UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) April 9, 2015

 

 

Matador Resources Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Texas   001-35410   27-4662601

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

5400 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1500, Dallas, Texas   75240
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 371-5200

Not Applicable

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Purchase Agreement

On April 9, 2015, Matador Resources Company (the “Company”) and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”), as representative of the several initial purchasers named therein (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell $400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”).

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 of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company also agreed not to offer or sell certain debt securities for a period of 60 days after April 9, 2015, without the prior consent of Merrill Lynch.

The Notes were offered and sold in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. The initial purchasers intend to resell the Notes to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons in reliance on 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 description of the Purchase Agreement set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and the debt assumed in connection with the merger of Harvey E. Yates Company with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, to fund a portion of its future capital expenditures and for other general working capital needs. Certain of the Initial Purchaser are lenders under the Company’s revolving credit facility, and, as a result, will receive a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Notes. In addition, the Initial Purchasers or their respective affiliates have performed investment banking, financial advisory and commercial banking services for the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, for which they have received customary compensation, and they may continue to do so in the future.

 

2


Indenture

Interest and Maturity

On April 14, 2015, in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, the Company entered into an Indenture (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.

The Notes will mature on April 15, 2023, and interest is payable on the Notes semiannually in arrears on each April 15 and October 15, commencing on October 15, 2015. The Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Guarantors.

Optional Redemption

At any time prior to April 15, 2018, the Company may redeem up to 35% in aggregate principal amount of Notes at a redemption price of 106.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, in an amount not greater than the net proceeds of certain equity offerings so long as the redemption occurs within 180 days of completing such equity offering and at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes remains outstanding after such redemption.

In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2018, the Company may redeem all or part 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, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. On and after April 15, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to (i) 105.156% for the twelve-month period beginning on April 15, 2018; (ii) 103.438% for the twelve-month period beginning on April 15, 2019; (iii) 101.719% for the twelve-month period beginning on April 15, 2020; and (iv) 100.000% on April 15, 2021 and at any time thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the applicable redemption date.

Change of Control

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.

Certain Covenants

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 on capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire its capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; (iii) transfer or sell assets; (iv) make certain investments; (v) create certain liens; (vi) enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments from its restricted subsidiaries to the Company; (vii) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (ix) create unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. At any time when the Notes are rated investment grade by both Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, many of these covenants will terminate.

 

3


Events of Default

The Indenture provides that each of the following is an Event of Default:

 

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

 

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

 

    failure by the Company to comply with its obligations to offer to purchase or purchase notes when required pursuant to the change of control or asset sale provisions of the Indenture or its failure to comply with the covenant relating to merger, consolidation or sale of assets;

 

    failure by the Company for 180 days after notice to comply with its reporting obligations under the Indenture;

 

    failure by the Company for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the Indenture;

 

    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;

 

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

 

    any subsidiary guarantee 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; and

 

    certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a significant subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary.

The description of the Indenture set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of the Indenture, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement

On April 14, 2015, in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, the Company, the Guarantors and Merrill Lynch entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company and the

 

4


Guarantors have agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to an offer to exchange the Notes for substantially identical notes that are registered under the Securities Act. Under some circumstances, in lieu of, or in addition to, a registered exchange offer, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed to file a shelf registration statement with respect to the Notes. The Company and the Guarantors are required to pay additional interest on the Notes if they fail to comply with their obligations to consummate the offer to exchange within 365 days of April 14, 2015.

The description of the Registration Rights Agreement set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.2 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Credit Agreement Amendment

On September 28, 2012, the Company, as a guarantor, and MRC Energy Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, as borrower, entered into an amended and restated senior secured revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). For a summary of key terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement, see Item 1.01 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2012, which description is incorporated herein by reference. On April 14, 2015, MRC Energy Company, as borrower, entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) and the Company reaffirmed its guaranty of MRC Energy Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Amendment amends the Credit Agreement to allow for the issuance of the Notes, to reduce the borrowing base from $450 million to $375 million following the issuance of the Notes and maintain the conforming borrowing base at $375 million.

The description of the Amendment set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of the Amendment, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

In connection with the issuance of the Notes, on April 14, 2014, the Company terminated the guaranty (the “Guaranty”), dated as of February 27, 2015, in favor of PlainsCapital Bank (“PlainsCapital”) pursuant to which the Company guaranteed its wholly-owned subsidiary’s payment obligations under the indebtedness assumed by such subsidiary in connection with its merger with Harvey E. Yates Company (the “Assumed Indebtedness”). The Assumed Indebtedness was paid in full with a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Notes. No material early termination fees were incurred or paid by Matador in connection with the termination of the guaranty or the repayment of the Assumed Indebtedness.

 

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

The information included or incorporated by reference in Item 1.01 of this Current Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03 of this Current Report.

 

5


Item 8.01. Other Events.

On April 9, 2015 the Company issued a press release announcing the pricing of the Notes. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description of Exhibit

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2015, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
  4.2    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 14, 2015, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several initial purchasers named therein.
10.1    Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2015, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several initial purchasers named therein.
10.2    Sixth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 14, 2015, by and among MRC Energy Company, as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent.
99.1    Press Release, dated April 9, 2015.

 

6


SIGNATURES

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

 

MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY
Date: April 14, 2015 By:

/s/ Craig N. Adams

Name: Craig N. Adams
Title: Executive Vice President

 

7


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description of Exhibit

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2015, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
  4.2    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 14, 2015, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several initial purchasers named therein.
10.1    Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2015, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several initial purchasers named therein.
10.2    Sixth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 14, 2015, by and among MRC Energy Company, as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent.
99.1    Press Release, dated April 9, 2015.

 

8

Exhibit 4.1

Execution Version

 

 

 

 

MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY

6.875% Senior Notes due 2023

INDENTURE

Dated as of April 14, 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

     31   

Section 1.3

  

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     32   

Section 1.4

  

Rules of Construction

     32   

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES

     33   

Section 2.1

  

Form and Dating

     33   

Section 2.2

  

Execution and Authentication

     34   

Section 2.3

  

Registrar and Paying Agent

     34   

Section 2.4

  

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     35   

Section 2.5

  

Holder Lists

     35   

Section 2.6

  

Transfer and Exchange

     36   

Section 2.7

  

Replacement Securities

     48   

Section 2.8

  

Outstanding Securities

     49   

Section 2.9

  

Temporary Securities

     49   

Section 2.10

  

Cancellation

     49   

Section 2.11

  

Defaulted Interest

     50   

Section 2.12

  

CUSIP Numbers

     50   

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

     50   

Section 3.1

  

Notices to Trustee

     50   

Section 3.2

  

Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed

     51   

Section 3.3

  

Notice of Redemption

     51   

Section 3.4

  

Effect of Notice of Redemption

     52   

Section 3.5

  

Deposit of Redemption Price

     52   

Section 3.6

  

Securities Redeemed in Part

     52   

Section 3.7

  

Optional Redemption

     53   

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

     53   

Section 4.1

  

Payment of Securities

     53   

Section 4.2

  

SEC Reports

     54   

Section 4.3

  

Incurrence of Indebtedness

     55   

Section 4.4

  

Restricted Payments

     59   

Section 4.5

  

Liens

     63   

Section 4.6

  

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

     63   

Section 4.7

  

Asset Sales

     65   

Section 4.8

  

Transactions with Affiliates

     68   

Section 4.9

  

Additional Subsidiary Guarantees

     70   

Section 4.10

  

Business Activities

     71   

Section 4.11

  

Change of Control

     71   

Section 4.12

  

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

     73   

Section 4.13

  

Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee

     73   

Section 4.14

  

Provision as to Paying Agent

     73   

Section 4.15

  

Maintenance of Corporate Existence

     74   

Section 4.16

  

Compliance Certificate

     74   

 

i


Section 4.17

Taxes

  74   

Section 4.18

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

  75   

Section 4.19

Covenant Termination

  75   

ARTICLE V SUCCESSOR COMPANY

  75   

Section 5.1

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

  75   

Section 5.2

Successor Substituted

  76   

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

  77   

Section 6.1

Events of Default

  77   

Section 6.2

Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

  79   

Section 6.3

Other Remedies

  79   

Section 6.4

Waiver of Past Defaults

  79   

Section 6.5

Control by Majority

  79   

Section 6.6

Limitation on Suits

  80   

Section 6.7

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

  80   

Section 6.8

Collection Suit by Trustee

  80   

Section 6.9

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

  81   

Section 6.10

Priorities

  81   

Section 6.11

Undertaking for Costs

  81   

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

  81   

Section 7.1

Duties of Trustee

  81   

Section 7.2

Rights of Trustee.

  82   

Section 7.3

Individual Rights of Trustee

  84   

Section 7.4

Trustee’s Disclaimer

  84   

Section 7.5

Notice of Defaults

  84   

Section 7.6

Reports by Trustee to Holders

  84   

Section 7.7

Compensation and Indemnity

  84   

Section 7.8

Replacement of Trustee

  85   

Section 7.9

Successor Trustee by Merger

  86   

Section 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification

  86   

Section 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

  87   

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

  87   

Section 8.1

Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance

  87   

Section 8.2

Conditions to Defeasance

  88   

Section 8.3

Delivery and Application of Trust Money

  89   

Section 8.4

Repayment to Company

  89   

Section 8.5

Indemnity for Government Securities

  90   

Section 8.6

Reinstatement

  90   

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS

  90   

Section 9.1

Without Consent of Holders

  90   

Section 9.2

With Consent of Holders

  91   

Section 9.3

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

  92   

Section 9.4

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

  92   

Section 9.5

Trustee to Sign Amendments

  92   

 

ii


ARTICLE X SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

  93   

Section 10.1

Subsidiary Guarantees

  93   

Section 10.2

Limitation on Liability

  94   

Section 10.3

Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee

  94   

Section 10.4

Successors and Assigns

  95   

Section 10.5

No Waiver

  95   

Section 10.6

Right of Contribution

  95   

Section 10.7

No Subrogation

  95   

Section 10.8

Modification

  96   

Section 10.9

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

  96   

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

  97   

Section 11.1

Trust Indenture Act Controls

  97   

Section 11.2

Notices

  97   

Section 11.3

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

  98   

Section 11.4

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

  98   

Section 11.5

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

  98   

Section 11.6

When Securities Disregarded

  99   

Section 11.7

Legal Holidays

  99   

Section 11.8

Governing Law

  99   

Section 11.9

Force Majeure

  99   

Section 11.10

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Shareholders

  99   

Section 11.11

Successors

  99   

Section 11.12

Multiple Originals; Counterparts

  100   

Section 11.13

Severability

  100   

Section 11.14

Table of Contents; Headings

  100   

Section 11.15

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

  100   

Section 11.16

Acts of Holders

  100   

Section 11.17

USA PATRIOT Act

  101   

 

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 April 14, 2015, is among MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY, 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 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 issued on the date hereof (the “ Initial Securities ”), the Holders of any Additional Securities (as hereinafter defined) 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 or, at the Company’s option, the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which 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 or quarterly reserve report, as applicable, 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 or quarterly reserve report, as applicable,

 

1


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 or quarterly reserve report produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end or quarterly 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 or quarterly reserve report since the date of such year­end or quarterly 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 or quarterly reserve report,

in the case of the preceding clauses (i) through (iv), calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year­end or quarterly reserve report, as applicable) 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 annual or quarterly 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 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

(d) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, attributable to reserves subject to

 

2


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 full cost method to the successful efforts method or a similar method of accounting, ACNTA will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the full cost 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, Paying Agent, Depositary Custodian, or Authenticating Agent.

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any payment, tender, redemption, 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 payment, tender, redemption, transfer or exchange.

 

3


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;

(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

 

4


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;

(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.

 

5


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 or the Trustee 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 365 days or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding 365 days 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;

(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;

 

6


(5) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and in each case maturing within 365 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;

(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 any intermediate companies owned or controlled 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.

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.

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;

 

7


(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.

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 September 28, 2012, among MRC Energy Company, as borrower, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

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

 

8


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’s 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.

Depositary Custodian ” means the Trustee as custodian with respect to the Global Securities or any other successor entity thereto.

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 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

 

9


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.

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

EBITDA ” 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) Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period;

 

  (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), accretion, impairment 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) if such Person accounts for its oil and natural gas operations using successful efforts or a similar method of accounting, 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 Payments; and (b) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments.

 

10


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 the Board of Directors of the Company in the case of amounts of $50.0 million or more and otherwise by an officer of the Company.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the EBITDA 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.

 

11


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 EBITDA 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 EBITDA, 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 or a Restricted Subsidiary, the interest rate shall be calculated by applying such optional rate chosen by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary. 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.

 

12


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 entities 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);

 

13


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

(3) 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;

(4) 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;

 

14


(5) 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; and

(6) 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),

if and to the extent that any of the preceding items (other than in respect of letters of credit) 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

(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.

 

15


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, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Comerica Securities, Inc., IBERIA Capital Partners L.L.C., Stephens Inc. and Wunderlich 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,

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.

 

16


Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of 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 Venture Subsidiary ” means Fulcrum Delaware Water Resources, LLC.

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 April 15, 2018 set forth in the table in Section 3.7(a) plus (ii) any required interest payments due on such Security through April 15, 2018 (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, disposal, processing, treating, 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).

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.

 

17


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 (a) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries except current assets from Commodity Agreements, less (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except (i) current liabilities included in Indebtedness, (ii) current liabilities associated with asset retirement obligations relating to oil and gas properties and (iii) any current liabilities from Commodity Agreements, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP (excluding any adjustments made pursuant to FASB ASC 815).

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.

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.

 

18


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 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;

(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, farm­out 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

 

19


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.

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, water and mineral properties or any interest therein or gathering, transportation, processing, treating, storage, disposal or related systems; and

 

20


(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, disposal or exchange of oil and natural gas and related hydrocarbons, water 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 Holders ” means, collectively, (1) Joseph Wm. Foran, (2) any family member, heir or estate of the foregoing, (3) any trust directly or indirectly controlled by or for the benefit of any of the foregoing, and (4) any other Persons directly or indirectly controlled by any of the foregoing.

Permitted Investments ” means:

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

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

(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;

 

21


(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;

(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;

(14) any Investment existing on the Issue Date and any Investment that replaces, refinances or refunds an existing Investment; provided that the new Investment is in an amount that does not exceed the amount replaced, refinanced or refunded, and is made in the same Person as the Investment replaced, refinanced or refunded;

(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; and

(16) 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 (16) since the Issue Date, not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 5.0% of ACNTA determined at the time of such Investment; 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.

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.

 

22


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 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 becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or 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 the contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any property or assets other than those of the Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(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, leased 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 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);

 

23


(11) any Lien incurred in the ordinary course of business incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or the ownership of their property (including (a) easements, rights of way, minor defects and irregularities in title 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, (f) Liens on insurance policies and proceeds thereof, or other deposits, to secure insurance premium financing and (g) 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 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 cash, Cash Equivalents and other property arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Indebtedness; and

 

24


(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).

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;

 

25


(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 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.

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 Payment 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.

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

 

26


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

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.

Reporting Default ” means a Default described in clause (4) of Section 6.1 hereof.

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).

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.

 

27


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 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.

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

 

28


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 April 15, 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 April 15, 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

 

29


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

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any of (i) the Joint Venture Subsidiary and (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such 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, 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 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 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.

 

30


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

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
Alternate Offer Section 4.11(g)
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)
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)(A)
Permitted Asset Exchange Section 1.1 (“Asset Sale”)

 

31


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

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;

 

32


(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 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.

 

33


(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.

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.

 

34


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 the Trustee to act as Depository Custodian with respect to the Global Securities. The Trustee and each Agent are hereby authorized to act in accordance with Applicable Procedures with respect to any Global Security.

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.

 

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.

 

35


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 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) .

 

36


(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 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

 

37


(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;

(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.

 

38


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;

(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.

 

39


(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

(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

 

40


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;

(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;

 

41


(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;

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.

 

42


(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;

(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

 

43


(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.

(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

 

44


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:

“THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (b) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF APPLICABLE) OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN

 

45


ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.”

(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 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

 

46


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.

(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

 

47


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 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. Neither the Trustee nor any of its agents shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

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.

 

48


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.

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 in accordance with its retention policy then in effect. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee or the Registrar for cancellation.

 

49


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 .

 

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 three (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.

 

50


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 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;

 

51


(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. The notice, if mailed in the manner provided herein or sent pursuant to Applicable Procedures shall be presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice.

 

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.

 

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.

 

52


Section 3.7 Optional Redemption

(a) On or after April 15, 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 April 15 of the years indicated:

 

Year

   Redemption Price  

2018

     105.516

2019

     103.438

2020

     101.719

2021 and thereafter

     100.000

(b) Prior to April 15, 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 this Indenture in an amount not greater than the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings at a Redemption Price of 106.875% 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 April 15, 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) 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. Payments of principal,

 

53


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. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of the Securities to determine the 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.

 

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 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

 

54


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; provided , however , that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such materials are available on any such website.

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.

(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 Restricted Subsidiary 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) $400.0 million and (b) the sum of (x) $150.0 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;

 

55


(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 $50.0 million and 5.0% 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;

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

(8) self-insurance obligations and any obligations in respect of completion bonds, performance bonds, bid bonds, plugging and abandonment 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;

 

56


(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 $35.0 million and 5.0% of ACNTA at the time of incurrence; and

(15) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in addition to Indebtedness permitted by clauses (1) through (14) above 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

 

57


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 the offering of the Initial Securities 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 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.

 

58


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 payable 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 ”),

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

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

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

(iii) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the 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(b) below), 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, 2015 to the end of the

 

59


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 a Restricted Subsidiary since the 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 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), together with the net proceeds, if any, received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries upon such conversion or exchange; 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 dividends and distributions to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income), in each case received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the 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 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(a)(iii) .

(b) 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);

 

60


(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 (iii)(B) of Section 4.4(a) ;

(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;

(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 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 (iii)(B) of Section 4.4(a)), 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 Issue Date;

 

61


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 this 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);

(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 $25.0 million in the aggregate since the Issue Date.

 

62


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) above or pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 4.4 , 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.

 

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.

 

63


(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, the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

(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, 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;

(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

 

64


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;

(9) encumbrances or restrictions applicable only to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary;

(10) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to or by reason of an agreement that the Unrestricted Subsidiary is a party to or entered into before the date on which such Unrestricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such agreement was not entered into in anticipation of the Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and any such encumbrance or restriction does not extend to any assets or property of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(11) 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.

 

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

 

65


(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 (determined at the time of receipt of such consideration), with the Fair Market Value of each item of consideration measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value. 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.

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

 

66


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 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 the 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 send a notice to each Holder (with a copy to the 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 ;

 

67


(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 $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess 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.

 

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 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

 

68


(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 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) customary compensation, indemnification and other benefits made available to officers, directors or employees of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, including reimbursement or advancement of out-of-pocket expenses and provisions of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance;

(5) 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;

(6) 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;

(7) in the case of (i) contracts for (A) drilling or other oil-field services or supplies, (B) the sale, storage, gathering, processing, treating, transport or disposal of hydrocarbons or water or activities or services reasonably related thereto or (C) the lease or rental of office or storage space or (ii) other operation-type or administrative services

 

69


contracts, any such contracts that are entered into in the ordinary course of business (x) which are fair to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company or the senior management thereof or (y) which are 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;

(8) 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;

(9) 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;

(10) 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) ;

(11) 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

(12) 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 that Subsidiary will become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto and delivering it along with an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of the supplemental indenture is authorized and permitted by this Indenture and the Securities and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary to the Trustee within 30 days of the date on which it guaranteed such Indebtedness.

 

70


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 to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Section 4.11 Change of Control

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Company has previously or concurrently exercised its right to redeem all of the Securities pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, 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 send a notice to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee) 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 sent, 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 send (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 $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.

 

71


(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 announce to the Holders of Notes 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 or Alternate 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 or Alternate 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.

 

72


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

 

73


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.

(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

 

74


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.

 

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 Law, 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, and upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate notifying the Trustee of the event giving rise to the Investment Grade Rating Event (including the date of such event), 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) . The Trustee shall not have any obligation to monitor the occurrence or dates of any Investment Grade Rating Event and may rely conclusively on such Officers’ Certificate. The Trustee shall not have any obligation to notify the Holders of the occurrence or dates of any Investment Grade Rating Event, but may provide a copy of such Officers’ Certificate to any Holder of Securities upon request.

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;

 

75


(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;

(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 and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Securities and this Indenture constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company (or, if applicable, the successor company).

(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

 

76


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.

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 its obligations to offer to purchase or purchase Notes under Sections 4.7 and 4.11 or its failure to comply with Section 5.1 hereof;

(4) failure by the Company for 180 days after receipt of written notice specified below to comply with Section 4.2 hereof;

(5) failure by the Company for 60 days 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;

 

77


(7) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction 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

(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

 

78


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 Maturity; 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 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.

 

79


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.

 

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 Receive 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.

 

80


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.

 

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.

 

81


(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).

(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.

 

82


(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.

(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 by the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount 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.

(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.

(l) The Company will be responsible for making calculations called for under the Securities, including but not limited to determination of Additional Interest, Redemption Price, premium, if any, and any other amounts payable on the Securities. The Company will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the Holders of the Securities. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when applicable, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification.

 

83


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. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities.

 

Section 7.5 Notice of Defaults

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if a Trust Officer has knowledge thereof as set forth in Section 7.2(f) , the Trustee shall send 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 March 15 beginning with the March 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 hereunder and under the Securities as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express

 

84


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, defend, protect and hold harmless the Trustee (in its individual and trustee capacities) and its officers, directors and agents from and 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 acceptance or administration of this Indenture and the trusts thereunder or the performance of its duties hereunder and under the Securities, 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 of which it has received written notice. 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.

(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 obligations pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall survive the discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, 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.

 

85


(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.

 

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).

 

86


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 to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable at their scheduled maturity or (z) all outstanding Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become scheduled for redemption within one year 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 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

 

87


(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.

 

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 ( provided that if such redemption is made as provided in Section 3.7(c) , (x) the amount of cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, that must be irrevocably deposited will be determined using an assumed Make Whole Premium calculated as of the date of such deposit and (y) the depositor must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited additional money in trust on the redemption date as necessary to pay the Make Whole Premium as determined on such 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

 

88


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 and the agreements governing any other Indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) 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.

 

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

 

89


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.

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 in the opinion of the Company does not adversely affect in any material respect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

 

90


(6) to conform to the description of the Initial Securities under the caption “Description of the Notes” in the offering memorandum of the Company dated April 9, 2015 relating to the initial offering of the Securities;

(7) to secure the Securities, including pursuant to the requirements of Section 4.5 ;

(8) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(9) to comply with requirements of the Depositary with respect to the Securities;

(10) 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 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;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Security or alter or waive 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;

 

91


(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 (2) above);

(7) release any Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(8) 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 .

 

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 and is valid, binding and enforceable against the Company or any Guarantor, as the case may be, in accordance with its terms.

 

92


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 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.

 

93


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 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

 

94


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, 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

 

95


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 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.

(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 does not violate 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 does not violate 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) at such time as such Guarantor ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Company or any other Guarantor under a Credit Facility.

 

96


(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, and an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel each stating that, as required by Section 11.4 , all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted hereunder, 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, sent by telecopier, sent by electronic mail in pdf format or delivered by 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:

Matador Resources Company

5400 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75240

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile: (972) 371-5201

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.

 

97


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, 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 or if delivered electronically, in pdf format; 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.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to DTC (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from DTC or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with Applicable Procedures.

 

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.

 

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.

 

98


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.

 

Section 11.10 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Shareholders

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder or other owner of the Capital Stock 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 are part of the consideration for the issuance 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.

 

99


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 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

 

100


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.

(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.

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 USA PATRIOT Act

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the

 

101


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. The Company agrees that it will provide the Trustee with information about the Company as the Trustee may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

[Signatures on following pages]

 

102


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY
By:

/s/ David E. Lancaster

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
GUARANTORS:

DELAWARE WATER MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC

DLK WOLF MIDSTREAM, LLC

DLK BLACK RIVER MIDSTREAM, LLC

LONGWOOD GATHERING AND DISPOSAL

SYSTEMS GP, INC.

LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM SOUTH TEXAS, LLC

LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM SOUTHEAST, LLC

LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM DELAWARE, LLC

MATADOR PRODUCTION COMPANY

MRC ENERGY COMPANY

MRC DELAWARE RESOURCES, LLC

MRC ENERGY SOUTHEAST COMPANY, LLC

MRC ENERGY SOUTH TEXAS COMPANY, LLC

MRC PERMIAN COMPANY

MRC ROCKIES COMPANY

SOUTHEAST WATER MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC

By:

/s/ David E. Lancaster

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
LONGWOOD GATHERING AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, LP
By: Longwood Gathering and Disposal Systems GP, Inc., its general partner
By:

/s/ David E. Lancaster

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Indenture


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:

/s/ Gregory S. Clarke

Name: Gregory S. Clarke
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


MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY

6.875% SENIOR NOTE DUE 2023

CUSIP NO. 576485 AA4 1

U57631 AA8 2

576485 AB2 3

 

No.              Principal Amount $        

MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to                     , or registered assigns, the principal sum of          dollars on April 15, 2023[, or such other principal amount as is indicated on the attached schedule] 4 .

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2015.

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.

 

MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

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        

 

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


[BACK OF SECURITY]

MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY

6.875% 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 . Matador Resources Company, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), promises to pay interest on the outstanding principal amount of this Security at the rate of 6.875% per annum. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “ Interest Payment Date ”), provided , that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 15, 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 1 or October 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Securities are canceled 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 for an account in the U.S. 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 April 14, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Company, the Guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the

 

A-1


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 or after April 15, 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 April 15 of the years indicated:

 

Year

   Redemption Price  

2018

     105.156

2019

     103.438

2020

     101.719

2021 and thereafter

     100.000

(b) Prior to April 15, 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 106.875% 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 April 15, 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.

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

 

A-2


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 April 14, 2015, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof.]*

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.

 

* Delete for Exchange Security

 

A-3


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:

Matador Resources Company

5400 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75240

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

Matador Resources Company

5400 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75240

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust – DAPS REORG

6th & Marquette Ave., 12th Floor, MAC N9303-121

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Phone: 1-800-344-5128

Fax: 1-866-969-1290

Email: dapsreorg@wellsfargo.com

Re: Matador Resources Company 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023

CUSIP 576485 AA4 1 U57631 AA8 2

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among Matador Resources Company, 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.

 

1   For Securities sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
2   For Securities sold in reliance on Regulation S.

 

B-1


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 . 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

Matador Resources Company

5400 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75240

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust – DAPS REORG

6th & Marquette Ave., 12th Floor, MAC N9303-121

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Phone: 1-800-344-5128

Fax: 1-866-969-1290

Email: dapsreorg@wellsfargo.com

Re: Matador Resources Company 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023

CUSIP [ ] 1 [ ] 2

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among Matador Resources Company, 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.

 

1   For Securities sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
2   For Securities sold in reliance on Regulation S.

 

C-1


(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 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

 

C-2


certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without 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 April 14, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”) among Matador Resources Company (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 Matador Resources Company, 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 April 14, 2015, relating to the 6.875% 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. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signatures by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental 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.

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:
MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY
By:

 

Name:
Title:

 

E-2


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:

 

Authorized Signatory

 

E-3

Exhibit 4.2

Execution Version

$400,000,000

MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY

6.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

April 14, 2015

M ERRILL L YNCH , P IERCE , F ENNER  & S MITH

                          I NCORPORATED

As Representative of the Initial Purchasers

c/o Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                            Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Matador Resources Company, a Texas corporation (the “ Issuer ”), proposes to issue and sell to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and the other several Initial Purchasers named in Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (collectively, the “ Initial Purchasers ”), upon the terms set forth in a purchase agreement dated April 9, 2015 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.875% 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 April 14, 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

 

1


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.

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.

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

 

2


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.

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

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

(y) 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.

 

3


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.

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.

 

4


(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)(1)(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.

(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.

 

5


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.

(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;

 

6


(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.

(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

 

7


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.

(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

 

8


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.

(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.

 

9


(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 good standing of the Company and its subsidiaries; 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 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

 

10


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 Section 5(b) 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 5(a) and 5(b) 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 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

 

11


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.

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,”

 

12


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 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

 

13


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 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

 

14


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

(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.

 

15


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, 6.875%. 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.

(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

 

16


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.

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.

 

17


(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:

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                     Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main Street, Suite 3700

Houston, TX 77002

Fax No.: (713) 546-5401

Attention: Sean Wheeler

(iii) if to the Company:

Matador Resources Company

One Lincoln Centre

5400 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75240

Fax No.: (972) 371-5201

Attention: Joseph Wm. Foran, Chief Executive Officer

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Baker Botts L.L.P.

2001 Ross Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201

Fax No.: (214) 661-4634

Attention: Douglass M. Rayburn

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.

 

18


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.

(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.]

 

19


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,
MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY
By:

/s/ David E. Lancaster

David E. Lancaster
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

DELAWARE WATER MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
DLK WOLF MIDSTREAM, LLC
DLK BLACK RIVER MIDSTREAM, LLC
LONGWOOD GATHERING AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS GP, INC.
LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM SOUTH TEXAS, LLC
LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM SOUTHEAST, LLC
LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM DELAWARE, LLC
MATADOR PRODUCTION COMPANY
MRC ENERGY COMPANY
MRC DELAWARE RESOURCES, LLC
MRC ENERGY SOUTHEAST COMPANY, LLC
MRC ENERGY SOUTH TEXAS COMPANY, LLC
MRC PERMIAN COMPANY
MRC ROCKIES COMPANY
SOUTHEAST WATER MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
By:

/s/ David E. Lancaster

David E. Lancaster
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


LONGWOOD GATHERING AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, LP
By: Longwood Gathering and Disposal Systems GP, Inc., its general partner
By:

/s/ David E. Lancaster

David E. Lancaster
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.
M ERRILL L YNCH , P IERCE , F ENNER  & S MITH

         I NCORPORATED

Acting on behalf of itself

and as the Representative of

the several Initial Purchasers

By: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

     Incorporated

By:

/s/ Neil Kahrim

Name: Neil Kahrim
Title: Director

 

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

Matador Resources Company

(a Texas corporation)

$400,000,000 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

April 9, 2015

M ERRILL L YNCH , P IERCE , F ENNER  & S MITH

        I NCORPORATED

As Representative of the Initial Purchasers

c/o Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

          Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Introductory . Matador Resources Company, a Texas corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes to issue and sell to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“ Merrill Lynch ”) and the other several Initial Purchasers named in Schedule A (the “ Initial Purchasers ”), acting severally and not jointly, the respective amounts set forth in such Schedule A of $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “ Notes ”). Merrill Lynch has agreed to act as the representative of the several Initial Purchasers (the “ Representative ”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes.

The Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture, to be dated as of April 14, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined below) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”). Notes will be issued only in book-entry form in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the “ Depositary ”) pursuant to a letter of representations, to be dated on or before the Closing Date (as defined in Section 2 hereof) (the “ DTC Agreement ”), among the Company, the Trustee and the Depositary.

The holders of the Notes will be entitled to the benefits of a registration rights agreement, to be dated as of April 14, 2015 (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, pursuant to which the Company and the Guarantors will be required to file with the Commission (as defined below), under the circumstances set forth therein, (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act (as defined below) relating to another series of debt securities of the Company with terms substantially identical to the Notes (the “ Exchange Notes ”) to be offered in exchange for the Notes (the “ Exchange Offer ”) and (ii) to the extent required by the Registration Rights Agreement, a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act relating to the resale by certain holders of the Notes,


and in each case, to use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statements to be declared effective. All references herein to the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Offer are only applicable if the Company and the Guarantors are in fact required to consummate the Exchange Offer pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

The payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis, jointly and severally by (i) the entities listed on the signature pages hereof as “Guarantors” and (ii) any subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the Closing Date that executes an additional guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Guarantors ”), pursuant to their guarantees (the “ Guarantees ”). The Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “ Securities ”; and the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “ Exchange Securities .”

This Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Securities, the Exchange Securities, and the Indenture are referred to herein as the “ Transaction Documents .”

The Company understands that the Initial Purchasers propose to make an offering of the Securities on the terms and in the manner set forth herein and in the Pricing Disclosure Package (as defined below) and agrees that the Initial Purchasers may resell, subject to the conditions set forth herein, all or a portion of the Securities to purchasers (the “ Subsequent Purchasers ”) on the terms set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package (the first time when sales of the Securities are made is referred to as the “ Time of Sale ”). The Securities are to be offered and sold to or through the Initial Purchasers without being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended, the “ Securities Act ,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder), in reliance upon exemptions therefrom. Pursuant to the terms of the Securities and the Indenture, investors who acquire Securities shall be deemed to have agreed that Securities may only be resold or otherwise transferred, after the date hereof, if such Securities are registered for sale under the Securities Act or if an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available (including the exemptions afforded by Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“ Rule 144A ”) or Regulation S under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”)).

The Company has prepared and delivered to each Initial Purchaser copies of a Preliminary Offering Memorandum, dated April 6, 2015 (the “ Preliminary Offering Memorandum ”), and has prepared and delivered to each Initial Purchaser copies of a Pricing Supplement, dated April 9, 2015 (the “ Pricing Supplement ”), describing the terms of the Securities, each for use by such Initial Purchaser in connection with its solicitation of offers to purchase the Securities. The Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Pricing Supplement are herein referred to as the “ Pricing Disclosure Package .” Promptly after this Agreement is executed and delivered, the Company will prepare and deliver to each Initial Purchaser a final offering memorandum dated the date hereof (the “ Final Offering Memorandum ”).

All references herein to the terms “ Pricing Disclosure Package ” and “ Final Offering Memorandum ” shall be deemed to mean and include all information filed under the Securities

 

2


Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the “ Exchange Act ,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder) prior to the Time of Sale and incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package (including the Preliminary Offering Memorandum) or the Final Offering Memorandum (as the case may be), and all references herein to the terms “ amend ,” “ amendment ” or “ supplement ” with respect to the Final Offering Memorandum shall be deemed to mean and include all information filed under the Exchange Act after the Time of Sale and incorporated by reference in the Final Offering Memorandum.

The Company hereby confirms its agreements with the Initial Purchasers as follows:

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties . Each of the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each Initial Purchaser that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (references in this Section 1 to the “ Offering Memorandum ” are to (x) the Pricing Disclosure Package in the case of representations and warranties made as of the date hereof and (y) the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum in the case of representations and warranties made as of the Closing Date):

(a) No Registration Required. Subject to compliance by the Initial Purchasers with the representations and warranties set forth in Section 2 hereof and with the procedures set forth in Section 7 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers and to each Subsequent Purchaser in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Offering Memorandum to register the Securities under the Securities Act or, until such time as the Exchange Securities are issued pursuant to an effective registration statement, to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “ Trust Indenture Act ,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder).

(b) No Integration of Offerings or General Solicitation. None of the Company, its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) (each, an “ Affiliate ”), or any person acting on its or any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has, directly or indirectly, solicited any offer to buy or offered to sell, or will, directly or indirectly, solicit any offer to buy or offer to sell, in the United States or to any United States citizen or resident, any security that is or would be integrated with the sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the Securities to be registered under the Securities Act. None of the Company, its Affiliates, or any person acting on its or any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has engaged or will engage, in connection with the offering of the Securities, in any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Securities Act. With respect to those Securities sold in reliance upon Regulation S, (i) none of the Company, its Affiliates or any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Regulation S and (ii) each of the Company and its Affiliates and

 

3


any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has complied and will comply with the offering restrictions set forth in Regulation S.

(c) Eligibility for Resale under Rule 144A. The Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A and will not be, at the Closing Date, of the same class as securities listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act or quoted in a U.S. automated interdealer quotation system.

(d) The Pricing Disclosure Package and Final Offering Memorandum. Neither the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Time of Sale, nor the Final Offering Memorandum, as of its date or (as amended or supplemented in accordance with Section 3(a), as applicable) as of the Closing Date, contains an untrue statement of a material fact 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; provided that this representation, warranty and agreement shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use in the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Memorandum or amendment or supplement thereto, as the case may be. The Pricing Disclosure Package contains, and the Final Offering Memorandum will contain, all the information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A. The Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of the Closing Date and the completion of the Initial Purchasers’ distribution of the Securities, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum.

(e) Company Additional Written Communications. The Company has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or distributed and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or distribute any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities other than (i) the Pricing Disclosure Package, (ii) the Final Offering Memorandum and (iii) any electronic road show or other written communications, in each case used in accordance with Section 3(a). Each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence (each, a “ Company Additional Written Communication ”), when taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, did not as of the Time of Sale, and at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from each such Company Additional Written Communication made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser through the Representatives expressly for use in any Company Additional Written Communication.

 

4


(f) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission (collectively, the “ Incorporated Documents ”) complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Each such Incorporated Document, when taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, did not as of the Time of Sale, and at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

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

(h) The Registration Rights Agreement and DTC Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized and, on the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by, and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of, the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) (the “ Enforceability Exceptions ”) and (ii) public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and contribution and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The DTC Agreement has been duly authorized and, on the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by, and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of, the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.

(i) Authorization of the Notes, the Guarantees and the Exchange Notes. The Notes to be purchased by the Initial Purchasers from the Company will on the Closing Date be in the form contemplated by the Indenture, have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and the Indenture and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed by the Company and, when authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture. The Exchange Notes have been duly and validly authorized for issuance by the Company, and when issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Exchange Offer, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture. The Guarantees of the Notes on the Closing Date and the Guarantees of the Exchange Notes when issued will be in the respective forms contemplated by the Indenture and have been duly authorized for issuance pursuant to this Agreement and the Indenture; the Guarantees of the Notes, at

 

5


the Closing Date, will have been duly executed by each of the Guarantors and, when the Notes have been authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and issued and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor, the Guarantees of the Notes will constitute valid and binding agreements of the Guarantors; and, when the Exchange Notes have been authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and issued and delivered in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Guarantees of the Exchange Notes will constitute valid and binding agreements of the Guarantors, in each case, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(j) Authorization of the Indenture. The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and the Guarantors and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Guarantors and (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee) will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable against the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.

(k) Description of the Transaction Documents. The Transaction Documents will conform in all material respects to the respective statements relating thereto contained in the Offering Memorandum.

(l) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas with corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and conduct its business as described in the Offering Memorandum. Each of the subsidiaries of the Company as listed in Exhibit B hereto (collectively, the “ Subsidiaries ”), has been duly organized or formed and is validly existing as a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation with corporate. limited liability company or limited partnership power and authority to own or lease its properties and conduct its business as described in Offering Memorandum and, in the case of the Company and the Guarantors, to enter into and perform its obligations under each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party. The Subsidiaries are the only subsidiaries, direct or indirect, of the Company. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries are duly qualified to transact business and are in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of their business requires such qualification; except where the failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not reasonably be expected (i) to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets, operations, earnings, business, or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business or (ii) to prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to hereinafter as a “ Material Adverse Effect ”).

 

6


(m) Capitalization. The information set forth under the caption “Capitalization” in the Offering Memorandum is true and correct (other than for subsequent issuances of capital stock, if any, pursuant to employee benefit plans described in the Offering Memorandum or upon exercise of outstanding options or warrants described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, as the case may be). The outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. The outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each of the Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid (to the extent required under the applicable limited partnership agreement of such Subsidiary) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 153.102, 153.112, 153.202 or 153.210 of the Texas Business Organizations Code with respect to limited partnerships and Sections 101.114, 101.153 or 101.206 of the Texas Business Organizations Code with respect to limited liability companies) and, except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, are wholly owned by the Company or another Subsidiary free and clear of all liens, pledges, restrictions, encumbrances and equities and claims.

(n) Preparation of the Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Subsidiaries, together with related notes and schedules as included and incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum, present fairly in all material respects the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries, at the indicated dates and for the indicated periods. Such financial statements and related schedules have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted principles of accounting, consistently applied throughout the periods involved (“ GAAP ”), except as disclosed therein, and all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of results for such periods have been made. The summary financial and statistical data included or incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum presents fairly in all material respects the information shown therein and such data has been compiled on a basis consistent with the financial statements presented therein and the books and records of the Company. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (“ XBRL ”) incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum and the Pricing Disclosure Package (i) fairly present the information contained therein and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto, in each case of clause (i) and (ii) in all material respects.

(o) Statistical Data . The statistical, industry-related and market-related data included in the Offering Memorandum are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate.

(p) Company’s Accounting System . Except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, the Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls (“ Internal Controls ”) in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and is sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to

 

7


maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) the interactive data in XBRL incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum and the Pricing Disclosure Package (i) fairly present the information contained therein and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto, in each case of clause (i) and (ii) in all material respects.

(q) No Significant Deficiencies . Since the date of the most recent balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries reviewed or audited by KPMG LLP or Grant Thornton, LLP, as applicable, and reviewed by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, (i) the Company has not been advised of (A) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of Internal Controls that could adversely affect the ability of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries 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 the Company and each of its Subsidiaries, and (ii) since that date, 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.

(r) Disclosure Controls and Procedures . The Company has established and maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act); the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” are reasonably designed to ensure that all information (both financial and non-financial) required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations of the Commission, and that all such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company required under the Exchange Act with respect to such reports.

(s) Independent Accountants. Each of (i) Grant Thornton, LLP, which has certified certain financial statements of the Company and delivered its opinion with respect to the audited financial statements and schedules included and incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum, and (ii) KPMG LLP, which reviewed certain financial statements of the Company included in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

(t) No Material Actions or Proceedings. Except as set forth in the Offering Memorandum, there is no action, suit, claim or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge

 

8


of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, before any court or administrative agency or which has the subject thereof any property owned or leased by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (i) that are required by the Securities Act to be disclosed on a registration statement in Form S-3 which is not so disclosed in the Offering Memorandum or (ii) which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(u) Title to Properties. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has (i) good and defensible title to all of the oil and gas properties (including oil and gas wells, producing leasehold interests and appurtenant personal property) owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries, title investigations having been carried out by the Company or its Subsidiaries consistent with the reasonable practice in the oil and gas industry in the areas in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate and (ii) good title to all other real and personal property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries, including but not limited to such other real and personal property reflected in the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries included and incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum, in each case free and clear of all restrictions, mortgages, pledges, security interests, claims, liens, encumbrances, charges and defects except such as (x) are described in the Offering Memorandum, (y) liens and encumbrances under operating agreements, unitization and pooling agreements, production sales contracts, farm-out agreements and other oil and gas exploration participation and production agreements, in each case that secure payment of amounts not yet due and payable for the performance of other unmatured obligations and are of a scope and nature customary in the oil and gas industry or arise in connection with drilling and production operations or (z) such as do not affect the value of the properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and do not interfere in any respect with the use made and proposed to be made of such properties by the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, with such exceptions as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the leases and subleases under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries holds or uses properties described in the Offering Memorandum are in full force and effect, with such exceptions as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or its Subsidiaries under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof to the continued possession or use of the leased or subleased premises, in each case, with such exceptions as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The working interests in oil, gas and mineral leases or mineral interests which constitute a portion of the real property held by the Company reflect in all material respects the right of the Company to explore, develop or receive production from such real property, and the care taken by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to acquiring or otherwise procuring such leases or mineral interests was generally consistent with standard industry practices in the areas in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate for acquiring or procuring leases and interests therein to explore, develop or produce for hydrocarbons.

 

9


(v) Rights-of-Way . The Company and its Subsidiaries have such consents, easements, rights-of-way or licenses from any person (“ rights-of-way ”) as are necessary to enable the Company and its Subsidiaries to conduct its business in the manner described in the Offering Memorandum, subject to such qualifications as may be set forth in the Offering Memorandum, and except for such rights-of-way the lack of which would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(w) Tax Law Compliance. The Company and the Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns which have been required to be filed and have paid all taxes indicated by said returns and all assessments received by them or any of them to the extent that such taxes have become due and payable by them, except (in any case) (i) for such taxes and assessments that are being contested in good faith and for which an adequate reserve for accrual has been established in accordance with GAAP, (ii) for any such taxes or assessments that are currently payable without penalty or interest, (iii) where a failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (iv) to the extent described in the Offering Memorandum. The Company has no knowledge of any actual or proposed additional material tax assessments. There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under U.S. federal law or the laws of any U.S. state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance by the Company or sale by the Company of the Notes.

(x) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Offering Memorandum, exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto, (i) there has not occurred any Material Adverse Effect, and there has not been any material transaction entered into or any material transaction that is probable of being entered into by the Company or the Guarantors, other than transactions in the ordinary course of business and changes and transactions described in the Offering Memorandum, and (ii) none of the Company or any of the Guarantors has incurred any liability or obligation (financial or otherwise), direct or contingent, or entered into any transaction (including any off-balance sheet activities or transactions), not in the ordinary course of business, that is material to the Company and the Guarantors, as a whole, and there has not been any material change in the capital stock or partnership interests, as the case may be, or material increase in the short-term debt or long-term debt (including any off-balance sheet activities or transactions), of any of the Company or the Guarantors, or any Material Adverse Effect, or any development involving or which may reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, in each case, except as described in the Offering Memorandum. The Company and the Guarantors have no material liabilities or obligations, or indirect or direct contingent obligations, that are not disclosed in the Company’s financial statements in the Offering Memorandum.

(y) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its Certificate of Formation or other formation document (“ Charter ”) or Bylaws, limited partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or similar organizational documents, (ii) in violation of or default (or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, will be in default) under any agreement, lease, contract, indenture or other instrument or obligation to which it is a party or by

 

10


which it, or any of its properties, is bound or (iii) in violation of any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or such Subsidiary or any of its properties, as applicable, except, with respect to clauses (i) through (iii), for such violations or defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will not conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (1) the Charter or Bylaws, of the Company, (2) any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party, or (3) any order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of any court or of any regulatory body or administrative agency or other governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, except, with respect to clauses (2) and (3), where such conflicts, breaches or defaults would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(z) No Further Authorizations or Approvals Required. No permit, consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, filing or qualification (“ Consents ”) of or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Guarantors or any of their respective properties or assets is required in connection with the offering, issuance or sale by the Company of the Securities or the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the Guarantors to the extent a party thereto, except (i) such Consents as may be required under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and state securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any jurisdiction, (ii) such Consents as have been obtained or will be obtained prior to the Closing Date, (iii) such Consents that, if not obtained, could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the Company and the Guarantors to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (iv) such Consents as are disclosed in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

(aa) All Necessary Permits, etc. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries has all licenses, certifications, permits, franchises, approvals, clearances and other regulatory authorizations (“ Permits ”) from governmental authorities as are necessary to conduct its businesses as currently conducted and to own, lease and operate its properties in the manner described in the Offering Memorandum except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no claim, proceeding or controversy, pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, threatened, involving the status of or sanctions under any of the Permits and no event has occurred that might allow for the revocation, termination, modification or other impairment of the rights of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries under such Permit, except, for such claims, proceedings, controversies or events as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(bb) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. Neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result

 

11


in, or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(cc) Company and Guarantors Not an “Investment Company”. Neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors is, and after giving effect to the offering and the sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Offering Memorandum will be, an “investment company” within the meaning of such term under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “ Investment Company Act ”).

(dd) Insurance . The Company and each of the Guarantors carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is commercially reasonable for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar industries. All policies of insurance insuring the Company or any Guarantor or any of their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect, and the Company and the Guarantors are in compliance with the terms of such policies in all material respects. There are no claims by the Company or any Guarantor under any such policy or instrument as to which an insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any Guarantor will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

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

(ff) ERISA Compliance. The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ ERISA ”); no “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any “pension plan” (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company would have any liability; the Company has not incurred and does not expect to incur liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “pension plan” or (ii) Section 412 or 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the “ Code ”); and each “pension plan” for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be

 

12


qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

(gg) Compliance with and Liability Under Environmental Laws. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor is in violation of any statute, any rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous chemicals, toxic substances or radioactive and biological materials or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous chemicals, toxic substances or radioactive and biological materials (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor the Guarantors own or operate any real property contaminated with any substance that requires remedial action to be taken under any Environmental Laws, is liable for remedial action at any site where materials regulated under Environmental Laws were disposed by the Company or any Guarantor, or is subject to any claim relating to any Environmental Laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim in each case would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to such a claim. There are no costs or liabilities arising under any Environmental Laws with respect to the operations or properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up or closure of properties, compliance with Environmental Laws, any permit, license or approval or any related legal constraints on operating activities, and any potential liabilities of third parties assumed under contract by the Company or its Subsidiaries) that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(hh) Periodic Review of Costs of Environmental Compliance. In the ordinary course of its business, the Company conducts a periodic review of the effect of applicable Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in the course of which it identifies and evaluates material associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties). On the basis of such review and the amount of its established reserves and except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, the Company has reasonably concluded that such identified associated costs and liabilities would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ii) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, the Guarantors, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the FCPA, including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other

 

13


property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA, and the Company, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

FCPA ” means Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(jj) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and each of the Guarantors owns, licenses, or otherwise has rights in all United States and foreign patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary rights necessary for the conduct of its respective business as currently carried on and as proposed to be carried on as described in the Offering Memorandum (collectively and together with any applications or registrations for the foregoing, the “ Intellectual Property ”), except where the failure to so own or possess would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Company nor any of its Guarantors has received any notice of infringement of or conflict with any asserted rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(kk) Compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley. As of the date hereof, the Company is, and on the Closing Date will be, in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act, ” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder) and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange that are then in effect and with which the Company is required to comply.

(ll) Related Party Transactions. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among any of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, on the one hand, and any director, officer, member, stockholder, customer or supplier of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, on the other hand, which is required by the Securities Act to be disclosed in a registration statement on Form S-3 which is not so disclosed in the Offering Memorandum. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any of their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum.

(mm) Regulations T, U, X. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor nor any agent thereof acting on their behalf has taken, and none of them will take, any action that might cause this Agreement or the issuance or sale of the Securities to violate Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

14


(nn) Compliance with Labor Laws. No labor problem or dispute with the employees of the Company or the Subsidiaries exists or, to the Company’s knowledge, is threatened or imminent, and the Company has no knowledge of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or its Subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, contractors, consultants or customers, that would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(oo) No Conflict with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries 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 applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(pp) No Conflict with Sanctions Laws. None of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Entity ”), nor any director or officer of the Entity nor, to the Entity’s knowledge, any employee agent, affiliate or representative of the Entity, is an individual or entity (“ Person ”) that is, or is owned or controlled by, a Person that is (i) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“ OFAC ”), the United Nations Security Council (“ UNSC ”), the European Union (“ EU ”), Her Majesty’s Treasury (“ HMT ”), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), nor (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, Burma/Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria). The Entity represents and covenants that it will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person (A) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions; or (B) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise). The Entity represents and covenants that it has not knowingly engaged in, is not now knowingly engaged in, and will not engage in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.

(qq) Royalties . As of the date hereof, (i) all royalties, rentals, deposits and other amounts owed under the oil and gas leases constituting the oil and gas properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been properly and timely paid, other than amounts held in suspense accounts pending routine payments or related to disputes about the proper identification of royalty owners and except where the failure to timely pay such amounts could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) no material amount of proceeds from the sale or production attributable to the oil and gas properties of the Company and its

 

15


Subsidiaries are currently being held in suspense by any purchaser thereof, except where such amounts due could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, and (iii) there are no claims under take or pay contracts pursuant to which natural gas purchasers have any make up rights affecting the interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries in their oil and gas properties, except where such claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(rr) Preparation of the Reserve Estimates. The oil and natural gas reserve estimates contained in the Offering Memorandum have been prepared by employees of the Company or the Guarantors and have been audited by an independent reserve engineer, in accordance with Commission guidelines applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, and the Company and the Guarantors have no reason to believe that such estimates do not fairly reflect the oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and the Guarantors as of the dates indicated. The information underlying the estimates of the Company’s reserves that was supplied to Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (the “ Reserve Engineer ”), for the purposes of auditing the reserve reports and estimates of the proved reserves of the Company disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, including production and costs of operation, was true and correct in all material respects on the dates such estimates were made, and such information was supplied and was prepared in accordance with customary industry practices. Other than normal production of the reserves, the impact of the changes in prices and costs, and fluctuations in demand for oil and natural gas and except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, the Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that would in the aggregate result in a material adverse change in the aggregate net proved reserves, or the aggregate present value or the standardized measure of the future net cash flows therefrom, as described in the Offering Memorandum and as reflected in the reports the Reserve Engineer prepared with regard to the proved reserves that the Company owns. The estimates of such proved reserves and standardized measure as described in the Offering Memorandum and reflected in the reports referenced therein have been prepared in a manner that complies, in all material respects, with the applicable requirements of the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect to such estimates.

(ss) Independent Petroleum Engineers. The Reserve Engineer is an independent petroleum engineer with respect to the Company and the Guarantors.

Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company or any Guarantor and delivered to the Initial Purchasers or to counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company or such Guarantor to each Initial Purchaser as to the matters set forth therein.

SECTION 2. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Securities.

(a) The Securities. Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly, all of the Securities, and,. subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Initial Purchasers agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company and the Guarantors the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth

 

16


opposite their names on Schedule A, at a purchase price of 98.25% of the principal amount thereof payable on the Closing Date, in each case, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and upon the terms herein set forth.

(b) The Closing Date. Delivery of certificates for the Securities in definitive form to be purchased by the Initial Purchasers and payment therefor shall be made at the offices of Latham & Watkins LLP, 811 Main Street, Suite 3700, Houston, TX 77002 (or such other place as may be agreed to by the Company and Merrill Lynch) at 9:00 a.m. New York City time, on April 14, 2015, or such other time and date as Merrill Lynch shall designate by notice to the Company (the time and date of such closing are called the “ Closing Date ”). The Company hereby acknowledges that circumstances under which Merrill Lynch may provide notice to postpone the Closing Date as originally scheduled include, but are in no way limited to, any determination by the Company or the Initial Purchasers to recirculate to investors copies of an amended or supplemented Offering Memorandum or a delay as contemplated by the provisions of Section 17 hereof.

(c) Delivery of the Notes. The Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Merrill Lynch for the accounts of the several Initial Purchasers certificates for the Notes at the Closing Date against the irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor. The certificates for the Notes shall be in such denominations and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depositary, pursuant to the DTC Agreement, and shall be made available for inspection on the business day preceding the Closing Date at a location in New York City, as Merrill Lynch may designate. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in this Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers.

(d) Initial Purchasers as Qualified Institutional Buyers. Each Initial Purchaser severally and not jointly represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company that:

(i) it will offer and sell Securities only to (a) persons who it reasonably believes are “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A (“ Qualified Institutional Buyers ”) in transactions meeting the requirements of Rule 144A or (b) upon the terms and conditions set forth in Annex I to this Agreement;

(ii) it is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act; and

(iii) it will not offer or sell Securities by, any form of general solicitation or general advertising, including but not limited to the methods described in Rule 502(c) under the Securities Act.

SECTION 3. Additional Covenants. Each of the Company and the Guarantors further covenants and agrees with each Initial Purchaser as follows:

(a) Preparation of Final Offering Memorandum; Initial Purchasers’ Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplements and Company Additional Written Communications. As promptly as practicable following the Time of Sale and in any event not later than the second business day following the date hereof, the

 

17


Company will prepare and deliver to the Initial Purchasers the Final Offering Memorandum, which shall consist of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum as modified only by the information contained in the Pricing Supplement. The Company will not amend or supplement the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Pricing Supplement. The Company will not amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum prior to the Closing Date unless the Representative shall previously have been furnished a copy of the proposed amendment or supplement at least two business days prior to the proposed use or filing, and shall not have objected to such amendment or supplement. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving or distributing any Company Additional Written Communication, the Company will furnish to the Representative a copy of such written communication for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve or distribute any such written communication to which the Representative reasonably objects.

(b) Amendments and Supplements to the Final Offering Memorandum and Other Securities Act Matters. If at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which any of the Pricing Disclosure Package as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement any of the Pricing Disclosure Package to comply with law, the Company and the Guarantors will promptly notify the Initial Purchasers thereof and forthwith prepare and (subject to Section 3(a) hereof) furnish to the Initial Purchasers such amendments or supplements to any of the Pricing Disclosure Package as may be necessary so that the statements in any of the Pricing Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or so that any of the Pricing Disclosure Package will comply with all applicable law. If, prior to the completion of the placement of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers with the Subsequent Purchasers, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum, as then amended or supplemented, in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Final Offering Memorandum is delivered to a Subsequent Purchaser, not misleading, or if in the judgment of the Representative or counsel for the Initial Purchasers it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum to comply with law, the Company and the Guarantors agree to promptly prepare (subject to Section 3 hereof), file with the Commission and furnish at its own expense to the Initial Purchasers, amendments or supplements to the Final Offering Memorandum so that the statements in the Final Offering Memorandum as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances at the Closing Date and at the time of sale of Securities, be misleading or so that the Final Offering Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, will comply with all applicable law.

Following the consummation of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of an applicable shelf registration statement and for so long as the Securities are outstanding, if, in the judgment of the Representative, the Initial Purchasers or any of their affiliates (as such term is defined in the Securities Act) are required to deliver a prospectus in

 

18


connection with sales of, or market-making activities with respect to, the Securities, the Company and the Guarantors agree to periodically amend the applicable registration statement so that the information contained therein complies with the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, to amend the applicable registration statement or supplement the related prospectus or the documents incorporated therein when necessary to reflect any material changes in the information provided therein so that the registration statement and the prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing as of the date the prospectus is so delivered, not misleading and to provide the Initial Purchasers with copies of each amendment or supplement filed and such other documents as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

The Company hereby expressly acknowledges that the indemnification and contribution provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereof are specifically applicable and relate to each offering memorandum, registration statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement referred to in this Section 3.

(c) Copies of the Offering Memorandum. The Company agrees to furnish the Initial Purchasers, without charge, as many copies of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum and any amendments and supplements thereto as they shall reasonably request.

(d) Blue Sky Compliance. Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall cooperate with the Representative and counsel for the Initial Purchasers to qualify or register (or to obtain exemptions from qualifying or registering) all or any part of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities laws of the several states of the United States, the provinces of Canada or any other jurisdictions designated by the Representatives, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities. Neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors shall be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a foreign corporation. The Company will advise the Representative promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Securities for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(e) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities sold by it in the manner described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Pricing Disclosure Package.

 

19


(f) The Depositary . The Company will cooperate with the Initial Purchasers and use its reasonable best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of the Depositary.

(g) Additional Issuer Information. Prior to the completion of the placement of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers with the Subsequent Purchasers, the Company shall file, on a timely basis, with the Commission and the NYSE all reports and documents required to be filed under Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act. Additionally, at any time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act, for the benefit of holders and beneficial owners from time to time of the Securities, the Company shall furnish, at its expense, upon request, to holders and beneficial owners of Securities and prospective purchasers of Securities information satisfying the requirements of Rule 144A(d).

(h) Agreement Not To Offer or Sell Additional Securities. During the period of 60 days following the date hereof, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of Merrill Lynch), directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell, pledge, transfer or establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, or announce the offering of, or file any registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any debt securities of the Company or securities exchangeable for or convertible into debt securities of the Company (other than as contemplated by this Agreement and to register the Exchange Securities).

(i) No Integration. The Company agrees that it will not and will cause its Affiliates not to make any offer or sale of securities of the Company of any class if, as a result of the doctrine of “integration” referred to in Rule 502 under the Securities Act, such offer or sale would render invalid (for the purpose of (i) the sale of the Securities by the Company to the Initial Purchasers, (ii) the resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Subsequent Purchasers or (iii) the resale of the Securities by such Subsequent Purchasers to others) the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof or by Rule 144A or by Regulation S thereunder or otherwise.

(j) No General Solicitation or Directed Selling Efforts . The Company agrees that it will not and will not permit any of its Affiliates or any other person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to which no covenant is given) to (i) solicit offers for, or offer or sell, the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) of Regulation D or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or (ii) engage in any directed selling efforts with respect to the Securities within the meaning of Regulation S, and the Company will and will cause all such persons to comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S with respect to the Securities.

 

20


(k) No Restricted Resales. During a period of one year after the Closing Date, the Company will not, and will not permit any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) to resell any of the Notes that have been reacquired by any of them.

(l) Legended Securities. Each certificate for a Note will bear the legend contained in “Transfer Restrictions” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum for the time period and upon the other terms stated in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum.

The Representative on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers, may, in its sole discretion, waive in writing the performance by the Company or any Guarantor of any one or more of the foregoing covenants or extend the time for their performance.

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses. Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Securities (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers, (iii) all fees and expenses of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors, (iv) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum (including financial statements and exhibits), and all amendments and supplements thereto, and the Transaction Documents, (v) all filing fees, attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company, the Guarantors or the Initial Purchasers in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities laws of the several states of the United States, the provinces of Canada or other jurisdictions designated by the Initial Purchasers (including, without limitation, the cost of preparing, printing and mailing preliminary and final blue sky or legal investment memoranda and any related supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Memorandum, (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture, the Securities and the Exchange Securities, (vii) any fees payable in connection with the rating of the Securities or the Exchange Securities with the ratings agencies, (viii) any filing fees incident to, and any reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Initial Purchasers in connection with the review by FINRA, if any, of the terms of the sale of the Securities or the Exchange Securities (in an amount not to exceed $10,000), (ix) all fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the Company and the Guarantors in connection with approval of the Securities by the Depositary for “book-entry” transfer, and the performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their respective other obligations under this Agreement and (x) all expenses incident to the “road show” for the offering of the Securities; provided, however, that the Initial Purchasers will pay for 50% of the cost of any chartered aircraft in connection with the road show. Except as provided in this Section 4 and Sections 6, 8 and 9 hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel.

SECTION 5. Conditions of the Obligations of the Initial Purchasers. The obligations of the several Initial Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Securities as provided

 

21


herein on the Closing Date shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though then made and to the timely performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:

(a) Accountants’ Comfort Letter. On the date hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall have received from each of KPMG and Grant Thornton LLP, the independent registered public accounting firms for the Company, a “comfort letter” dated the date hereof addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, covering the financial information in the Pricing Disclosure Package and other customary matters. In addition, on the Closing Date, the Initial Purchaser shall have received from such accountants a “bring-down comfort letter” dated the Closing Date addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, in the form of the “comfort letter” delivered on the date hereof, except that (i) it shall cover the financial information in the Final Offering Memorandum and any amendment or supplement thereto and (ii) procedures shall be brought down to a date no more than 3 days prior to the Closing Date.

(b) Reserve Engineer Letter. On the date hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall have received from the Reserve Engineer, a letter dated the date hereof addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, containing statements and information ordinarily included in reserve engineers’ “comfort letters” to Initial Purchasers with respect to the reserve reports and related information contained in the Offering Memorandum. In addition, on the Closing Date, the Initial Purchaser shall have received from the Reserve Engineer a bring-down letter dated the Closing Date addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, in the form of the letter delivered on the date hereof, except that it shall cover the reserve reports and related information in the Final Offering Memorandum and any amendment or supplement thereto.

(c) No Material Adverse Effect or Ratings Agency Change. For the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date:

(i) in the judgment of the Representative there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Effect; and

(ii) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their securities or indebtedness by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” registered under Section15E of the Exchange Act.

(d) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. On the Closing Date the Initial Purchasers shall have received the favorable opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P., counsel for the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, the form of which is attached as Exhibits A-1 and A-2.

 

22


(e) Opinion of Counsel for the Initial Purchasers. On the Closing Date the Initial Purchasers shall have received the favorable opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Initial Purchasers, dated as of such Closing Date, with respect to such matters as may be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers.

(f) Officers’ Certificate. On the Closing Date the Initial Purchasers shall have received a written certificate executed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President of the Company and each Guarantor and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company and each Guarantor, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Section 5(c)(ii) hereof, and further to the effect that:

(i) for the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date there has not occurred any Material Adverse Effect;

(ii) the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in Section 1 hereof were true and correct as of the date hereof and are true and correct as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though expressly made on and as of the Closing Date; and

(iii) each of the Company and the Guarantors has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date.

(g) Indenture; Registration Rights Agreement . The Company and the Guarantors shall have executed and delivered the Indenture, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, and the Initial Purchasers shall have received executed copies thereof. The Company and the Guarantors shall have executed and delivered the Registration Rights Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers and the Initial Purchasers shall have received such executed counterparts.

(h) Depositary . The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of DTC.

(i) Additional Documents. On or before the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers and counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall have received such information, documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.

If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that Sections 4, 6, 8 and 9 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

 

23


SECTION 6. Reimbursement of Initial Purchasers’ Expenses. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representative pursuant to Section 5 or clauses (i), (iv) or (v) of Section 10 hereof, including if the sale to the Initial Purchasers of the Securities on the Closing Date is not consummated because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to comply with any provision hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Initial Purchasers, severally, upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been reasonably incurred by the Initial Purchasers in connection with the proposed purchase and the offering and sale of the Securities, including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone charges.

SECTION 7. Offer, Sale and Resale Procedures . Each of the Initial Purchasers, on the one hand, and the Company and each of the Guarantors, on the other hand, hereby agree to observe the following procedures in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities:

(a) Offers and sales of the Securities will be made only by the Initial Purchasers or Affiliates thereof qualified to do so in the jurisdictions in which such offers or sales are made. Each such offer or sale shall only be made to persons whom the offeror or seller reasonably believes to be Qualified Institutional Buyers or non-U.S. persons outside the United States to whom the offeror or seller reasonably believes offers and sales of the Securities may be made in reliance upon Regulation S upon the terms and conditions set forth in Annex I hereto, which Annex I is hereby expressly made a part hereof.

(b) No general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Securities Act) will be used in the United States in connection with the offering of the Securities.

(c) Upon original issuance by the Company, and until such time as the same is no longer required under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Notes (and all securities issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof, other than the Exchange Notes) shall bear the following legend:

“THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY

 

24


EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (b) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF APPLICABLE) OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.”

Following the sale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Subsequent Purchasers pursuant to the terms hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall not be liable or responsible to the Company for any losses, damages or liabilities suffered or incurred by the Company, including any losses, damages or liabilities under the Securities Act, arising from or relating to any resale or transfer of any Security.

SECTION 8. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification of the Initial Purchasers. Each of the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Initial Purchaser, affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written

 

25


consent of the Company), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Supplement, any Company Additional Written Communication or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and to reimburse each Initial Purchaser and each such affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Merrill Lynch) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Initial Purchaser or such affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not apply, with respect to an Initial Purchaser, to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Supplement, any Company Additional Written Communication or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto). The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Indemnification of the Company and the Guarantors. Each Initial Purchaser agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each Guarantor, each of their respective directors and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Guarantor within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company, any Guarantor or any such director or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Initial Purchaser), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Supplement, any Company Additional Written Communication or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Supplement, any Company Additional Written Communication or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company, any Guarantor and each such director or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company, any Guarantor or such director or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. Each of the Company and the

 

26


Guarantors hereby acknowledges that the only information that the Initial Purchasers through the Representative have furnished to the Company expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Supplement, any Company Additional Written Communication or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth in the fifth, ninth and tenth paragraphs under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Final Offering Memorandum. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Initial Purchaser may otherwise have.

(c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures . Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; provided that the failure to so notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party under this Section 8 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced by such failure (through the forfeiture of substantive rights and defenses) and shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that the indemnifying party may have to an indemnified party other than under this Section 8. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel (in each jurisdiction)), which shall be selected by Merrill Lynch (in the case of counsel representing the Initial Purchasers or their related persons), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

(d) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such

 

27


consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

SECTION 9. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 hereof is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and the total discount received by the Initial Purchasers bear to the aggregate initial offering price of the Securities. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or inaccuracy.

The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8 hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 8 hereof with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 9; provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 8 hereof for purposes of indemnification.

 

28


The Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Initial Purchasers were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 9.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the discount received by such Initial Purchaser in connection with the Securities distributed by it. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Initial Purchasers’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their respective commitments as set forth opposite their names in Schedule A. For purposes of this Section 9, each affiliate, director, officer and employee of an Initial Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls an Initial Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Initial Purchaser, and each director of the Company or any Guarantor, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Guarantor with the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company and the Guarantors.

SECTION 10. Termination of this Agreement. Prior to the Closing Date, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative by notice given to the Company if at any time: (i) trading or quotation in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”), or trading in securities generally on either the Nasdaq Stock Market or the NYSE shall have been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any of such quotation system or stock exchange by the Commission or FINRA; (ii) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal, New York or Texas authorities; (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or calamity, or any change in the United States or international financial markets, or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial change in United States’ or international political, financial or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the Representative is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering sale or delivery of the Securities in the manner and on the terms described in the Pricing Disclosure Package or to enforce contracts for the sale of securities; (iv) in the judgment of the Representative there shall have occurred any Material Adverse Effect; or (v) the Company shall have sustained a loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake, accident or other calamity of such character as in the judgment of the Representative may interfere materially with the conduct of the business and operations of the Company regardless of whether or not such loss shall have been insured. Any termination pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of (i) the Company or any Guarantor to any Initial Purchaser, except that the Company and the Guarantors shall be obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Sections 4 and 6 hereof, (ii) any Initial Purchaser to the Company, or (iii) any party hereto to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

 

29


SECTION 11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, the Guarantors, their respective officers and the several Initial Purchasers set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser, the Company, any Guarantor or any of their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 12. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered, couriered or facsimiled and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:

If to the Initial Purchasers:

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

50 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10020

Attention: High Yield Legal Department

Fax: (212) 901-7897

with a copy to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main St., Suite 3700

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Sean T. Wheeler

Fax: (713) 546-5401

If to the Company or the Guarantors:

Matador Resources Company

One Lincoln Centre

5400 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75240

Attention: Joseph Wm. Foran

                 Chief Executive Officer

Fax: (972) 371-5201

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

Baker Botts L.L.P.

2001 Ross Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Douglass M. Rayburn

Fax: (214) 661-4634

Any party hereto may change the address or facsimile number for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others.

 

30


SECTION 13. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and to the benefit of the indemnified parties referred to in Sections 8 and 9 hereof, and in each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term “successors” shall not include any Subsequent Purchaser or other purchaser of the Securities as such from any of the Initial Purchasers merely by reason of such purchase.

SECTION 14. Authority of the Representative. Any action by the Initial Purchasers hereunder may be taken by Merrill Lynch on behalf of the Initial Purchasers, and any such action taken by Merrill Lynch shall be binding upon the Initial Purchasers.

SECTION 15. Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

SECTION 16. Governing Law Provisions. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

SECTION 17. Default of One or More of the Several Initial Purchasers. If any one or more of the several Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on the Closing Date, and the aggregate number of Securities which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of the Securities to be purchased on such date, the other Initial Purchasers shall be obligated, severally, in the proportions that the number of Securities set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A bears to the aggregate number of Securities set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Initial Purchasers, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Initial Purchasers with the consent of the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers, to purchase the Securities which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase on the Closing Date. If any one or more of the Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities and the aggregate number of Securities with respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of Securities to be purchased on the Closing Date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers and the Company for the purchase of such Securities are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 4, 6, 8 and 9 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination. In any such case either the Initial Purchasers or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, as the case may be, but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the required changes, if any, to the Final Offering Memorandum or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.

 

31


As used in this Agreement, the term “ Initial Purchaser ” shall be deemed to include any person substituted for a defaulting Initial Purchaser under this Section 17. Any action taken under this Section 17 shall not relieve any defaulting Initial Purchaser from liability in respect of any default of such Initial Purchaser under this Agreement.

SECTION 18. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. Each of the Company and the Guarantors acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the several Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and the Company and the Guarantors are capable of evaluating and understanding and understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) in connection with each transaction contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction each Initial Purchaser is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company and the Guarantors or their respective affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other party; (iii) no Initial Purchaser has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company and the Guarantors with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Initial Purchaser has advised or is currently advising the Company and the Guarantors on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company and the Guarantors except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement; (iv) the several Initial Purchasers and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and the Guarantors, and the several Initial Purchasers have no obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any fiduciary or advisory relationship; and (v) the Initial Purchasers have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby, and the Company and the Guarantors have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they deemed appropriate.

This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company, the Guarantors and the several Initial Purchasers, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Company and the Guarantors hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company and the Guarantors may have against the several Initial Purchasers with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty.

SECTION 19. Compliance With USA Patriot Act . In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Initial Purchasers are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Initial Purchasers to properly identify their respective clients.

SECTION 20. General Provisions. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original,

 

32


with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopier, facsimile or other electronic transmission (i.e., a “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. The section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

33


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
I SSUER :
MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY
By:

/s/ Joseph Wm. Foran

Joseph Wm. Foran
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
G UARANTORS :
DELAWARE WATER MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
DLK WOLF MIDSTREAM, LLC
DLK BLACK RIVER MIDSTREAM, LLC
LONGWOOD GATHERING AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS GP, INC.
LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM SOUTH TEXAS, LLC
LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM SOUTHEAST, LLC
LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM DELAWARE, LLC
MATADOR PRODUCTION COMPANY
MRC ENERGY COMPANY
MRC DELAWARE RESOURCES, LLC
MRC ENERGY SOUTHEAST COMPANY, LLC
MRC ENERGY SOUTH TEXAS COMPANY, LLC
MRC PERMIAN COMPANY
MRC ROCKIES COMPANY
SOUTHEAST WATER MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
By:

/s/ Joseph Wm. Foran

Joseph Wm. Foran
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Purchase Agreement


LONGWOOD GATHERING AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, LP
By: Longwood Gathering and Disposal Systems GP, Inc., its general partner
By:

/s/ Joseph Wm. Foran

Joseph Wm. Foran
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Purchase Agreement


The foregoing Purchase Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Initial Purchasers as of the date first above written.

 

M ERRILL L YNCH , P IERCE , F ENNER  & S MITH

 I NCORPORATED

Acting on behalf of itself

and as the Representative of

the several Initial Purchasers

By: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

      Incorporated

By:

/s/ Aashish Dhakad

Name: Aashish Dhakad
Title: Director

 

Signature Page to Purchase Agreement


SCHEDULE A

 

Initial Purchasers

   Aggregate
Principal
Amount of
Securities to be
Purchased
 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

     Incorporated

   $ 130,000,000   

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

     60,000,000   

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

     50,000,000   

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

     40,000,000   

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

     40,000,000   

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

     40,000,000   

Comerica Securities Inc.

     10,000,000   

IBERIA Capital Partners L.L.C.

     10,000,000   

Stephens Inc.

     10,000,000   

Wunderlich Securities, Inc.

     10,000,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

$ 400,000,000   
  

 

 

 


EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, exceptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. The Company is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas, and each of the Guarantors is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas.

2. Each of the Company and the Guarantors has the requisite corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority (i) to own, lease and operate its respective properties and to conduct its respective business as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum and (ii) to enter into and perform its respective obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, in each case in all material respects.

3. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Guarantors.

4. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Guarantors and (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee) is 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) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors’ generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (ii) public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and contribution and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing (the “Enforceability Exceptions”).

5. 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 will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

6. The Guarantees have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Guarantors 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 will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

 

Exhibit A-1

 

1


7. 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 the Company, 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.

8. The Exchange Guarantees have been duly authorized by each of the Guarantors and, 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.

9. The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Guarantors and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by 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.

10. The statements set forth in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum under the captions “The Offering” and “Description of the Notes,” insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of the terms of the Securities, the Indenture, the Exchange Securities and the Registration Rights Agreement, are accurate in all material respects.

11. The statements under the caption “Material United States Federal Income Considerations” in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum, insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of matters of United States federal tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, are accurate in all material respects, subject to the limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth therein.

12. None of the issuance and sale of the Securities, the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the Guarantors to the extent a party thereto, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby (i) constitutes or will constitute a violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Formation or Bylaws of the Company or the certificate of formation, bylaws, limited liability company agreement or partnership agreement, as applicable, of the Guarantors, (ii) constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) under any agreement filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 (the “Form 10-K”), or (iii) results in a violation by the Company or any of the Guarantors of any law, statute, rule or regulation of the United States of America, the State of Texas or the State of New York applicable to the Company and the Guarantors (other than securities laws or anti-fraud laws), which breaches, violations or defaults, in the case of clauses (ii) or (iii), would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Exhibit A-1

 

2


13. No filing, consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification under the federal laws of the United States of America, the laws of the State of Texas or the laws of the State of New York is required for the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the Guarantors to the extent a party thereto or for the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities by the Company and the Guarantors pursuant to this Agreement, except for (i) such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required under applicable state securities laws or blue sky laws in connection with the purchase and resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers, (ii) with respect to the Exchange Securities, such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required under the Securities Act, the Trust Indenture Act and applicable state securities or blue sky laws as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, (iv) any consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification or other action that is or has been obtained or made prior to the Closing Date or (v) such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as disclosed in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum. In rendering the opinion expressed in this paragraph 13, such counsel need not express any opinion as to the matters addressed in paragraph 15 below.

14. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum, will not be, or be required to register as, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

15. Assuming (i) the accuracy of the representations and warranties and compliance with the agreements of the Company and Guarantors contained in this Agreement and (ii) the accuracy of the representations and warranties and compliance with the agreements of the Initial Purchasers contained in this Agreement, no registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, and no qualification of an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act with respect thereto, is required with respect to the purchase of the Securities by you or the initial resale of the Securities by you to qualified institutional buyers or non-U.S. persons in the manner contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum. Such counsel need express no opinion, however, as to when or under what circumstances any Securities initially sold by you may be offered or resold.

In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of Texas or the federal law of the United States of America, to the extent they deem proper and specified in such opinion, upon the opinion (which shall be dated the Closing Date shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Initial Purchasers, shall expressly state that the Initial Purchasers may rely on such opinion as if it were addressed to them and shall be furnished to the Initial Purchasers) of other counsel of good standing whom they believe to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the Initial

 

Exhibit A-1

 

3


Purchasers; provided, however, that such counsel shall further state that they believe that they and the Initial Purchasers are justified in relying upon such opinion of other counsel, and as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.

 

Exhibit A-1

 

4


EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF 10B-5 LETTER OF COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY

We have reviewed the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum and have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, with representatives of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and independent petroleum engineer, and with your representatives and your counsel, at which the contents of the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Memorandum and related matters were discussed. The purpose of our professional engagement was not to establish or confirm factual matters set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Memorandum, and we have not undertaken to verify independently any of the factual matters in such documents. Moreover, many of the determinations required to be made in the preparation of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum involve matters of a non-legal nature. Accordingly, we are not passing upon, and do not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements included in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum (except to the extent stated in paragraphs 10 and 11 above). Subject to the foregoing and on the basis of the information we gained in the course of performing the services referred to above, we advise you that:

(a) the documents incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum, when they were filed with the Commission, appear on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act; and

(b) nothing came to our attention that caused us to believe that:

(A) the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Time of Sale, included 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 Final Offering Memorandum, as of its date or as of the date hereof, included or includes 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;

it being understood that in each case we have not been asked to, and do not, express any belief with respect to (i) the financial statements and schedules or other financial or accounting information contained or included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom, (ii) the summary reserve report of the independent petroleum engineer and reserve information contained or included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom, or (iii) representations and warranties and other statements of fact contained in the exhibits to the documents incorporated by reference therein.

 

Exhibit A-2


EXHIBIT B

Subsidiaries

 

  Delaware Water Management Company, LLC

 

  DLK Black River Midstream, LLC

 

  DLK Wolf Midstream, LLC

 

  Longwood Gathering and Disposal Systems GP, Inc.

 

  Longwood Gathering and Disposal Systems, LP

 

  Longwood Midstream South Texas, LLC

 

  Longwood Midstream Southeast, LLC

 

  Longwood Midstream Delaware, LLC

 

  Matador Production Company

 

  MRC Delaware Resources, LLC

 

  MRC Energy Company

 

  MRC Energy Southeast Company, LLC

 

  MRC Energy South Texas Company, LLC

 

  MRC Permian Company

 

  MRC Rockies Company

 

  Southeast Water Management Company, LLC

 

  Fulcrum Delaware Water Resources, LLC

 

Exhibit B


ANNEX I

Resale Pursuant to Regulation S or Rule 144A . Each Initial Purchaser understands that:

Such Initial Purchaser agrees that it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell the Securities in the United States or to, or for the benefit or account of, a U.S. person (other than a distributor), in each case, as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S (i) as part of its distribution at any time and (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the offering of the Securities pursuant hereto and the Closing Date, other than in accordance with Regulation S or another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Such Initial Purchaser agrees that, during such 40-day restricted period, it will not cause any advertisement with respect to the Securities (including any “tombstone” advertisement) to be published in any newspaper or periodical or posted in any public place and will not issue any circular relating to the Securities, except such advertisements as are permitted by and include the statements required by Regulation S.

Such Initial Purchaser agrees that, at or prior to confirmation of a sale of Securities by it to any distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration during the 40-day restricted period referred to in Rule 903 of Regulation S, it will send to such distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration a confirmation or notice to substantially the following effect:

“The Securities covered hereby have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered and sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (i) as part of your distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the date the Securities were first offered to persons other than distributors in reliance upon Regulation S and the Closing Date, except in either case in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act (or in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or to accredited investors in transactions that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act), and in connection with any subsequent sale by you of the Securities covered hereby in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act during the period referred to above to any distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration, you must deliver a notice to substantially the foregoing effect. Terms used above have the meanings assigned to them in Regulation S under the Securities Act.”

 

Annex I-1

Exhibit 10.2

Execution Version

SIXTH AMENDMENT TO THIRD

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

This SIXTH AMENDMENT TO THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is entered into as of April 14, 2015, by and among MRC ENERGY COMPANY, a Texas corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party hereto and ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”). Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement (as defined below).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have entered into that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2012 (as the same has been and may hereafter be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders amend the Credit Agreement in certain respects and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have agreed to do so on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and confessed, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Amendments to Credit Agreement. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver in writing of each condition precedent set forth in Section 4 of this Amendment, and in reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Amendment, the Credit Agreement shall be amended in the manner provided in this Section 1 .

1.1 Amended Definitions. The following definitions in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be and they hereby are amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

Borrowing Base Equalization Date ” means the Sixth Amendment Effective Date.

Change of Control ” means an event or series of events whereby any of the following occurs:

(a) the Parent controls, directly or indirectly, less than 100% on a fully diluted basis of the aggregate issued and outstanding voting stock (or comparable voting interests) of Borrower;

(b) an event or series of events by which any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan

 

P AGE 1


of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d 3 and 13d 5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of a majority or more of each class of the equity securities of the Parent entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Parent on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); provided , however, such “group” shall not consist of any existing “group” of shareholders (or the members thereof) that may be deemed to beneficially own more than a majority of any class of voting equity securities of the Parent pursuant to existing voting agreements or otherwise; or

(c) the occurrence of a “Change of Control” (or any other defined term having a similar purpose) as defined in any Indenture.

Material Debt ” means Debt under the Senior Notes (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof) and any other Debt (other than Advances and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of Commodity Hedging Agreements or Interest Rate Agreements, of Parent or any one or more of the Credit Parties in an aggregate principal amount exceeding the Threshold Amount. For purposes of determining Material Debt, the “principal amount” of the obligations of Parent or any Credit Party in respect of any Commodity Hedging Agreement or Interest Rate Agreement at any time shall be the Hedge Termination Value .

Net Cash Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash payments received by Parent or any Credit Party from any Disposition of property, the issuance of Equity Interests or the issuance of Debt (including the Senior Notes and any Permitted Refinancing thereof), as the case may be, net of all costs and expenses incurred in connection with any such sale or issuance, as the case may be, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, underwriting discounts, sales commissions, and other third party charges, and net of property taxes, transfer taxes and all other taxes paid or payable by Parent or such Credit Party in respect of any such sale or issuance, and, in the case of a Disposition of property, net of all amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Debt secured by a Lien expressly permitted hereunder on any asset that is the subject of such Disposition (other than any Lien pursuant to a Collateral Document).

Threshold Amount ” means an amount equal to the greater of (a) $15,000,000 and (b) 5% of (i) the Conforming Borrowing Base at any time prior to the Borrowing Base Equalization Date and (ii) the Borrowing Base at any time on or after the Borrowing Base Equalization Date.

 

P AGE 2


Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that at the time of the determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary of Borrower in a manner provided below. Borrower may designate any Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries at the time of such designation or at any time thereafter (a) is a Material Domestic Subsidiary, (b) owns or operates Borrowing Base Properties or (c) is a guarantor or the primary obligor with respect to any indebtedness, liabilities or other obligations under any Senior Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof).

1.2 Additional Definitions. The following definitions shall be and they hereby are added to Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement in alphabetical order:

Sixth Amendment Effective Date ” means April 14, 2015.

Indenture ” means any indenture by and among Parent or any Credit Party, as issuer and/or a guarantor, and a trustee, pursuant to which any Senior Notes are issued, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement.

Permitted Refinancing ” means any (1) Debt of Parent or any Credit Party, and Debt constituting guarantees thereof by any Credit Party, incurred or issued in exchange for, or the Net Cash Proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, repurchase, defease or refund, existing Senior Notes, in whole or in part, from time to time; provided that (a) the principal amount of such Permitted Refinancing (or if such Permitted Refinancing is issued at a discount, the initial issuance price of such Permitted Refinancing) does not exceed the principal amount of Debt permitted under Section 8.1(q) , (b) such Permitted Refinancing does not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or payment of a sinking fund obligation prior to the date that is six (6) months after the Revolving Credit Maturity Date (except for any offer to redeem such Debt required as a result of asset sales or the occurrence of a “Change of Control” (or any other defined term having a similar purpose) under and as defined in the Indenture), (c) the covenant, default and remedy provisions of such Permitted Refinancing are not materially more onerous, taken as a whole, to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than those imposed by such existing Senior Notes (as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Parent or a committee thereof), (d) the mandatory prepayment, repurchase and redemption provisions of such Permitted Refinancing are not materially more onerous, taken as a whole, to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than those imposed by such existing Senior Notes (as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Parent or a committee thereof), (e) such Permitted Refinancing is unsecured, (f) no Subsidiary of any Credit Party is required to guarantee such Permitted Refinancing unless such Subsidiary is (or concurrently with any such guarantee becomes) a Guarantor hereunder, and (g) to the extent such Permitted Refinancing is or is intended to be expressly subordinate to the payment in full of

 

P AGE 3


all or any portion of the Indebtedness, the subordination provisions contained therein are either (x) on substantially the same terms or at least as favorable to the Lenders as the subordination provisions contained in such existing Senior Notes or (y) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (2) any Senior Notes registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and issued in exchange for the initial Senior Notes issued by the Parent and any guarantees thereof by any Credit Party.

Senior Notes ” means any senior or senior subordinated notes issued by Parent or any Credit Party pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture; provided that (a) the terms of such Senior Notes do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption (including any required offer to redeem) or payment of a sinking fund obligation prior to the date that is six (6) months after the Revolving Credit Maturity Date (except for any offer to redeem such Senior Notes required as a result of asset sales or the occurrence of a “Change of Control” (or any other defined term having a similar purpose) under and as defined in the applicable Indenture), (b) such Senior Notes are unsecured and (c) no Subsidiary of any Credit Party is required to guarantee the Debt evidenced by such Senior Notes unless such Subsidiary is (or concurrently with any such guarantee becomes) a Guarantor hereunder.

Senior Note Documents ” means the Senior Notes, the Indenture and any documents or instruments executed in connection with any of them, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement.

1.3 Prepayments . Section 2.10(c) of the Credit Agreement shall be and it hereby is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

(c) Subject to clauses (e) and (f)  below, no later than the second Business Day following receipt by (w) any Credit Party of Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance of any Equity Interests by any Credit Party in an amount in excess of $5,000,000 (other than Equity Interests issued (A) under any stock option or employee incentive plans or (B) to a Credit Party), (x) any Credit Party of Net Cash Proceeds of any Debt issuance in excess of $5,000,000 under Section 8.1(s) , (y) any Credit Party of Net Cash Proceeds of any Senior Notes issuance (other than a Permitted Refinancing that extends, refinances, renews, replaces, repurchases, defeases or refunds outstanding Senior Notes) or (z) any Credit Party of Net Cash Proceeds from the Disposition of Borrowing Base Properties pursuant to Section 8.4(k) , Borrower shall prepay the Revolving Credit by an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds, but with respect to clauses (w), (x) and (z), only to the extent that the Aggregate Credit Exposure exceeds, (1) at any time prior to the Borrowing Base Equalization Date, the Conforming Borrowing Base and (2) at any time from and after the Borrowing Base Equalization Date, the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment; provided that, for purposes of clause (z) and so long as such Disposition of Borrowing Base Properties did not result in an automatic reduction of the Borrowing Base

 

P AGE 4


and Conforming Borrowing Base, as applicable, pursuant to Section 8.4(k) , Borrower shall not be required to prepay the Revolving Credit in accordance with clause (z) until the fair market value of all Borrowing Base Properties Disposed of (whether pursuant to a Disposition of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary owning Borrowing Base Properties or otherwise) since the most recent scheduled redetermination of the Borrowing Base is greater than or equal to $5,000,000 in the aggregate.

1.4 Borrowing Base . Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be and it hereby is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

4.1 Borrowing Base . The term “ Conforming Borrowing Base ” means, as of the date of determination thereof prior to the Borrowing Base Equalization Date, the designated loan value as calculated by Lenders in their sole discretion assigned to the discounted present value of future net income accruing to the Borrowing Base Properties, based upon Lenders’ in-house evaluation of Borrowing Base Properties. Before the Borrowing Base Equalization Date the term “ Borrowing Base ” has the meaning set forth below, and will be determined in relation to the Conforming Borrowing Base. On and after the Borrowing Base Equalization Date, the term “ Borrowing Base ” means, as of the date of determination thereof, the designated loan value as calculated by Lenders in their sole discretion assigned to the discounted present value of future net income accruing to the Borrowing Base Properties, based upon Lenders’ in-house evaluation of Borrowing Base Properties. The Lenders’ determination of the Conforming Borrowing Base and Borrowing Base will be made in accordance with then-current practices, economic and pricing parameters, methodology, assumptions, and customary procedures and standards established by each Lender from time to time for its petroleum industry customers including without limitation (a) an analysis of such reserves and production data with respect to the Hydrocarbon Interests of the Credit Parties in all of their Oil and Gas Properties, including the Mortgaged Properties, as is provided to Lenders in accordance herewith, (b) an analysis of the assets, liabilities, cash flow, business, properties, prospects, management and ownership of each Credit Party, and (c) such other credit factors as each Lender customarily considers in evaluating similar oil and gas credits. Borrower acknowledges that the determination of the Borrowing Base contains an equity cushion (collateral value in excess of loan amount) which Borrower acknowledges to be essential for the adequate protection of Lenders. As of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Borrowing Base and the Conforming Borrowing Base shall be $375,000,000. Prior to the Borrowing Base Equalization Date, any increase in the Conforming Borrowing Base as a result of the most recent redetermination thereof shall result in an equal increase in the Borrowing Base. On and after the Borrowing Base Equalization Date, the Borrowing Base shall equal the Conforming Borrowing Base then in effect and all references to Conforming Borrowing Base and Borrowing Base shall mean the Borrowing Base then in effect.

 

P AGE 5


1.5 Non-contravention . Section 6.8(b) of the Credit Agreement shall be and it hereby is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including each Request for Revolving Credit Advance) to which the Parent and each Credit Party is a party are not in contravention of the terms of any material Contractual Obligation, indenture, agreement or other instrument evidencing Material Debt or any other undertaking to which the Parent or such Credit Party is a party or by which it or its properties are bound where, in the case of any of the foregoing, such violation could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

1.6 Section 7.2(c) . Section 7.2(c) shall be and it hereby is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

(c) Promptly after the furnishing or receipt thereof, copies of any material statement, report or notice furnished to or received from any Person pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or other similar agreement evidencing Material Debt, other than this Agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other provision of this section (including a copy of any notice of default received from any holder or holders of any Senior Notes or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf, to the extent such notice has not otherwise been delivered to the Administrative Agent hereunder);

1.7 Section 7.2(f) . Section 7.2 of the Credit Agreement shall be and it hereby is further amended by re-lettering clause (f) as a new clause (g) and inserting the following in its entirety as clause (f):

(f) Issuance of Senior Notes . In the event the Parent or any Credit Party intends to issue Senior Notes (other than the initial Senior Notes issued or to be issued by the Parent or any Senior Notes in exchange therefor) or refinance any existing Senior Notes with the proceeds of any Permitted Refinancing, prior written notice of the intended offering of such Senior Notes or such Permitted Refinancing, the estimated amount thereof, and the anticipated date of closing, and upon the written request of the Administrative Agent, copies of the preliminary offering memorandum (if any) and the final offering memorandum (if any) relating to such Senior Notes or Permitted Refinancing, as the case may be.

1.8 Limitation on Debt . Section 8.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be and it hereby is amended by amending and restating clause (c) to read as set forth below and re-lettering clauses (q) and (r) as clauses (r) and (s), respectively, and inserting the following in its entirety as clause (q):

(c) Debt of any Credit Party to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capitalized Leases, provided that the aggregate principal amount of Debt permitted by this Section 8.1(c) at any time outstanding shall not exceed the greater of (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) 5% of the Borrowing Base, and any renewals, extensions or refinancings of such Debt;

 

P AGE 6


(q) unsecured Debt under the Senior Notes (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof), including any Debt constituting guarantees thereof by any Credit Party; in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $400,000,000.00 at any time outstanding; provided that (i) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to each issuance of Senior Notes (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) in connection with the issuance of Senior Notes, the Borrower shall prepay the Loans and/or deposit cash collateral to the extent required pursuant to Section 2.10(c) ;

1.9 Limitations on Other Restrictions . Section 8.8 of the Credit Agreement shall be and it hereby is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

8.8 Limitations on Other Restrictions . Enter into any agreement, document or instrument which would (a) restrict the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of Borrower to pay or make dividends or distributions in cash or kind to Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, to make loans, advances or other payments of whatever nature to any Credit Party, or to make transfers or distributions of all or any part of its assets to any Credit Party; or (b) restrict or prevent any Credit Party from granting Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders Liens upon, security interests in and pledges of their respective assets, provided , however, that the preceding restrictions will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions arising under or by reason of (i) this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the Senior Note Documents (or any documents evidencing or relating to any Permitted Refinancing thereof), (ii) any agreements governing any Debt permitted by Section 8.1(c) and any other purchase money Debt or Capitalized Leases otherwise permitted hereby (in which case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets financed by or the subject of such Debt and the proceeds and products thereof and all accessions and attachments thereto), (iii) customary restrictions that arise in connection with any Disposition permitted by Section 8.4 and applicable solely to the assets subject to such Disposition, (iv) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and similar agreements that restrict transfer of assets of, or Equity Interests in, joint ventures, (v) prohibitions and limitations that are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such prohibitions and limitations were not created in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and apply only to such Restricted Subsidiary, (vi) restrictions with respect to Oil and Gas Properties that are not Borrowing Base Properties and are not included in the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section 4.3 , (vii) customary provisions contained in agreements that restrict assignment of such agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (viii) customary provisions in leases, subleases, licenses, sublicenses and similar contracts that restrict the transfer thereof or the transfer of the assets subject thereto by the lessee, sublessee, licensee or sublicensee, and (ix) prohibitions and limitations arising by operation of law.

 

P AGE 7


1.10 Senior Notes Restrictions . The following shall be and it hereby is added in numerical order as Section 8.13 of the Credit Agreement:

8.13 Senior Notes Restrictions .

(a) Except for regularly scheduled payments of interest required under the Senior Notes, directly or indirectly, optionally or voluntarily retire, redeem, defease, repurchase or prepay prior to the scheduled due date thereof any part of the principal of, or interest on, the Senior Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof); provided that so long as no Default or Borrowing Base Deficiency has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the Credit Parties may retire, redeem, defease, repurchase or prepay the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, with the proceeds of any Permitted Refinancing permitted pursuant to Section 8.1(q) and/or with the Net Cash Proceeds of any issuance of Equity Interests by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

(b) Enter into or permit any modification or amendment of the Senior Note Documents the effect of which is to (a) increase the maximum principal amount of the Senior Notes or the rate of interest on any of the Senior Notes (other than as a result of the imposition of a default rate of interest in accordance with the terms of the Senior Note Documents), (b) change or add any event of default or any covenant with respect to the Senior Note Documents if the effect of such change or addition is to cause any one or more of the Senior Note Documents to be materially more restrictive on any Credit Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries than such Senior Note Documents were prior to such change or addition, (c) shorten the dates upon which payments of principal or interest on the Senior Notes are due, (d) change any redemption or prepayment provisions of the Senior Notes, (e) alter the subordination provisions, if any, with respect to any of the Senior Note Documents, (f) grant any Liens in any assets of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or (g) permit any Subsidiary of any Credit Party to guarantee the Senior Notes unless such Subsidiary is (or concurrently with any such guarantee becomes) a Guarantor hereunder.

1.11 Participations. The phrase “ as an agent of Borrower ” in the last paragraph of Section 13.7(d) of the Credit Agreement shall be and hereby is amended to read “ as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrower ”.

1.12 Schedule 1.1 . Schedule 1.1 to the Credit Agreement shall be and it hereby is amended and restated in its entirety and replaced with Schedule 1.1 attached hereto

1.13 Schedule 1.2. Schedule 1.2 to the Credit Agreement shall be and it hereby is amended and restated in its entirety and replaced with Schedule 1.2 attached hereto.

SECTION 2. Redetermined Borrowing Base. This Amendment shall constitute notice of (a) the occurrence of the Borrowing Base Equalization Date and the resulting redetermination of the

 

P AGE 8


Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement and (b) a redetermination of the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Credit Agreement, and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower hereby acknowledge that effective as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Borrowing Base and the Conforming Borrowing Base shall be $375,000,000. From and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date the Conforming Borrowing Base and Borrowing Base shall be the same. Such redetermined Borrowing Base shall remain in effect until the date the Borrowing Base is otherwise adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower hereby agree that the redetermination of the Borrowing Base contained in this Section 2 shall constitute the Determination Date to occur on or about May 1, 2015.

SECTION 3. Reallocation of Revolving Credit Commitment Amounts. The Lenders have agreed among themselves to reallocate their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Amounts. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower hereby consent to the reallocation of the Revolving Credit Commitment Amounts. On the date this Amendment becomes effective and after giving effect to such reallocation and assignment and decrease of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment, the Revolving Credit Commitment Amount of each Lender shall be as set forth on Schedule 1.2 of this Amendment. Each Lender hereby consents to the Revolving Credit Commitment Amount set forth on Schedule 1.2 of this Amendment. The reallocation of the Revolving Credit Commitment Amounts among the Lenders, shall be deemed to have been consummated pursuant to the terms of the Assignment and Assumption attached as Exhibit D to the Credit Agreement as if the Lenders, had executed an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such reallocation. The Administrative Agent hereby waives the $3,500 processing and recordation fee set forth in Section 13.7(b)(iv) of the Credit Agreement with respect to the assignments and reallocations contemplated by this Section 3 . To the extent requested by any Lender, and in accordance with Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender, within the time period prescribed by Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement, any amounts required to be paid by the Borrower under Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement in the event the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar-based Advance or the conversion of any Eurodollar-based Advance other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto is required in connection with the reallocation contemplated by this Section 3 .

SECTION 4. Conditions. The amendments to the Credit Agreement contained in Section 1 of this Amendment and the redetermination of the Borrowing Base contained in Section 2 of this Amendment and the reallocation of the Revolving Credit Commitment Amounts contained in Section 3 shall be effective concurrently with the closing of the contemplated Senior Notes (as defined in Section 1.2 above) offering and upon the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 4 .

4.1 Execution and Delivery . The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed counterpart of (a) this Amendment signed by the Borrower and the Lenders, (b) the Consent and Reaffirmation attached hereto signed by each Guarantor, (c) that certain Guaranty Supplement No. 2 to the Second Amended, Restated and Consolidated Unconditional Guaranty, and (d) that certain Pledge and Security Agreement Joinder and Supplement No. 2, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

P AGE 9


4.2 No Default. After giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

4.3 Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received such other instruments and documents incidental and appropriate to the transactions provided for herein as the Administrative Agent or its special counsel may reasonably request, and all such documents shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (it being understood that “documents” as used in this Section 4 does not include the Senior Note Documents; however, such Senior Note Documents are subject to the conditions and restrictions as set forth in the Credit Agreement after giving effect to this Amendment).

SECTION 5. Certain Post-Closing Covenants.

5.1 Initial Senior Notes . Promptly after the issuance of the initial Senior Notes of the Parent, but in any event no later than the Sixth Amendment Effective Date with respect to such Senior Notes, the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) copies of the material Senior Note Documents, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to be correct and complete copies of such Senior Note Documents and (ii) evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that Parent has issued Senior Notes on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount of at least $300,000,000.

5.2 Mortgages. Within thirty (30) days after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Credit Parties shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent Mortgages and title information, in each case, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Credit Parties, or the portion thereof, as required by Sections 7.16 and 7.17 of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 6. Representations and Warranties. To induce the Lenders to enter into this Amendment, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders as follows:

6.1 Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties. After giving effect to the amendments herein, each representation and warranty of the Borrower, the Parent and each other Credit Party contained in the Credit Agreement and in each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party is true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein), except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such specified earlier date.

6.2 Corporate Authority; No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Amendment and all documents, instruments and agreements contemplated herein are within the Borrower’s corporate powers, have been duly authorized by necessary corporate action by the Borrower, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any court or agency of government (except for the recording and filing of Collateral Documents and financing statements) and (a) do not violate in any material respect any Requirement of Law, (b) are not in contravention of the terms of any material Contractual Obligation, indenture,

 

P AGE 10


agreement or undertaking to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or its properties are bound where such violation could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) do not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the assets of the Borrower except for Liens permitted by Section 8.2 of the Credit Agreement and otherwise as permitted in the Credit Agreement.

6.3 Enforceability. This Amendment constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as (i) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditor’s rights generally, and (ii) the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general application.

6.4 No Default. After giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 7. Miscellaneous.

7.1 Reaffirmation of Loan Documents and Liens. Any and all of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents shall, except as amended and modified hereby, remain in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed by the Borrower. The Borrower hereby agrees that the amendments and modifications herein contained shall in no manner affect or impair the liabilities, duties and obligations of the Borrower, the Parent or any other Credit Party under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents or the Liens securing the payment and performance thereof, except as amended and modified hereby.

7.2 Parties in Interest. All of the terms and provisions of this Amendment shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

7.3 Further Assurances . The Borrower covenants and agrees from time to time, as and when reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, to execute and deliver or cause to be executed or delivered, all such documents, instruments and agreements and to take or cause to be taken such further or other action as the Administrative Agent or the Lenders may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to carry out the intent and purposes of this Amendment.

7.4 Legal Expenses. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of special counsel to the Administrative Agent incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment and all related documents.

7.5 Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same document. Delivery of photocopies of the signature pages to this Amendment by facsimile or electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of manually executed counterparts of this Amendment.

 

P AGE 11


7.6 Complete Agreement. THIS AMENDMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

7.7 Headings. The headings, captions and arrangements used in this Amendment are, unless specified otherwise, for convenience only and shall not be deemed to limit, amplify or modify the terms of this Amendment, nor affect the meaning thereof.

7.8 Governing Law. This Amendment shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

7.9 Severability. Any provision of this Amendment held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

7.10 Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents.

(a) This Amendment shall be deemed to constitute a Loan Document for all purposes and in all respects. Each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” “herein” or words of like import, and each reference in the Credit Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or other agreements, documents or other instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Credit Agreement to the “Credit Agreement”, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

(b) The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender or the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Loan Documents.

[Signature pages follow.]

 

P AGE 12


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers to be effective as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWER :

MRC ENERGY COMPANY ,

as Borrower

By:

/s/ David E. Lancaster

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President

 

S IGNATURE P AGE


ROYAL BANK OF CANADA ,
as Administrative Agent
By:

/s/ Rodica Dutka

Name: Rodica Dutka
Title: Manager, Agency
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA ,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:

/s/ Caleb Allen

Name: Caleb Allen
Title: Authorized Signatory

 

S IGNATURE P AGE


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. ,
as a Lender
By:

/s/ Raza Jafferi

Name: Raza Jafferi
Title: Vice President

 

S IGNATURE P AGE


COMERICA BANK ,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:

/s/ Brandon M. White

Name: Brandon M. White
Title: Vice President

 

S IGNATURE P AGE


SUNTRUST BANK ,
as a Lender
By:

/s/ Yann Pirio

Name: Yann Pirio
Title: Managing Director

 

S IGNATURE P AGE


THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA ,
as a Lender
By:

/s/ Terry Donovan

Name: Terry Donovan
Title: Managing Director

 

S IGNATURE P AGE


BMO Harris Financing, Inc. ,
as a Lender
By:

/s/ James V. Ducote

Name: James V. Ducote
Title: Managing Director

 

S IGNATURE P AGE


WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. ,
as a Lender
By:

/s/ Tom K. Martin

Name: Tom K. Martin
Title: Director

 

S IGNATURE P AGE


IBERIABANK ,
as a Lender
By:

/s/ W. Bryan Chapman

Name: W. Bryan Chapman
Title: Executive Vice President

 

S IGNATURE P AGE


Schedule 1.1

Applicable Margin Grid

Revolving Credit Facility

(basis points per annum)

 

Basis for Pricing

   Level I      Level II      Level III      Level IV      Level V  

Borrowing Base Utilization*

   < 25%      ³  25% but
< 50%
     ³  50% but
< 75%
     ³  75% but
< 90%
     ³  90% but
< 100%
 

Revolving Credit Eurodollar Margin

     150         175         200         225         250   

Revolving Credit Base Rate Margin

     50         75         100         125         150   

Commitment Fees

     37.5         37.5         50         50         50   

Letter of Credit Fees (exclusive of fronting fees)

     150         175         200         225         250   

 

* Definitions as set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

   S CHEDULE 1.1   


Schedule 1.2

Percentages and Allocations

Revolving Credit

 

LENDERS

   REVOLVING
CREDIT

ALLOCATIONS
     REVOLVING
CREDIT

PERCENTAGE
 

Royal Bank of Canada

   $ 64,285,714.29         17.142857143

Comerica Bank

   $ 51,623,376.62         13.766233766

Bank of America, N.A.

   $ 51,623,376.62         13.766233766

The Bank of Nova Scotia

   $ 51,623,376.62         13.766233766

Suntrust Bank

   $ 51,623,376.62         13.766233766

BMO Harris Financing, Inc.

   $ 51,623,376.62         13.766233766

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

   $ 34,090,909.09         9.090909091

IBERIABANK

   $ 18,506,493.51         4.935064935
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTALS

$ 375,000,000.00      100.000000000
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

S CHEDULE 1.2


CONSENT AND REAFFIRMATION

Each of the undersigned (each a “ Guarantor ”) hereby (i) acknowledges receipt of a copy of the foregoing Sixth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “ Sixth Amendment ”); (ii) consents to the Borrower’s execution and delivery thereof; (iii) consents to the terms of the Sixth Amendment; (iv) affirms that nothing contained therein shall modify in any respect whatsoever its guaranty of the Indebtedness pursuant to the terms of the Guaranty or the Liens granted by it pursuant to the terms of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party securing payment and performance of the Indebtedness, (v) reaffirms that the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and such Liens are and shall continue to remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects and (vi) represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, as of the date hereof, (x) all of the representations and warranties made by it in each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein), except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such specified earlier date, and (y) after giving effect to the Sixth Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Although each Guarantor has been informed of the matters set forth herein and has acknowledged and agreed to same, each Guarantor understands that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the Lenders have any obligation to inform any Guarantor of such matters in the future or to seek any Guarantor’s acknowledgment or agreement to future amendments or waivers for the Guaranty and other Loan Documents to which it is a party to remain in full force and effect, and nothing herein shall create such duty or obligation.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

C ONSENT AND R EAFFIRMATION


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Consent and Reaffirmation on and as of the date of the Sixth Amendment.

 

GUARANTORS :
MRC PERMIAN COMPANY
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
MRC ROCKIES COMPANY
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
MATADOR PRODUCTION COMPANY
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President

LONGWOOD GATHERING AND

DISPOSAL SYSTEMS GP, INC.

By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President

LONGWOOD GATHERING AND

DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, LP

By: Longwood Gathering and Disposal Systems GP, Inc., its General Partner
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President

 

C ONSENT AND R EAFFIRMATION S IGNATURE P AGE


MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
DELAWARE WATER MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM DELAWARE, LLC
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM SOUTHEAST, LLC
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
LONGWOOD MIDSTREAM SOUTH TEXAS, LLC
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
MRC ENERGY SOUTHEAST COMPANY, LLC
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President

 

C ONSENT AND R EAFFIRMATION S IGNATURE P AGE


MRC ENERGY SOUTH TEXAS COMPANY, LLC
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
SOUTHEAST WATER MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
MRC DELAWARE RESOURCES, LLC
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
DLK WOLF MIDSTREAM, LLC
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President
DLK BLACK RIVER MIDSTREAM, LLC
By:

 

Name: David E. Lancaster
Title: Executive Vice President

 

C ONSENT AND R EAFFIRMATION S IGNATURE P AGE

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

MATADOR RESOURCES COMPANY PRICES OFFERING

OF $400 MILLION OF SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023

DALLAS—April 9, 2015—Matador Resources Company (NYSE: MTDR) (“Matador”) announced today that it has priced a private offering of $400 million of 6.875% senior unsecured notes due 2023. The notes will be issued at par. Matador increased the size of the offering from the previously announced $350 million to $400 million. The offering is expected to close on April 14, 2015, subject to customary closing conditions.

Matador intends to use the net proceeds from the offering primarily to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and the debt assumed in connection with the merger of Harvey E. Yates Company (“HEYCO”) with and into Matador’s wholly-owned subsidiary, to fund a portion of its future capital expenditures and for other general working capital needs.

The notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (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 securities laws. The notes may be resold by the initial purchasers pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act.

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 any of these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Matador Resources Company

Matador is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States, with an emphasis on oil and natural gas shale and other unconventional plays. Its current operations are focused primarily on the oil and liquids-rich portion of the Eagle Ford shale play in South Texas and the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Permian Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. Matador also operates in the Haynesville shale and Cotton Valley plays in Northwest Louisiana and East Texas. At April 9, 2015, Matador has two drilling rigs operating in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. “Forward-looking statements” are statements related to future, not past, events. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “could,” “believe,” “would,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “continue,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, and such forward-looking statements may not prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the following risks related to financial and operational performance: general economic conditions; the Company’s ability to execute its business plan, including whether its drilling program is successful; changes in oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices and the demand for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; its ability to replace reserves and efficiently


develop current reserves; costs of operations; delays and other difficulties related to producing oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; its ability to make acquisitions on economically acceptable terms; its ability to integrate acquisitions, including the HEYCO merger; availability of sufficient capital to execute its business plan, including from future cash flows, increases in its borrowing base and otherwise; weather and environmental conditions; and other important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. For further discussions of risks and uncertainties, you should refer to Matador’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section of Matador’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Matador undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release, except as required by law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Contact Information

Mac Schmitz

Investor Relations

972-371-5225

mschmitz@matadorresources.com