Securities, by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder except a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.2 hereof cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected. When a Default or Event of Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any consequent right.

 

Section 6.5 Control by Majority

The Holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.1 hereof, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Subject to Section 7.1 , prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it against all loss, liability and expense caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

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Section 6.6 Limitation on Suits

Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, a Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture, the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees unless:

(1) the Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 25% in outstanding principal amount of the Securities have made a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders have furnished the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee has not complied with the Holders’ request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the furnishing of security or indemnity; and

(5) the Holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Securities have not given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with the request during such 60-day period.

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such use by a Holder prejudices the rights of any other Holders or obtains preference or priority over such other Holders).

 

Section 6.7 Rights of Holders to Rece ive Payment

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 6.8 Collection Suit by Trustee

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(1) or Section 6.1(2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any Guarantor for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.7 hereof to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, disbursement and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

Section 6.9 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any Guarantor or their respective creditors or properties and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7 hereof.

 

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Section 6.10 Priorities

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article VI , it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

First: costs and expenses of collection, including all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the compensation, expenses and disbursements of the Trustee, its agents, and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.7 hereof;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for principal and interest and premium, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for principal and interest and premium, if any, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10 .

 

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in outstanding principal amount of the Securities.

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.1 Duties of Trustee

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default: (i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and (ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this Section 7.1(c) does not limit the effect of Section 7.1(b) hereof;

(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.5 hereof.

(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 7.1 .

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate security or indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

Section 7.2 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

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(f) Except for (i) a default under Section 6.1(1) or Section 6.1(2) hereof, or (ii) any other event of which the Trustee has actual knowledge and which event, with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any default or event unless specifically notified in writing of such event by the Company or any Holder of the Securities.

(g) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action, except to the extent resulting from the Trustee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(h) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(k) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Section 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the TIA) after a Default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

 

Section 7.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent (other than itself as Paying Agent), and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Securities or in the Securities other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.

 

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Section 7.5 Notice of Defaults

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if a Trust Officer has actual knowledge thereof, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default relating to payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Security (including payments pursuant to the redemption or required repurchase provisions of such Security), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its board of directors, the executive committee of its board of directors or a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders.

 

Section 7.6 Reports by Trustee to Holders

(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act §313(a) has occurred within the 12 months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

Section 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity

(a) The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation for its services, which may be set forth in a separate fee agreement between the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, costs of preparing and reviewing reports, certificates and other documents, costs of preparation and mailing of notices to Holders and reasonable costs of counsel retained by the Trustee in connection with the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel or otherwise, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents and counsel. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee (in its individual and trustee capacities) and its officers, directors and agents against any and all loss, liability, claims, action, suit, cost or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of any kind and nature whatsoever incurred by it in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture (including this Section 7.7 ) and of defending itself against any claims (whether asserted by any Holder, the Company or otherwise). The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company is not required to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability claim, again, suit, cost or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

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(b) To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.7 , the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on particular Securities.

(c) The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall survive the discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.1(9) hereof with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Section 7.8 Replacement of Trustee

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.8 .

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company may remove the Trustee if: (i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof; (ii) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent; (iii) a Custodian or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Securities and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

(d) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7 hereof.

(e) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in outstanding principal amount of the Securities may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof after written notice thereto, the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(g) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8 , the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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Section 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger

(a) If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

(b) If at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and if at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

 

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification

The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(a). There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).

 

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

The Trustee shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE VIII

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.1 Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance

(a) Subject to Section 8.1(c) hereof, when (i)(x) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof) for cancellation or (y) all outstanding Securities not theretofore delivered for cancellation have become due and payable at their scheduled maturity or (z) all outstanding Securities not theretofore delivered for cancellation have become scheduled for redemption under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee as a result of the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company in accordance with Article III hereof, (ii) the Company irrevocably deposits or causes to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders money in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants (in the case of Government Securities) without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and

 

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discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of Stated Maturity or redemption, (iii) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums then payable by it under this Indenture and the Securities and (iv) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of such Securities at Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be, then the Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees, on demand of the Company (accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent specified herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with) and at the cost and expense of the Company.

(b) Subject to Section 8.2 hereof, the Company at its option at any time may terminate (i) all its obligations, except as specified in Section 8.1(c) hereof, under the Securities and this Indenture and all obligations of the Guarantors with respect to their Subsidiary Guarantees (“legal defeasance option”), and after giving effect to such legal defeasance, any omission to comply with such obligations shall no longer constitute a Default or Event of Default or (ii) its obligations under Section 4.2 , Section 4.3 , Section 4.4 , Section 4.5 , Section 4.6 , Section 4.7 , Section 4.8 , S ection 4.9 , Section 4.10 and Section 4.11 hereof, except to the extent such obligations are imposed by Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, and clause (a)(4) of Section 5.1 hereof, and the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply with such Sections shall no longer constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.1(3) (solely as it relates to clause (a)(4) of Section 5.1 ) and Section 6.1(4) hereof and the operation of Section 6.1 (5) , Section 6.1(6) , Section 6.1(7) , Section 6.1(8) hereof and (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries) Section 6.1(9) hereof, and the events specified in such Sections shall no longer constitute an Event of Default (this clause (ii) being referred to as the “covenant defeasance option”), but otherwise the remainder of this Indenture and the Securities shall be unaffected thereby. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Guarantor shall be released from its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee as provided in Section 10.9(b) hereof.

If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(4) , Section 6.1(5) , Section 6.1(6) , Section 6.1(7) , Section 6.1(8) hereof and (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries) Section 6.1(9) hereof or the failure of the Company to comply with clause (a)(4) of Section 5.1 hereof.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.1(a) and Section 8.1(b) hereof, the obligations of the Company in Section 2.3 , Section 2.4 , Section 2.5 , Section 2.6 , Section 2.7 , Section 2.9 , Section 7.7 , Section 7.8 hereof, and in this Article VIII shall survive until the Securities have been paid in full. Thereafter, the obligations of the Company in Section 7.7 , Section 8.4 and Section 8.5 hereof shall survive.

 

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Section 8.2 Conditions to Defeasance

The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:

(1) the Company shall have irrevocably deposited with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Securities are being defeased to Stated Maturity or to a particular Redemption Date;

(2) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such legal defeasance option and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such legal defeasance option had not occurred;

(3) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance option and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance option had not occurred;

(4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit or the grant of any Lien securing such borrowings);

(5) such legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound;

(6) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Securities over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and

(7) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, stating that all conditions precedent relating to the legal defeasance option or the covenant defeasance option have been complied with.

 

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Section 8.3 Delivery and Application of Trust Money

The Trustee shall hold in trust money or Government Securities deposited with it pursuant to this Article VIII . It shall apply the deposited money and the money from Government Securities in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal, premium, if any, of and interest on the Securities.

 

Section 8.4 Repayment to Company

The Trustee and each Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or securities held by them upon payment of all the obligations under this Indenture.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities that remains unclaimed for two years (or any such money then held by the Company or any Subsidiary shall be discharged from any trust hereunder), and, thereafter, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as unsecured general creditors; provided, however , that, if any Definitive Securities are then outstanding, the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 8.5 Indemnity for Government Securities

The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited Government Securities or the principal and interest received on such Government Securities.

 

Section 8.6 Reinstatement

If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with this Article VIII by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII until such time as the Trustee or such Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Securities in accordance with this Article VIII ; provided, however , that, if the Company has made any payment in respect of any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 9.1 Without Consent of Holders

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees without notice to or consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect, inconsistency, omission or mistake;

(2) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

(3) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of the Securities in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s properties or assets in compliance with this Indenture;

(4) to add or release Guarantors in compliance with this Indenture;

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders, add Events of Default or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Guarantor or that does not adversely affect in any material respect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder; provided, however, that any change to this Indenture to conform it to the description of the Initial Securities under the caption “Description of the Notes” in the offering memorandum of the Company dated March 23, 2015 relating to the initial offering of the Securities shall not be deemed to adversely affect such legal rights;

(6) to secure the Securities, including pursuant to the requirements of Section 4.5 ;

(7) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(8) to comply with requirements of the Depositary with respect to the Securities;

(9) to provide for the issuance of Exchange Securities or Additional Securities.

 

Section 9.2 With Consent of Holders

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities (including consents obtained in connection with the purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities). Subject to the following sentence, any existing Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities). However, without the consent of each Holder, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

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(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Security or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Securities (other than provisions relating to Section 4.7 or 4.11 or provisions relating to minimum notices required for redemption of Securities described in Article III or in the terms of the Securities );

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Security;

(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, except a Default in payments that have become due solely because of an acceleration of the Securities that has been rescinded;

(5) make any Security payable in a currency other than that stated in the Securities;

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Securities to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (except as permitted by clause (7) below);

(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security (other than a payment required by Section 4.7 or 4.11 );

(8) modify any Subsidiary Guarantee in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Securities or release any Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(9) make any change in the ranking of the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees; or

(10) make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions of this Section 9.2

The consent of the Holders is not necessary under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver. It is sufficient if the consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment or waiver.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to each Holder of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to any or all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of any amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 .

 

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Section 9.3 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

Every amendment to this Indenture, the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

Section 9.4 Notation on or Exchange of Securities

If an amendment or supplement changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms, but the failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment or supplement.

 

Section 9.5 Trustee to Sign Amendments

The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment or supplement the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE X

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

 

Section 10.1 Subsidiary Guarantees

Each Guarantor which is a party hereto or becomes a party hereto by executing and delivering a supplement to this Indenture pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof, jointly and severally, unconditionally Guarantees to each Holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns the full and punctual payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on the Securities when due, whether at Stated Maturity, or upon redemption, required repurchase pursuant to Section 4.7 or Section 4.11 hereof, acceleration or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations owing by the Company under this Indenture (including obligations owing to the Trustee) and the Securities (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Obligations”). The Guarantors further agree that the Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from the Guarantors, and that the Guarantors will remain bound under this Article X notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Obligation.

The Guarantors waive presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Obligations and also waive notice of protest for nonpayment. The Guarantors waive notice of any Default under the Securities or the Obligations. The obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be affected by: (i) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement or otherwise; (ii) any extension or renewal of any Obligation; (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment, modification or supplement of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture (other than this Article X), the Securities or any other agreement; (iv) the release of security, if any, held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Obligations or any of them; (v) the failure of

 

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any Holder or the Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Obligations; (vi) any change in the ownership of the Company; or (vii) any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of the Guarantors or would otherwise operate as a discharge of the Guarantors as a matter of law or equity, except for payment of the Securities in full.

The Guarantors, jointly and severally, further agree that their Subsidiary Guarantees herein constitute a guarantee of payment when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waive any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to security, if any, held for payment of the Obligations.

The obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (except to the extent provided in Section 10.2 hereof), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense, setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Obligations or otherwise.

The Guarantors, jointly and severally, further agree that their Subsidiary Guarantees herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against the Guarantors by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay any Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, required repurchase, acceleration or otherwise, the Guarantors hereby promise to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and (iii) all other monetary Obligations of the Company to the Holders and the Trustee.

The Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Obligations may be accelerated as provided in Article VI for the purposes of the Subsidiary Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article VI , such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purposes of this Section 10.1 .

The Guarantors, jointly and severally, also agree to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.1 .

 

Section 10.2 Limitation on Liability

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Securities, each Holder, hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor not

 

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constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Subsidiary Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article X , result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

Section 10.3 Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee

To evidence its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1 , each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto will be endorsed by manual or facsimile signature by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture (or a supplemental indenture substantially in form of Exhibit E hereof) will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1 will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Security a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee. If an Officer whose facsimile signature is on the Subsidiary Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security on which the Subsidiary Guarantee is endorsed, the Subsidiary Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

In the event that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Restricted Subsidiary (other than Foreign Subsidiaries) after the Issue Date, the Company will comply with the provisions of Section 4.9 hereof.

 

Section 10.4 Successors and Assigns

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.9 hereof, this Article X shall be binding upon the Guarantors and their successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights in accordance with the terms of this Indenture by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Securities shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture, the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees.

 

Section 10.5 No Waiver

Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article X shall operate as a waiver thereof,

 

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nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article X at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

Section 10.6 Right of Contribution

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other Guarantor hereunder who has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. Each Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Article X . The provisions of this Section 10.6 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Trustee and the Holders and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Trustee and the Holders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

 

Section 10.7 No Subrogation

Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by any of the Guarantors hereunder, no Guarantor shall be entitled to exercise any rights of subrogation it may have to any of the rights of the Trustee or any Holder against the Company or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Trustee or any Holder for the payment of the Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Company or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Trustee and the Holders by the Company on account of the Obligations are paid in full. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Trustee and the Holders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Trustee in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Trustee, if required), to be applied against the Obligations.

 

Section 10.8 Modification

No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article X , nor the consent to any departure by the Guarantors therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be made in accordance with Article IX hereof. No notice to or demand on the Guarantors in any case shall entitle the Guarantors to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

 

Section 10.9 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets of a Guarantor; Release of a Guarantor

(a) Except in a transaction resulting in the release of a Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor, the Company shall not permit a Guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the resulting, transferee or surviving Person), another Person (other than the Company or another Guarantor), unless:

(1) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

97


(b) The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released:

(1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation), other than to the Company or another Guarantor, if such transaction as of the time of such disposition complies with Section 4.7 hereof;

(2) in connection with any sale or other disposition of the Capital Stock of a Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) other than to the Company or another Guarantor, if such transaction as of the time of such disposition complies with Section 4.7 hereof and the Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such transaction;

(3) if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

(4) if the Company exercises either its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option in accordance with Section 8.1(b) hereof or if it satisfies and discharges this Indenture in accordance with Section 8.1(a) hereof; or

(5) unless a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at such time as such Guarantor ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Company or any other Guarantor under a Credit Facility.

(c) Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that any of the conditions described in clauses (1)-(5) of Section 10.9(b) has occurred, the Trustee shall execute any supplemental indenture or other documents reasonably requested by the Company in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and this Indenture.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 11.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act (or in any other indenture qualified thereunder), the provision required by the Trust Indenture Act shall control.

 

Section 11.2 Notices

Any notice or communication shall be in writing in the English language and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail, telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, addressed as follows (unless the Company and the Trustee agree to another method of delivery):

if to the Company or the Guarantors:

Rice Energy Inc.

400 Woodcliff Drive

Canonburg, Pennsylvania 15317

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile: (724) 746-6725

 

98


if to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

750 N. Saint Paul Place

Suite 1750

Dallas, Texas 75201

Facsimile: (214) 756-7401

Attention: Patrick Giordano

The Company or the Guarantors, by notice to the Trustee, or the Trustee by notice to the Company and the Guarantors, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be delivered to the Holder at the Holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given; at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; (other than those sent to Holders) when answered back, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is delivered in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

Section 11.3 Communication by Holders with Other Holders

Holders may communicate pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of the Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

 

Section 11.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall, if requested, furnish to the Trustee: (i) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

99


Section 11.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include: (i) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

 

Section 11.6 When Securities Disregarded

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

 

Section 11.7 Legal Holidays

A “Legal Holiday” is a day that is not a Business Day. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees, if a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

 

Section 11.8 Governing Law

THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES.

 

Section 11.9 Force Majeure

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

100


Section 11.10  No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Shareholders

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Securities, this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees, any Registration Rights Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

Section 11.11  Successors

All agreements of the Company and (except as otherwise provided in Section 10.9 hereof) the Guarantors in this Indenture, the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

Section 11.12  Multiple Originals; Counterparts

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture. This Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 11.13  Severability

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 11.14  Table of Contents; Headings

The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

Section 11.15  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 11.16  Acts of Holders

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by the Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing, and may be given or obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, outstanding Securities; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when

 

101


such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company if made in the manner provided in this Section 11.16 .

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such witness, notary or officer the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 11.16 , the principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any Holder, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the register of the Securities maintained by the Registrar as provided in Section 2.3 .

(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of the Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at their option, by or pursuant to a resolution of its Board of Directors, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith or the date of the most recent list of Holders forwarded to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.5 and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the then outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the then outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration or transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

102


(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so itself with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

(g) For purposes of this Indenture, any action by the Holders which may be taken in writing may be taken by electronic means or as otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Section 11.17  U.S.A. PATRIOT Act

The parties acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

[Signatures on following pages]

 

103


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

RICE ENERGY INC.
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer
GUARANTORS:
RICE ENERGY APPALACHIA, LLC
RICE DRILLING B LLC
RICE DRILLING C LLC
RICE DRILLING D LLC
RICE MARKETING LLC
RICE ENERGY MARKETING LLC
BLUE TIGER OILFIELD SERVICES LLC
ALPHA SHALE HOLDINGS, LLC
ALPHA SHALE RESOURCES, LP
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Indenture


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
By:

/s/ Patrick Giordano

Name: Patrick Giordano
Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to Indenture


EXHIBIT A

[FACE OF SECURITY]

[Insert the Global Security Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1


RICE ENERGY INC.

7.25% SENIOR NOTE DUE 2023

CUSIP NO. [762760 AC0] 1

[U76467 AB2] 2

[762760 AD8] 3

 

No.     Principal Amount $        

RICE ENERGY INC., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to            , or registered assigns, the principal sum of             dollars on May 1, 2023[, or such other principal amount as is indicated on the attached schedule] 4 .

Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1, commencing November 1, 2015.

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15.

 

1   For Securities sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
2   For Securities sold in reliance on Regulation S.
3   For Unrestricted Securities.
4   For Global Securities.

 

A-2


RICE ENERGY INC.
By:

 

Name:
Title:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the
Securities referred to in the Indenture.
By:

 

Authorized Signatory
Dated:             ,20    

 

A-3


[BACK OF SECURITY]

RICE ENERGY INC.

7.25% SENIOR NOTE DUE 2023

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

1. Interest . Rice Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the outstanding principal amount of this Security at the rate of 7.25% per annum. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), provided , that the first Interest Payment Date shall be November 1, 2015. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Security is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date. The Company will pay, to the extent lawful, interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate then in effect; it will pay, to the extent lawful, interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate as on overdue principal. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

2. Method of Payment . The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except Defaulted Interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Securities at the close of business on the April 15 or October 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Securities are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture with respect to Defaulted Interest. The Securities will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Paying Agent maintained for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed by such Paying Agent to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, and premium, if any, on all Global Securities and all other Securities, the Holders of which hold at least $5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Securities and have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company and the Paying Agent to an account located in the United States of America. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Holders must surrender their Securities to the Paying Agent to collect payments of principal and premium, if any.

3. Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder, and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar, all in accordance with the Indenture.

4. Indenture . The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2015 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the Trustee. The

 

A-1


terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Security conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling (to the extent permitted by law). The Securities are unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company initially has issued $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Securities. The Company may issue Additional Securities under the Indenture, subject to Section 4.3 of the Indenture.

5. Redemption .

(a) On and after May 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Securities at any time or from time to time at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities, if any, to the applicable Redemption Date, if redeemed during the 12- month period beginning May 1 of the years indicated:

 

Year

   Redemption
Price
 

2018

     105.438

2019

     103.625

2020

     101.813

2021 and thereafter

     100.000

(b) Prior to May 1, 2018, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem up to an aggregate amount equal to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (including Additional Securities) originally issued prior to the Redemption Date under the Indenture in an amount not greater than the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings at a Redemption Price of 107.250% of the principal amount of the Securities, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided , that (i) at least 65% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities (including any Additional Securities) originally issued remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Securities held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of the related Equity Offering.

(c) In addition, at any time prior to May 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or part of the Securities at a Redemption Price equal to the sum of:

(i) the principal amount thereof, plus

(ii) the Make Whole Premium at the Redemption Date, plus

accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date.

(d) Following certain Change of Control Offers, the Company may redeem all of the Securities that remain outstanding, at the Redemption Price and subject to the terms and conditions, set forth in Section 4.11(i) of the Indenture.

 

A-2


6. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The Securities are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Securities may be registered and Securities may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar or the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any transfer tax or similar governmental charge or other fee required by law and payable in connection therewith. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Security or portion of a Security selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Securities for a period of 15 days before the day of any selection of Securities to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

7. Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of a Security may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

8. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver . Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture and the Securities may be amended or supplemented with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Securities, and any existing Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Securities may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Securities. Without the consent of any Holder of a Security, the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Securities may be amended or supplemented with respect to certain matters specified in the Indenture.

9. Defaults . If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all the Securities may be declared (or will become) due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

10. Defeasance . The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Security and (ii) certain restrictive covenants and the related Events of Default, subject to compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture, which provisions apply to this Security.

11. Authentication . This Security will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent.

12. Abbreviations . Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=Custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

13. [ Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Securities and Restricted Definitive Securities . In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Securities under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Securities and Restricted Definitive Securities will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2015, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof.]*

 

 

*   Delete for Exchange Security

 

A-3


14. CUSIP Numbers . Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities and the Trustee may use CUSIP, ISIN or similar numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture [and/or the Registration Rights Agreement].* Requests may be made to:

Rice Energy Inc.

400 Woodcliff Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

Attention: General Counsel

 

* Delete for Additional Securities.

 

A-4


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Security to:                                         

(Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I. D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                  

to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:

 

Your Signature:

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Security)

 

Signature Guarantee:*

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-5


Option of Holder to Elect Purchase

If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.7 or Section 4.11 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨    Section 4.7              ¨    Section 4.11

If you want to elect to have only part of the Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.7 or Section 4.11 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$        

Date:

 

Your Signature:

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Security)
Tax Identification No.:

 

 

Signature Guarantee:*

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-6


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL SECURITY

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of

Decrease in

Principal

Amount of this

Global Security

  

Amount of

Increase in

Principal

Amount of this

Global Security

  

Principal

Amount of this

Global Security

Following such

Decrease or

Increase

  

Signature of

Authorized

Officer of

Trustee or

Securities

Custodian

           
           
           
           

 

A-7


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Rice Energy Inc.

400 Woodcliff Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

750 N. Saint Paul Place

Suite 1750

Dallas, Texas 75201

Re: Rice Energy Inc. 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023

CUSIP [ 762760 AC0 ] 1 [ U76467 AB2 ] 2

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2015 (the “Indenture”), among Rice Energy Inc., as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “ Transferor ”) owns and proposes to transfer the Security[ies] or beneficial interest in such Security[ies] in the principal amount of $         (the “ Transfer ”), to          (the “ Transferee ”). In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Security or a Restricted Definitive Security pursuant to Rule 144A . The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Security is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Security for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Security will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Security and/or the Restricted Definitive Security and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Security or a Restricted Definitive Security pursuant to Regulation S .

 

1   For Securities sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
2 For Securities sold in reliance on Regulation S.

 

B-1


The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the Transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the Transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Security will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Security and/or the Restricted Definitive Security and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security or a Restricted Definitive Security pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S . The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Securities and Restricted Definitive Securities and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act (other than Rule 144A or Regulation S) and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

4. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security or of an Unrestricted Definitive Security .

(a) ¨ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144 . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Security will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Securities, on Restricted Definitive Securities and in the Indenture.

(b) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Security will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Securities, on Restricted Definitive Securities and in the Indenture.

 

B-2


(c) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Security will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Securities or Restricted Definitive Securities and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:

 

Name:
Title:

Dated:

 

B-3


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Rice Energy Inc.

400 Woodcliff Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

750 N. Saint Paul Place

Suite 1750

Dallas, Texas 75201

Re: Rice Energy Inc. 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023

CUSIP [ 762760 AC0 ] 1 [ U76467 AB2 ] 2

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among Rice Energy Inc., as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “ Owner ”) owns and proposes to exchange the Security[ies] or beneficial interest in such Security[ies] specified herein, in the principal amount of $         (the “ Exchange ”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Securities or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Security for Unrestricted Definitive Securities or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Security

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Securities and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security to Unrestricted Definitive Security . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security for an Unrestricted Definitive

 

1   For Securities sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
2   For Securities sold in reliance on Regulation S.

 

C-1


Security, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Security is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Securities and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Security is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Security to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security . In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Security for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Securities and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in

order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(d) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Security to Unrestricted Definitive Security . In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Security for an Unrestricted Definitive Security, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Security is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Securities and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Security is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Securities or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Securities for Restricted Definitive Securities or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Securities

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security to Restricted Definitive Security . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security for a Restricted Definitive Security with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Security is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Security issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Security and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Security to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Security for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ¨ 144A Global Security, ¨ Regulation S Global Security with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without

 

C-2


transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Securities and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Security and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:

 

Name:
Title:

Dated:

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF NOTATION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE

For value received, the undersigned Guarantor (which term includes any successor to such Guarantor under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, with each other Guarantor, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture dated as of March 26, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”) among Rice Energy Inc. (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the full and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities (as defined in the Indenture) when due, whether at Stated Maturity, or upon redemption, required repurchase pursuant to Section 4.7 or Section 4.11 of the Indenture, acceleration or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations owing by the Company under the Indenture (including obligations owing to the Trustee) and the Securities, all as more fully provided in Article X of the Indenture. The obligations of the undersigned Guarantor to the Holders of Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article X of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Subsidiary Guarantee. Each Holder of a Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions and (b) appoints the Trustee attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose; provided, however, that each Subsidiary Guarantee is subject to release in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

 

 

[NAME OF GUARANTOR(s)]
By:

 

Name:
Title:

 

D-1


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY FUTURE GUARANTORS

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of             , 20     , among [Name of Future Guarantor(s)] (the “ New Guarantor ”), a subsidiary of Rice Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation [or its permitted successor] (the “ Company ”), the existing Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein), the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to herein (the “ Trustee ”). The New Guarantor and the existing Guarantors are sometimes referred to collectively herein as the “ Guarantors ,” or individually as a “ Guarantor .”

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company and the existing Guarantors have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “ Indenture ”), dated as of March 26, 2015, relating to the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “ Securities ”) of the Company;

WHEREAS, Section 4.9 of the Indenture in certain circumstances requires the Company to cause a newly acquired or created Restricted Subsidiary (i) to become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture and (ii) to deliver an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee as provided in such Section; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Indenture, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to amend or supplement the Indenture without the consent of any Holder;

NOW THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Guarantor, the other Guarantors, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities as follows:

1. C APITALIZED T ERMS . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. A GREEMENT TO G UARANTEE . The New Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally, with all other Guarantors, to unconditionally Guarantee to each Holder and to the Trustee the Obligations, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture. The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article X of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Subsidiary Guarantees.

3. E XECUTION AND D ELIVERY . The New Guarantor agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Security a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee.

4. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

E-1


5. C OUNTERPARTS . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument.

6. E FFECT OF H EADINGS . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

7. T HE T RUSTEE . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Supplemental Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.

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

Dated:             , 20    

 

[NEW GUARANTOR]
By:

 

Name:
Title:
[OTHER GUARANTORS]
By:

 

Name:
Title:
RICE ENERGY INC.
By:

 

Name:
Title:

 

E-2


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:

   

Authorized Signatory

 

E-3

Exhibit 4.3

Execution Version

$400,000,000

RICE ENERGY INC.

7.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

March 26, 2015

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.

COMERICA SECURITIES, INC.

CAPITAL ONE SECURITIES INC.

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY INC.

FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, INC.

 

c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

550 South Tryon Street, 6th Floor

Charlotte, NC 28202

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Rice Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuer ”), proposes to issue and sell to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Comerica Securities, Inc., Capital One Securities Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Inc. and Fifth Third Securities, Inc. (collectively, the “ Initial Purchasers ”), upon the terms set forth in a purchase agreement dated March 23, 2015 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “ Initial Securities ”) to be unconditionally guaranteed (the “ Guarantees ”) by certain of the Issuer’s subsidiaries who are signatories hereto as guarantors (collectively, the “ Guarantors ” and together with the Issuer, the “ Company ”). The Initial Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “ Trustee ”). As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers, the Company agrees with the Initial Purchasers, for the benefit of the holders of the Initial Securities (including, without limitation, the Initial Purchasers), the Exchange Securities (as defined below) and the Private Exchange Securities (as defined below) (collectively, the “ Holders ”), as follows:

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

 

1


If the Company commences the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company will be entitled to close the Registered Exchange Offer 30 days after the commencement thereof provided that the Company has accepted all the Initial Securities theretofore validly tendered, and not withdrawn, in accordance with the terms of the Registered Exchange Offer.

Following the declaration of the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly commence the Registered Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to enable each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities electing to exchange the Initial Securities for Exchange Securities (assuming that such Holder is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, acquires the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder’s business and has no arrangements or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Securities and is not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer) to trade such Exchange Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the Securities Act and without material restrictions under the securities laws of the several states of the United States; provided, however , that the Exchanging Dealers (as defined below) will be required to deliver a prospectus in connection with resales of Exchange Securities.

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

 

2


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

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

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

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

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

(c) utilize the services of a depositary for the Registered Exchange Offer, which may be the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee;

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

(e) otherwise comply with all applicable laws.

 

3


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

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

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

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

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

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

Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Company will ensure that (i) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any prospectus forming part thereof and any supplement thereto comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto do not, when they become effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (iii) any prospectus forming part of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and any supplement to such prospectus, do not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

4


2. Shelf Registration. If, (i) because of any change in law or in applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the Commission, the Company is not permitted to effect a Registered Exchange Offer, as contemplated by Section 1 hereof, (ii) the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated within 365 days of the Issue Date, (iii) any Initial Purchaser so requests with respect to the Initial Securities (or the Private Exchange Securities) not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange Securities in the Registered Exchange Offer and held by it following consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer or (iv) any Holder (other than an Exchanging Dealer) is not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer or, in the case of any Holder (other than an Exchanging Dealer) that participates in the Registered Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive freely tradeable Exchange Securities on the date of the exchange, the Company shall take the following actions:

(a) The Company shall, at its cost, as promptly as practicable (but in no event more than 30 days after so required or requested pursuant to this Section 2 ) file with the Commission and thereafter shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared effective (unless it becomes effective automatically upon filing) a registration statement (the “ Shelf Registration Statement ” and, together with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a “ Registration Statement ”) on an appropriate form under the Securities Act relating to the offer and sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement and Rule 415 under the Securities Act (hereinafter, the “ Shelf Registration ”) on or prior to the 365th day following the Issue Date in the case of clauses (i) or (ii) above and on or prior to the 180th day after the date on which the Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed in the case of clauses (iii) and (iv) above; provided, however, that no Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser) shall be entitled to have the Securities held by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement unless such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder.

(b) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, in order to permit the prospectus included therein to be lawfully delivered by the Holders of the relevant Securities, for a period of two years (or for such longer period if extended pursuant to Section 3(j) below) from the date of its effectiveness or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement (i) have been sold pursuant thereto or (ii) may be sold without any limitations by non-affiliates of the Company under clause (d)(l)(i) of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or any successor rule thereof, provided, however, that the six month period shall be replaced with one year) (the “ Shelf Registration Period ”). The Company shall be deemed not to have used its reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective during the Shelf Registration Period if it voluntarily takes any action that would result in Holders of Securities covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such Securities during that period, unless such action is required by applicable law.

 

5


(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall cause (i) the Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any related prospectus and any supplement thereto, as of the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement, amendment or supplement, to comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) the Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (iii) the prospectus related to the Shelf Registration Statement, and any supplement to such prospectus, not to include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

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

(a) The Company shall (i) furnish to each Initial Purchaser, prior to the filing thereof with the Commission, a copy of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereof and each supplement, if any, to the prospectus included therein and, in the event that an Initial Purchaser (with respect to any portion of an unsold allotment from the original offering) is participating in the Registered Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as such Initial Purchaser reasonably may propose; (ii) include the information set forth in Annex A hereto on the cover, in Annex B hereto in the “Exchange Offer Procedures” section and the “Purpose of the Exchange Offer” section and in Annex C hereto in the “Plan of Distribution” section of the prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and include the information set forth in Annex D hereto in the Letter of Transmittal delivered pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer; (iii) if requested by an Initial Purchaser, include the information required by Items 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable, in the prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; (iv) include within the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the Commission with respect to the potential “underwriter” status of any broker-dealer that is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”) of Exchange Securities received by such broker-dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer (a “ Participating Broker-Dealer ”), whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the staff of the Commission or such positions or policies, in the reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchasers based upon advice of counsel (which may be in-house counsel), represent the prevailing views of the staff of the Commission; and (v) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, include in the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement (or, if permitted by Commission Rule 430B(b), in a prospectus supplement that becomes a part thereof pursuant to Commission Rule 430B(f)) that is delivered to any Holder pursuant to Section 3(d) and (f), the names of the Holders, who propose to sell Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as selling securityholders.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c) The Company shall make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal at the earliest possible time, of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

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

 

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(e) The Company shall deliver to each Initial Purchaser, and to any other Holder who so requests, without charge, at least one copy of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if any Initial Purchaser or any such Holder requests, all exhibits thereto (including those incorporated by reference).

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

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

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

(i) To the extent the Securities are not in book-entry form, the Company shall cooperate with the Holders of the Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Securities to be sold pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders may request a reasonable period of time prior to sales of the Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

(p) In the case of any Shelf Registration, the Company shall (i) make reasonably available for inspection by the Holders of the Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the Holders of the Securities or any such underwriter all relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and (ii) cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, accountants and auditors to supply all relevant information reasonably requested by the Holders of the Securities or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, as shall be reasonably necessary to enable such persons, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act; provided, however , that the foregoing inspection and information gathering shall be coordinated on behalf of the Initial Purchasers by you and on behalf of the other parties, by one counsel designated by and on behalf of such other parties as described in Section 4 hereof; provided further , however, that any information that is designated in writing by the Company, in good faith, as confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by the Holders or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or other agent, unless such disclosure is made in connection with a court proceeding or required by law, or such information is or becomes available to the public generally or through a third party without, to the knowledge of any recipient of confidential information, an accompanying obligation of confidentiality or is independently developed.

(q) In the case of any Shelf Registration, the Company, if requested by any Holder of the Securities covered thereby, shall cause (i) its counsel to deliver an opinion and updates thereof relating to the Securities in customary form addressed to such Holders and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof and dated, in the case of the initial opinion, the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement (it being agreed that the matters to be covered by such opinion shall include, without limitation, the due incorporation or organization and good standing of the Company and its subsidiaries; the

 

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qualification of the Company and its subsidiaries to transact business as foreign corporations or other business entities; the due authorization, execution and delivery of the relevant agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(o) hereof; the due authorization, execution, authentication and issuance, and the validity and enforceability, of the applicable Securities; the absence of material legal or governmental proceedings involving the Company and its subsidiaries; the absence of governmental approvals required to be obtained in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the offering and sale of the applicable Securities, or any agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(o) hereof; the compliance as to form of such Shelf Registration Statement and any documents incorporated by reference therein and of the Indenture with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act, respectively; and (A) as of the date of the opinion and as of the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement or most recent post-effective amendment thereto, as the case may be, the absence from such Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, as then amended or supplemented, and from any documents incorporated by reference therein and (B) as of an applicable time identified by such Holders or managing underwriters, the absence from such prospectus taken together with any other documents identified by such Holders or managing underwriters, in the case of (A) and (B), of an untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any such incorporated documents, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time that such documents were filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act)); (ii) its officers to execute and deliver all customary documents and certificates and updates thereof requested by any underwriters of the applicable Securities and (iii) its independent public accountants and the independent public accountants with respect to any other entity for which financial information is provided in the Shelf Registration Statement to provide to the selling Holders of the applicable Securities and any underwriter therefor a comfort letter in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in comfort letters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, subject to receipt of appropriate documentation as contemplated, and only if permitted, by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 72.

(r) In the case of the Registered Exchange Offer, if requested by any Initial Purchaser or any known Participating Broker-Dealer, the Company shall cause (i) its counsel to deliver to such Initial Purchaser or such Participating Broker-Dealer signed opinions in the form set forth in Sections 7(c) and 7(d) of the Purchase Agreement with such changes as are customary in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement and (ii) its independent public accountants and the independent public accountants with respect to any other entity for which financial information is provided in the Registration Statement to deliver to such Initial Purchaser or such Participating Broker-Dealer a comfort letter, in customary form, meeting the requirements as to the substance thereof as set forth in Sections 7(f), 7(g) and 7(i) of the Purchase Agreement, with appropriate date changes.

(s) If a Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Initial Securities by Holders to the Company (or to such other person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange Securities

 

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or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall mark, or cause to be marked, on the Initial Securities so exchanged that such Initial Securities are being canceled in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be; in no event shall the Initial Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

(t) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to (a) if the Initial Securities have been rated prior to the initial sale of such Initial Securities, confirm such ratings will apply to the Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, or (b) if the Initial Securities were not previously rated, cause the Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, but in each case only if so requested by Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities covered by such Registration Statement, or by the managing underwriters, if any.

(u) In the event that any broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act shall underwrite any Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or “assist in the distribution” (within the meaning of the Conduct Rules (the “ Rules ”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“ FINRA ”)) thereof, whether as a Holder of such Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise, the Company will assist such broker-dealer in complying with the requirements of such Rules, including, without limitation, by (i) if such Rules, including Rule 2720, shall so require, engaging a “qualified independent underwriter” (as defined in Rule 2720) to participate in the preparation of the Registration Statement relating to such Securities, to exercise usual standards of due diligence in respect thereto and, if any portion of the offering contemplated by such Registration Statement is an underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent, to recommend the yield of such Securities, (ii) indemnifying any such qualified independent underwriter to the extent of the indemnification of underwriters provided in Section 5 hereof and (iii) providing such information to such broker-dealer as may be required in order for such broker-dealer to comply with the requirements of the Rules.

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

4. Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations under Sections 1 through 3 hereof (including the reasonable fees and expenses, if any, of counsel for the Initial Purchasers incurred in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer), whether or not the Registered Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective, and, in the event of a Shelf Registration, shall bear or reimburse the Holders of the Securities covered thereby for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm of counsel designated by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Initial Securities covered thereby to act as counsel for the Holders of the Initial Securities in connection therewith. Each Holder shall be responsible for paying all underwriting discounts and commissions, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

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5. Indemnification.

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

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

 

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or any such controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such Guarantor, their directors and officers or any such controlling person in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that such Holder may otherwise have to the Company, any Guarantor, their directors and officers or any such controlling person.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 5 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including a governmental investigation), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 5 , notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have under subsection (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 5 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action, and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsections (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other from the exchange of the Securities, pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such

 

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losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand or such Holder or such other indemnified party, as the case may be, on the other, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection (d). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5(d) , the Holders of the Securities shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such Holders from the sale of the Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds the amount of damages which such Holders have otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this subsection (d), each person, if any, who controls such indemnified party within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such indemnified party and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Guarantor within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company and the Guarantors.

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

6. Additional Interest Under Certain Circumstances.

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

(i) If obligated to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to (A)  Sections 2(i)-(ii)  above, the Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission (or become effective automatically) on or prior to the 365th day after the Issue Date, or (B)  Sections 2(iii-iv) above, the Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission (or become effective automatically) on or prior to the 180th day after the date on which the Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed;

(ii) If the Registered Exchange Offer has not been consummated on or before the 365th day after the Issue Date; or

 

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(iii) If after either the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement is declared (or becomes automatically) effective (A) such Registration Statement thereafter ceases to be effective during the periods specified in Sections 1 and 2, as applicable; or (B) such Registration Statement or the related prospectus ceases to be usable (except as permitted in subsection (b)) in connection with resales of Transfer Restricted Securities during the periods specified herein because either (1) any event occurs as a result of which the related prospectus forming part of such Registration Statement would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, (2) it shall be necessary to amend such Registration Statement or supplement the related prospectus, to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder, or (3) such Registration Statement is a Shelf Registration Statement that has expired before a replacement Shelf Registration Statement has become effective.

Additional Interest shall accrue on the Initial Securities over and above the interest set forth in the title of the Securities from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all such Registration Defaults have been cured. In the event such Registration Defaults are not previously cured, all Registration Defaults shall be cured on the date that each Security is no longer a Transfer Restricted Security. The rate of the Additional Interest will be 0.25% per year for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a Registration Default, and such rate will increase by an additional 0.25% per year with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum Additional Interest rate of 1.00% per year. The Issuer will pay such Additional Interest on regular interest payment dates. Such Additional Interest will be in addition to any other interest payable from time to time with respect to the Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities. The Company will not be required to pay Additional Interest for more than one Registration Default at any given time. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of Additional Interest will cease and the interest rate will revert to the original rate, 7.25%. The Additional Interest due pursuant to this Section 6(a) shall be the sole remedy for any Registration Default.

(b) A Registration Default referred to in Section 6(a)(iii)(B) hereof shall be deemed not to have occurred and be continuing in relation to a Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus if (i) such Registration Default has occurred solely as a result of (x) the filing of a post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement to incorporate annual audited financial information with respect to the Company where such post-effective amendment is not yet effective and needs to be declared effective to permit Holders to use the related prospectus or (y) other material events, with respect to the Company that would need to be described in such Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus and (ii) in the case of clause (y), the Company is proceeding promptly and in good faith to amend or supplement such Shelf Registration Statement and related prospectus to describe such events; provided, however, that in any case if such Registration Default occurs for a continuous period in excess of 60 days, Additional Interest shall be payable in accordance with the above paragraph from the day such Registration Default would have been deemed to occur but for this Section 6(b) until such Registration Default is cured.

 

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

(d) “ Transfer Restricted Securities ” means each Security until (i) the date on which such Transfer Restricted Security has been exchanged by a person other than a broker-dealer for a freely transferable Exchange Security in the Registered Exchange Offer, (ii) following the exchange by a broker-dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer of an Initial Security for an Exchange Security, the date on which such Exchange Security is sold to a purchaser who receives from such broker-dealer on or prior to the date of such sale a copy of the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (iii) the date on which such Initial Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement or (iv) the date on which such Initial Securities are distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or are saleable by non-affiliates of the Company pursuant to Rule 144(d)(l)(i) under the Securities Act, provided, however, that the six month period shall be replaced with one year.

7. Rules 144 and 144A. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner and, if at any time the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder of Initial Securities, make publicly available other information so long as necessary to permit sales of their securities pursuant to Rules 144 and 144A. The Company covenants that it will take such further action as any Holder of Initial Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Initial Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rules 144 and 144A (including the requirements of Rule 144A(d)(4)). The Company will provide a copy of this Agreement to prospective purchasers of Initial Securities identified to the Company by the Initial Purchasers upon request. Upon the request of any Holder of Initial Securities, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to register any of its securities pursuant to the Exchange Act.

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

 

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

9. Miscellaneous.

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

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

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

(ii) if to the Initial Purchasers :

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

550 South Tryon Street, 6th Floor

Charlotte, NC 28202

with a copy to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

600 Travis Street, Suite 3300

Houston, TX 77002

Fax No.:      (713) 835-3601

Attention:    Matt Pacey

(iii) if to the Company:

Rice Energy Inc.

400 Woodcliff Drive

Canonsburg, PA 15317

Fax No.:      (832) 708-3445

Attention:    General Counsel

with a copy to:

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

2300 First City Tower

1001 Fannin Street

Houston, TX 77002

Fax No.:      (713) 615-5725

Attention:    Doug McWilliams

 

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

Unless otherwise indicated, all references herein to “days” are to calendar days.

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

(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Issuer, the Guarantors and their respective successors and assigns.

(e) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

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

(g) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

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

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

 

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(j) Submission to Jurisdiction. By the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Issuer and each Guarantor submit to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any competent federal or state court in the City and State of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or brought under federal or state securities laws.

[Signature pages follow.]

 

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

 

Very truly yours,
RICE ENERGY INC.
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer

RICE ENERGY APPALACHIA , LLC

RICE DRILLING B LLC

RICE DRILLING C LLC

RICE DRILLING D LLC

RICE MARKETING LLC

RICE ENERGY MARKETING LLC

BLUE TIGER OILFIELD SERVICES LLC

ALPHA SHALE HOLDINGS , LLC

ALPHA SHALE RESOURCES, LP

By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.

COMERICA SECURITIES, INC.

CAPITAL ONE SECURITIES INC.

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY INC.

FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, INC.

By:

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC, on

behalf of itself and as representative of the Initial Purchasers,

By:

/s/ Daniel Morris

Name: Daniel Morris
Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


ANNEX A

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

 

Annex A - 1


ANNEX B

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

 

Annex B - 1


ANNEX C

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities received in exchange for Initial Securities where such Initial Securities were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the effective date of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, it will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until                     , 20   (90 days after the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer), all dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange Securities may be required to deliver a prospectus.

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

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

 

Annex C - 1


ANNEX D

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

 

Name:

 

Address:

 

 

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

 

Annex D - 1

Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

$400,000,000

RICE ENERGY INC.

7.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

March 23, 2015

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

As Representative of the several

Initial Purchasers named in Schedule I attached hereto

c/o 550 South Tryon Street

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Rice Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement (this “ Agreement ”), to issue and sell to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“ Wells Fargo ”) and the other several initial purchasers named in Schedule I hereto (the “ Initial Purchasers ”), for whom Wells Fargo is acting as representative (in such capacity, the “ Representative ”), $400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “ Notes ”). The Notes will (i) have terms and provisions that are summarized in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Offering Memorandum (as defined below), and (ii) are to be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the “ Indenture ”) to be entered into among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined below) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”). The Company’s obligations under the Notes, including the due and punctual payment of interest on the Notes, will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis (the “ Guarantees ”) by the guarantors listed in Schedule II hereto (together the “ Guarantors ”). As used herein, the term “Notes” shall include the Guarantees, unless the context otherwise requires. This Agreement is to confirm the agreement concerning the purchase of the Notes from the Company by the Initial Purchasers.

The Company and the Guarantors are referred to collectively herein as the “ Company Parties ” and, individually, as a “ Company Party .” The Company and all of its subsidiaries (including the Guarantors) are referred to collectively herein as the “ Company Entities ” and, individually, as a “ Company Entity .”

1. Purchase and Resale of the Notes . The Notes will be offered and sold to the Initial Purchasers without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), in reliance on an exemption pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act. The Company Parties have prepared a preliminary offering memorandum, dated March 23, 2015 (the “ Preliminary Offering Memorandum ”), a pricing term sheet substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule III (the “ Pricing Term Sheet ”) setting forth the terms of the Notes omitted from the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and an offering memorandum, dated March 23, 2015 (the “ Offering Memorandum ”), setting forth information regarding the Company


Parties, the Notes, and the Exchange Notes (as defined herein), the Guarantees and the Exchange Guarantees (as defined herein). The Preliminary Offering Memorandum, as supplemented and amended as of the Applicable Time (as defined below), together with the Pricing Term Sheet and any of the documents listed on Schedule IV(A) hereto are collectively referred to as the “ Pricing Disclosure Package ”. The Company Parties hereby confirm that they have authorized the use of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum in connection with the offering and resale of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers. “ Applicable Time ” means 3:30 pm (New York City time) on the date of this Agreement.

Any reference to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum shall be deemed to refer to and include the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and all documents filed subsequent to December 31, 2014 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), on or prior to the date of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, as the case may be. Any reference to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, as the case may be, as amended or supplemented, as of any specified date, shall be deemed to include any documents filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, as the case may be, and prior to such specified date. All documents filed under the Exchange Act and so deemed to be included in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, as the case may be, or any amendment or supplement thereto are hereinafter called the “ Exchange Act Reports ”.

You have advised the Company that you will offer and resell (the “ Exempt Resales ”) the Notes purchased by you hereunder on the terms set forth in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, solely to (i) persons whom you reasonably believe to be “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“ QIBs ”), and (ii) outside the United States to certain persons who are not U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”)) (such persons, “ Non-U.S. Persons ”) in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S. As used herein, the terms “offshore transaction” and “United States” have the meanings assigned to them in Regulation S. Those persons specified in clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to herein as “ Eligible Purchasers ”.

Holders (including subsequent transferees) of the Notes will have the registration rights set forth in the registration rights agreement having substantially the terms described in the Pricing Disclosure Package (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”) among the Company Parties and the Initial Purchasers to be dated the Closing Date (as defined herein), for so long as such Notes constitute “ Transfer Restricted Securities ” (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company Parties will agree to file with the Commission under the circumstances set forth therein, a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the Company’s 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “ Exchange Notes ”) and the Guarantors’ Exchange Guarantees (the “ Exchange Guarantees ”) to be offered in exchange for the Notes and the Guarantees. Such portion of the offering is referred to as the “ Exchange Offer ”.

 

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2. Representations and Warranties of the Company Parties . Each of the Company Parties, jointly and severally, represent and warrant as follows:

(a) Rule 144A Eligibility . When the Notes and Guarantees are issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, such Notes and Guarantees will not be of the same class (within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act) as securities of the Company Parties that are listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act or that are quoted in a United States automated inter-dealer quotation system.

(b) Registration Exemption. Assuming the accuracy of your representations and warranties in Section 3(b), the purchase and resale of the Notes pursuant hereto (including pursuant to the Exempt Resales) are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

(c) No General Solicitation . No form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act (including, but not limited to, advertisements, articles, notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine or similar medium or broadcast over television or radio, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising) was used by the Company Parties, or any person acting on behalf of the Company Parties (other than you, as to whom the Company Parties make no representation) in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes.

(d) No Directed Selling Efforts. No directed selling efforts within the meaning of Rule 902 under the Securities Act were used by the Company Parties or any of their respective representatives (other than you, as to whom the Company Parties make no representation) with respect to Notes sold outside the United States to Non-U.S. Persons, and the Company, any affiliate of the Company and any person acting on its or their behalf (other than you, as to whom the Company Parties make no representation) has complied with and will implement the “offering restrictions” required by Rule 902 under the Securities Act.

(e) Information Requirement. Each of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, each as of (x) its respective date (or in the case of the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time) and (y) the Closing Date, contains all the information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(f) No Integration . None of the Company Parties or any other person acting on behalf of the Company Parties has sold or issued any securities that would be integrated with the offering of the Notes contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the Securities Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or the interpretations thereof by the Commission.

 

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(g) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in the Offering Memorandum. The Offering Memorandum will not, as of its date or as of the Closing Date, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Offering Memorandum in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(e).

(h) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in the Pricing Disclosure Package. The Pricing Disclosure Package did not, as of the Applicable Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(e).

(i) Free Writing Offering Document . The Company has not made any offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” (if the offering of the Notes was made pursuant to a registered offering under the Securities Act), as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act (a “ Free Writing Offering Document ”) without the prior consent of the Representative; any such Free Writing Offering Document the use of which has been previously consented to by the Initial Purchasers is listed on Schedule IV . Each Free Writing Offering Document listed in Schedule IV(B) hereto, when taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, did not, as of the Applicable Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from such Free Writing Offering Document listed in Schedule IV(B) hereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(e).

(j) Organization and Good Standing . Each of the Company Entities has been duly organized, is validly existing and in good standing as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and is duly qualified to do business and in good standing as a foreign corporation or other business entity in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its businesses requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to (A) have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, stockholders’ equity, properties, business or prospects of the Company Entities taken as a whole or (B) materially impair the ability of the Company Parties to perform their

 

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respective obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees or the Registration Rights Agreement (each clause (A) and (B), a “M aterial Adverse Effect ”). Each of the Company Entities has all power and authority necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the business in which it is engaged. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than those entities set forth on Schedule V .

(k) Capitalization. The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum under the heading “Capitalization,” and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, conform to the description thereof contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum in all material respects and were issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws and not in violation of any preemptive right, resale right, right of first refusal or similar right. All of the Company’s options, warrants and other rights to purchase or exchange any securities for shares of the Company’s capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, conform to the description thereof contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum and were issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws. All of the issued shares of capital stock or other ownership interest of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims (other than those arising under (i) the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2014, as amended, among the Company, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and the lenders and other parties thereto (the “ Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ”), (ii) the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2014, among Rice Midstream Partners LP, as guarantor, Rice Midstream OpCo LLC, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders and other parties thereto (the “ Partnership Credit Agreement ”), and (iii) the Credit Agreement, dated December 22, 2014, among Rice Midstream Holdings, LLC, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders and other parties thereto (the “ Holdings Credit Agreement ”), except for such liens, encumbrances, equities or claims as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(l) Indenture. The Company Parties have all requisite corporate, partnership or limited liability company power and authority, as applicable, to execute, deliver and perform their respective obligations under the Indenture. The Indenture has been duly and validly authorized by the Company Parties, and upon its execution and delivery and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Trustee, will constitute the valid and binding agreement of the Company Parties, enforceable against the Company Parties in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). The Indenture shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “ Trust Indenture Act ”). The Indenture will conform to the description thereof in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

 

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(m) Notes . The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, issue, sell and perform its obligations under the Notes. The Notes have been duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, assuming due authentication of the Notes by the Trustee, upon delivery to the Initial Purchasers against payment therefor in accordance with the terms hereof, will be validly issued and delivered and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) (collectively, the “ Enforceability Exceptions ”). The Notes will conform in all material respects to the description thereof in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

(n) Exchange Notes . The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, issue and perform its obligations under the Exchange Notes. The Exchange Notes have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and if and when issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered in accordance with the Exchange Offer provided for in the Registration Rights Agreement, will be validly issued and delivered and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

(o) Guarantees . Each Guarantor has all requisite partnership or limited liability company power and authority, as applicable, to execute, issue and perform its obligations under the Guarantees. The Guarantees have been duly and validly authorized by the Guarantors and when the Indenture is duly executed and delivered by the Guarantors in accordance with its terms and upon the due execution, authentication and delivery of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture and the issuance of the Notes in the sale to the Initial Purchasers contemplated by this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. The Guarantees will conform in all material respects to the description thereof in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

(p) Exchange Guarantees . Each Guarantor has all requisite partnership or limited liability company power and authority, as applicable, to execute, issue and perform its obligations under the Exchange Guarantees. The Exchange Guarantees have been duly and validly authorized by the Guarantors and if and when executed and delivered by the Guarantors in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and upon the due execution and authentication of the Exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture and the issuance and delivery of the Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, will be validly issued and delivered and will

 

6


constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantors entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

(q) Registration Rights Agreement . Each of the Company Parties has all requisite corporate, partnership or limited liability company power and authority, as applicable, to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by the Company Parties and, when executed and delivered by the Company Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will be validly executed and delivered and (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by you) will be the legally valid and binding obligation of the Company Parties in accordance with the terms thereof, enforceable against the Company Parties in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions and, as to rights of indemnification and contribution, by principles of public policy. The Registration Rights Agreement will conform in all material respects to the description thereof in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

(r) Purchase Agreement. Each of the Company Parties has all requisite corporate power to execute, deliver and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company Parties.

(s) No Conflicts. The issue and sale of the Notes and the Guarantees, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company Parties of the Notes, the Guarantees, the Exchange Notes, the Exchange Guarantees, the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, impose any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company Entities, or constitute a default under any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, license, lease or other agreement or instrument to which any of the Company Entities is a party or by which any of the Company Parties is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company Entities is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) of the Company Entities, or (iii) result in any violation of any statute or any judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the Company Entities or any of their properties or assets, except, with respect to clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation or default that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(t) No Consents. No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, registration or qualification with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the Company Entities or any of their properties or assets is required for the issue and sale of the Notes and the Guarantees, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company Parties of the Notes, the Guarantees, the Exchange Notes, the Exchange Guarantees, the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and

 

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this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for the filing of a registration statement by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act as required by the Registration Rights Agreement and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, filings, registrations or qualifications which shall have been obtained or made prior to the Closing Date (as defined herein) or as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers, each of which has been obtained and is in full force and effect.

(u) Financial Statements. The historical financial statements (including the related notes and supporting schedules) included or incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the entities purported to be shown thereby, at the dates and for the periods indicated, and have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The other financial information included in the in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum has been derived from the accounting records of the Company Parties and presents fairly in all material respects the information shown thereby.

(v) Independent Accountants. Ernst & Young LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and Alpha Shale Resources, LP included or incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, whose reports appears in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum or are incorporated by reference therein and who has delivered the initial letter referred to in Section 7(g) hereof, is an independent public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries and Alpha Shale Resources, LP, as the case may be, as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(w) Accounting Controls. The Company Entities (considered as one entity) maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and that has been designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The Company Entities (considered as one entity) maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and to maintain accountability for its assets, (iii) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for the Company’s assets is

 

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compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. As of the date of the most recent balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries reviewed or audited by Ernst & Young LLP and the audit committee of the board of directors of the Company, except as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package, there were no material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls.

(x) Disclosure Controls. (i) The Company Entities (considered as one entity) maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act); (ii) such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company Entities in the reports they file or will file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management of the Company Entities, including their respective principal executive officers and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure to be made; and (iii) such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established.

(y) No Changes in Internal Controls. Except as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package, since the date of the most recent balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries reviewed or audited by Ernst & Young LLP and the audit committee of the board of directors of the Company, (i) the Company has not been advised of or become aware of (A) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the ability of any of the Company Entities to record, process, summarize and report financial data, or any material weaknesses in internal controls and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal controls of each of the Company Entities; and (ii) there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

(z) Sarbanes-Oxley. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any applicable provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith applicable to the Company.

(aa) No Material Adverse Effect . Other than as disclosed in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto) and except as would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, none of the Company Entities, considered as one entity, have (A) sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, (B) issued or granted any securities, (C) incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, other than liabilities and obligations that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, (D) entered into any

 

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material transaction not in the ordinary course of business, or (E) declared or paid any dividend or distribution on its capital stock, partnership or limited liability company interests, as applicable, and since such date, there has not been any change in the capital stock, partnership or limited liability company interests, as applicable, or long-term debt of the Company Entities, considered as one entity, or any adverse change, or any development involving a prospective adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, stockholders’ equity, properties, management, business or prospects of the Company Entities, taken as a whole.

(bb) Title to Properties. Each of the Company Entities has or will have good and marketable title to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real property and personal property that are material to the conduct of the respective businesses of the Company Entities, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects, except such liens, encumbrances and defects as (i) are described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Offering Memorandum (ii) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company Entities and (iii) would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(cc) Licenses and Permits. Each of the Company Entities has such permits, licenses, patents, franchises, certificates of need and other approvals or authorizations of governmental or regulatory authorities (“ Permits ”) as are necessary under applicable law to own their properties and conduct their businesses in the manner described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Offering Memorandum, except for any of the foregoing that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company Entities has fulfilled and performed all of its obligations with respect to the Permits, and no event has occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other impairment of the rights of the holder or any such Permits, except for any of the foregoing that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company Entities has received notice of any revocation or modification of any such Permits or has any reason to believe that any such Permits will not be renewed in the ordinary course.

(dd) Intellectual Property. Each of the Company Entities owns or possesses adequate rights to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses, know-how, software, systems and technology (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ee) Legal Proceedings . Except as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which a Company Entity is a party or of which any property or assets of any of the Company Entities is the subject that could, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and to the each of the Company Parties’ knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or others.

 

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(ff) No Defaults. None of the Company Entities is (i) in violation of its charter or bylaws (or similar organizational documents), (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or other obligation contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, license or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject, or (iii) in violation of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over it or its property or assets, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to the extent any such conflict, breach, violation or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(gg) Environmental Laws. Each of the Company Entities (i) are, and at all times prior hereto were, in compliance with all laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, orders, judgments, decrees, permits or other legal requirements of any governmental authority, including without limitation any international, foreign, national, state, provincial, regional, or local authority, relating to pollution, the protection of human health or safety, the environment, or natural resources, or to use, handling, storage, manufacturing, transportation, treatment, discharge, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“ Environmental Laws ”) applicable to such entity, which compliance includes, without limitation, obtaining, maintaining and complying with all permits and authorizations and approvals required by Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, and (ii) have not received notice or otherwise have knowledge of any actual or alleged violation of Environmental Laws, or of any actual or potential liability for or other obligation concerning the presence, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except in the case of clause (i) or (ii) where such non-compliance, violation, liability, or other obligation would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Offering Memorandum, (x) there are no proceedings that are pending, or known to be contemplated, against any of the Company Entities under Environmental Laws in which a governmental authority is also a party, other than such proceedings regarding which it is reasonably believed no monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more will be imposed, (y) the Company Entities are not aware of any issues regarding compliance with Environmental Laws, including any pending or proposed Environmental Laws, or liabilities or other obligations under Environmental Laws or concerning hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (z) none of the Company Entities anticipates material capital expenditures relating to Environmental Laws other than those incurred in the ordinary course of business.

(hh) Taxes. Each of the Company Entities has filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof, subject to permitted extensions, and have paid all taxes due, and, except as would not, individually or in the

 

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aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there is no tax deficiency that has been determined adversely to any of the Company Entities, nor do the Company Parties have any knowledge of any tax deficiencies that have been, or could reasonably be expected to be asserted against the Company Entities, that could, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ii) Investment Company Act . None of the Company Entities is, and after giving effect to the offer and sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds” in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, none of the Company Entities will be, an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(jj) Independent Petroleum Engineers. Netherland, Sewell and Associates, Inc., who issued a report with respect to the oil and natural gas reserves of certain of the Company Entities at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and of Alpha Shale Resources, LP at December 31, 2013 and 2012, has delivered the letters referred to in Section 7(j) hereof, were, as of the date of such report, and are, as of the date hereof, independent petroleum engineers with respect to the Company.

(kk) Stabilization. The Company and its affiliates have not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of any of the Company Parties in connection with the offering of the Notes.

(ll) No Unlawful Payments. None of the Company Entities nor, to the knowledge of the Company Parties, any director, officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company Entities has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom, each as may be amended, or any other applicable anti-corruption laws; or (iv) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment. The Company Entities have instituted and maintain and enforce policies and procedures designed to promote and ensure compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.

(mm) Compliance with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company Entities are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving any of the Company Entities with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company Parties, threatened.

 

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(nn) OFAC. None of the Company Entities nor, to the knowledge of the Company Parties, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company Entities is currently subject to or the target of any U.S. sanctions administered by the U.S. Government, (including without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”) or any other relevant sanctions authority, or any orders or licenses issued under any of the foregoing (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or the target of Sanctions (including, without limitation, Cuba, Burma (Myanmar), Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and the Crimea region of Ukraine (each, a “Sanctioned Country”)). The Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or any business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that could reasonably be expected to result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as initial purchaser, advisor, investor or otherwise) of any Sanctions. For the past five years, none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has knowingly engaged in or is now knowingly engaged in any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of any Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.

(oo) Critical Accounting Policies. The section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” set forth or incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum accurately and fully describes (i) the accounting policies that the Company believes are the most important in the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments; (ii) the judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of critical accounting policies; and (iii) the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions and an explanation thereof.

(pp) Certain Statements and Agreements . All contracts, agreements or other documents that would be required to be described in a registration statement filed under the Securities Act or that are required to be filed as exhibits under the Securities Act or pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K have been described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum and have been filed as required. The statements made in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of the terms of the contracts and other documents that are so described, constitute accurate summaries of the terms of such contracts and documents in all material respects.

 

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(qq) No Related Party Transactions. No relationship, direct or indirect, that would be required to be described in a registration statement of the Company pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K, exists between or among any of the Company Entities, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers or suppliers of any of the Company Entities, on the other hand, that has not been described or incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

(rr) No Labor Disputes. No labor disturbance by or dispute with the employees of the Company Entities exists or, to the knowledge of any of the Company Parties, is imminent that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ss) Summaries of Law or Agreements. The statements incorporated by reference into the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum under the captions “Business—Regulation of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry”; “Business—Regulation of Pipeline Safety and Maintenance”; “Business—Regulation of Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Matters”, insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of the terms of statutes, rules or regulations, legal or governmental proceedings or contracts and other documents, constitute accurate summaries of the terms of such statutes, rules and regulations, legal and governmental proceedings and contracts and other documents in all material respects.

(tt) No Exchange Act Violations. None of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes), will violate or result in a violation of Section 7 of the Exchange Act, or any regulation promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

(uu) Insurance. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Company Entities carry, or are covered by, insurance from insurers of recognized financial responsibility in such amounts and covering such risks as is reasonably adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries. All policies of insurance of each of the Company Entities are in full force and effect; the Company Entities are in compliance with the terms of such policies in all material respects; and none of the Company Entities has received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance. There are no claims by any of the Company Entities under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; and none of the Company Entities has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(vv) Stabilization Safe Harbor. The Company has not taken any action or omitted to take any action (such as issuing any press release relating to any Notes without

 

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an appropriate legend) which may result in the loss by any of the Initial Purchasers of the ability to rely on any stabilization safe harbor provided by the Financial Services Authority under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “ FSMA ”).

(ww) Compliance with ERISA. Except, in each case, for any such matter as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”)) for which the Company or any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any organization which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”)) would have any liability (each a “ Plan ”) has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and with the requirements of all applicable statutes, rules and regulations including ERISA and the Code; (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; (iii) with respect to each Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA (A) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur, excluding any reportable event for which a waiver could apply (B) the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, each member of the Controlled Group have fulfilled their obligations under the minimum funding standards of the Code with respect to each such Plan, and (C) neither the Company or any member of its Controlled Group has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan (including a “multiemployer plan”, within the meaning of Section 4001(c)(3) of ERISA); and (iv) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is the subject of a favorable determination or opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that it is so qualified, and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, that could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification or approval.

(xx) No Subsidiary Payment Restrictions. Except as set forth in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Partnership Credit Agreement and the Holdings Credit Agreement, no subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock or other ownership interests, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

(yy) Statistical and Market-Related Data. The statistical and market-related data included or incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable in all material respects.

 

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(zz) Solvency. Each of the Company Entities, when taken together (the “ Consolidated Entity ”), is, and immediately after the Closing Date (after giving effect to the issuance of the Notes and the other transactions related thereto as described in the Offering Memorandum) will be, Solvent. As used in this paragraph, the term “ Solvent ” means, with respect to a particular date, that on such date (i) the present fair market value (or present fair saleable value) of the assets of the Consolidated Entity are not less than the total amount required to pay the probable liabilities of the Consolidated Entity on its total existing debts and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they become absolute and matured, (ii) the Consolidated Entity is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments as they mature and become due in the normal course of business, (iii) assuming the sale of the Notes as contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, the Consolidated Entity is not incurring debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, (iv) the Consolidated Entity is not engaged in any business or transaction, and is not about to engage in any business or transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Company Entity is engaged, and (v) none of the Company Entities is a defendant in any civil action that would result in a judgment that the Company Entities are or would become unable to satisfy. In computing the amount of such contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

(aaa) Registration Rights Disclosed. Except as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between any of the Company Entities and any person granting such person the right to require any of the Company Entities to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of any of the Company Entities (other than the Registration Rights Agreement) owned or to be owned by such person or to require any of the Company Entities to include such securities in the securities registered pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or in any securities being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by any of the Company Entities under the Securities Act.

(bbb) No Brokers. None of the Company Entities is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that could give rise to a valid claim against any of them or the Initial Purchasers for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes.

(ccc) Summaries of Terms. The statements set forth in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Description of the Notes,” insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Notes and the Guarantees and under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” “Description of Other Indebtedness,” “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Transfer Restrictions,” insofar as they purport to summarize the provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein, are accurate summaries in all material respects.

 

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Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company Parties and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Initial Purchasers in connection with the offering of the Notes shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company or such Guarantor, jointly and severally, as to matters covered thereby, to each Initial Purchaser.

3. Purchase of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers, Agreements to Sell, Purchase and Resell .

(a) The Company Parties, jointly and severally hereby agree, on the basis of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Initial Purchasers contained herein and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers and, upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company Parties herein contained and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Initial Purchasers agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of 97.483% of the principal amount thereof, the total principal amount of Notes set forth opposite the name of such Initial Purchaser in Schedule I hereto. The Company Parties shall not be obligated to deliver any of the securities to be delivered hereunder except upon payment for all of the securities to be purchased as provided herein.

(b) Each of the Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly hereby represents and warrants to the Company that it will offer the Notes for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Pricing Disclosure Package. Each of the Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company Parties, that such Initial Purchaser: (i) is a QIB with such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as are necessary in order to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in the Notes; (ii) in connection with the Exempt Resales, will solicit offers to buy the Notes only from, and will offer to sell the Notes only to, the Eligible Purchasers in accordance with this Agreement and on the terms contemplated by the Pricing Disclosure Package; and (iii) will not engage in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Rule 902 under the Securities Act, in connection with the offering of the Notes. The Initial Purchasers have advised the Company that they will offer the Notes to Eligible Purchasers at a price initially equal to 99.233% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of issuance of the Notes. Such price may be changed by the Initial Purchasers at any time without notice.

(c) The Initial Purchasers have not nor, prior to the later to occur of (A) the Closing Date and (B) completion of the distribution of the Notes, will not, use, authorize use of, refer to or distribute any material in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes other than (i) the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Offering Memorandum, (ii) any written communication that contains either (x) no “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Securities Act) or (y) “issuer information” that was included (including through incorporation by reference) in

 

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the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or any Free Writing Offering Document listed on Schedule IV hereto, (iii) the Free Writing Offering Documents listed on Schedule IV hereto, (iv) any written communication prepared by such Initial Purchaser and approved by the Company in writing, or (v) any written communication relating to or that contains the terms of the Notes and/or other information that was included (including through incorporation by reference) in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum.

Each of the Initial Purchasers understands that the Company and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Sections 7(c), 7(d) and 7(e) hereof, counsel to the Company and counsel to the Initial Purchasers, will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the foregoing representations, warranties and agreements, and the Initial Purchasers hereby consent to such reliance.

4. Delivery of the Notes and Payment Therefor . Delivery to the Initial Purchasers of and payment for the Notes shall be made at the office of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on March 26, 2015 (the “ Closing Date ”). The place of closing for the Notes and the Closing Date may be varied by agreement between the Initial Purchasers and the Company.

The Notes will be delivered to the Initial Purchasers, or the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), against payment by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer in immediately available funds, by causing DTC to credit the Notes to the account of the Initial Purchasers at DTC. The Notes will be evidenced by one or more global securities in definitive form (the “ Global Notes ”) and will be registered in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee of DTC. The Notes to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers shall be made available to the Initial Purchasers in New York City for inspection and packaging not later than 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next preceding the Closing Date.

5. Agreements of the Company Parties . The Company Parties, jointly and severally, agree with each of the Initial Purchasers as follows:

(a) Copies of the Offering Memorandum . The Company Parties will furnish to the Initial Purchasers, without charge, within one business day of the date of the Offering Memorandum, such number of copies of the Offering Memorandum as may then be amended or supplemented as they may reasonably request.

(b) Form of Offering Memorandum. The Company Parties will prepare the Offering Memorandum in a form approved by the Initial Purchasers and will not make any amendment or supplement to the Pricing Disclosure Package or to the Offering Memorandum of which the Initial Purchasers shall not previously have been advised or to which they shall reasonably object after being so advised.

(c) Compliance with Securities and Blue Sky Laws. Each of the Company Parties consents to the use of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum in accordance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of the jurisdictions in which the Notes are offered by the Initial Purchasers and by all dealers to whom Notes may be sold, in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes.

 

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(d) Amendments to the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum . If, at any time prior to completion of the distribution of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers to Eligible Purchasers, any event occurs or information becomes known that, in the judgment of any of the Company Parties or in the opinion of counsel for the Initial Purchasers, should be set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum so that the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, as then amended or supplemented, does not include any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary to supplement or amend the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum in order to comply with any law, the Company Parties will forthwith prepare an appropriate supplement or amendment thereto, and will expeditiously furnish to the Initial Purchasers and dealers a reasonable number of copies thereof.

(e) Restrictions of Sales and Solicitations. None of the Company Parties will make any offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes that would constitute a Free Writing Offering Document without the prior consent of the Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If at any time following issuance of a Free Writing Offering Document any event occurred or occurs as a result of which such Free Writing Offering Document conflicts with the information in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum or, when taken together with the information in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading, as promptly as practicable after becoming aware thereof, the Company will give notice thereof to the Initial Purchasers through the Representative and, if requested by the Representative, will prepare and furnish without charge to each Initial Purchaser a Free Writing Offering Document or other document which will correct such conflict, statement or omission.

(f) Qualifying the Notes. Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request to qualify the Notes for offering and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Initial Purchasers may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Notes; provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction, or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction in which it would not otherwise be subject.

(g) Clear Market . During the period from the date hereof and ending on the 60th day after the date of the Offering Memorandum, the Company and each of the

 

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Guarantors will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, offer to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of, any securities similar to the notes, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for the notes or any such similar securities, except for the notes sold to the initial purchasers pursuant to the purchase agreement and the exchange notes.

(h) Available Information . So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company Parties will furnish at their expense to the Initial Purchasers, and, upon request, to the holders of the Notes and prospective purchasers of the Notes, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act (if any).

(i) Application of Net Proceeds . The Company Parties will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to be sold by it hereunder substantially in accordance with the description set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Use of Proceeds.”

(j) No Solicitation and Advertising . The Company Parties and their respective affiliates will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that reasonably could be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of any of the Company Parties in connection with the offering of the Notes.

(k) DTC Approval . The Company Parties will use their best efforts to permit the Notes to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

(l) Resale of Notes . Each of the Company Parties will not, and will not permit any of their respective affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) to, resell any of the Notes that have been acquired by any of them, except for Notes purchased by the Company Parties or any of their respective affiliates and resold in a transaction registered under the Securities Act.

(m) No Integration . The Company Parties agree not to sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the sale of the Notes in a manner that would require the registration under the Securities Act of the sale to the Initial Purchasers or the Eligible Purchasers of the Notes.

(n) No General Solicitation . In connection with any offer or sale of the Notes, the Company Parties will not engage, and will cause their respective affiliates and any person acting on their behalf (other than, in any case, the Initial Purchasers and any of their affiliates, as to whom the Company Parties make no covenant) not to engage (i) in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D of the Securities Act) or any public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act in connection with any offer or sale of the Notes and/or (ii) in any directed selling effort with respect to the Notes within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, and to comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S of the Securities Act.

(o) Book Entry Transfer . The Company Parties agree to comply with all the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and all agreements set forth in the representation letters of the Company Parties to DTC relating to the approval of the Notes by DTC for “book entry” transfer.

 

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The Company Parties will do and perform all things required or necessary to be done and performed under this Agreement by them prior to the Closing Date, and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the Initial Purchasers’ obligations hereunder to purchase the Notes.

6. Expenses . Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company Parties, jointly and severally, agree, to pay all expenses, costs, fees and taxes incident to and in connection with: (a) the preparation, printing, filing and distribution of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum (including, without limitation, financial statements and exhibits and one or more versions of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum for distribution in Canada, including in the form of a Canadian “wrapper” (including related fees and expenses of Canadian counsel to the Initial Purchasers)) and all amendments and supplements thereto (including the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company Parties’ accountants and counsel, but not, however, legal fees and expenses of the Initial Purchasers’ counsel incurred in connection therewith); (b) the preparation, printing (including, without limitation, word processing and duplication costs) and delivery of this Agreement, the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, all Blue Sky memoranda and all other agreements, memoranda, correspondence and other documents printed and delivered in connection therewith and with the Exempt Resales (but not, however, legal fees and expenses of the Initial Purchaser s’ counsel incurred in connection with any of the foregoing other than fees of such counsel plus reasonable disbursements incurred in connection with the preparation, printing and delivery of such Blue Sky memoranda); (c) the issuance and delivery by the Company of the Notes and by the Guarantors of the Guarantees and any taxes payable in connection therewith; (d) the qualification of the Notes and Exchange Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the several states and any foreign jurisdictions as the Initial Purchasers may designate (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Initial Purchasers’ counsel relating to such registration or qualification); (e) the furnishing of such copies of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, and all amendments and supplements thereto, as may be reasonably requested for use in connection with the Exempt Resales; (f) the preparation of certificates for the Notes (including, without limitation, printing and engraving thereof); (g) the approval of the Notes by DTC for “book-entry” transfer (including fees and expenses of counsel for the Initial Purchasers reasonably incurred therewith); (h) the rating of the Notes and the Exchange Notes; (i) the obligations of the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee and the counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees; (j) the performance by the Company Parties of their other obligations under this Agreement; and (k) all travel expenses (including expenses related to one-half of the cost of any chartered aircraft) of each Initial Purchaser and the Company’s officers and employees and any other expenses of each Initial Purchaser and the Company in connection with attending or hosting meetings with prospective purchasers of the Notes, and expenses associated with any electronic road show.

 

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

(a) The Initial Purchasers shall not have discovered and disclosed to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date that the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Free Writing Offering Document or the Offering Memorandum, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of a fact which, in the opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel to the Initial Purchasers, is material or omits to state a fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading.

(b) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Exchange Notes, the Exchange Guarantees, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Indenture, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, and the Company Parties shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(c) Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers its written opinion, as counsel to the Company Parties, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.

(d) Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers its written opinion, as counsel to the Company Parties, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

(e) The Initial Purchasers shall have received an opinion of William E. Jordan, general counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that: To the knowledge of such counsel, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which any Company Party is a party or to which any of their respective properties is subject that would be required to be described in a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act that have not been described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

(f) The Initial Purchasers shall have received from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel for the Initial Purchasers, such opinion or opinions and negative assurance, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Notes, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Offering Memorandum and other related matters as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents and information as such counsel reasonably requests for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

 

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(g) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Initial Purchasers shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter, in form and substance satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the date hereof (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (ii) stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of a date not more than three days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and (iii) covering such other matters as are ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings.

(h) With respect to the letter of Ernst &Young LLP referred to in the preceding paragraph and delivered to the Initial Purchasers concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “ initial letter ”), the Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers a “bring-down letter” of such accountant, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii) stating, as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, as of a date not more than three days prior to the date of the Closing Date), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by the initial letter, and (iii) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the initial letter.

(i) Except as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), (i) none of the Company Entities shall have sustained, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, or (ii) since such date, no Company Entities have declared or paid any dividend or distribution on its capital stock, partnership or limited liability interests, as applicable, nor has there been any change in the capital stock, partnership or limited liability interests, as applicable, or long-term debt of the Company Entities, considered as one entity, or any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise),

 

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results of operations, stockholders’ equity, properties, management, business or prospects of the Company Entities, taken as a whole, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is, individually or in the aggregate, in the judgment of the Representative, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or the delivery of the Notes being delivered on the Closing Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

(j) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Initial Purchasers shall have received from Netherland, Sewell and Associates, Inc. an initial letter (the “ initial expert letter ”), in form and substance satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the date hereof and a subsequent letter dated as of the Closing Date, which such letter shall cover the period from any initial expert letter to the Closing Date, confirming that they are independent with respect to the Company and stating the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the reserve and other operational information and other matters as is customary to initial purchasers in connection with similar transactions.

(k) Each of the Company Parties shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Initial Purchasers dated as of the Closing Date a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of each of the Company Parties, or other officers satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, as to such matters as the Representative may reasonably request, including, without limitation, a statement:

(i) That the representations and warranties of the Company Parties in Section 2 are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date, and the Company satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date;

(ii) That they have examined the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, and, in their opinion, (A) the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, and the Offering Memorandum, as of its date and as of the Closing Date, did not and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and did not and do not omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (B) since the date of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum; and

(iii) To the effect of Section 7(i) ( provided that no representation with respect to the judgment of the Representative need be made) and Section 7(m).

(l) Subsequent to the earlier of the Applicable Time and the execution and delivery of this Agreement there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as that term is used by the

 

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Commission in Section 15E under the Exchange Act, or (ii) such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company’s debt securities.

(m) The Notes shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

(n) The Company Parties shall have executed and delivered the Registration Rights Agreement, and the Initial Purchasers shall have received an original copy thereof, duly executed by the Company Parties.

(o) The Company Parties and the Trustee shall have executed and delivered the Indenture, and the Initial Purchasers shall have received an original copy thereof, duly executed by the Company Parties and the Trustee.

(p) Subsequent to the earlier of the Applicable Time and the execution and delivery of this Agreement there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) (A) trading in securities generally on any securities exchange that has registered with the Commission under Section 6 of the Exchange Act (including the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market, The NASDAQ Global Market or The NASDAQ Capital Market), or (B) trading in any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been suspended or materially limited or the settlement of such trading generally shall have been materially disrupted or minimum prices shall have been established on any such exchange or such market by the Commission, by such exchange or by any other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction, (ii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or state authorities, (iii) the United States shall have become engaged in hostilities, there shall have been an escalation in hostilities involving the United States or there shall have been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States, or (iv) there shall have occurred such a material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities after the date hereof (or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States shall be such), as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Notes being delivered on the Closing Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Offering Memorandum or that, in the judgment of the Representative, could materially and adversely affect the financial markets or the markets for the Notes and other debt securities.

(q) There shall exist at and as of the Closing Date no condition that would constitute a default (or an event that with notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under the Indenture as in effect at the Closing Date (or an event that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute such a default or material breach).

(r) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company Parties shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers such further certificates and documents as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

 

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

8. Indemnification and Contribution .

(a) Each of the Company Parties, jointly and severally, hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage, liability or action relating to purchases and sales of Notes), to which that Initial Purchaser, affiliate, director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (A) any Free Writing Offering Document, the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum or in any amendment or supplement thereto, (B) any Blue Sky application or other document prepared or executed by any of the Company Parties (or based upon any written information furnished by the any of the Company Parties) specifically for the purpose of qualifying any or all of the Notes under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction (any such application, document or information being hereinafter called a “ Blue Sky Application ”), or (C) any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, any of the Company Parties in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Notes (“ Marketing Materials ”), including any road show or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically), or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Free Writing Offering Document, the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky Application or in any Marketing Materials, any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and shall reimburse each Initial Purchaser and each such affiliate, director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Initial Purchaser, affiliate, director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided , however , that the Company Parties shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package or Offering Memorandum, or in any such amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky Application or in any Marketing Materials, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Initial Purchaser furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser specifically for inclusion therein, which information consists solely of the information specified in Section 8(e). The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability that the any of the Company Parties may otherwise have to any Initial Purchaser or to any affiliate, director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person of that Initial Purchaser.

 

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(b) Each Initial Purchaser, severally and not jointly, hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Company Party, their respective directors, officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls any of the Company Parties within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof, to which the Company Parties or any such director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained (A) in any Free Writing Offering Document, Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum or in any amendment or supplement thereto, (B) in any Blue Sky Application, or (C) in any Marketing Materials, or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Free Writing Offering Document, Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky Application or in any Marketing Materials any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Initial Purchaser furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of that Initial Purchaser specifically for inclusion therein, which information is limited to the information set forth in Section 8(e). The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability that any Initial Purchaser may otherwise have to the Company Parties or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided , however , that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under paragraphs (a) or (b) above except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure and; provided , further , that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under paragraphs (a) or (b) above. If any such claim or action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of

 

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investigation; provided , however , that the Initial Purchasers shall have the right to employ counsel to represent jointly the Initial Purchasers and their respective directors, officers, employees and controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the Initial Purchasers against any Company Party under this Section 8, if (i) the Company Parties and the Initial Purchasers shall have so mutually agreed; (ii) the Company Parties have failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers; (iii) the Initial Purchasers and their respective directors, officers, employees and controlling persons shall have reasonably concluded, based on the advice of counsel, that there may be legal defenses available to them that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company Parties; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Initial Purchasers or their respective directors, officers, employees or controlling persons, on the one hand, and the Company Parties, on the other hand, and representation of both sets of parties by the same counsel would present a conflict due to actual or potential differing interests between them, and in any such event the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the Company Parties and the Company and the Guarantors shall no longer have the right to assume the defense of any such claim or action. No indemnifying party shall (x) without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include a statement as to, or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party, or (y) be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with the consent of the indemnifying party or if there be a final judgment of the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section 8(a) or (b) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request or disputed in good faith the indemnified party’s entitlement to such reimbursement prior to the date of such settlement.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 shall for any reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or 8(b) in respect of any loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as

 

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a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company Parties, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other, from the offering of the Notes, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company Parties, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other, with respect to the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company Parties, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other, with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Notes purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company Parties, on the one hand, and the total discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchasers with respect to the Notes purchased under this Agreement, on the other hand, bear to the total gross proceeds from the offering of the Notes under this Agreement as set forth on the cover page of the Offering Memorandum. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company Parties, or the Initial Purchasers, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. For purposes of the preceding two sentences, the net proceeds deemed to be received by the Company shall be deemed to be also for the benefit of the Guarantors, and information supplied by the Company shall also be deemed to have been supplied by the Guarantors. The Company Parties and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 8(d) were to be determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Initial Purchasers were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section 8(d) shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 8(d), any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8(d), no Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds from the sale to Eligible Purchasers of the Notes initially purchased by it exceeds the amount of any damages that such Initial Purchaser has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Initial Purchasers’ obligations to contribute as provided in this Section 8(d) are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations and not joint.

(e) The Initial Purchasers severally confirm that the statements with respect to the offering of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers set forth in the last paragraph on the front cover of the Offering Memorandum and in the sixth paragraph of the section

 

29


entitled “Plan of Distribution” in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum are correct and constitute the only information concerning such Initial Purchasers furnished in writing to the Company Parties by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers specifically for inclusion in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Blue Sky Application or in any Marketing Materials.

9. Defaulting Initial Purchasers .

(a) If, on the Closing Date, any Initial Purchaser defaults in its obligations to purchase the Notes that it has agreed to purchase under this Agreement, the remaining non-defaulting Initial Purchasers may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Notes by the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers or other persons satisfactory to the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Initial Purchaser, the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers do not arrange for the purchase of such Notes, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers to purchase such Notes on such terms. In the event that within the respective prescribed periods, the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers notify the Company that they have so arranged for the purchase of such Notes, or the Company notifies the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers that it has so arranged for the purchase of such Notes, either the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers or the Company may postpone the Closing Date for up to seven full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Initial Purchasers may be necessary in the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Offering Memorandum or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term “Initial Purchaser” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context requires otherwise, any party not listed in Schedule I hereto that, pursuant to this Section 9, purchases Notes that a defaulting Initial Purchaser agreed but failed to purchase.

(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Notes of a defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers by the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of such Notes that remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of all the Notes, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Initial Purchaser to purchase the principal amount of Notes that such Initial Purchaser agreed to purchase hereunder plus such Initial Purchaser’s pro rata share (based on the principal amount of Notes that such Initial Purchaser agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Notes of such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers for which such arrangements have not been made; provided that the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers shall not be obligated to purchase more than 110% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes that they agreed to purchase on the Closing Date pursuant to the terms of Section 3.

 

30


(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Notes of a defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers by the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of such Notes that remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of all the Notes, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9 shall be without liability on the part of the Company Parties, except that each of the Company Parties will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Sections 6 and 11 and except that the provisions of Section 8 shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.

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

10. Termination . The obligations of the Initial Purchasers hereunder may be terminated by the Initial Purchasers by notice given to and received by the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Notes if, prior to that time, any of the events described in Sections 7(h), (l) or (p) shall have occurred or if the Initial Purchasers shall decline to purchase the Notes for any reason permitted under this Agreement.

11. Reimbursement of Initial Purchasers’ Expenses . If (a) the Company for any reason fails to tender the Notes for delivery to the Initial Purchasers, or (b) the Initial Purchasers decline to purchase the Notes for any reason permitted under this Agreement, the Company Parties shall reimburse the Initial Purchasers for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel for the Initial Purchasers) incurred by the Initial Purchasers in connection with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Notes, and upon demand the Company Parties shall pay the full amount thereof to the Initial Purchasers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9 or the purchase of the Notes is not consummated as a result of the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 7(q) (other than the occurrence of an event described in Section 7(q)(i)(B)), the Company Parties shall not be obligated to reimburse any defaulting Initial Purchaser on account of those expenses.

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

(a) if to any Initial Purchasers, shall be delivered or sent by hand delivery, mail, overnight courier or facsimile transmission to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 550 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 Attention: High Yield Syndicate (Fax: 704.410.0317) with a copy to Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 600 Travis Street, Suite 3300, Houston, TX 77002 Attention: Matthew Pacey (Fax: 713.835.3601);

(b) if to the Company Parties, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex, overnight courier or facsimile transmission to Rice Energy Inc., 400 Woodcliff Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317 Attention: William E. Jordan (Fax: 724.746.6725), with a copy to Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Douglas E. McWilliams (Fax: 713.615.5725);

 

31


Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof. The Company shall be entitled to act and rely upon any request, consent, notice or agreement given or made on behalf of the Initial Purchasers by the Representative.

13. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Initial Purchasers, the Company Parties and their respective successors. This Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only those persons, except that the representations, warranties, indemnitees and agreements of the Company Parties contained in this Agreement shall also be deemed to be for the benefit of affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents of the Initial Purchasers and each person or persons, if any, controlling any Initial Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons referred to in this Section 13, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein.

14. Survival . The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations, and warranties of the Company Parties and the Initial Purchasers contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Notes and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of any of them or any person controlling any of them.

15. Definition of the Terms “Business Day”, “Affiliate”, and “Subsidiary” . For purposes of this Agreement, (a) “business day” means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for trading, and (b) “affiliate” and “subsidiary” have the meanings set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

16. Governing Law & Venue . This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Each of the Company Parties and each of the Initial Purchasers agree that any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in any State or U.S. federal court in The City of New York and County of New York, and waives any objection that such party may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any suit, action or proceeding.

17. Waiver of Jury Trial . Each of the Company Parties and the Initial Purchasers hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

18. No Fiduciary Duty . The Company Parties acknowledges and agrees that in connection with this offering, or any other services the Initial Purchasers may be deemed to be providing hereunder, notwithstanding any preexisting relationship, advisory or otherwise,

 

32


between the parties or any oral representations or assurances previously or subsequently made by the Initial Purchasers: (a) no fiduciary or agency relationship between any of the Company Parties and any other person, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other, exists; (b) the Initial Purchasers are not acting as advisor, expert or otherwise, to the Company Parties, including, without limitation, with respect to the determination of the purchase price of the Notes, and such relationship between the Company Parties, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other, is entirely and solely commercial, based on arms-length negotiations; (c) any duties and obligations that the Initial Purchasers may have to the Company Parties shall be limited to those duties and obligations specifically stated herein; (d) the Initial Purchasers and their respective affiliates may have interests that differ from those of the Company Parties; and (e) the Company Parties have consulted their own legal and financial advisors to the extent they deemed appropriate. The Company Parties hereby waive any claims that the Company Parties may have against the Initial Purchasers with respect to any breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the Notes.

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

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

 

33


If the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the Company Parties, and the Initial Purchasers, please indicate your acceptance in the space provided for that purpose below.

 

Very truly yours,
COMPANY:
RICE ENERGY INC.
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer
GUARANTORS:
RICE ENERGY APPALACHIA, LLC
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer
RICE DRILLING B LLC
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer
RICE DRILLING C LLC
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer
RICE DRILLING D LLC
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer
RICE MARKETING LLC
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

34


RICE ENERGY MARKETING LLC
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer
BLUE TIGER OILFIELD SERVICES LLC
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer
ALPHA SHALE HOLDINGS, LLC
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer
ALPHA SHALE RESOURCES, LP
By:

/s/ Daniel J. Rice IV

Name: Daniel J. Rice IV
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

35


Accepted:
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
Acting on behalf of itself and as the Representative of the several Initial Purchasers
By:

/s/ Kevin J. Scotto

Name: Kevin J. Scotto
Title: Director

 

36


SCHEDULE I

 

Initial Purchasers

   Principal Amount
of Notes to be

Purchased
 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

   $ 120,000,000   

Barclays Capital Inc.

     60,000,000   

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

     40,000,000   

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

     40,000,000   

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

     32,000,000   

Comerica Securities, Inc.

     26,000,000   

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

     22,000,000   

Capital One Securities, Inc.

     22,000,000   

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

     22,000,000   

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

     16,000,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

$ 400,000,000   
  

 

 

 


SCHEDULE II

LIST OF GUARANTORS

Rice Energy Appalachia, LLC

Rice Drilling B LLC

Rice Drilling C LLC

Rice Drilling D LLC

Rice Marketing LLC

Rice Energy Marketing LLC

Blue Tiger Oilfield Services LLC

Alpha Shale Holdings, LLC

Alpha Shale Resources, LP


SCHEDULE III

 

LOGO

Rice Energy Inc.

$400,000,000 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023

March 23, 2015

Term Sheet

Term Sheet dated March 23, 2015 to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum dated March 23, 2015 of Rice Energy Inc. This Term Sheet is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum. The information in this Term Sheet supplements the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and supersedes the information in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum to the extent it is inconsistent with the information in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum. Capitalized terms used in this Term Sheet but not defined have the meanings given them in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum. Other information presented in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum is deemed to have changed to the extent affected by the changes described herein.

 

Issuer Rice Energy Inc.
Title of Securities 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”)
Aggregate Principal Amount $400,000,000
Distribution 144A/Regulation S with Registration Rights
Maturity Date May 1, 2023
Issue Price 99.233%
Net Proceeds Approximately $389.3 million
Coupon 7.25%
Yield to Maturity 7.375%
Interest Payment Dates May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2015
Trade Date

March 23, 2015


Settlement Date    March 26, 2015 (T+3)
Make-Whole Redemption    Make-whole redemption at Treasury Rate + 50 basis points prior to May 1, 2018
Optional Redemption    On or after May 1, 2018 at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed during the twelve-month period indicated beginning on May 1 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Price  

2018

     105.438

2019

     103.625

2020

     101.813

2021 and thereafter

     100.000

 

Equity Clawback    Up to 35% at 107.250% plus accrued and unpaid interest prior to May 1, 2018
Change of Control    Put at 101% plus accrued and unpaid interest
Joint Book-Running Managers   

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

Barclays Capital Inc.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Co-Managers   

Comerica Securities, Inc.

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

Capital One Securities, Inc.

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

CUSIP Numbers   

Rule 144A: 762760AC0

Regulation S: U76467AB2

ISIN Numbers   

Rule 144A: US762760AC01

Regulation S: USU76467AB22

Denominations    Minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof

This material is strictly confidential and has been prepared by the Issuer solely for use in connection with the proposed offering of the securities described in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum. This material is personal to each offeree and does not constitute


an offer to any other person or the public generally to subscribe for or otherwise acquire the securities. Please refer to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum for a complete description.

The securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and are being offered only to (1) “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (2) outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act, and this communication is only being distributed to such persons.

This communication is not an offer to sell the securities and it is not a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

Any disclaimers or notices that may appear on this Pricing Supplement below the text of this legend are not applicable to this Pricing Supplement and should be disregarded. Such disclaimers may have been electronically generated as a result of this Pricing Supplement having been sent via, or posted on, Bloomberg or another electronic mail system.


SCHEDULE IV

 

A. [None.]


SCHEDULE V

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

Rice Energy Appalachia, LLC

Rice Drilling B LLC

Rice Drilling C LLC

Rice Drilling D LLC

Rice Poseidon Midstream LLC

Rice Olympus Midstream LLC

Blue Tiger Oilfield Services LLC

Alpha Shale Holdings, LLC

Alpha Shale Resources, LP

Rice Drilling B Real Estate Holding LLC

Rice Marketing LLC

Rice Energy Marketing LLC

Rice Midstream Management LLC

Rice Midstream Partners LP

Rice Midstream OpCo LLC

Rice Midstream Holdings LLC

Rice Water Services (PA) LLC

Rice Water Services (OH) LLC


Exhibit A

Company Counsel Opinion

Vinson & Elkins, LLP shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers its written opinion, as counsel to the Company Parties, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, to the effect that:

(a) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with the corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Offering Memorandum; and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction set forth opposite its name on Schedule 1 .

(b) Each of the subsidiaries of the Company set forth on Schedule 2 (the “ Delaware Guarantors ”) is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with limited liability company or limited partnership, as appropriate, power and authority to own or lease its properties and conduct its business as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Offering Memorandum and each of the Guarantors is duly qualified to do business as a foreign limited liability company or limited partnership, as the case may be, and is in good standing in each jurisdiction set forth opposite such Guarantor’s name on Schedule 2 ; and all of the issued and outstanding capital stock and other equity interests of each of the Guarantors is owned by the Company, or another subsidiary of the Company, as applicable, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the Company or such other subsidiary, as applicable, as debtor, is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, other than pledges of such capital stock or other equity interests in connection with the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2014, as amended, among Rice Energy Inc., as borrower, Rice Drilling B LLC, as predecessor borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto (the “ Credit Facility ”), as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Offering Memorandum.

(c) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Delaware Guarantors and, when duly authorized, executed and delivered by Rice Drilling C, LLC (the “ Other Guarantor ”) and the other parties thereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company and each of the Guarantors enforceable against the Company and each of the Guarantors in accordance with its terms, provided that the enforceability thereof is subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing (the “ Enforceability Exceptions ”).

 

A NNEX A-1


(d) The Notes have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authentication of the Notes by the Trustee and upon payment and delivery in accordance with this Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions, and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(e) The Guarantees have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Delaware Guarantors and, assuming the Guarantees have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Other Guarantor and assuming due authentication of the Notes by the Trustee and upon payment and delivery in accordance with this Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions, and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(f) The Exchange Notes have been duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement and the Indenture, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Company, as issuer, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(g) The Exchange Guarantees have been duly authorized by each of the Delaware Guarantors and, assuming the Exchange Guarantees have been duly authorized by the Other Guarantor, when each global certificate representing the Exchange Notes has been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement and the Indenture, the Exchange Guarantees will be valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Guarantors, enforceable against each of the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(h) The Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Company and the Delaware Guarantors.

(i) The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Delaware Guarantors and, when duly executed and delivered by the Other Guarantors and the other parties thereto, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of each of the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable against each of the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions and except that the indemnity and contribution provisions thereunder may be limited by applicable laws, general principles of equity and public policy.

(j) None of the issuance and sale of the Notes and the Guarantees, the execution, delivery and performance of the Notes, the Guarantees, the Exchange Notes, the Exchange Guarantees, the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the

 

A NNEX A-2


Purchase Agreement by the Company Parties or the consummation by each of them of the transactions contemplated thereby will (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party upon and property or assets of each of the Company and the Delaware Guarantors pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, license, lease or other agreement or instrument listed in Annex A hereto 1 ; (ii) violate the provisions of the charter or by-laws (or similar organizational documents) of each of the Company and the Delaware Guarantors; or (iii) violate any federal, New York or Delaware statute, rule, regulation or order applicable to each of the Company and the Delaware Guarantors except, with respect to clauses (i) or (iii), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; it being understood that we express no opinion in clause (iii) of this paragraph (j) with respect to any federal or state securities, Blue Sky or anti-fraud laws, rules or regulations.

(k) Except as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, no consent, approval, authorization or order of, registration or qualification with any federal, Delaware or New York court or governmental agency is required to be obtained or made by the Company Parties for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company Parties of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the offering and the issue and sale of the Notes by the Company and the compliance by the Company Parties with all of the provisions of the Purchase Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Indenture, except that it is understood that no opinion is given in this paragraph (k) with respect to any federal or state securities law or any rule or regulation issued pursuant to any federal or state securities law and that any required consents, that if not obtained, have not or would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(l) The statements made in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum under the captions “Description of the Notes” (including in the case of the Pricing Disclosure Package, the information set forth in the Pricing Term Sheet), insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of the terms of the Notes, the Guarantees, the Indenture, the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees and the Registration Rights Agreement are accurate in all material respects.

(m) The Company is not, and, after giving effect to the offer and sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds thereof as described under “Use of Proceeds” in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, will not be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act.

(n) The statements included or incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum under the caption “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations,” insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of the provisions of federal statutes, rules or regulations are accurate in all material respects.

 

1   This should include all material documents filed as exhibits to documents incorporated by reference.

 

A NNEX A-3


(o) Assuming the accuracy of the representations warranties and covenants of the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers contained herein, no registration of the issuance and sale of the Notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, is required for the offer and sale of the Notes by the Issuers to the Initial Purchasers or for the initial reoffer and resale of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers to the initial purchasers therefrom solely in the manner contemplated by the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Offering Memorandum, the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture.

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

Such counsel has participated in conferences with representatives of the Company and with representatives of its independent accountants and counsel for the Initial Purchasers at which conferences the contents of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum and related matters were discussed and, responsibility for, or express opinion regarding (other than listed in paragraphs (k) and (l) above) the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, based upon the participation described above (relying as to factual matters upon statements of fact made to us by representatives of the Company) and nothing has come to our attention to cause us to believe that:

(A) the Pricing Disclosure Package (other than the financial statements and notes or schedules thereto and the auditor’s reports thereon, other financial or accounting data or information pertaining to hydrocarbon reserves, in each case contained in or incorporated by reference into or omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package, as to which we express no opinion), as of the Applicable Time, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or

(B) the Offering Memorandum (other than the financial statements and notes or schedules thereto and the auditor’s reports thereon, other financial or accounting data or information pertaining to hydrocarbon reserves, in each case

 

A NNEX A-4


contained in or incorporated by reference into or omitted from the Offering Memorandum, as to which we express no opinion), as of its issue date and as of the Closing Date contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

A NNEX A-5


Exhibit B

Local Counsel Opinion

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers its written opinion, as special Pennsylvania counsel to the Company Parties, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, to the effect that:

(a) Rice Drilling C, LLC (“ Rice Drilling C ” or the “ Pennsylvania Guarantor ”) is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with limited liability company power and authority to own or lease its properties and conduct its business, each as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, and all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Alpha Shale Holdings, LLC and Alpha Shale Resources LP are owned of record by Rice Drilling C, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities, or claims in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Pennsylvania naming the Rice Drilling C as debtor, is on file in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, other than pledges of such equity interests in connection with the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2014, as amended, among Rice Energy Inc., as borrower, Rice Drilling B LLC, as predecessor borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Offering Memorandum.

(b) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Pennsylvania Guarantor.

(c) The Guarantees have been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Pennsylvania Guarantor.

(d) The Exchange Guarantees have been duly authorized by the Pennsylvania Guarantor.

(e) The Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Pennsylvania Guarantor.

(f) The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Pennsylvania Guarantor.

(g) None of the issuance and sale of the Guarantees nor the execution, delivery, and performance of the Guarantees, the Exchange Guarantees, the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, and the Purchase Agreement by the Pennsylvania Guarantor will (i) violate the provisions of the certificate of organization or operating agreement of the Pennsylvania Guarantor; or (ii) violate any Pennsylvania statute, rule, regulation, or order applicable to the Pennsylvania Guarantor except, with respect to clause (ii), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; it being understood that we express no opinion in clause (ii) of this paragraph (g) with respect to any federal or state securities, Blue Sky, or anti-fraud laws, rules, or regulations.

 

A NNEX B-1


Except as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, no consent, approval, authorization or order of, registration or qualification with any Pennsylvania court or governmental agency is required to be obtained or made by the Pennsylvania Guarantor for the execution, delivery, and performance by the Pennsylvania Guarantor of the Purchase Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement in connection with the compliance by the Pennsylvania Guarantor with all of the provisions of the Purchase Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, and the Indenture applicable to them, except that it is understood that no opinion is given in this paragraph (h) with respect to any federal or state securities law or any rule or regulation issued pursuant to any federal or state securities law and that any required consents, that if not obtained, have not or would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

A NNEX B-2

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rice Energy Inc. Announces Launch of $400 Million Placement of Senior Notes

CANONSBURG, Pa., March 23, 2015/PRNewswire/ — Rice Energy Inc. (NYSE: RICE) (“Rice Energy”) today announced that, subject to market conditions, it intends to offer $400 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2023 in a private placement to eligible purchasers.

Rice Energy intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures. The securities to be offered have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws; and unless so registered, the securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The notes are expected to be eligible for trading by qualified institutional buyers in the United States under Rule 144A and outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S.

This press release is being issued pursuant to Rule 135c under the Securities Act, and is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a sale of, the notes or any other securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

About Rice Energy

Rice Energy Inc. is an independent natural gas and oil company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of natural gas and oil properties in the Appalachian Basin. For more information, please visit www.riceenergy.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Rice Energy Inc.’s control. All statements, other than historical facts included in this release, are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although the Company believes that the plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there is no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in such statements.

We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, incident to the exploration for and development, production, gathering and sale of natural gas and oil. These risks include, but are not limited to: commodity price volatility; inflation; lack of availability of drilling and production equipment and services; environmental risks; drilling and other operating risks; regulatory changes; the uncertainty inherent in estimating natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates of production, cash flow and access to capital; and the timing of development expenditures.

 

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SOURCE Rice Energy Inc.

For further information: Julie Danvers, Director of Investor Relations, (832) 708-3437, Julie.Danvers@RiceEnergy.com

 

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Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rice Energy Inc. Announces Pricing of $400 Million Placement of Senior Notes

CANONSBURG, Pa., March 23, 2015/PRNewswire/ — Rice Energy Inc. (NYSE: RICE) (“Rice Energy”) today announced the pricing of its private placement to eligible purchasers of $400 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes due 2023 at 99.233%, for a yield to maturity of 7.375%. The private placement is expected to close on March 26, 2015, subject to customary closing conditions.

Rice Energy intends to use the net proceeds of approximately $389.3 million for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures. The securities to be sold have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws; and unless so registered, the securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The notes are expected to be eligible for trading by qualified institutional buyers in the United States under Rule 144A and outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S.

This press release is being issued pursuant to Rule 135c under the Securities Act, and is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a sale of, the notes or any other securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

About Rice Energy

Rice Energy Inc. is an independent natural gas and oil company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of natural gas and oil properties in the Appalachian Basin.

Forward Looking Statements

This release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Rice Energy Inc.’s control. All statements, other than historical facts included in this release, are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although the Company believes that the plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there is no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in such statements.

We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control,

 

1


incident to the exploration for and development, production, gathering and sale of natural gas and oil. These risks include, but are not limited to: commodity price volatility; inflation; lack of availability of drilling and production equipment and services; environmental risks; drilling and other operating risks; regulatory changes; the uncertainty inherent in estimating natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates of production, cash flow and access to capital; and the timing of development expenditures.

SOURCE Rice Energy Inc.

For further information: Julie Danvers, Director of Investor Relations, (832) 708-3437, Julie.Danvers@RiceEnergy.com

 

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