UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 12, 2016

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-12719   76-0466193
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
801 Louisiana St., Suite 700, Houston, Texas   77002
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 713-780-9494

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.

Plan of Reorganization

As previously disclosed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “Company”), on April 15, 2016, the Company and its subsidiary, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. (the “Subsidiary” and, together with the Company, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”) for reorganization relief under the provisions of Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The Debtors’ Chapter 11 cases were jointly administered under the caption In re Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, et. al (Case No. 16-31975). On August 12, 2016, the Debtors filed the proposed First Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time, the “Plan”).

On August 18, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (i) conditionally approving the Debtors’ disclosure statement, (ii) approving solicitation and notice procedures for the Plan, (iii) approving the forms of ballots and notices in connection therewith, (iv) scheduling certain dates with respect thereto, and (v) granting related relief.

On September 28, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order Approving the Disclosure Statement and Confirming the Debtors’ First Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (the “Confirmation Order”), which approved and confirmed the Plan, as modified by the Confirmation Order. Copies of the Confirmation Order and the Plan were included as exhibits to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on October 3, 2016.

On October 12, 2016 (the “Effective Date”), the Company satisfied the conditions to effectiveness set forth in the Confirmation Order and in the Plan, the Plan became effective in accordance with its terms and the Company and the Subsidiary emerged from the Chapter 11 cases. All capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined in this Current Report on Form 8-K have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

Exit Credit Agreement

On the Effective Date, upon consummation of the Plan, the Company entered into an Exit Credit Agreement (the “Exit Credit Agreement”) with Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as borrower (the “Borrower”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and certain other lenders party thereto. Pursuant to the Exit Credit Agreement, the lenders party thereto have agreed to provide the Borrower with a $20 million senior secured term loan credit facility (the loans thereunder, the “Loans”), with an outstanding principal amount of $20 million.

The maturity date of the Exit Credit Agreement is September 30, 2018, unless the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that it intends to extend the maturity date to September 30, 2019, subject to certain conditions including payment of a fee.

Until such maturity date, the Loans under the Exit Credit Agreement shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (i) the alternative base rate plus an applicable margin of 4.50% or (ii) adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 5.50%.

The Borrower may elect, at its option, to prepay any borrowing outstanding under the Exit Credit Agreement without premium or penalty (except break funding payments may be payable pursuant to the terms of the Exit Credit Agreement).

The Borrower may be required to make mandatory prepayments of the Loans under the Exit Credit Agreement if the total borrowings exceed the aggregate credit amounts, and if the Borrower is not in compliance with the Total Proved Asset Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement) or the Secured Debt Asset Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement).

Additionally, if the Borrower has outstanding borrowings and the Consolidated Cash Balance (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement) exceeds (i) $27.5 million as of the close of business on the most recently ended business day on or before March 31, 2018 or (ii) $7.5 million as of the close of business on the most recently ended business day on or after April 1, 2018, the Borrower may also be required to make mandatory prepayments in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess.


Furthermore, the Borrower is required to make certain mandatory prepayments within one business day of (i) the issuance of any Equity Interests (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement) of the Company, (ii) the consummation of any sale or other disposition of Property (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement) and (iii) the assignment, termination or unwinding of any Swap Agreements (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement).

Amounts outstanding under the Exit Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company and secured by a security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Borrower.

The Exit Credit Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties, including organization; powers; authority; enforceability; approvals; no conflicts; financial condition; no material adverse change; litigation; environmental matters; compliance with laws and agreements; no defaults; Investment Company Act; taxes; ERISA; disclosure; no material misstatements; insurance; restrictions on liens; subsidiaries; location of business and offices; properties; titles, etc.; maintenance of properties; gas imbalances, prepayments; marketing of production; swap agreements; use of loans; solvency; sanctions laws and regulations; foreign corrupt practices; money laundering laws; and embargoed persons.

The Exit Credit Agreement also contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including delivery of financial statements; conduct of business; reserve reports; title information; collateral and guarantee requirements; indebtedness; liens; dividends and distributions; investments; sale or discount of receivables; mergers; sale of properties; termination of swap agreements; transactions with affiliates; negative pledges; dividend restrictions; gas imbalances; take-or-pay or other prepayments; and swap agreements.

The Exit Credit Agreement also contains certain financial covenants, including the maintenance of (i) a Total Proved Asset Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement) not to be less than 1.5 to 1.0 initially, and increasing to 2.0 to 1.0 or after December 31, 2018, (ii) Secured Debt Asset Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement) not to be less than 1.10 to 1.00 initially, and increasing to 1.35 to 1.00 and 1.50 to 1.00 after March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to be determined as of January 1 and July 1 each year and as of the date of any Material Acquisition (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement) or Material Disposition (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement), (iii) commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2018, a ratio of Debt (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement) as of the end of each fiscal quarter to EBITDAX for the twelve months ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, not to exceed 4.00 to 1.00, (iv) limitations on Consolidated Cash Balance, (v) limitations on general and administrative expenses and (vi) minimum liquidity requirements.

The Exit Credit Agreement also contains certain events of default, including non-payment; breaches of representations and warranties; non-compliance with covenants or other agreements; cross-default to material indebtedness; voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy; judgments; and change of control.

The foregoing description of the Exit Credit Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Exit Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Purchase Agreement

On the Effective Date, the Company and the Subsidiary, entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with each entity identified as a Shenkman Purchaser on Appendix A to the Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “Shenkman Purchasers”), CVC Capital Partners (acting through such of its affiliates to managed funds as it deems appropriate), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (acting through such of its affiliates or managed funds as it deems appropriate), Franklin Advisers, Inc. (as investment manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts), O’Connor Global Multi-Strategy Alpha Master Limited and Nineteen 77 Global Multi-Strategy Alpha (Levered) Master Limited (collectively, and together with each of their successors and assigns, the “Purchasers”), in connection with the issuance (the “Notes Offering”) of $40.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Convertible Second Lien Notes”).

The Convertible Second Lien Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of the Effective Date, among the Company, as issuer, the Subsidiary, as Subsidiary Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee and collateral agent (the “Trustee”). The Convertible Second Lien Notes are guaranteed by the Subsidiary.


The aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Second Lien Notes will be convertible at the option of the Purchasers at any time prior to the scheduled maturity date into an amount of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) equal to 15% of the Common Stock of the reorganized Company on a fully diluted basis. Upon closing, the Purchasers will be issued 10-year costless warrants for common stock equal to 20% of the Common Stock of the reorganized Company on a fully diluted basis, will take a second priority lien on all assets of the Debtors, and will have the right to appoint two members to the board of directors of the Company.

Convertible Second Lien Notes will be convertible at the conversion rate, which is the sum of the outstanding principal amount of Convertible Second Lien Notes to be converted, including any accrued and unpaid interest, divided by the conversion price, which shall initially be $21.3333, subject to certain adjustments as described in the Indenture. Upon conversion, the Company must deliver, at its option, either (1) a number of shares of its Common Stock determined as set forth in the Indenture, (2) cash or (3) a combination of shares of its Common Stock and cash, however the Company is restricted in its ability to redeem the Convertible Second Lien Notes with cash pursuant to the terms of the Exit Credit Agreement.

The Convertible Second Lien Notes were issued and sold to the Purchasers pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereunder. The Purchasers intend to resell the Convertible Second Lien Notes only to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain persons outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Convertible Second Lien 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 Notes Offering closed on the Effective Date.

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements by the Company and the Subsidiary and obligations of the parties and termination provisions.

The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Indenture

The Convertible Second Lien Notes are governed by the Indenture and are senior secured obligations of the Company. The Convertible Second Lien Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Subsidiary.

Interest and Maturity

The Convertible Second Lien Notes will mature on August 30, 2019, or such later date as set forth in the Convertible Second Lien Notes, but in no event later than March 30, 2020. The Convertible Second Lien Notes bear interest at the rate of 13.50% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year. The Company may elect to pay all or any portion of interest in kind on the then outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Second Lien Notes by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Convertible Second Lien Notes or by issuing additional Second Lien Notes (“PIK Interest Notes”). The PIK Interest Notes will not be convertible. During such time as the Exit Credit Agreement (but not any refinancing or replacement thereof) is in effect, interest on the Convertible Second Lien Notes must be paid in-kind.

Optional Redemption

At any time prior to October 12, 2018, the Company may redeem, in whole or in part, the Convertible Second Lien Notes, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Second Lien Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium (as defined in the Indenture), and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date).

At any time on or after October 12, 2018, the Company may redeem, in whole or in part, the Convertible Second Lien Notes at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date):

 

Period

   Redemption
Price
 

October 12, 2018 to April 12, 2019

     106.75

April 12, 2019 and thereafter

     100.00


Any redemption shall be made on a pro rata basis between the Convertible Second Lien Notes and PIK Interest Notes, subject to adjustment in a manner that most nearly approximates a pro rata basis.

Change of Control

If the Company experiences certain kinds of changes of control set forth in the Indenture, each holder of the Convertible Second Lien Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of its Convertible Second Lien Notes for cash at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such Convertible Second Lien Notes, plus any accrued but unpaid interest to the date of repurchase.

Certain Covenants

The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, limit the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to: (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue certain types of preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends on capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; (iii) make investments; (iv) create certain liens; (v) enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments from their subsidiaries to them; (vi) transfer or sell assets and subsidiary stock; (vii) engage in transactions with affiliates; (viii) create unrestricted subsidiaries; and (ix) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of their assets.

Events of Default

Upon an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture), the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Convertible Second Lien Notes may declare the Convertible Second Lien Notes immediately due and payable, except that a default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, any restricted subsidiary of the Company that is a significant subsidiary or any group of restricted subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary, will automatically cause all outstanding Convertible Second Lien Notes to become due and payable.

The foregoing description of the Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Indenture, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Notes Registration Rights Agreement

On the Effective Date, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Notes Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Purchasers, pursuant to which the Company agreed to file with the Commission within 120 days following the Effective Date, a shelf registration statement for the offer and resale of the Convertible Second Lien Notes held by certain holders that duly request inclusion in such registration statement within 45 days of the Effective Date. The holders have customary demand, underwritten offering and piggyback registration rights, subject to the limitations set forth in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement. Under their underwritten offering registration rights, the holders may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities (as defined in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement) in an underwritten offering that is registered, subject to certain restrictions. The Notes Registration Rights Agreement contains other customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, provisions with respect to blackout periods and indemnification.

The foregoing description of the Notes Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Notes Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.3 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Warrant Agreement

On the Effective Date, the Company issued to the Purchasers warrants (“2L Fee Warrants”) to purchase 2,499,999 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, representing 20% of the outstanding Common Stock of the reorganized Company on a fully diluted basis, exercisable for a ten (10) year period commencing on the Effective Date at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The 2L Fee Warrants were issued pursuant to a warrant agreement (the “2L Warrant Agreement”) between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (“AST”), as warrant agent.


The foregoing description of the Warrant Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Warrant Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.4 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Warrant Registration Rights Agreement

On the Effective Date, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Warrant Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to file with the Commission within 120 days following the Effective Date, a shelf registration statement for the offer and resale of the 2L Fee Warrants held by certain holders that duly request inclusion in such registration statement within 45 days of the Effective Date. The holders have customary demand, underwritten offering and piggyback registration rights, subject to the limitations set forth in the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement. Under their underwritten offering registration rights, the holders may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities (as defined in the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement) in an underwritten offering that is registered, subject to certain restrictions. The Warrant Registration Rights Agreement contains other customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, provisions with respect to blackout periods and indemnification.

The foregoing description of the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Warrant Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.5 and is incorporated herein by reference.

UCC Warrant Agreement

On the Effective Date, the Company issued to former holders of unsecured notes and general unsecured claims warrants (“UCC Warrants”) to purchase 1,250,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, representing 10% of the outstanding Common Stock of the reorganized Company on a fully diluted basis, exercisable for a ten (10) year period commencing on the Effective Date at an equity strike price of $230 million as set forth in the Plan. The UCC Warrants were issued pursuant to a warrant agreement between the Company and AST, as warrant agent

The foregoing description of the Warrant Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Warrant Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.6 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Franklin Registration Rights Agreement

On the Effective Date, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Franklin Registration Rights Agreement”) with Franklin Advisers, Inc., as investment manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts (“Franklin”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to file with the Commission within 60 days after the Effective Date a registration statement for a shelf registration for the offer and resale of all Registrable Securities (as defined in the Franklin Registration Rights Agreement) held by Franklin, on a delayed or continuous basis.

At any time during the Shelf Period (as defined in the Franklin Registration Rights Agreement), the certain holders may request, to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities (as defined in the Franklin Registration Rights Agreement) in an underwritten offering that is registered, subject to certain restrictions. The Registration Rights Agreement contains other customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, provisions with respect to blackout periods and indemnification.

The foregoing description of the Franklin Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Franklin Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.7 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Management Incentive Plan

The Bankruptcy Court approved the adoption of the Management Incentive Plan (as defined below) by the Company in its approval of the Confirmation Order. The information contained in Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K under the sub-heading “Management Incentive Plan” is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 1.01.


Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement

In connection with the effectiveness of and pursuant to the terms of the Plan, on the Effective Date, the obligations of the Company and its Subsidiary under the following agreements have been satisfied and discharged:

 

    Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2009, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto;

 

    Approximately $429,000 aggregate outstanding principal amount of 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026;

 

    Indenture, dated as of December 6, 2006, between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, relating to approximately $429,000 aggregate outstanding principal amount of 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026;

 

    Approximately $6.7 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 5.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029;

 

    Indenture, dated as of September 28, 2009, and First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 28, 2009, between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, relating to approximately $6.7 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 5.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029;

 

    Approximately $94.2 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 5.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2032;

 

    Indenture, dated as of September 28, 2009, and Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 26, 2013, among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, relating to approximately $94.2 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 5.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2032;

 

    Approximately $116.8 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 8.875% Senior Notes due 2019;

 

    Indenture, dated as of March 2, 2011, among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, relating to approximately $116.8 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 8.875% Senior Notes due 2019;

 

    Approximately $100 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 8.00% Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2018;

 

    Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2015, and First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2015, among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, the Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to approximately $100 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 8.00% Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2018;

 

    Approximately $6.0 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 5.00% Convertible Exchange Senior Notes due 2032;

 

    Indenture, dated as of September 8, 2015, and First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 8, 2015, among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, relating to approximately $6.0 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 5.00% Convertible Exchange Senior Notes due 2032; and

 

    Approximately $75 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 8.875% Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2018; and

 

    Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2015, among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, the Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to approximately $75 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 8.875% Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2018.

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

Exit Credit Agreement

The information contained in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K under the sub-heading “Exit Credit Agreement” is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 2.03.

Indenture

The information set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K under the sub-headings “Purchase Agreement” and “Indenture” is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 2.03.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities

On the Effective Date, all existing shares of old common stock of the Company were cancelled pursuant to the Plan, and the Company issued (i) 5,757,500 shares of Common Stock, pro rata, to the Company’s former second lien noteholders, (ii) 117,500 shares of Common Stock, pro rata, to the Company’s former unsecured noteholders and former holders of general unsecured claims, (iii) 1,250,000 UCC Warrants, pro rata, to the Company’s former


unsecured noteholders and holders of general unsecured claims and (vi) 2,499,999 2L Warrants, pro rata, to the Purchasers of Convertible Second Lien Notes. The Confirmation Order and Plan provide for the exemption of the offer and sale of the shares of Common Stock of the Company, the UCC Warrants and the 2L Warrants (including shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise thereof) from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to Section 1145(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code. Section 1145(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code exempts the offer and sale of securities under the Plan from registration under Section 5 of the Securities Act and state laws if certain requirements are satisfied.

The information provided in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 3.02.

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders

The information provided in Item 1.01 and Item 1.02 and Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 3.03.

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

Board of Directors

Pursuant to the Plan, the new board of directors of the Company to take office as of the Effective Date, consists of: Walter G. Goodrich, Robert C. Turnham, Jr., Ronald F. Coleman, Eugene I. Davis, K. Adam Leight, Timothy D. Leuliette and Thomas M. Souers. Upon the effectiveness of the Plan, on the Effective Date, the following members of the Company’s existing board of directors were deemed to have resigned as directors of the Company: Josiah T. Austin, Michael J. Perdue, Arthur A. Seeligson, Stephen M. Straty and Gene Washington. None of the resignations resulted from any disagreement with the Company regarding any matter related to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

Walter G. Goodrich

Walter G. Goodrich became chairman of the board of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation in May 2015. Mr. Goodrich served as vice chairman of the board since 2003 and has served as chief executive officer since 1995. Mr. Goodrich was Goodrich Oil Company’s vice president of exploration from 1985 to 1989 and its president from 1989 to 1995. Mr. Goodrich joined Goodrich Oil Company, which held interests in and served as operator of various properties owned by a predecessor of the Company, as an exploration geologist in 1980.

Robert C. Turnham, Jr.

Robert C. Turnham, Jr. has served as the chief operating officer of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation since 1995 and became president and chief operating officer in 2003. Mr. Turnham has held various positions in the oil and natural gas business since 1981. From 1981 to 1984, Mr. Turnham served as a financial analyst for Pennzoil. In 1984 he formed Turnham Interests, Inc. to pursue oil and natural gas investment opportunities. From 1993 to 1995, he served as president of Liberty Production Company, an oil and natural gas exploration and production company.

Ronald F. Coleman

Ronald F. Coleman is an energy executive with over 37 years of international and domestic oilfield services operations. From 2012 to 2014, Mr. Coleman was president North America and executive vice president of Archer. Prior to that, Mr. Coleman served as chief operating officer and executive vice president of Select Energy Services in 2011. Mr. Coleman spent 33 years at BJ Services Company, serving as vice president of operations in U.S. and Mexico from 1998 to 2007 and vice president North America pumping from 2007 to 2010. He has served on numerous boards, including Torqued Up Energy Services, Titan Liner (CWCS Company), Solaris Oil Field Services, and Ranger Energy Services. He has also been appointed by boards to serve in advising roles by CSL Energy Opportunities Fund II, LP, and Matador Resources Company.

Eugene I. Davis

Eugene I. Davis is the chairman and chief executive officer of PIRINATE Consulting Group, LLC. Since founding the firm in 1999, Mr. Davis has managed numerous debtor and creditor side restructuring and emergence assignments involving a range of industries, including the oil and gas industry. Mr. Davis currently serves as chairman of Aveos Fleet Performance Inc., Bluestem Group Inc., Merisant Co and Atlas Iron Ltd. In addition, Mr. Davis sits on numerous other boards, including public and private oil and gas companies. Mr. Davis holds a B.A. in international politics, a Master’s Degree in international affairs, and a J.D. from Columbia University.


K. Adam Leight

K. Adam Leight has spent 35 years building and managing investment research departments, and covering the energy industry for major financial institutions. Mr. Leight is presently a managing member of Ansonia Advisors LLC, which provides independent research, capital markets, and corporate advisory services to various institutions and to the energy industry. Prior to that, Mr. Leight served as a managing director at RBC Capital Markets from 2008 to 2016, managing director at Credit Suisse from 2000 to 2007 and managing director at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette from 1994 to 2000. Before that, Mr. Leight was managing director at Cowen & Company, vice president at Drexel Burnham Lambert, and an analyst at Sutro & Co. Mr. Leight co-founded and served on the board of CARES Foundation and has also served on the boards of Falcon Capital Management, University of Wisconsin ASAP, Temple Sharley Tefilo-Israel, and Gates of Israel Foundation. Mr. Leight is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds an A.B. in economics from Washington University and an M.S. in investment finance from the University of Wisconsin.

Timothy D. Leuliette

Timothy D. Leuliette served as the president, chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors of Visteon Corporation from September 2012 to June 2015. Upon assuming his role at Visteon, Mr. Leuliette left FINNEA Group, a firm he had co-founded and where he was a senior managing director. He left the FINNEA Group’s predecessor firm to serve as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Dura Automotive LLC, for two years to oversee its emergence from bankruptcy, it’s financial and operational restructuring and its successful sale. Prior to that, Mr. Leuliette was co-chief executive officer of Asahi Tec Corporation and chairman and chief executive officer of its subsidiary Metaldyne Corporation, a company he co-founded in 2000. Mr. Leuliette was formerly president and chief operating officer of Penske Corporation, president and chief executive officer of ITT Automotive Group and senior vice president of ITT Industries Inc. Before joining ITT, Mr. Leuliette served as president and chief executive officer of Siemens Automotive L.P and was a member of the Siemens Automotive managing board and a corporate vice president of Siemens AG. Mr. Leuliette has also served on numerous boards and recent directorships, including Visteon Corporation, Business Leaders of Michigan, and The Detroit Economic Club. He is a past chairman of the board of The Detroit Branch of The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Mr. Leuliette holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a Master’s Degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.

Thomas M. Souers

Thomas M. Souers has served as petroleum engineering consultant at Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. since 1991. During that time, Mr. Souers worked on a range of oil and gas reserves estimations, property evaluations for sales and acquisitions, analysis of secondary recovery projects, field studies, deliverability studies, prospect evaluations, and economic evaluations utilizing deterministic methodology for projects in North America, Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. Mr. Souers recent work has been with various clients involved with horizontal exploitation in the Permian, Delaware, and Mississippian Basins. Prior to that time, Mr. Souers served as an operations engineer with GLG Energy LP, senior staff engineer with Wacker Oil Inc., area manager with Transco Exploration Company, and supervising engineer with Exxon Company, U.S.A. Mr. Souers holds a B.S. in civil engineering from North Carolina State University and an M.S. in civil engineering from the University of Florida.

Management Incentive Plan

Subject to adjustment as provided below, the Plan provides for a Management Incentive Plan whereby the Company will initially grant and issue on the Effective Date 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock, representing 8% of the outstanding fully diluted shares as of the Effective Date (the “Exit Awards”). The Exit Awards will be divided into 728,261 primary Exit Awards (the “Primary Exit Awards”) and 271,739 secondary Exit Awards (the “Secondary Exit Awards”). 62.5% of the Primary Exit Awards will be issued on the Effective Date in the form of stock bonus payments that are fully vested and nonforfeitable as of the date of issuance of the awards. 37.5% of the Primary Exit Awards will be issued on the Effective Date in the form of restricted stock vesting in substantially equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the Effective Date. The Secondary Exit Awards will be unvested and subject to forfeiture upon the achievement of performance conditions related to the market capitalization of the Company and exercise of the UCC Warrants or conversion of the Convertible Second Lien Notes. The Company’s new Compensation Committee will determine the number of additional shares to be granted


after the Effective Date to employees, consultants and Directors as part of the Company’s long term incentive plan pursuant to the Plan. The Management Incentive Plan also provides for the grant of stock options (other than options that satisfy the requirements of incentive stock options pursuant to section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code), restricted stock, phantom shares, stock appreciation rights and fully vested bonus stock.

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Management Incentive Plan, which is attached as Exhibit 4.3 to the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Company with the Commission on October 12, 2016 and is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.8.

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

Pursuant to the Plan, the Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation (the “Charter”) and bylaws (the “Bylaws”), each of which became effective on the Effective Date. The Charter authorizes the Company to issue up to 75,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 12,500,000 were issued pursuant to the Plan. The Charter also authorizes the Company to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which none were issued pursuant to the Plan. A description of the key provisions of the Charter and Bylaws is included in the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on October 12, 2016, which description is incorporated herein by reference. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Charter and Bylaws, which are incorporated herein by reference as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively.

Item 8.01 Other Events

On October 12, 2016, the Company issued a press release announcing its emergence from bankruptcy. A copy of the press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

3.1    Second Amended and Restated of Certificate of Incorporation of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-214080) filed on October 12, 2016).
3.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-214080) filed on October 12, 2016).
4.1    Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as the Subsidiary Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee and collateral agent, relating to the 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019.
10.1    Exit Credit Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, as Parent Guarantor, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto.
10.2    Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as subsidiary guarantor and the Purchasers named therein.
10.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and the Holders party thereto, relating to the Convertible Second Lien Notes.
10.4    Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, relating to the 2L Fee Warrants.
10.5    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and the Holders party thereto, relating to the 2L Fee Warrants.
10.6    Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, relating to the UCC Warrants.
10.7    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and the Holders party thereto.
10.8    Goodrich Petroleum Corporation Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-214080) filed on October 12, 2016).
99.1    Press Release, issued on October 12, 2016.


SIGNATURES

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

 

    GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
October 14, 2016     By:   /s/ Michael J. Killelea
    Name:   Michael J. Killelea
    Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

3.1    Second Amended and Restated of Certificate of Incorporation of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-214080) filed on October 12, 2016).
3.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-214080) filed on October 12, 2016).
4.1    Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as the Subsidiary Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee and collateral agent, relating to the 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019.
10.1    Exit Credit Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, as Parent Guarantor, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto.
10.2    Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as subsidiary guarantor and the Purchasers named therein.
10.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and the Holders party thereto, relating to the Convertible Second Lien Notes.
10.4    Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, relating to the 2L Fee Warrants.
10.5    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and the Holders party thereto, relating to the 2L Fee Warrants.
10.6    Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, relating to the UCC Warrants.
10.7    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and the Holders party thereto.
10.8    Goodrich Petroleum Corporation Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-214080) filed on October 12, 2016).
99.1    Press Release, issued on October 12, 2016.

Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION VERSION

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, as Issuer

the Subsidiary Guarantor named herein

and

Wilmington Trust, National Association,

as Trustee and Collateral Agent

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of October 12, 2016

 

 

13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

 

Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Priority Lien Agent (as defined therein), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Second Lien Agent (as defined therein) and acknowledged and agreed by Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. and certain of its subsidiaries (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “ Intercreditor Agreement ”). Each holder of Second Lien Obligations (as defined therein), by its acceptance of such Second Lien Obligations i) consents to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement, ii) agrees that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and iii) authorizes and instructs the Second Lien Agent (as defined therein) on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party (as defined therein) to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement as Second Lien Agent on behalf of such Second Lien Secured Parties. The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the lenders under the Priority Lien Documents (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) to extend credit to Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. and such lenders are intended third party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         PAGE  

ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1   

Section 1.01.

  Definitions      1   

Section 1.02.

  Other Definitions      45   

Section 1.03.

  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      45   

Section 1.04.

  Rules of Construction      45   

ARTICLE TWO THE NOTES

     46   

Section 2.01.

  Form And Dating      46   

Section 2.02.

  Execution and Authentication      47   

Section 2.03.

  Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes      48   

Section 2.04.

  Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent      48   

Section 2.05.

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      49   

Section 2.06.

  Holder Lists      49   

Section 2.07.

  Transfer and Exchange      49   

Section 2.08.

  Replacement Notes      61   

Section 2.09.

  Outstanding Notes      61   

Section 2.10.

  Treasury Notes      62   

Section 2.11.

  [Reserved]      62   

Section 2.12.

  Cancellation      62   

Section 2.13.

  Defaulted Interest      62   

Section 2.14.

  PIK Interest      63   

Section 2.15.

  CUSIP Numbers      64   

Section 2.16.

  Use of Proceeds      64   

ARTICLE THREE REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

     64   

Section 3.01.

  Notice to Trustee      64   

Section 3.02.

  Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed      65   

Section 3.03.

  Notice of Redemption      65   

Section 3.04.

  Effect of Notice of Redemption      66   

Section 3.05.

  Deposit of Redemption Price      66   

Section 3.06.

  Notes Redeemed in Part      67   

Section 3.07.

  Optional Redemption      67   

Section 3.08.

  Mandatory Redemption      67   

Section 3.09.

  Application of Trust Money      69   

ARTICLE FOUR CONVERSION

     69   

Section 4.01.

  Conversion Privilege      69   

Section 4.02.

  Conversion Procedure      70   

Section 4.03.

  Company to Provide Stock      71   

Section 4.04.

  Conversion Price Adjustment      72   

Section 4.05.

  Notice of Adjustment      75   

Section 4.06.

  Option to Satisfy Conversion Obligation with Cash, Common Stock or Combination Thereof      75   

 

i


Section 4.07.

  Effect of Reclassifications, Business Combinations, Asset Sales and Corporate Events      75   

Section 4.08.

  Trustee’s Disclaimer      76   

Section 4.09.

  Conversion Limitation      77   

ARTICLE FIVE [RESERVED]

     77   

ARTICLE SIX [RESERVED]

     77   

ARTICLE SEVEN COVENANTS

     77   

Section 7.01.

  Payment of Notes      77   

Section 7.02.

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      78   

Section 7.03.

  Reports      78   

Section 7.04.

  Compliance Certificate      79   

Section 7.05.

  Taxes      80   

Section 7.06.

  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      80   

Section 7.07.

  Insurance      80   

Section 7.08.

  Further Assurances      80   

Section 7.09.

  [Reserved]      81   

Section 7.10.

  Certificate of Financial Officer – Asset Coverage      81   

Section 7.11.

  [Reserved]      81   

Section 7.12.

  Existence; Conduct of Business      81   

Section 7.13.

  Operation and Maintenance of Properties      81   

Section 7.14.

  Compliance with Laws      82   

Section 7.15.

  Environmental Matters      82   

Section 7.16.

  ERISA Compliance      83   

Section 7.17.

  Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws      83   

Section 7.18.

  Compliance with FCPA      83   

Section 7.19.

  Use of Proceeds      84   

Section 7.20.

  ERISA Compliance      84   

Section 7.21.

  Exercise of RBL Extension Option      84   

Section 7.22.

  Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock      85   

Section 7.23.

  Limitation on Restricted Payments      88   

Section 7.24.

  Limitation on Liens      94   

Section 7.25.

  Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries      94   

Section 7.26.

  Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock      98   

Section 7.27.

  Limitation on Affiliate Transactions      98   

Section 7.28.

  Future Subsidiary Guarantors      100   

Section 7.29.

  Business Activities      100   

Section 7.30.

  Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control      101   

Section 7.31.

  Asset Coverage Ratio      104   

Section 7.32.

  G&A      104   

Section 7.33.

  Minimum Liquidity      104   

Section 7.34.

  Termination of Covenants      104   

ARTICLE EIGHT SUCCESSORS

     105   

Section 8.01.

  Merger and Consolidation      105   

 

ii


ARTICLE NINE DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     107   

Section 9.01.

  Events of Default      107   

Section 9.02.

  Acceleration      109   

Section 9.03.

  Other Remedies      110   

Section 9.04.

  Waiver of Past Defaults      110   

Section 9.05.

  Control by Majority      111   

Section 9.06.

  Limitation on Suits      111   

Section 9.07.

  Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment      111   

Section 9.08.

  Collection Suit by Trustee      111   

Section 9.09.

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      112   

Section 9.10.

  Priorities      112   

Section 9.11.

  Undertaking for Costs      112   

ARTICLE TEN TRUSTEE

     113   

Section 10.01.

  Duties of Trustee      113   

Section 10.02.

  Certain Rights of Trustee      114   

Section 10.03.

  Individual Rights of Trustee      116   

Section 10.04.

  Trustee’s Disclaimer      116   

Section 10.05.

  Notice of Default      116   

Section 10.06.

  Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes      116   

Section 10.07.

  Compensation and Indemnity      117   

Section 10.08.

  Replacement of Trustee      118   

Section 10.09.

  Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc      119   

Section 10.10.

  Eligibility; Disqualification      119   

Section 10.11.

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      119   

Section 10.12.

  Trustee in Other Capacities      119   

Section 10.13.

  Credit Bid      119   

ARTICLE ELEVEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     120   

Section 11.01.

  Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      120   

Section 11.02.

  Legal Defeasance and Discharge      120   

Section 11.03.

  Covenant Defeasance      121   

Section 11.04.

  Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      122   

Section 11.05.

  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      123   

Section 11.06.

  Repayment to the Company      123   

Section 11.07.

  Reinstatement      123   

ARTICLE TWELVE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

     124   

Section 12.01.

  Without Consent of Holders of Notes      124   

Section 12.02.

  With Consent of Holders of Notes      125   

Section 12.03.

  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act      127   

Section 12.04.

  Revocation and Effect of Consents      127   

Section 12.05.

  Notation on or Exchange of Notes      127   

Section 12.06.

  Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc      128   

 

iii


ARTICLE THIRTEEN SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

     128   

Section 13.01.

  Subsidiary Guarantee      128   

Section 13.02.

  Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantor Liability      129   

Section 13.03.

  Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee      129   

Section 13.04.

  Releases of Subsidiary Guarantors      130   

ARTICLE FOURTEEN COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

     130   

Section 14.01.

  The Collateral Agent      130   

Section 14.02.

  Authority Of Collateral Agent To Release Collateral And Liens      135   

Section 14.03.

  Security Documents      135   

Section 14.04.

  Intercreditor Agreement      137   

Section 14.05.

  Release of Collateral      137   

Section 14.06.

  Form and Sufficiency of Release      138   

Section 14.07.

  After-Acquired Property      139   

ARTICLE FIFTEEN SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     139   

Section 15.01.

  Satisfaction and Discharge      139   

Section 15.02.

  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      140   

Section 15.03.

  Repayment to the Company      141   

Section 15.04.

  Reinstatement      141   

ARTICLE SIXTEEN MISCELLANEOUS

     141   

Section 16.01.

  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      141   

Section 16.02.

  Notices      141   

Section 16.03.

  Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes      142   

Section 16.04.

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      142   

Section 16.05.

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      142   

Section 16.06.

  Rules by Trustee and Agents      143   

Section 16.07.

  No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders      143   

Section 16.08.

  Governing Law      143   

Section 16.09.

  Trust Indenture Act Controls      144   

Section 16.10.

  Successors      144   

Section 16.11.

  Severability      144   

Section 16.12.

  Counterpart Originals      144   

Section 16.13.

  Acts of Holders      144   

Section 16.14.

  Benefit of Indenture      146   

Section 16.15.

  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc      146   

 

iv


EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Exhibit A-1

  Form of Initial Note

Exhibit A-2

  Form of PIK Interest Note

Exhibit B-1

  Form of Certificate of Transfer

Exhibit B-2

  Form of Certificate from Acquiring Institutional Accredited Investors

Exhibit C

  Form of Certificate of Exchange

Exhibit D

  Form of Notation of Guarantee

Exhibit E

  Form of Guarantor Supplemental Indenture

Schedule 7.27

  Affiliate Transactions

 

v


INDENTURE (this “ Indenture ”), dated as of October 12, 2016, by and between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as the initial Subsidiary Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”) and Collateral Agent (the “ Collateral Agent ”).

R E C I T A L S

A. On April 15, 2016 the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor filed voluntary petitions for relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”) commencing their respective cases (collectively, the “ Bankruptcy Proceedings ”) under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Law (as herein defined).

B. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have filed the Debtors’ First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code , dated August 18, 2016, (together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, the “ Plan of Reorganization ”) with the Bankruptcy Court, which was confirmed pursuant to an Order entered by the Bankruptcy Court on September 28, 2016 (the “ Confirmation Order ”). Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor will reorganize and emerge from bankruptcy on the date hereof when the Plan of Reorganization is consummated.

C. The Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (as further defined herein, the “ Notes ”):

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01. Definitions .

144A Global Note ” means one or more permanent global Notes in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, representing Initial Notes or PIK Interest Notes transferred or exchanged in reliance on Rule 144A and any PIK Interest paid in respect of such Initial Notes or PIK Interest Notes.

Acquired Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (i) of a Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes or is merged with and into a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case whether or not Incurred by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (i) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes or is merged with and into a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of assets.


Additional Assets ” means:

(1) any properties or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the Oil and Gas Business;

(2) the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(3) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;

provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (2) and (3), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” of the Company means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

(a) the sum of:

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

(A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year end, which reserves were not reflected in such year end reserve report, and

(B) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year end due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities, which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions (including the impact to proved reserves and future net revenues from estimated development costs incurred and the accretion of discount since such year end), and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from

(C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves produced or disposed of since such year end, and

(D) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, in each case calculated on a pre-tax basis and in accordance with Commission guidelines,

 

2


in the case of clauses (A) through (D) utilizing prices and costs calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines as of such year end; provided , however , that in the case of each of the determinations made pursuant to clauses (A) through (D), such increases and decreases shall be as estimated by the Company’s petroleum engineers;

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

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

(4) the greater of

(A) the net book value of other tangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, and

(B) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements; provided , however that, if no such appraisal has been performed the Company shall not be required to obtain such an appraisal and only clause (4)(A) of this definition shall apply;

minus

(b) the sum of:

(1) Minority Interests;

(2) any net gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Company’s latest annual or quarterly balance sheet (to the extent not deducted in calculating Net Working Capital of the Company in accordance with clause (a)(3) above of this definition);

(3) to the extent included in (a)(1) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines (utilizing prices and costs calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines as of such year end), attributable to reserves which 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 (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); and

(4) to the extent included in (a)(1) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the discounted future net revenues specified in (a)(1) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to such Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto).

 

3


If the Company changes its method of accounting from the successful efforts method of accounting to the full cost or a similar method, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the successful efforts method of accounting.

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 the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

After Acquired Property ” means any and all assets or property (other than Excluded Assets) acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor after the Issue Date that is not automatically subject to a perfected security interest under the Collateral Agreement and that constitutes Collateral.

Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent.

Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date, the excess of (1) the present value at such time of (a) the redemption price of such Note as of October 12, 2018 (without regard to accrued and unpaid interest) plus (b) all required interest payments due on such Note through October 12, 2018 (excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the prepayment date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 100 basis points, over (2) the principal amount of such Note.

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

Average Life ” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (2) the sum of all such payments.

Bankruptcy Court ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

Bankruptcy Proceeding ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, or any similar United States federal or state law or foreign law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors or any amendment to, succession to or change in any such law.

 

4


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

Beneficial Ownership Limitation ” means 9.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Stock as set forth in the applicable Conversion Notice.

Bloomberg ” means Bloomberg Financial Markets.

Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America or any successor Governmental Authority.

Board of Directors ” means, as to any Person that is a corporation, the board of directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof or as to any Person that is not a corporation, the board of managers or such other individual or group serving a similar function.

Board Resolution ” means, with respect to a Board of Directors, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Person or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership that has no such officers, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of a general partner of such Person, to have been duly adopted by such Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day ” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions in New York, New York, Houston, Texas or a place of payment are authorized or required by law to close.

Capital Stock ” of any Person means any and all shares, units, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity.

Capitalized Lease Obligations ” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation will be the capitalized amount of such obligation at the time any determination thereof is to be made as determined in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such lease may be terminated without penalty.

Cash Equivalents ” means:

(1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States Government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States ( provided, however 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;

 

5


(2) marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition and, at the time of acquisition, having a credit rating of “A” (or the equivalent thereof) or better from either S&P or Moody’s;

(3) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers’ acceptances having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any commercial bank the short-term deposit of which is rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least “A2” or the equivalent thereof by S&P, or “P-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s, and having combined capital and surplus in excess of $100.0 million;

(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

(5) commercial paper rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof by S&P or “P-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named Rating Agencies cease publishing ratings of investments, and in any case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition thereof; and

(6) interests in any investment company or money market fund which invests 95% or more of its assets in instruments of the type specified in clauses (1) through (5) above.

Cash Interest ” means any interest on the Notes payable in cash.

Cash Management Obligations ” means obligations under any facilities or services related to cash management, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, automated clearing house fund transfer services, purchase card, electronic funds transfer (including non-card e-payables services) and other cash management arrangements and commercial credit card and merchant card services.

Casualty Event ” means any loss, casualty or other insured damage to, or any nationalization, taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries having a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000.

 

6


Change of Control ” means:

(1) any “person” or “group” of related persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than a Permitted Holder, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) other than as a result of any merger or consolidation in which the holders of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction will, immediately after such transaction, hold or own Voting Stock of the surviving or successor entity or any parent thereof representing a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such entity (for the purposes of this clause (1), such person or group shall be deemed to Beneficially Own any Voting Stock of the Company held by a parent entity, if such person or group Beneficially Owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent entity);

(2) 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 Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act);

(3) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) are not Continuing Directors; or

(4) the adoption by the shareholders of the Company of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg, and its successors.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Closing Price ” means, for any security as of any date, the closing price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the closing price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg. All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during the applicable calculation period.

Collateral ” means, at any time, all Property that is, or is required under the terms of this Indenture to be, subject to the Liens created by the Security Documents to secure the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees.

Collateral Agent ” means Wilmington Trust, National Association, in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Security Documents (together with its successors in such capacity).

Collateral Agreement ” means the second lien collateral agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Collateral Agent, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto from time to time, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, waived, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.

 

7


Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Commodity Agreements ” means, in respect of any Person, any forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement in respect of Hydrocarbons used, produced, processed or sold by such Person that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business and designed to protect such Person against fluctuation in Hydrocarbon prices.

Common Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or nonvoting) of such Person’s common stock whether or not outstanding on the Issue Date, and includes, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock. Unless otherwise specified, “ Common Stock ” means Common Stock of the Company.

Company ” means Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

Confirmation Order ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

Consolidated Coverage Ratio ” means as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDAX of such Person for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters (as adjusted for the fiscal quarters ending on December 31, 2016, March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017 in accordance with the terms set forth in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDAX”) ending prior to the date of such determination for which financial statements are in existence to (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters, provided , however , that:

(1) if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Consolidated EBITDAX and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such period and such proceeds had been applied as of such date;

(2) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred, repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness described in clause (1) above) since the beginning of the period, Consolidated EBITDAX and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase, defeasement or other discharge of Indebtedness as if such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase, defeasement or other discharge had occurred on the first day of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving Credit Facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such period);

 

8


(3) if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has made any sale, assignment or other transfer of Property or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is such a sale, assignment or other transfer of Property, the Consolidated EBITDAX for such period will be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDAX (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such sale, assignment or other transfer of Property for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDAX (if negative) directly attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with or with the proceeds from such sale, assignment or other transfer of Property for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale);

(4) if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) has made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition (or will have received a contribution) of assets, including any acquisition or contribution of assets occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made under this Indenture, which constitutes all or substantially all of a company, division, operating unit, segment, business, group of related assets or line of business, Consolidated EBITDAX and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition or contribution had occurred on the first day of such period; and

(5) if, since the beginning of such period, any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) made any sale, assignment or other transfer of Property or any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, Consolidated EBITDAX and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such sale, assignment or other transfer of Property or Investment or acquisition of assets had occurred on the first day of such period.

 

9


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, however that such officer may in his or her discretion include any reasonably identifiable and factually supportable pro forma changes to Consolidated EBITDAX, including any pro forma expenses and cost reductions, that have occurred or in the judgment of such officer are reasonably expected to occur within 12 months of the date of the applicable transaction (regardless of whether such expense or cost reduction or any other operating improvements could then be reflected properly in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the Commission); provided, however that the aggregate amount of pro forma expense and cost reductions to be included in calculating Consolidated EBITDAX pursuant to this sentence shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDAX (determined before giving effect to this sentence) for such period. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the average rate in effect from the beginning of such period to the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness, but if the remaining term of such Interest Rate Agreement is less than 12 months, then such Interest Rate Agreement shall only be taken into account for that portion of the period equal to the remaining term thereof). If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect bears an interest rate at the option of the Company, the interest rate shall be calculated by applying such optional rate chosen by the Company. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate.

Consolidated EBITDAX ” for any period means, without duplication, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus the following, without duplication and to the extent deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

(1) Consolidated Interest Expense;

(2) Consolidated Income Tax Expense;

(3) consolidated depletion and depreciation expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(4) consolidated amortization expense or asset impairment charges of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5) other non-cash charges of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period not included in the calculation); and

(6) consolidated exploration and abandonment expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

 

10


if applicable for such period; and less, to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and in excess of any costs or expenses attributable thereto that were deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (x) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments, (y) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and (z) other non-cash gains (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated EBITDAX in any prior period).

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, clauses (1) through (6) relating to amounts of a Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated EBITDAX of such Person only in the same proportion that the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of such Person.

For purposes of computing the amount of Consolidated EBITDAX for (I) the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016, Consolidated EBITDA shall be an amount (such amount, the “ First Quarter Deemed Amount ”) equal to (a) four multiplied by (b) the actual amount of Consolidated EBITDAX for the period from the date hereof to the end of such fiscal quarter multiplied by (c) a fraction the numerator of which is 90 and the denominator of which is the number of days for such period from the date hereof to the end of such fiscal quarter, (II) the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017, Consolidated EBITDAX shall be an amount equal to (a) two multiplied by (b) Consolidated EBITDAX for such fiscal quarter plus the First Quarter Deemed Amount, (III) the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017, Consolidated EBITDAX shall be an amount equal to (a) four-thirds multiplied by (b) the sum of Consolidated EBITDAX for such fiscal quarter and the immediately preceding fiscal quarter plus the First Quarter Deemed Amount and (IV) the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017, Consolidated EBITDAX shall be an amount equal to the sum of Consolidated EBITDAX for such fiscal quarter and the immediately preceding two fiscal quarters plus the First Quarter Deemed Amount.

Consolidated Income Tax Expense ” means, with respect to any period, the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes (including state franchise taxes accounted for as income taxes in accordance with GAAP) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, for any period, the total consolidated interest expense (less interest income) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued, plus, to the extent not included in such interest expense and without duplication:

(1) interest expense attributable to Capitalized Lease Obligations;

(2) amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost ( provided, however that any amortization of bond premium will be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such amortization of bond premium has otherwise reduced Consolidated Interest Expense);

(3) non-cash interest expense (to the extent deducted in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income);

 

11


(4) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing;

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

(6) cash costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements (including amortization of fees); provided , however , that if Interest Rate Agreements result in net cash benefits rather than costs, such benefits shall be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such net benefits are otherwise reflected in Consolidated Net Income;

(7) the consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; and

(8) all dividends paid or payable in cash, Cash Equivalents or Indebtedness or accrued during such period on any series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or on Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries payable to a party other than the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary,

minus, to the extent included above, any interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments; provided , however that for the purposes of calculating Consolidated Interest Expense, no effect shall be given to the discount and/or premium resulting from the bifurcation of derivatives under FASB ASC 815 and related interpretations as a result of the terms of Indebtedness to which such Consolidated Interest Expense relates.

For the purpose of calculating the Consolidated Coverage Ratio in connection with the Incurrence of any Indebtedness described in clause (d) of the definition of “Indebtedness,” the calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense shall include all interest expense (including any amounts described in clauses (1) through (8) above) relating to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary described in clause (d) of the definition of “Indebtedness.”

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for purposes of determining Consolidated Interest Expense for any period ending prior to the first anniversary of the date hereof, Consolidated Interest Expense shall be an amount equal to actual Consolidated Interest Expense from the date hereof through the date of determination multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is 365 and the denominator of which is the number of days from the date hereof through the date of determination.

 

12


Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the aggregate net income (loss) of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP and after any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends of such Person; provided , however , that there will not be included (to the extent otherwise included therein) in such Consolidated Net Income:

(1) any net income (loss) of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

(a) subject to the limitations contained in clauses (3) and (4) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (2) below); and

(b) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Person for such period will be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income to the extent such loss has been funded with cash from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period;

(2) any net income (but not loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that:

(a) subject to the limitations contained in clauses (3), (4) and (5) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and

(b) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

(3) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or its consolidated Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person;

(4) any nonrecurring gains or losses, together with any related provision for taxes on such gains or losses and all related fees and expenses;

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

(6) any “ceiling limitation” or other asset impairment writedowns on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or Commission guidelines;

 

13


(7) any unrealized non-cash gains or losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations;

(8) income or loss attributable to discontinued operations (including, without limitation, operations disposed of during such period whether or not such operations were classified as discontinued); and

(9) any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity based awards;

provided further , for the purposes of calculating Consolidated Net Income, no effect shall be given to the discount and/or premium resulting from the bifurcation of derivatives under FASB ASC 815 and related interpretations as a result of the terms of Indebtedness.

Continuing Directors ” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) who: (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the Issue Date; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.

Conversion Agent ” means the office or agency appointed by the Company where Notes may be presented for conversion. The Conversion Agent appointed by the Company shall initially be the Trustee.

Conversion Amount ” means the sum of (A) the portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Initial Note to be converted, with respect to which this determination is being made, and (B) any accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding principal amount of such Note as at the Conversion Date, if any.

Conversion Date ” means any date on which any Holder shall convert any Conversion Amount into shares of Common Stock.

Conversion Price ” means $21.3333, subject to adjustment from time to time as set forth herein.

Conversion Rate ” means the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any Conversion Amount, which shall be determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the then applicable Conversion Price.

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 16.02 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

Credit Facility ” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the First Lien Credit Agreement), indentures or commercial paper facilities providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special

 

14


purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), capital market transactions or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time (and whether or not with the original administrative agent and lenders or another administrative agent or agents or other lenders and whether provided under the original First Lien Credit Agreement or any other credit or other agreement or indenture).

Currency Agreement ” means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

Current Market Price ” on any date in question means, with respect to any adjustment in conversion rights as set forth herein, the average of the daily Closing Prices for the Common Stock for the five consecutive Trading Days selected by the Board of Directors commencing not more than 20 Trading Days before, and ending not later than, the earlier of the date in question and the day before the Ex Date with respect to the transaction requiring such adjustment; provided, however that (i) if any other transaction occurs requiring a prior adjustment to the Conversion Price and the Ex Date for such other transaction falls after the first of the five consecutive Trading Days so selected by the Board of Directors, the Closing Price for each such Trading Day falling prior to the Ex Date for such other transaction shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the same fraction by which the Conversion Price is so required to be adjusted as a result of such other transaction and (ii) if any other transaction occurs requiring a subsequent adjustment to the Conversion Price and the Ex Date for such other transaction falls on or before the last of the five consecutive Trading Days so selected by the Board of Directors, the Closing Price for each such Trading Day falling on or after the Ex Date for such other transaction shall be adjusted by dividing such Closing Price by the same fraction by which the Conversion Price is so required to be adjusted as a result of such other transaction.

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

Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Definitive Note ” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.07, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “ Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note ” attached thereto.

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.04(b) as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

Designated Persons ” means a person or entity: (i) listed in the annex to, or otherwise the subject of the provisions of, any Executive Order; (ii) named as a “Specially Designated National and Blocked Person” (“ SDN ”) on the most current list published by OFAC at its official website

 

15


or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list; or (iii) that is otherwise the subject of any Sanctions Laws and Regulations in which an entity or person on the SDN List has 50% or greater ownership interest or that is otherwise controlled by an SDN.

Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” means the sale, transfer, license, lease, abandonment, or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith and any assignment, termination, close out, or restructuring of any swap agreement outside of the ordinary course of business.

Disqualified Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock or upon the happening of any event:

(1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than redeemable only for Capital Stock of such Person which is not itself Disqualified Stock) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

(2) is convertible or exchangeable for Disqualified Stock or other Indebtedness (excluding Capital Stock which is convertible or exchangeable solely at the option of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); or

(3) is redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock in whole or in part (other than, including at the issuer’s election, solely in exchange for Capital Stock which is not Disqualified Stock),

in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the earlier of the date (a) of the Stated Maturity of the Notes or (b) on which there are no Notes outstanding; provided , however that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided further , that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale (each defined in a substantially similar manner to the corresponding definitions in this Indenture) shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) provide that (i) the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) pursuant to such provision prior to compliance by the Company with Sections 7.26 and 7.30 and (ii) such repurchase or redemption will be permitted solely to the extent also permitted in accordance with Section 7.23.

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

 

16


Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

Effective Date ” means the date hereof.

Embargoed Person ” shall mean any party that is (a) a Designated Person or (ii) publicly identified as prohibited from doing business with the United States under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, or any other requirement of law.

Environmental Laws ” means any and all Governmental Requirements pertaining in any way to health, safety, the environment, the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, or the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials, in effect in any and all jurisdictions in which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is conducting, or at any time has conducted, business, or where any Property of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is located, including, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“ OPA ”), as amended, the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“ CERCLA ”), as amended, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“ RCRA ”), as amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Law, as amended, and other environmental conservation or protection Governmental Requirements.

Environmental Permit ” means any permit, registration, license, notice, approval, consent, exemption, variance, or other authorization required under or issued pursuant to applicable Environmental Laws.

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

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute.

ERISA Affiliate ” means each trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which together with the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors would be deemed to be a “ single employer ” within the meaning of section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or subsections (b), (c), (m) or (o) of section 414 of the Code.

Ex Date ” means (i) when used with respect to any dividend, distribution or issuance, the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on the relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the Closing Price is obtained without the right to receive such dividend, distribution or issuance, (ii) when used with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock, the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or combination becomes effective, (iii) when used with respect to any tender or exchange offer, the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in such market after such tender or exchange offer expires and (iv) when used with respect to any other transaction, the date of consummation of such transaction.

 

17


Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Excluded Assets ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Existing First Lien Credit Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2009 among the Company, the initial Subsidiary Guarantor, as borrower, the First Lien Administrative Agent, and the other lenders parties thereto from time to time, as amended or supplemented from time to time prior to the date hereof.

Euroclear ” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, and its successors.

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any asset or property, the sale value that would be obtained in an arm’s-length free market transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy.

FCPA ” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and any rules or regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

First Lien Administrative Agent ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as “Administrative Agent” under the First Lien Credit Agreement (together with its successors in such capacity).

First Lien Credit Agreement ” means the Exit Credit Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016 among the Company, as Parent Guarantor, the initial Subsidiary Guarantor, as borrower, the First Lien Administrative Agent, and the other lenders parties thereto from time to time, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof ( provided, however that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 7.22).

First Lien Secured Indebtedness ” means the “Indebtedness” as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time.

Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(g)(2), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

 

18


Global Notes ” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 and A-2 hereto, as appropriate, issued in accordance with Sections 2.01, 2.07(b)(3), 2.07(b)(4), 2.07(d)(1), 2.07(d)(2) or 2.07(d)(3) of this Indenture that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

Governmental Requirement ” means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, rules of common law, authorization or other directive or requirement, whether now or hereinafter in effect, of any Governmental Authority.

Grantors ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Guarantee ” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any 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 (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or

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

provided , however , that the term “Guarantee” will not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or any obligation to the extent it is payable only in Capital Stock of the Guarantor that is not Disqualified Stock. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantor Subordinated Obligation ” means, with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement.

Hazardous Materials ” means any substance regulated or as to which liability might arise under any applicable Environmental Law including: (a) any chemical, compound, material, product, byproduct, substance or waste defined as or included in the definition or meaning of “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “hazardous waste,” “solid waste,” “toxic waste,”

 

19


“extremely hazardous substance,” “toxic substance,” “contaminant,” “pollutant,” or words of similar meaning or import found in any applicable Environmental Law; (b) Hydrocarbons, petroleum products, petroleum substances, natural gas, oil, oil and gas waste, crude oil, and any components, fractions, or derivatives thereof; and (c) radioactive materials, explosives, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, infectious or medical wastes.

Hedging Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Commodity Agreement.

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

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

Hydrocarbon Interests ” means all rights, titles, interests and estates now or hereafter acquired in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and production payment interests, including any reserved or residual interests of whatever nature.

Incur ” means issue, create, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable for, contingently or otherwise; provided , however , that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) will be deemed to be Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and the terms “Incurred” and “Incurrence” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Indebtedness ” means,

(a) with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication, whether or not contingent):

(1) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

(2) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

(3) the principal component of all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto except to the extent such reimbursement obligation relates to a trade payable and except to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such obligation is satisfied within 30 days of payment on the letter of credit);

 

20


(4) the principal component of all obligations of such Person (other than obligations payable solely in Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock) to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property (except as described in clause (8) of the penultimate paragraph of this definition of “Indebtedness”), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto to the extent such obligations would appear as a liabilities upon the consolidated balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(5) Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person to the extent such Capitalized Lease Obligations would appear as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(6) the principal component or liquidation preference of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

(7) the principal component of all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided , however , that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (a) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;

(8) the principal component of Indebtedness of other Persons to the extent Guaranteed by such Person; and

(9) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, net Hedging Obligations of such Person (the amount of any such obligations to be equal at any time to the termination value of such agreement or arrangement giving rise to such obligation that would be payable by such Person at such time);

provided , however , that any indebtedness which has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Cash Equivalents (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such indebtedness obligations at maturity or redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens, shall not constitute “Indebtedness.”

(b) The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date will be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date.

(c) Notwithstanding the preceding, “Indebtedness” shall not include:

(1) Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

(2) 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 gas property;

 

21


(3) any Hedging Obligations; provided, however that such 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, whether or not accounted for as a hedge in accordance with GAAP) and, in the case of Currency Agreements or Commodity Agreements, such Currency Agreements or Commodity Agreements are designed to offset changes in currency or commodity prices and are entered into in the ordinary course of business and, in the case of Interest Rate Agreements, such Interest Rate Agreements substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of this Indenture;

(4) any obligation arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, Guarantees, adjustment of purchase price, holdbacks, contingency payment obligations or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however that such Indebtedness is not reflected on the face of the balance sheet of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

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

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

(7) all contracts and other obligations, agreements, instruments or arrangements described in clauses (19), (20), (21) or (27)(a) of the definition of “Permitted Liens;” and

(8) accrued expenses and trade payables and other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue by 90 days past the invoice or billing date or more or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted.

(d) In addition, “Indebtedness” of any Person shall include Indebtedness described in the first paragraph of this definition of “Indebtedness” that would not appear as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person if:

(1) such Indebtedness is the obligation of a partnership or joint venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary (a “Joint Venture”);

 

22


(2) such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner of the Joint Venture or otherwise liable for all or a portion of the Joint Venture’s liabilities (a “General Partner”); and

(3) there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, with respect to the payment of such Indebtedness to property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; and then such Indebtedness shall be included in an amount not to exceed:

(a) the lesser of (i) the net assets of the General Partner and (ii) the amount of such obligations to the extent that there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, to the property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; or

(b) if less than the amount determined pursuant to clause (a) immediately above, the actual amount of such Indebtedness that is with recourse to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person,

if the Indebtedness is evidenced by a writing and is for a determinable amount and the related interest expense shall be included in Consolidated Interest Expense to the extent actually paid by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

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 Note through a Participant.

Initial Notes ” means Notes issued on the Issue Date in the form of Exhibit A-1 attached hereto.

Intercreditor Agreement ” means the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) among the Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Holders, and the First Lien Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the “Lenders” under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

Interest Payment Date ” has the meaning stated in Exhibit A-1 or A-2 hereto, as applicable.

Interest Rate Agreement ” means with respect to any Person any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.

Investment ” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of any direct or indirect advance, loan or other extensions of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement, but excluding any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other than a time deposit and advances

 

23


or extensions of credit to customers in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments (excluding any interest in an oil or natural gas leasehold to the extent constituting a security under applicable law) issued by, such other Person and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided, however that none of the following will be deemed to be an Investment:

(1) Hedging Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business, not for speculative purposes and in compliance with this Indenture;

(2) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business; and

(3) an acquisition of assets, Capital Stock or other securities by the Company or a Subsidiary for consideration to the extent such consideration consists of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.

The amount of any Investment shall not be adjusted for increases or decreases in value, write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 7.23:

(1) “Investment” will include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in a Restricted Subsidiary to be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:

(a) the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less,

(b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is so re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer.

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

(1) Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s; and

(2) BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P,

 

24


or, if either such Rating Agency ceases to make a rating on the Notes 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 Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from each Rating Agency, and no Default has occurred and is then continuing under this Indenture.

Issue Date ” means the first date on which the Notes are issued under this Indenture.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the UCC; provided, however that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Liquidity ” means, as of any date, the sum of (i) Unrestricted Cash of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date and (ii) the aggregate amount of undrawn commitments to extend credit to the Company under the First Lien Credit Agreement as of such date, the conditions for the availability of which (including compliance with any borrowing base) have been satisfied other than with respect to the delivery of a borrowing request or similar funding notice, which the Company is permitted to deliver.

Material Acquisition ” means any acquisition of Property or series of related acquisitions of Property that involves the payment of consideration by the Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 for any single acquisition or series of related acquisitions of Property.

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse change in, or material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, Property, or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to perform any of its obligations under any Note Document, (c) the validity or enforceability of any Note Document or (d) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent under any Note Document.

Material Disposition ” means any Disposition of Property or series of related Dispositions of Property that yields gross proceeds to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 for any single Disposition or series of related Dispositions of Property.

Minority Interest ” means the percentage interest represented by any class of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that are not owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

Money-Laundering Laws ” means, collectively, the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any related or similar laws, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency of the United States (including, without limitation, the USA Patriot Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended), and the Executive Order).

 

25


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

Mortgaged Property ” means any Property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, which is subject to the Liens existing and to exist under the terms of the Security Documents.

Net Cash Proceeds ” with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock or any contribution to equity capital, means the cash proceeds of such issuance, sale or contribution 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, sale or contribution and net of taxes paid or payable as a result of such issuance or sale (after taking into account any available tax credit or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements).

Net Working Capital ” means (a) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, less (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness of a Person:

(1) as to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides any Guarantee or credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, guarantee, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise);

(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 Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default under such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and

(3) the explicit terms of which provide there is no recourse against any of the assets of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

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

Note Documents ” means this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Security Documents, the Registration Rights Agreements, the Purchase Agreement, the Warrant Agreement and the Warrants.

 

26


Notes ” has the meaning stated in the second paragraph of this Indenture and more particularly means any Notes authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. Except as otherwise specified herein, including Article Four, for all purposes of this Indenture the term “Notes” shall include the Initial Notes and any PIK Interest Notes, and all such Notes shall be treated as a single class of securities for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, directions, waivers, amendments, consents, redemptions and offers to purchase.

Notes Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain registration rights agreement with respect to the Notes dated as of the Issue Date by and among the Company and the other parties thereto, as such agreement may be amended from time to time.

OFAC ” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company. Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by two Officers of the Company.

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 Hydrocarbon, mineral and renewable energy properties or products produced in association with any of the foregoing;

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

(3) any other related energy business, including power generation and electrical transmission 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; and

(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 Properties ” means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

27


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 DTC, 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, however 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, the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Coverage Ratio test described in Section 7.22(a)(1).

Permitted Business Investment ” means any Investment made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks 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:

(1) ownership interests in oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals properties, liquefied natural gas facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, pipelines, storage facilities or related systems or ancillary real property interests;

(2) Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, processing agreements, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals, production sharing agreements, participation agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties; and

(3) direct or indirect ownership interests in drilling rigs and related equipment, including, without limitation, transportation equipment.

 

28


Permitted First Lien Replacement Facility ” means, with respect to the First Lien Credit Agreement, a reserve based credit facility which (a) shall refinance or replace the First Lien Credit Agreement in full with lenders holding a majority in principal amount of the commitments thereunder that are (i) commercial bank lenders, (ii) investment banks or (iii) Affiliates of Persons described in clauses (i) and (ii), which, in each case, regularly participate in reserve based credit facilities and (b) includes a customary borrowing base for reserve based loans provided by commercial banks.

Permitted Holder ” means each Person that directly or indirectly owns Voting Stock of the Company on the date hereof and any Affiliate of such Person.

Permitted Investment ” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in:

(1) the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary;

(2) another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided, however that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transfer;

(3) cash and Cash Equivalents;

(4) 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;

(5) payroll, commission, travel, relocation and similar advances 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;

(6) loans or advances to employees (other than executive officers) made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

(7) Capital Stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts (x) created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments or (y) pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding;

(8) any Person as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from a sale, assignment or other transfer of Property that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 7.26;

 

29


(9) Commodity Agreements, Currency Agreements, Interest Rate Agreements and related Hedging Obligations, which transactions or obligations are Incurred in compliance with Section 7.22;

(10) Guarantees issued in accordance with Section 7.22;

(11) Permitted Business Investments;

(12) any Person where such Investment was acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(13) any Person to the extent such Investments consist of prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(14) Guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under oil and natural gas exploration, development, joint operating, and related agreements and licenses, concessions or operating leases related to the Oil and Gas Business;

(15) Investments in the Notes;

(16) Investments in existence on the Issue Date; and

(17) Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Investments in any Unrestricted Subsidiary), together with all other Investments pursuant to this clause (17), in an aggregate amount outstanding at the time of such Investment not to exceed the greater of $7.5 million and 1.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (with the Fair Market Value of such Investment being measured at the time such Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).

Permitted Liens ” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) Liens on the Collateral securing Indebtedness and related obligations Incurred under Section 7.22(b)(1), but only to the extent such Indebtedness is Indebtedness under the First Lien Credit Agreement or another Credit Facility that is secured by Prior Liens or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided, however that the collateral agent, trustee or other security representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become a party to the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

30


(2) pledges or deposits by such Person under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws, social security or old age pension laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits (which may be secured by a Lien) to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person including letters of credit and bank guarantees required or requested by the United States, any State thereof or any foreign government or any subdivision, department, agency, organization or instrumentality of any of the foregoing in connection with any contract or statute (including lessee or operator obligations under statutes, governmental regulations, contracts or instruments related to the ownership, exploration and production of oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons and minerals on State, Federal or foreign lands or waters), or deposits of cash or United States government bonds to secure indemnity performance, surety or appeal bonds or other similar bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(3) statutory and contractual Liens of landlords and Liens imposed by law, including carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s and repairmen’s Liens, in each case for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if a reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;

(4) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or claims not yet subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided, however that appropriate reserves, if any, required pursuant to GAAP have been made in respect thereof;

(5) Liens in favor of issuers of surety or performance bonds or bankers’ acceptances issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

(6) survey exceptions, encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including, without limitation, minor defects or irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of the assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(7) Liens securing Hedging Obligations permitted from time to time under this Indenture which are not included in the definition of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (c)(3) of the definition thereof;

(8) leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including, without limitation, real property and intellectual property rights) which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

31


(9) prejudgment Liens and judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

(10) Liens for the purpose of securing the payment of all or a part of the purchase price of, or Capitalized Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations or other payments Incurred to finance the acquisition, lease, improvement or construction of or repairs or additions to, assets or property acquired or constructed in the ordinary course of business; provided, however 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 and assets affixed or appurtenant thereto;

(11) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depositary institution; provided, however that:

(A) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; and

(B) such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;

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

(13) Liens (other than for borrowed money) existing on the Issue Date;

(14) Liens on property or shares of Capital Stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Subsidiary; provided further that any such Lien may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than assets or property affixed or appurtenant thereto);

 

32


(15) Liens on property at the time the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided , however , that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided further that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than assets or property affixed or appurtenant thereto);

(16) Liens securing the Notes, any increase in principal amount as the result of a PIK Payment and any PIK Interest Notes in respect thereof and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

(17) Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured and that is being refinanced pursuant to Section 7.22(b)(4)(c) of this Indenture; provided, however that 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 or assets that is the security for a Permitted Lien hereunder;

(18) any interest or title of a lessor under any Capitalized Lease Obligation or operating lease; provided , however that such Liens do not extend to any property or asset that is not leased property subject to such Capitalized Lease Obligation or operating lease;

(19) Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales, which Liens shall be limited to the property that is the subject of such Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

(20) Liens arising under farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements, royalties, working interests, net profits interests, joint interest billing arrangements, participation agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided , however , in all instances that such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order or contract;

(21) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law;

(22) Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

33


(23) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(24) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(25) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 7.22; provided, however that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;

(26) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(27) any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease, liens reserved in oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons, minerals, leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (b) restriction or encumbrance that the interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to (including, without limitation, ground leases or other prior leases of the demised premises, mortgages, mechanics’ liens, tax liens, and easements); or (c) subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to any restrictions or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (b);

(28) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(29) Liens arising under this Indenture in favor of the Trustee for its own benefit and similar Liens in favor of other trustees, agents and representatives arising under instruments governing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, provided , however , that such Liens are solely for the benefit of the trustees, agents or representatives in their capacities as such and not for the benefit of the holders of such Indebtedness;

(30) Liens arising from the deposit of funds or securities in trust for the purpose of decreasing or defeasing Indebtedness so long as such deposit of funds or securities and such decreasing or defeasing of Indebtedness are permitted under Section 7.23;

(31) Liens in favor of collecting or payer banks having a right of setoff, revocation, or charge back with respect to money or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company on deposit with or in possession of such bank;

(32) Liens on any cash, Cash Equivalents or other securities to secure Cash Management Obligations owing to the banks or other financial entities holding such cash, Cash Equivalents or securities; and

 

34


(33) Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time, added together with all other Indebtedness secured by Liens Incurred pursuant to this clause (33), not to exceed $5.0 million.

In each case set forth above, notwithstanding any stated limitation on the assets that may be subject to such Lien, a Permitted Lien on a specified asset or group or type of assets may include Liens on all improvements, additions and accessions thereto and all products and proceeds thereof (including dividends, distributions and increases in respect thereof).

Per Share Premium Amount ” means, with respect to any tender or exchange offer, (i) the Premium Amount paid as part of such tender or exchange offer divided by (ii) the Post-Tender Offer Number of Common Shares.

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

Petroleum Industry Standards ” means the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, which (a) is currently or hereafter sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company, a Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate or (b) was at any time during the six calendar years preceding the date hereof, sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or an ERISA Affiliate.

Plan of Reorganization ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

Post-Tender Offer Number of Common Shares ” means, with respect to any tender or exchange offer, the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date of expiration of such tender or exchange offer (before giving effect to the acquisition of shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto) minus the number of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant thereto.

Predecessor Note ” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Note; and any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.08 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed or stolen Note.

Preferred Stock ” as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation.

Premium Amount ” means, with respect to any tender or exchange offer, (i) the Tender Consideration paid in such tender or exchange offer minus (ii) the product of the Current Market Price on the date of expiration of such tender or exchange offer and the number of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to such tender or exchange offer.

 

35


Prepayment Premium ” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date (whether voluntary, mandatory or otherwise) the Applicable Premium or applicable redemption price for such Note as set forth in Section 3.07.

Principal Market ” means NYSE MKT LLC.

Prior Lien ” means a Lien on any Collateral that has priority (whether by law or pursuant to any agreement) over the Liens of the Security Documents.

Private Placement Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(g)(1) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

Production Payments and Reserve Sales ” means the grant or transfer by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and 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 the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, 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 or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists or other providers of technical services to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

Property ” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

Proved Developed Producing Properties ” means Oil and Gas Properties which are categorized as “Proved Reserves” that are both “Developed” and “Producing”, as such terms are defined in the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves as promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

Proved Oil and Gas Properties ” means Oil and Gas Properties containing Proved Reserves.

Proved Reserves ” means reserves that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and one of the following: (a) “Developed Producing Reserves”; (b) “Developed Non-Producing Reserves”; or (c) “Undeveloped Reserves”.

 

36


Purchase Agreement ” means that certain purchase agreement with respect to the Notes dated as of the Issue Date by and among the Company and the other parties thereto, as such agreement may be amended from time to time.

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

Rating Agency ” means each of S&P and Moody’s, or if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, or both, as the case may be.

RBL Extension Option ” means the option for the Company to extend the Stated Maturity of the First Lien Credit Agreement (i) from March 30, 2018 to September 30, 2018 by making a one-time payment of a fee equal to 3.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under the First Lien Credit Agreement on March 30, 2018 and (ii) from September 30, 2018 to September 30, 2019 by making a one-time payment of a fee equal to 2.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under the First Lien Credit Agreement on September 30, 2018, provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under the First Lien Credit Agreement on September 30, 2018 does not exceed the lesser of (x) three times the Total Proved PV10% as of such date and (y) $15 million.

RCRA ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Environmental Laws.

Refinancing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund, refinance, replace, exchange, renew, repay, extend, prepay, redeem or retire (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) (collectively, “refinance” and “refinances” and “refinanced” shall have correlative meanings) any Indebtedness (including Indebtedness of the Company that refinances Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor and Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of another Subsidiary Guarantor, but excluding Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor), including Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness, provided , however , that:

(1) (a) if the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced is earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Notes, the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced or (b) if the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced is later than the Stated Maturity of the Notes, the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity at least 91 days later than the Stated Maturity of the Notes;

(2) the Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(3) such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the sum of the aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Indebtedness being refinanced (plus, without duplication, any additional Indebtedness Incurred to pay interest, premiums or defeasance costs required by the instruments governing such existing Indebtedness and fees and expenses Incurred in connection therewith); and

 

37


(4) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee on terms at least as favorable to the Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being refinanced.

Registration Rights Agreements ” means the Notes Registration Rights Agreement and the Warrants Registration Rights Agreement.

Registration Statement ” means a registration statement that may be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement.

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

Regulation S Permanent Global Note ” means a Global Note bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend, representing Initial Notes or PIK Interest Notes transferred or exchanged in reliance on Regulation S and any PIK Interest paid in respect of such Initial Notes or PIK Interest Notes.

Release ” means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting, discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing.

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

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

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

Restricted Investment ” means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Restructuring Documents ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan of Reorganization.

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

 

38


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

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

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

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

Sale/Leaseback Transaction ” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

Sanctioned Country ” means, at any time, a country or territory which is itself or whose government is, the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Indenture, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

Sanctioned Person ” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

Sanctions ” means, collectively, any economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

Sanctions Laws and Regulations ” means any sanctions, prohibitions or requirements imposed by any executive order (an “ Executive Order ”) or by any sanctions program administered by OFAC.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Security Documents ” means the Collateral Agreement, mortgages, deeds of trust and any and all other agreements, instruments, consents or certificates now or hereafter executed and delivered by the Company or any other Person in connection with, or as security for the payment or performance of the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Indenture, as such agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission, as in effect on the Issue Date, measured as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

39


Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision, but shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

Subordinated Obligation ” means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to a written agreement.

Subsidiary ” of any Person means (a) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total ordinary voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or Persons performing similar functions) or (b) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, is, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (1) such Person, (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Subsidiary (other than in this definition) will refer to a Subsidiary of the Company.

Subsidiary Guarantee ” means, individually, any Guarantee of payment of the Notes by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto, and, collectively, all such Guarantees.

Subsidiary Guarantors ” means Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as the initial guarantor of the Notes, and any Person that after the Issue Date guarantees the Notes pursuant to Section 7.28 or otherwise, in each case until a successor replaces such Person pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means such successor, in each case until such Person is released from its guarantee of the Notes in accordance with this Indenture.

Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding) imposed by any Governmental Authority.

Tender Consideration ” means, with respect to any tender or exchange offer, the aggregate of the Cash plus the Fair Market Value of all non-Cash consideration paid in respect of such tender or exchange offer.

Test Date ” means (A) each January 1 and July 1 of each year commencing with January 1, 2017 and (B) the date of any Material Acquisition or Material Disposition by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Oil and Gas Properties (and after giving effect thereto, including any change in Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result thereof).

 

40


Total Proved PV10% ” means, as of any date of determination thereof with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties described in the most recently prepared reserve report, the net present value, determined using a discount rate of ten percent (10%) per annum, of the future net revenues expected to accrue to the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ collective interest in such Oil and Gas Properties during the remaining expected economic lives of such Oil and Gas Properties. Each calculation of such expected future net revenues shall be made by the Company in accordance with the then existing standards of the Society of Petroleum Engineers; provided , however that in any event (a) appropriate deductions shall be made for severance and ad valorem taxes and for operating, gathering, transportation and marketing costs, required for the production and sale of Hydrocarbons from such Oil and Gas Properties, (b) the pricing assumptions used in determining Total Proved PV10% for any Oil and Gas Properties shall be based upon the Strip Price on such date, adjusted in a reasonable manner to reflect the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ Commodity Agreements in respect of forecasted production from Proved Developed Producing Properties and (c) the cash-flows derived from the pricing assumptions set forth in clause (b) above shall be further adjusted to account for the historical basis differential in a reasonable manner. The amount of Total Proved PV10% at any time shall be calculated on a pro forma basis for dispositions and acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties consummated since the date of the most recently prepared reserve report ( provided , however that, in the case of any such acquisition or disposition, as the case may be, the Company shall have prepared a reserve report evaluating all categories of Proved Reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties subject thereto).

Total Secured Debt ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness in respect of the First Lien Credit Agreement outstanding at such time plus the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness in respect of the Notes outstanding at such time.

Trading Day ” means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded; provided , however that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York Time).

Transactions ” means, with respect to (a) the Company, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Indenture and each other Note Document to which it is a party, the issuance of the Notes, the use of the proceeds thereof, and the grant of Liens by the Company on Mortgaged Properties and other Properties pursuant to the Security Documents and (b) each Subsidiary Guarantor, the execution, delivery and performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor of each Note Document to which it is a party, the guaranteeing of the Indebtedness in respect of the Notes and the other obligations under this Indenture by such Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s grant of the security interests and provision of collateral under the Security Documents, and the grant of Liens by such Subsidiary Guarantor on Mortgaged Properties and other Properties pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

41


Treasury Rate ” means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to October 12, 2018; provided , however , that if the period from the redemption date to October 12, 2018 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained 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 October 12, 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 as of the second Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date and (b) prior to such redemption date file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Applicable Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.

Trust Indenture Act ” or “ TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or any successor statute.

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

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) as in effect from time to time in any applicable jurisdiction.

Unrestricted Cash ” means cash and cash equivalents that satisfy each of the following criteria: (A) are held in a bank account subject to the “control” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC of the Trustee, (B) are not subject to any Lien other than the Liens in respect of the Notes and Permitted Liens described in either clause (1) or clause (11) of the definition thereof and (C) are not held in a restricted account, payroll account, tax account, trust account, pension account, royalty account or other similar type of account.

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

Unrestricted Global Note ” means a permanent Global Note representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means:

(1) any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Company in the manner provided below; and

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

42


The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary only if:

(1) such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries does not own any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of or have any Investment in, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, any other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(2) all the Indebtedness of such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries shall, at the date of designation, and will at all times thereafter, consist of Non-Recourse Debt;

(3) on the date of such designation, such designation and the Investment of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in such Subsidiary complies with Section 7.23 of this Indenture;

(4) such Subsidiary is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation:

(A) to subscribe for additional Capital Stock of such Person; or

(B) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

(5) on the date such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is not a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with terms substantially less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might have been obtained from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company.

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the foregoing conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing 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 as of such date. The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however that immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof and the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 7.22(a)(1) on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation .

Unsecured Debt ” of any Person means Indebtedness that is not secured by a Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter owned by such Person, or on any income or profits therefrom, or any assignment or conveyance of any right to receive income therefrom.

 

43


U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities that are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided , however that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depositary receipt.

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

USA Patriot Act ” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001).

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

Voting Stock ” of an entity means all classes of Capital Stock of such entity then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of members of such entity’s Board of Directors.

Warrant Agreement ” means that certain agreement with respect to the Warrants dated as of the Issue Date by and among the Company and the Holders as of the Issue Date, as such agreement may be amended from time to time.

Warrant Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain registration rights agreement with respect to the Warrants dated as of the Issue Date by and among the Company and the other parties thereto, as such agreement may be amended from time to time.

Warrants ” means those warrants issued to the Holders as of the Issue Date to purchase shares of Common Stock representing an aggregate total of 20% of the total number of shares of the Company.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary, all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

 

44


Section 1.02. Other Definitions .

 

Term

   Defined in

Act

   Section 16.13

Affiliate Transaction

Asset Coverage Ratio

   Section 7.27

Section 7.31

Authentication Order

   Section 2.02

Change of Control Offer

   Section 7.30

Change of Control Payment Date

   Section 7.30

Change of Control Payment

   Section 7.30

Conversion Obligation

   Section 4.06

Covenant Defeasance

   Section 11.03

DTC

   Section 2.01

Event of Default

   Section 9.01

Excess Proceeds

   Section 7.26

Funds in Trust

   Section 9.04

IAI

   Section 2.01

Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note

   Section 2.01

Legal Defeasance

   Section 9.02

Paying Agent

   Section 2.04

payment default

   Section 9.01

Reference Property

   Section 7.07

Registrar

   Section 2.04

Remedial Work

   Section 7.15

Reorganization Event

   Section 7.07

Restricted Payments

   Section 7.23

Restricted Payments Basket

   Section 7.23

Subject Debt

   Section 7.26

Successor Company

   Section 8.01

Test Date

   Section 7.32

Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

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

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

Section 1.04. Rules of Construction .

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

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

 

45


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

(e) “or” is not exclusive, and “including” means “including without limitation”, “including but not limited to” or words of similar import; and

(f) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import shall be construed to refer to this Indenture in its entirety and not to any particular provision.

ARTICLE TWO

THE NOTES

Section 2.01. Form And Dating .

(a) General . The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 attached hereto, as applicable. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued in registered, global form without interest coupons and only shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (or, with respect to PIK Interest Notes, in minimum denominations of $1.00 and any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof).

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, any Subsidiary 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 Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b) Global Notes . Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “ Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note ” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “ Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note ” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, redemptions and, in the case of PIK Interest Notes, PIK Payments. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee, as Custodian, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.07.

 

46


(c) Institutional Accredited Investor Global Notes . The Notes initially will be, and, except as specified herein, any Notes transferred to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A or an initial resale thereof in reliance on Regulation S to “institutional accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) under the Securities Act) who are not QIBs (“ IAIs ”) in the United States of America in accordance with the procedures described herein will be issued in the form of a permanent global Note (an “ Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note ”) deposited with the Trustee, as Custodian, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. An Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by The Depository Trust Company’s (“ DTC ”) rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of an Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as Custodian, as hereinafter provided. The Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note shall contain the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable . The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication .

(a) One Officer of the Company shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

(b) The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by an Officer of the Company (an “ Authentication Order ”) delivered to the Trustee at least two Business Days prior to the Effective Date, authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any PIK Interest Notes as a result of a PIK Payment in accordance with Section 2.14 hereof, and increase the principal amount of any PIK Interest Note as a result of a PIK Payment. Such order shall specify the amount of separate Note certificates to be authenticated, the principal amount of each of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes or PIK Interest Notes, the registered holder of each of the Notes and delivery instructions. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.08 hereof.

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

(d) A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

(e) The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture shall not exceed $40.0 million plus the amount of any PIK Interest Notes.

 

47


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

Section 2.03. Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes .

If a Holder of Notes has given wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent at least 10 Business Days before payment is due, the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s Notes in accordance with those instructions to an account in the United States. All other payments on Notes shall be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent designated by the Company unless the Company elects to make Cash Interest payments by check, or PIK Payments by PIK Interest Notes that are Definitive Notes, mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders. Payments of Cash Interest to the Trustee as Paying Agent, if the Trustee then acts as Paying Agent, with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be made by the Company in immediately available funds for receipt by the Trustee no later than 11:00 a.m. New York Time on such Interest Payment Date. The Company will pay principal of, premium, if any, and Cash Interest on, Global Notes held by the Depositary or its nominee, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note. The Company will make PIK Payments on Global Notes held by the Depositary or its nominee, to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note.

Section 2.04. Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent .

(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Registrar ”), which initially will be the office of the Trustee located at Wilmington Trust, National Association, 15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550, Dallas, TX 75248, an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”), which initially will be the office of the Trustee located at 15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550, Dallas, TX 75248 and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for conversion (“ Conversion Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars, one or more additional paying agents or one or more additional conversion agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent and the term “Conversion Agent” includes any additional conversion agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent (except for purposes of Article Eleven or Fourteen of this Indenture) or Registrar.

(b) The Company initially appoints DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

48


(c) The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent.

Section 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

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 the Holders or the Trustee all money held by it for the making of payments in respect of the Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require the Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee, and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any default, upon written request to the Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay forthwith to the Trustee all money so held in trust by such Paying Agent. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for such money. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.06. 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 all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a).

Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange .

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . A Global Note may be transferred, as a whole and not in part, by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes only if (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary or (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee and Registrar an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Global Notes shall be so exchangeable. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i) or (ii) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.08 and 2.11. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.07 or Section 2.08 or 2.11, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.07; however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.07 (b) or (c) hereof.

 

49


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

(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend and any Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. Except as may be required by any Applicable Procedures, no written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.07(b)(1).

(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in the Global Notes that are not subject to Section 2.07(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A) (1) 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 Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

(B) (1) if permitted under Section 2.07(a) hereof, 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 Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount at maturity of the relevant Global Notes pursuant to Section 2.07(h) hereof.

 

50


(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.07(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

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

(B) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or

(C) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, a certificate from the transferee in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto required thereby, and, if requested by the Company or the Registrar, an opinion of counsel, certificate and/or information satisfactory to each of them.

(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.07(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and a letter of representations from the Holder to the effect that the Private Placement Legend and the related restrictions on transfer are not required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, together with any other certifications that the Company may reasonably request from the Holder; or

(B) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate from the transferor in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof, and any opinions of counsel or certifications as the Company may reasonably request to evidence compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

 

51


If any such transfer is effected pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests exchanged or transferred pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above.

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

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

(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes . Subject to Section 2.07(a) hereof, if any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

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

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

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction (as defined in Section 902(h) of Regulation S) in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(E) if such beneficial interest is transferred to an IAI, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, a certificate from the transferee in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto required thereby, and, if requested by the Company or the Registrar, an opinion of counsel, certificate and/or information satisfactory to each of them,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive

 

52


Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(1) 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 Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(2) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . Subject to Section 2.07(a) hereof, a holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and a letter of representations from the Holder to the effect that the Private Placement Legend and the related restrictions on transfer are not required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, together with any other certifications that the Company may reasonably request from the Holder; or

(B) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate from the transferor in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof, and any opinions of counsel or certifications as the Company may reasonably request to evidence compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of any of the conditions of any of the clauses of this Section 2.07(c)(2), the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend in the appropriate principal amount to the Person designated by the holder of such beneficial interest in instructions delivered to the Registrar by the Depositary and the applicable Participant or Indirect Participant on behalf of such holder, and the Trustee shall reduce or cause to be reduced in a corresponding amount pursuant to Section 2.07(h), the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Note.

(3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note,

 

53


then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.07(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(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 Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(4) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests . Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(d), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.07(d).

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

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, 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 Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction (as defined in Rule 902(k) of Regulation S) in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

54


(E) if such beneficial interest is transferred to an IAI, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, a certificate from the transferee in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto required thereby, and, if requested by the Company or the Registrar, an opinion of counsel, certificate and/or information satisfactory to each of them,

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Restricted Global Note.

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

(A) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and a letter of representations from the Holder to the effect that the Private Placement Legend and the related restrictions on transfer are not required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, together with any other certifications that the Company may reasonably request from the Holder; or

(B) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate from the transferor in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof, and any opinions of counsel or certifications as the Company may reasonably request to evidence compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of any of the conditions of any of the clauses of this Section 2.07(d)(2), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

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

(4) Transfer or Exchange of Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes Prohibited . An Unrestricted Definitive Note may not be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note.

 

55


(5) Issuance of Unrestricted Global Notes . If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (2) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so exchanged or transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes . Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.07(e).

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

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

(B) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; and

(D) if such beneficial interest is transferred to an IAI, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, a certificate from the transferee in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto required thereby, and, if requested by the Company or the Registrar, an opinion of counsel, certificate and/or information satisfactory to each of them.

 

56


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

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and a letter of representations from the Holder to the effect that the Private Placement Legend and the related restrictions on transfer are not required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, together with any other certifications that the Company may reasonably request from the Holder; or

(B) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate from the transferor in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof, and any opinions of counsel or certifications as the Company may reasonably request to evidence compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the clauses of this Section 2.07(e)(2), the Trustee shall cancel the prior Restricted Definitive Note and the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver an Unrestricted Definitive Note in the appropriate aggregate principal amount to the Person designated by the Holder of such prior Restricted Definitive Note in instructions delivered to the Registrar by such Holder.

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

(f) [Reserved].

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

(1) Private Placement Legend . Except as permitted below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

 

57


THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION, INCLUDING (X) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (Y) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (Z) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (III) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION TO THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE REGISTRAR REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THEM, AND, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this Section 2.07 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) (and any note not required by law to have such a legend), shall not bear the Private Placement Legend. In addition, the foregoing legend may be adjusted for future issuances in accordance with applicable law.

In addition, the foregoing legend may be adjusted for future issuances in accordance with applicable law.

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

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“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 IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS 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.

 

58


TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRANSFER PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE.

(3) Common Stock Legend . Except as permitted below, any Common Stock issued pursuant to Article 4 of this Indenture shall bear the legend in substantially the final form:

THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (III) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION TO THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE REGISTRAR REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THEM, AND, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.12. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

59


(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 Notes and Definitive Notes 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 Note or to a holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other governmental taxes and fees payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.06, 7.26, 7.30 and 11.05).

(3) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part.

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

(5) The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

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

(7) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02.

(8) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.07 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile with the original to follow by first class mail or delivery service.

(9) Any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a) the holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book-entry.

 

60


(10) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restriction on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) 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.

(11) None of the Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

Section 2.08. Replacement Notes .

(a) If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company or the Trustee may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note. If, after the delivery of such replacement Note, a protected purchaser of the original Note in lieu of which such replacement Note was issued presents for payment or registration such original Note, the Trustee shall be entitled to recover such replacement Note from the Person to whom it was delivered or any Person taking therefrom, except a protected purchaser, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by the Company, the Trustee and any Agent in connection therewith.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the final sentence of the preceding paragraph, every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.09. Outstanding Notes .

(a) The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes (including PIK Interest Notes) authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.10, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

 

61


(c) If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 7.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

(d) If any Initial Note is converted in accordance with Article Four, then on the date of such conversion, such Initial Note shall cease to be outstanding and interest on such Initial Note shall cease to accrue, unless there shall be a default in the delivery of the consideration payable hereunder upon such conversion.

(e) If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any of the foregoing) holds as of 1:00 p.m. New York Time, on a redemption date, repurchase date or other maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.10. Treasury Notes .

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

Section 2.11. [Reserved].

Section 2.12. Cancellation .

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or conversion. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, conversion, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its procedures for the disposition of canceled securities in effect as of the date of such disposition (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the disposition of all canceled Notes shall be delivered to the Company upon written request. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or that any Holder has converted pursuant to Article Four.

Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest .

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on the record date for the interest payment or a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 7.01. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided , however that no such special

 

62


record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Section 2.14. PIK Interest .

For any interest period the Company may elect to pay all or any portion of interest in kind (“ PIK Interest ”) on the then outstanding principal amount of the Notes (a “ PIK Payment ”) by (a) in the case of interest on any Initial Note then outstanding, (i) on the first Interest Payment Date on which interest on such Initial Note is paid in kind, issuing an additional Global Note or Definitive Note, as applicable, in the form of Exhibit A-2 attached hereto (each, a “ PIK Interest Note ”) in a principal amount equal to such interest and (ii) on any subsequent Interest Payment Date on which interest on such Initial Note is paid in kind, (A) with respect to a Global Note, by increasing the principal amount of such PIK Interest Note and (B) with respect to a Definitive Note, by issuing to the Holder of such Definitive Note an additional Definitive Note, the principal amount of which shall be rounded up to the nearest whole dollar and (b) in the case of interest on PIK Interest Notes then outstanding, (i) with respect to a Global Note, by increasing the principal amount of such PIK Interest Notes and (ii) with respect to a Definitive Note, by issuing to the Holder of such Definitive Note an additional Definitive Note, the principal amount of which shall be rounded up to the nearest whole dollar; provided, however that for each Interest Payment Date prior to the maturity date of the First Lien Credit Agreement in effect on the date hereof (but not any refinancing or replacement thereof), the Company shall be required to pay all interest in kind. PIK Interest Notes will not be fungible with Initial Notes and will trade separately.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the payment of accrued interest in connection with any redemption or repurchase of the Notes as described under Section 3.07 or 3.08 hereof will be made solely in cash. If the Company elects to pay interest on the Notes as a combination Cash Interest and PIK Interest, such Cash Interest and PIK Interest shall be paid on the Notes on a pro rata basis. In the event that the Company shall elect to pay PIK Interest for any interest period, then the Company shall deliver a notice to the Trustee and the Holders not less than five Business Days prior to the applicable record date for the relevant Interest Payment Date of the relevant interest period, which notice shall state the total amount of interest to be paid on such Interest Payment Date and the total amount of PIK Interest; provided, however that for each Interest Payment Date prior to the maturity date of the First Lien Credit Agreement in effect on the date hereof (but not any refinancing or replacement thereof), interest shall be paid in kind.

Unless otherwise agreed between the Company and the Trustee, with respect to the payment of any PIK Interest, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date, (a) if such PIK Interest Notes are Definitive Notes, the required amount of new Definitive Notes (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar) and an Authentication Order to authenticate and deliver such PIK Interest Notes on the relevant Interest Payment Date or (b) if such PIK Interest Notes are Global Notes, (i) a new Global Note in an amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar) and an Authentication Order to authenticate and deliver such new Global

 

63


Note on the relevant Interest Payment Date or (ii) unless prohibited by the procedures of the Depositary, a written order from an Officer of the Company to the Trustee to increase the principal amount of the outstanding Global Note by an amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar).

Any PIK Interest Note shall, after being executed and, if applicable, authenticated pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof, be (i) if such PIK Interest Notes are Definitive Notes, mailed to the Person entitled thereto as shown on the register for the Definitive Notes as of the relevant Record Date or (ii) if such PIK Interest Notes are Global Notes, deposited into the account specified by the Holder or Holders thereof as of the relevant record date, unless the principal amount of any outstanding PIK Interest Note that is a Global Note is increased at the Depositary.

Any PIK Payment shall be made in such form and on terms as specified in this Section 2.14, and the Company shall and the Trustee may take additional steps as necessary to effect such PIK Payment.

Section 2.15. CUSIP Numbers .

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use such numbers in notices, including 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 Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Initial Notes and the PIK Interest Notes shall have different “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers, as applicable. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.

Section 2.16. Use of Proceeds .

Subject to the terms and conditions herein, the proceeds of the Notes shall be applied as follows: (i) $20 million to repay outstanding obligations under the Existing First Lien Credit Agreement and (ii) $20 million to fund the initial development of the Haynesville Shale drilling program as generally described in the previously delivered management presentation dated June 2016.

ARTICLE THREE

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01. Notice to Trustee .

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 or is required to redeem the Notes pursuant to the mandatory redemption provisions of Section 3.08, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 10 days (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period) before giving a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price, if then determined and otherwise the method of its determination.

 

64


Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed .

(a) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Company shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed (and the Company shall notify the Trustee of any such listing) or, if the Notes are not so listed, then on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Company in its sole discretion will deem to be fair and appropriate (or, in the case of Global Notes, the Company will select Notes for redemption based on the Depositary’s method that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection).

(b) The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount at maturity thereof to be redeemed. No Notes in amounts of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part (or $1.00 in the case of any PIK Interest Notes). The Company may select for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000 (or $1.00 in the case of any PIK Interest Notes). Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof in the case of any PIK Interest Notes); except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000 or $1.00, as applicable, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption .

(a) At least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, or electronically if held by DTC, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address and send a copy to the Trustee at the same time.

The notice shall identify the Notes (including CUSIP or ISIN number(s)) to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the redemption date;

(2) the redemption price, if then determined and otherwise the method of its determination;

(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note;

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

 

65


(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price and become due on the date fixed for redemption;

(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

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

and

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

(b) At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided , however , that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, as provided in Section 3.01, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph. The notice, if mailed in the manner provided herein shall be presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice.

Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption .

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price.

Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price .

(a) Prior to 1:00 p.m. New York Time on the Business Day that is the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

(b) If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Holder in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 7.01.

 

66


Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part .

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered. No Notes in principal amount of $2,000 or less (or $1.00 or less in the case of any PIK Interest Notes) will be redeemed in part.

Section 3.07. Optional Redemption .

(a) The Company may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time prior to October 12, 2018, the Notes, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date).

(b) The Company may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time on or after October 12, 2018, the Notes, at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date):

 

Period

   Redemption
Price
 

October 12, 2018 to April 12, 2019

     106.75

April 12, 2019 and thereafter

     100.00

(c) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 and shall be made on a pro rata basis between the Initial Notes and PIK Interest Notes, subject to adjustment in a manner that most nearly approximates a pro rata basis.

Section 3.08. Mandatory Redemption .

Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and to the extent not required to be used to prepay the Indebtedness in respect of the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof:

(a) Prior to or within two Business Days following the consummation of any disposition of Property permitted pursuant to Section 7.26(i) or (j), the Company shall notify the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.01 it is required to redeem the Notes (and shall promptly thereafter provide notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to Section 3.03(a)) in an aggregate principal amount of the net cash proceeds of such disposition (net of (1) all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors and brokerage commissions, (2) any taxes directly attributable to such disposition, (3) any Indebtedness or other liabilities required to be paid with the proceeds of such disposition and (4) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any such proceeds that are (or are intended to be) invested within 180 days of receipt thereof in long-term productive assets of the general type used in the business of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (it being understood and agreed that any proceeds that are not actually invested pursuant to this clause (4) within such 180 day period shall be required to be applied to redeem the Notes pursuant to this Section 3.08(a))).

 

67


(b) Prior to or within two Business Days of the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Notes, the Company shall notify the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.01(a) it is required to redeem the Notes (and shall promptly thereafter provide notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to Section 3.03(a)) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the net cash proceeds of such Refinancing Indebtedness.

(c) Except as expressly provided in Section 3.08(a) and Section 3.08(b), any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.08 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06, shall be subject to payment of the Prepayment Premium and shall be made on a pro rata basis between the Initial Notes and the PIK Interest Notes, subject to adjustment in a manner that most nearly approximates a pro rata basis.

(d) (i) If the Notes are accelerated or otherwise become due prior to their stated maturity date, in each case, as a result of an Event of Default (including, but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a bankruptcy or insolvency event (including the acceleration of claims by operation of law)) on or after October 12, 2018, the amount of principal of, accrued and unpaid interest and premium on the Notes that becomes due and payable shall equal the Prepayment Premium applicable with respect to an optional redemption of the Notes, in effect on the date of such acceleration as if such acceleration were an optional redemption of the Notes accelerated. If the Notes are accelerated or otherwise become due prior to their stated maturity date, in each case, as a result of an Event of Default (including, but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a bankruptcy or insolvency event (including the acceleration of claims by operation of law)) prior to October 12, 2018, the amount of principal of, and premium on, the Notes that becomes due and payable shall equal 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium in effect on the date of such acceleration, as if such acceleration were an optional redemption of the Notes accelerated. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that if the Notes are accelerated or otherwise become due prior to their stated maturity date, in each case, in respect of any Event of Default (including, but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a bankruptcy or insolvency event (including the acceleration of claims by operation of law)), the premium applicable with respect to an optional redemption of the Notes (which, for all purposes of the paragraphs under “Events of Default,” shall be understood to include the applicable Prepayment Premium) will also be due and payable as though the Notes were optionally redeemed and shall constitute part of the obligations, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of each Holder’s lost profits as a result thereof. Any premium payable above shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each Holder as the result of the redemption and the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor agree that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing. The premium shall also be payable in the event the Notes (and/or the Indenture) are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR EXPRESSLY WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING PREMIUM IN

 

68


CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor expressly agree that: (A) the premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel; (B) the premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (C) there has been a course of conduct between the Holders and the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the premium; and (D) the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor expressly acknowledge that their agreement to pay the premium to the Holders as herein described is a material inducement to the Holders to purchase the Notes.

Section 3.09. Application of Trust Money .

All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.05 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE FOUR

CONVERSION

The provisions of this Article Four shall apply only to Initial Notes. For the avoidance of doubt, PIK Interest Notes shall not be convertible.

Section 4.01. Conversion Privilege

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article Four, each Holder shall be entitled to convert, at such Holder’s sole option, any portion of the outstanding and unpaid Conversion Amount into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock, at the Conversion Rate. The Company shall not issue any fractional shares of Common Stock upon any conversion. If the Holder elects to convert its Notes into Common Stock as described in this Section 4.01, the Company shall (i) deliver shares of Common Stock to the Holder, (ii) pay the Holder an amount in Cash equal to the market value of the shares calculated using the Closing Price of the Common Stock on the Conversion Date, or (iii) any combination thereof, in accordance with Section 4.06. If the issuance of Common Stock would result in the issuance of a fractional share of Common Stock, the Company shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fractional share in an amount equal to the same fraction of the Closing Price on the Conversion Date. The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp and similar taxes that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Common Stock upon conversion of any Conversion Amount; provided , however that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any issuance of Common Stock to any Person other than the converting Holder or with respect to any income tax due by such Holder with respect to such Common Stock and the Company shall not be required to make any such issuance or delivery unless and

 

69


until the Person otherwise entitled to such issuance or delivery has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid or is not payable. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to conversion of all of a Note also apply to conversion of a portion of a Note. For the avoidance of doubt, PIK Interest Notes shall not be convertible.

(b) Notes delivered for conversion will be deemed to have been converted at immediately prior to 5:00 p.m. New York time on the Conversion Date. A Holder of Notes is not entitled to any rights of a holder of Common Stock until such Holder has converted (or, in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence or with Section 4.02, is deemed to have converted or become a record holder of Common Stock) its Initial Notes to Common Stock and only to the extent such Initial Notes are deemed to have been converted into Common Stock pursuant to this Article Four.

Section 4.02. Conversion Procedure .

(a) Optional Conversion . The Holder may convert any Conversion Amount into shares of Common Stock on any Conversion Date by (A) transmitting by facsimile or electronic mail (or otherwise deliver), for receipt on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York Time, on such date, a copy of an executed notice of conversion in the form attached to the form of Note as Exhibit I (the “ Conversion Notice ”) to the Company and (B) (i) if the Notes are Definitive Notes, surrendering the Notes to a reputable common carrier for delivery to the Company as soon as practicable on or following such date (or an indemnification undertaking with respect to the Notes in the case of its loss, theft or destruction), and (ii) if the Notes are Global Notes, submitting, directly or through a Participant, a valid instruction into DTC’s ATOP platform (or equivalent platform of the Depositary at the time) in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary in respect of the principal amount of Notes to be converted. On or before the third Business Day following the date of receipt of a Conversion Notice, the Company shall transmit by facsimile or electronic mail a notice addressed to the Holder and the Conversion Agent confirming (i) receipt of such Conversion Notice and (ii) the method by which the Company intends to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in accordance with Section 4.06. If Definitive Notes are physically surrendered for conversion and the outstanding principal amount of the Notes (together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon) is greater than the Conversion Amount being converted, then the Company shall as soon as practicable after, and no later than three Business Days following, receipt of the Notes, and in each case at its own expense, issue, and the Trustee shall authenticate in accordance with the terms of the Note and the Indenture, and the Company shall deliver to the Holder, a new Definitive Note representing the outstanding principal amount of the Notes not converted. For the avoidance of doubt, any accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding principal amount of the Notes not converted shall remain outstanding and payable at the next Interest Payment Date. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon a conversion of the Notes shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on the Conversion Date. In the event of a partial conversion of the Notes pursuant hereto or to the terms of the Note, the Conversion Amount converted shall be deducted from the aggregate amount of the outstanding principal amount of such Note and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon for the purposes of calculating future interest payments due on such Note pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and such Note following such partial conversion.

 

70


(b) The right of conversion attaching to any Note may be exercised (i) if such Note is represented by a Global Note, by electronic instruction to the Conversion Agent through the facilities of the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, or (ii) if such Note is represented by a Definitive Note, by physical delivery of the Definitive Note to the Company in accordance with the terms of such Definitive Note and the Indenture, and upon such exercise the Company shall, provided all of the other requirements for conversion have been satisfied by the Holder, (A) provided that the transfer agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, credit such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian system or (B) if the transfer agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, issue and deliver to the address as specified in the Conversion Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled, in each case by no later than the fourth (4th) Business Day following the date of receipt of such Note (whether through book-entry transfer or physical delivery). To the extent that Common Stock issued upon conversion is represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form or forms as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. Such certificate shall be issued in consecutive order and shall be numbered in the order of their issue, and shall be signed by any Officer. Any or all of the signatures on a certificate may be a facsimile. In the event any such Officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to hold such office or to be employed by the Company before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if such Officer had held such office on the date of issue.

(c) The person in whose name the Note is registered shall be deemed to be a stockholder of record on the Conversion Date; provided, however that no surrender of a Note on any date when the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed shall be effective to constitute the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock upon such conversion as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on such date, but such surrender shall be effective to constitute the person or persons entitled to receive such shares of Common Stock as the record holder or holders thereof for all purposes at the close of business on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open; provided further that such conversion shall be at the Conversion Rate in effect on the date on which such Note was delivered as if the stock transfer books of the Company had not been closed. Upon conversion of a Note, such person shall no longer be a Holder of such Note. No separate payment or adjustment will be made for accrued and unpaid interest on a converted Security or for dividends or distributions on shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of a Security except as provided in this Indenture.

Section 4.03. Company to Provide Stock .

(a) The Company shall, prior to the issuance of any Notes hereunder, and from time to time as may be necessary, reserve at all times and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of all of the Notes.

 

71


(b) All shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of the Notes shall be newly issued shares or shares held in the treasury of the Company, shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and shall be free of any preemptive rights and free of any lien or adverse claim.

(c) The Company shall comply with all applicable securities laws regulating the offer and delivery of any Common Stock upon conversion of Notes and shall list or cause to have quoted such shares of Common Stock on each national and regional securities exchange or on Nasdaq or on an over-the-counter market or such other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing herein shall give to any Holder any rights as a creditor in respect solely of its right to conversion.

Section 4.04. Conversion Price Adjustment .

(a) In case the Company shall pay or make a dividend or other distribution to all or substantially all holders of any class of capital stock of the Company payable in Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the denominator shall be (i) such number of shares plus (ii) the total number of shares constituting such dividend or other distribution, such reduction to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination. (For the purposes of determining adjustments to the Conversion Price as set forth herein, shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company, and distributions or issuances in respect thereof shall be disregarded.)

(b) In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 days, to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the Current Market Price on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be (i) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at such Current Market Price and the denominator shall be (i) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase, such reduction to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such termination. In case any rights or warrants referred to in this paragraph in respect of which an adjustment shall have been made shall expire unexercised, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted at the time of such expiration to the Conversion Price that would then be in effect if no adjustment had been made on account of the distribution or issuance of such expired rights or warrants.

 

72


(c) In case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, and conversely, in case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall each be combined into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such combination becomes effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or increase, as the case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

(d) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock of any class or series, other securities, cash or assets (other than Common Stock referred to in Section 4.04(a), rights or warrants referred to in Section 4.04(b) or a dividend or distribution payable exclusively in cash), the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for the payment of such distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be (i) the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such payment minus (ii) the then Fair Market Value of the portion of such evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, other securities, cash and assets distributed per share of Common Stock and the denominator shall be such Current Market Price, such reduction to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such payment. In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock shares of any capital stock of, or other equity interest in, any subsidiary or other business unit of the Company (a “ Spin Off ”) and, immediately after such distribution, such capital stock or other equity interest is registered under the Exchange Act and listed and publicly traded on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act, then the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for such distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be (i) the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such distribution minus (ii) the average of the Closing Prices of the amount of such capital stock or other equity interests distributed per share of Common Stock on such exchange during the first ten days of such public trading immediately following and including the effective date of the Spin Off and the denominator shall be the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such distribution.

(e) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, make a distribution to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock payable exclusively in cash, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for such payment shall be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be (i) the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such payment minus (ii) the amount in cash per share of Common Stock paid in such distribution and the denominator shall be the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such payment, such adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such payment. In the event that the amount in cash per share of Common Stock paid in such distribution is greater than or equal to the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such payment, each Holder of Notes shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes, without conversion and at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of Common Stock, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Business Day immediately preceding the date fixed for such payment for such cash dividend or distribution.

 

73


(f) In case the Company or any subsidiary of the Company shall consummate a tender or exchange offer for all or any portion of the Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date of expiration of such tender or exchange offer shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be (i) the Current Market Price on such date of expiration minus the (ii) Per Share Premium Amount paid in such tender or exchange offer and the denominator shall be such Current Market Price, such reduction to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following such date of expiration.

(g) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, make a distribution referred to in Section 4.04(d) or 4.04(e), any Holder converting its Notes (or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of its Notes (together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon)) subsequent to the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution and prior to the effectiveness of the Conversion Price adjustment in respect of such distribution shall, in lieu of a conversion adjustment, be entitled to receive, for each share of Common Stock received in respect of the conversion of such Notes (or portion of the outstanding principal amount of such Notes (together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon) being converted), the portion of the evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, other securities, cash and assets so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock; provided, however that, at the election of the Company (whose election shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors) with respect to all Holders so converting, the Company may, in lieu of distributing to such Holder any portion or all of such evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, other securities, cash and assets to which such holder is entitled as set forth above, (i) pay such Holder an amount in Cash equal to the Fair Market Value thereof or (ii) distribute to such Holder a due bill therefor, provided that such due bill (A) meets any applicable requirements of the principal national securities exchange or other market on which the Common Stock is then traded and (B) requires payment or delivery of such evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, other securities, cash or assets no later than the date of payment thereof to holders of shares of Common Stock receiving such distribution.

(h) The Company may not engage in any transaction if, as a result thereof, the Conversion Price would be reduced to below the par value per share of the Common Stock.

(i) No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one tenth of one percent (0.1%) in the Conversion Price; provided, however that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 4.04(i) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.

 

74


Section 4.05. Notice of Adjustment .

Whenever the Conversion Price or conversion privilege is adjusted, the Company shall promptly deliver to Holders a notice of the adjustment in accordance with Section 16.02, and furnish to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent an Officers’ Certificate briefly stating the facts requiring the adjustment and the manner of computing it. Unless and until the Trustee and the Conversion Agent shall receive an Officers’ Certificate setting forth an adjustment of the Conversion Rate, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent may assume without inquiry that the Conversion Rate has not been adjusted and that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge remains in effect.

Section 4.06. Option to Satisfy Conversion Obligation with Cash, Common Stock or Combination Thereof .

In lieu of delivery of shares of Common Stock in satisfaction of the Company’s obligation upon conversion of the Notes (the “ Conversion Obligation ”), the Company may elect to deliver cash or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; provided that the Company may not elect to deliver cash in respect of any Conversion Obligation in an aggregate amount exceeding 10% of the Conversion Obligation on any Conversion Date. The Company shall notify the Holder(s) in writing (with a copy to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent) of the method by which the Company intends to satisfy its Conversion Obligation as follows: (i) no later than 11 Trading Days immediately preceding the maturity date of the Notes, in respect of Notes to be converted during the period beginning 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the maturity date of the Notes and ending one Trading Day immediately preceding the maturity date of the Notes; and (ii) no later than three Trading Days immediately following the Conversion Date in all other cases. If the Company fails to give the notice described in the preceding sentence within the prescribed time periods, then the Company shall satisfy its Conversion Obligation only in shares of Common Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares). If the Company elects to satisfy any portion of its Conversion Obligation in cash, the Company shall specify in such notice the amount to be satisfied in cash either as a percentage of the Conversion Obligation or as a fixed dollar amount. The Company shall treat all Holders converting on the same Trading Day in the same manner. The Company shall not have any obligation to satisfy its Conversion Obligations arising on different Trading Days in the same manner.

Section 4.07. Effect of Reclassifications, Business Combinations, Asset Sales and Corporate Events .

(a) If any of the following events occur: (i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a subdivision or combination to which Section 4.04(c) applies), (ii) any consolidation, merger, binding share exchange or combination of the Company with another Person, or (iii) any sale or conveyance to another Person of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case as a result of which Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such event or transaction, a “ Reorganization Event ”), then, following the effective time of the Reorganization Event, the right to receive shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Notes, if any, will be changed into a right to receive the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (the “ Reference Property ”) that a Holder would have been entitled to receive upon such Reorganization Event in respect of Common Stock, as provided below. If the Reorganization Event causes Common

 

75


Stock to be converted into the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), the Reference Property will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of Common Stock that affirmatively make such an election. The Company will notify Holders of the weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made. Upon such Reorganization Event, the Company or any Successor Company will enter into a supplemental indenture consistent with the foregoing. Such supplemental indenture shall provide for provisions and adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the provisions and adjustments provided for in this Article 4, as determined in good faith by the Company (which determination shall be conclusive and binding), to make such provisions apply to such other Person if different from the original issuer of the Notes.

(b) Following the effective time of any such Reorganization Event, settlement of Notes converted shall be in units of Reference Property or cash and units of Reference Property, if applicable, determined in accordance with Section 4.01. The Conversion Rate will relate to units of Reference Property (a “unit” of Reference Property being the kind and amount of reference property that a holder of one share of Common Stock would have received in such transaction); and the Conversion Price will be determined based on the Closing Price of one unit of Reference Property on the Conversion Date.

(c) The above provisions of this Section 4.07 shall similarly apply to successive Reorganization Events.

(e) If this Section 4.07 applies to any event or occurrence, Section 4.04 shall not apply in respect of such event or occurrence.

(f) The Company shall not become a party to any Reorganization Event unless its terms are consistent with the foregoing and it is otherwise permitted by the terms of this Indenture. None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a Holder of Notes to convert the Notes as set forth in and subject to Section 4.01 prior to the effective time of such Reorganization Event.

Section 4.08. Trustee’s Disclaimer .

Neither the Trustee nor any other Agent shall have any responsibility or duty to calculate the Conversion Prices, to determine when an adjustment under this Article Four should be made, how it should be made or what such adjustment should be, but may accept as conclusive evidence of that fact or the correctness of any such adjustment set forth in, and shall be protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate, including the Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto which the Company is obligated to file with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.05. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent makes any representation as to the validity or value of any securities or assets issued upon conversion of Notes. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to make any cash payment or to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock or share certificates or other securities or property upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion; and the Trustee and any Agent shall not be responsible for the Company’s failure to comply with any provisions of this Article Four.

 

76


Section 4.09. Conversion Limitation .

At no time when the Common Stock is registered under the Section 12 of the Securities Act shall the Company effect any conversion of the Notes and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of the Notes, to the extent that, after giving effect to the conversion as set forth on the applicable Conversion Notice, such Holder (together with such Holder’s Affiliates, and any Persons acting as a group together with such Holder or such Holder’s Affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation; provided, however that, upon a Holder providing the Company with 61 days’ notice (the “ Waiver Notice ”) at any time, whether before or after the Common Stock is registered under the Section 12 of the Securities Act, that such Holder wishes to waive the provisions of this Section 4.08 with regard to any or all Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Holder’s Notes, this Section 4.08 shall be of no force or effect with regard to the Notes referenced in the Waiver Notice. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned by such Holder, its Affiliates and any Persons acting as a group together with such Holder or its Affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Notes with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company Beneficially Owned by such Holder, its Affiliates or any other Persons if such securities are subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein.

ARTICLE FIVE

[RESERVED].

ARTICLE SIX

[RESERVED].

ARTICLE SEVEN

COVENANTS

Section 7.01. Payment of Notes .

(a) The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and Cash Interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, holds as of 1:00 p.m. New York Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes then due. If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period provided such payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day. Any PIK Payment shall be considered paid on the date it is due (a) if PIK Interest Notes (including PIK Interest Notes that are Global Notes) have been issued therefor, such PIK Interest Notes have been executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee on or prior to the date the payment is due in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and (b) if the PIK Payment is made by increasing the principal amount of Global Notes then authenticated, the Company has delivered the written request required by Section 2.14 and the Trustee has increased the principal amount of Global Notes then authenticated by the relevant amount on or prior to the date the payment is due.

 

77


(b) The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, on the Notes from time to time on demand at one percentage point in excess of the rate then in effect on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) from time to time on demand at such higher rate to the extent lawful.

Section 7.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency .

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

(b) The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(c) The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04 of this Indenture.

Section 7.03. Reports .

(a) The Company, pursuant to §314(a) of the TIA, shall file with the Trustee, within the time periods specified in the Securities Act with respect to the Company’s filing status, copies of the annual and quarterly reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company files with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports that may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations; provided, however that any such information, documents or reports filed electronically with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be deemed filed with, and delivered to, the Trustee; provided , further , the Company shall notify the Trustee if it shall fail to so file any such information, documents or reports with the Commission. In addition, the Company will make such reports and information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon request.

 

78


(b) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the financial information required by Section 7.03(a) above will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

(c) For so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding and constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 144, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will furnish to the Holders of the Notes and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(d) The Company shall be deemed to have furnished such reports to the Trustee and the Holders of Notes if it has filed such reports with the Commission using the EDGAR filing system or on the Company’s website and such reports are publicly available. The Trustee shall have no obligation to monitor whether the Company posts such reports, information and documents on its website or the Commission’s EDGAR service, or collect any such reports, information and documents from the Company’s website or the Commission’s EDGAR service.

(e) The delivery of the foregoing annual reports, information, documents and other reports 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).

(f) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of any Default hereunder or any default under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

Section 7.04. Compliance Certificate .

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, on or before a date not more than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer 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 the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the material terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto). For purposes of this Section 7.04(a), such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under the Indenture.

 

79


Section 7.05. Taxes .

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

Section 7.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws .

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

Section 7.07. Insurance .

The Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as is customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. Subject to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, the loss payable clauses or provisions in said insurance policy or policies insuring any of the Collateral, as applicable, shall be endorsed in favor of the Collateral Agent as its interests in the Collateral may appear and such policies shall name the Collateral Agent as an “additional insured” and provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Collateral Agent, it being understood that the Company shall be afforded a period of 30 days following the Issue Date to comply with this Section.

Section 7.08. Further Assurances .

(a) The Company at its sole expense will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent to comply with, cure any defects or accomplish the covenants and agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in this Indenture or the Security Documents, or to further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, or to correct any omissions in this Indenture or the Security Documents, or to state more fully the obligations secured therein, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to this Indenture or any of the Security Documents or the priority thereof, or to make any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection therewith.

 

80


(b) The Company hereby authorizes each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto relative to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property without the signature of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor where permitted by law; provided, however, that neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duty to see to any recording, filing, or depositing of any financing or continuation statement evidencing a security interest, and amendments thereto relative to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property or to see to the maintenance of any such recording or filing or depositing or to any rerecording, refiling or redepositing of any thereof. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of the Security Documents or any financing statement covering the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

Section 7.09. [Reserved].

Section 7.10. Certificate of Financial Officer – Asset Coverage .

On or before the 45 th day after each Test Date, a certificate of a financial officer setting forth, as of such Test Date, a calculation in reasonable detail of the Asset Coverage Ratio as of such Test Date shall be delivered to the Trustee.

Section 7.11. [Reserved] .

Section 7.12. Existence; Conduct of Business .

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business and maintain, if necessary, its qualification to do business in each other jurisdiction in which its Oil and Gas Properties is located or the ownership of its Properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 8.01.

Section 7.13. Operation and Maintenance of Properties .

The Company, at its own expense, will operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all Governmental Requirements, including, without limitation, applicable pro ration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations of every other Governmental Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom, except, in each case, where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

81


Section 7.14. Compliance with Laws .

The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its Property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 7.15. Environmental Matters .

(a) The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall each, at its sole expense: (i) comply, and shall cause its Properties and operations to comply, with all applicable Environmental Laws, the breach of which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) not Release or threaten to Release, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary not to Release or threaten to Release, any Hazardous Material on, under, about or from any of its Properties or any other property offsite the Property to the extent caused by its operations except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, the Release or threatened Release of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) timely obtain or file all Environmental Permits, if any, required under applicable Environmental Laws to be obtained or filed in connection with the operation or use of its Properties, which failure to obtain or file could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, any assessment, evaluation, investigation, monitoring, containment, cleanup, removal, repair, restoration, remediation or other remedial obligations (collectively, the “ Remedial Work ”) in the event any Remedial Work is required or reasonably necessary under applicable Environmental Laws because of or in connection with the actual or suspected past, present or future Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material on, under, about or from any of its Properties, which failure to commence and diligently prosecute to completion could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (v) conduct its operations and businesses in a manner that will not expose any Property or Person to Hazardous Materials that could reasonably be expected to form the basis for a material claim for damages or compensation; and (vi) establish and implement, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to establish and implement, such procedures as may be necessary to continuously determine and assure that its obligations under this Section 7.15(a) are timely and fully satisfied, which failure to establish and implement could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, will promptly, but in no event later than five days after the occurrence of a triggering event, notify the Trustee and the Holders in writing of any threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority or any threatened demand or lawsuit by any Person against the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries or their Properties of which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries has knowledge in connection with any Environmental Laws if the Company could reasonably anticipate that such action will result in liability (whether individually or in the aggregate) in excess of $1,000,000, not fully covered by insurance, subject to normal deductibles.

 

82


Section 7.16. ERISA Compliance . The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will promptly furnish and will cause any ERISA Affiliate to promptly furnish to the Trustee (a) promptly after the filing thereof with the United States Secretary of Labor or the Internal Revenue Service, copies of each annual and other report with respect to each Plan or any trust created thereunder, and (b) immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any “prohibited transaction,” as described in section 406 of ERISA or in section 4975 of the Code, in connection with any Plan or any trust created thereunder, a written notice signed by the President or the principal Financial Officer of the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries or the ERISA Affiliate, as the case may be, specifying the nature thereof, what action the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries or the ERISA Affiliate is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken or proposed by the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Labor with respect thereto.

Section 7.17. Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws . Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall:

(a) Directly or indirectly, in connection with the Notes, knowingly (i) conduct any operations in violation of any Money Laundering Laws, (ii) conduct any business or engage in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Embargoed Person or (iii) engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Money Laundering Laws.

(b) Directly or indirectly, in connection with the Notes, knowingly cause or permit any of the funds of either the Company or its Subsidiaries that are used to repay the Notes to be derived from any unlawful activity with the result that the issuance of the Notes would be in violation of any Money Laundering Laws.

(c) Knowingly cause or permit (i) an Embargoed Person to have any direct or indirect interest in or benefit of any nature whatsoever in either the Company or its Subsidiaries or (ii) any of the funds or properties of either the Company or its Subsidiaries that are used to repay the Notes to constitute property of, or be beneficially owned directly or indirectly by, an Embargoed Person.

Section 7.18. Compliance with FCPA .

Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, will use the proceeds of any Notes in a manner that would result in a violation by such Persons of the FCPA or any other applicable anti-corruption law or regulation, including without limitation, an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other 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 and its Subsidiaries will conduct their business 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, such continued material compliance therewith.

 

83


Section 7.19. Use of Proceeds .

(a) The Company will not permit the proceeds of the Notes to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 2.16. Neither the Company nor any Person acting on behalf of the Company has taken or will take any action which might cause any of the Note Documents to violate Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board or any other regulation of the Board or to violate Section 7 of the Exchange Act or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect.

(b) The Company shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Notes (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of the FCPA or any other applicable anti-corruption law or regulation, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

Section 7.20. ERISA Compliance . The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not at any time:

(a) engage in, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to engage in, any transaction in connection with which the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate could be subjected to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i), (l) or (m) of section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code;

(b) fail to make, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail to make, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable law, the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions thereto; and

(c) contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to (i) any employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by such entities in their sole discretion at any time without any material liability, or (ii) any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code.

Section 7.21. Exercise of RBL Extension Option . The Company shall, to the extent permitted by the terms of the First Lien Credit Agreement, exercise the RBL Extension Option.

 

84


Section 7.22. Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue Preferred Stock; provided , however , that the Company may Incur Indebtedness and any of the Subsidiary Guarantors may Incur Indebtedness and issue Preferred Stock if on the date of such Incurrence or issuance:

(1) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is at least 2.25 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of proceeds); and

(2) no Default would occur as a consequence of, and no Event of Default would be continuing following, Incurring the Indebtedness or the application of its proceeds.

(b) Section 7.22(a) will not prohibit the Incurrence of the following Indebtedness:

(1) Indebtedness under one or more Credit Facilities of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred pursuant to this clause (1) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50.0 million; provided , however that any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (1) in excess of $20.0 million shall be Incurred solely if the First Lien Credit Agreement is refinanced with a Permitted First Lien Replacement Facility and such Incurrence is permitted by the borrowing base set forth in such Permitted First Lien Replacement Facility as in effect at the time of such Incurrence;

(2) Guarantees Incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor Incurred in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture (including any increase in principal amount as a result of a PIK Payment and any PIK Interest Notes in respect thereof); provided , however that in the event such Indebtedness that is being Guaranteed is a Subordinated Obligation or a Guarantor Subordinated Obligation, then the related Guarantee shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee to at least the same extent as the Indebtedness being Guaranteed, as the case may be;

(3) Indebtedness of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however that (a)(i) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the obligee is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the Notes and (ii) if a Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor of such Indebtedness and the obligee is neither the Company nor a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee and (b)(i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause;

 

85


(4) Indebtedness represented by (a) the Notes issued on the Issue Date (together with any PIK Interest Notes issued in respect thereof) and all Subsidiary Guarantees, (b) any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (6) or (7)) outstanding on the Issue Date and (c) any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of any Indebtedness described in this clause (4) or clause (5) or (7) or Incurred pursuant to Section 7.22(a);

(5) Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness;

(6) Indebtedness in respect of (a) self-insurance obligations, bid, appeal, reimbursement, performance, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or a 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 and (b) obligations represented by letters of credit for the account of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in order to provide security for workers’ compensation claims (in the case of clauses (a) and (b) other than for an obligation for money borrowed);

(7) Indebtedness represented by Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not Incurred pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions), mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, Incurred in connection with the acquisition, construction, improvement or development of real or personal, movable or immovable, property, in each case Incurred for the purpose of financing, refinancing, renewing, defeasing or refunding all or any part of the purchase price or cost of acquisition, construction, improvement or development of property used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however that after giving effect to any such Incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (7), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to clause (4) in respect of such Indebtedness, and then outstanding does not exceed the greater of $5.0 million or 1.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined as of the date of Incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving effect to such Incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom; and

(8) Cash Management Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

(9) in addition to the items referred to in clauses (1) through (8) above, Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when taken together with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (9) and then outstanding, will not exceed the greater of $15.0 million or 2.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined as of the date of Incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving effect to such Incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom.

 

86


(c) For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this covenant:

(1) in the event an item of that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 7.22(a)-(b), the Company, in its sole discretion, will, in each case, subject to clause (2) below, classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of Incurrence in any manner that complies with this covenant;

(2) all Indebtedness outstanding on the date of this Indenture under the First Lien Credit Agreement, after giving effect to the initial offering and sale of Notes and the use of proceeds therefrom shall be deemed Incurred on the Issue Date under clause (1) of Section 7.22(b) and may not later be reclassified;

(3) Guarantees Incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of, or obligations Incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of letters of credit supporting, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included;

(4) if obligations in respect of letters of credit are Incurred pursuant to a Credit Facility and are being treated as Incurred pursuant to clause (1) of Section 7.22(b) and the letters of credit relate to other Indebtedness, then such other Indebtedness shall not be included to the extent of the underlying letter of credit;

(5) the principal amount of any Disqualified Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, will be 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;

(6) Indebtedness permitted by this Section 7.22 need not be permitted solely by reference to one provision permitting such Indebtedness but may be permitted in part by one such provision and in part by one or more other provisions of this Section 7.22 permitting such Indebtedness; and

(7) 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.

(d) Accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the amortization of debt discount or the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness, the payment of dividends in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock and unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section 7.22.

(e) The Company will not permit any of its Unrestricted Subsidiaries to Incur any Indebtedness, or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock, other than Non-Recourse Debt. If at any time an Unrestricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be Incurred as of such date under this Section 7.22, the Company shall be in Default of this Section 7.22.

 

87


(f) 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 , however 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-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated 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 rates of currencies. The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred to refinance other 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 Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

(g) Nothing contained in this Indenture is intended to treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) senior Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

Section 7.23. Limitation on Restricted Payments .

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

(1) pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on or in respect of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiaries’ Capital Stock (including any payment or distribution in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) except:

(A) dividends or distributions by the Company payable solely in Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock but including options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Capital Stock of the Company); and

(B) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and if such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, to minority stockholders (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity other than a corporation) so long as the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution;

 

88


(2) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital Stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than in exchange for Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock));

(3) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations (other than (x) Indebtedness permitted under clause (3) of Section 7.22(b) of this Indenture or (y) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement);

(4) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Unsecured Debt (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any “make-whole” payment in connection with such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement); or

(5) make any Restricted Investment in any Person;

(any such dividend, distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Restricted Investment referred to in clauses (1) through (5) shall be referred to herein as a “ Restricted Payment ”), if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:

(A) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom);

(B) the Company is not able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 7.22(a) of this Indenture after giving effect, on a pro forma basis, to such Restricted Payment; or

(C) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments declared or made subsequent to the Issue Date would exceed the sum of (the “ Restricted Payments Basket ”):

(i) 50% of Consolidated Net Income for the period (treated as one accounting period) from October 12, 2016 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment for which internal financial statements are in existence (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit);

(ii) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds and the Fair Market Value of property or securities other than cash (including Capital Stock of Persons engaged primarily in the Oil and Gas Business or assets used in the Oil and Gas Business), in each case received by the Company from the issue or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)

 

89


or other capital contributions subsequent to the Issue Date (other than Net Cash Proceeds received from an issuance or sale of such Capital Stock to (x) Persons indicated in clause 6(a) of Section 7.23(b) or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds have been used to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (6)(a) of Section 7.23(b), (y) a Subsidiary of the Company or (z) an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust (to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination));

(iii) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the Company’s balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to the Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other property (other than such Capital Stock), distributed by the Company upon such conversion or exchange), together with the net proceeds, if any, received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries upon such conversion or exchange; and

(iv) the amount equal to the aggregate net reduction in Restricted Investments made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person subsequent to the Issue Date resulting from:

(A) repurchases, repayments or redemptions of such Restricted Investments by such Person or proceeds realized upon the sale of such Restricted Investment (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company);

(B) the redesignation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries (valued in each case as provided in the definition of “Investment”) not to exceed, in the case of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments previously made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary, which amount in each case under this clause (iv) was included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; provided , however , that no amount will be included under this clause (iv) to the extent it is already included in Consolidated Net Income; and

(C) the sale by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of all or a portion of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (whether any such distribution or dividend is made with proceeds from the issuance by such Unrestricted Subsidiary of its Capital Stock or otherwise).

 

90


(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 7.23(a) shall not prohibit the following actions:

(1) any Restricted Payment made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination) or a substantially concurrent cash capital contribution received by the Company from its shareholders; provided , however , that (a) such Restricted Payment will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments and (b) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale of Capital Stock or capital contribution will be excluded from clause (C)(ii) of Section 7.23(a);

(2) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Obligations of the Company or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Refinancing Indebtedness or any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Guarantor Subordinated Obligations made by exchange for or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of Refinancing Indebtedness that, in each case, is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 7.22 of this Indenture; provided , however , that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

(3) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Unsecured Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Unsecured Debt constituting Refinancing Indebtedness of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary that, in each case, is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 7.22 of this Indenture; provided, however , that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

(4) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Disqualified Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Disqualified Stock of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that, in each case, is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 7.22 of this Indenture; provided , however , that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

91


(5) dividends paid or distributions made within 60 days after the date of declaration if at such date of declaration such dividend or distribution would have complied with this covenant if it had been made on such date; provided , however , that such dividends and distributions will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments; and provided further , however , that for purposes of clarification, this clause (5) shall not include cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares included in clause (10) below;

(6) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the repurchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock (including options, warrants, equity appreciation rights or other rights to purchase or acquire Capital Stock) of the Company held by any existing or former employees, officers or directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or their assigns, estates or heirs, in each case pursuant to the repurchase or other acquisition provisions under employee stock option or stock purchase plans or agreements or other agreements to compensate officers, employees or directors, in each case approved by the Company’s Board of Directors; provided, however that such repurchases or other acquisitions pursuant to this clause (6) during any calendar year will not exceed $2.5 million in the aggregate (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $5.0 million in any calendar year); provided further , that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed

(A) the cash proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Capital Stock of the Company to any existing or former employees, officers or directors of the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or their assigns, estates or heirs that occurs after the Issue Date (to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Capital Stock have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (C) of Section 7.23(a), plus

(B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date, less

(C) the amount of any Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 7.23(b)(6)(A)-(B); provided further that the amount of any such repurchase or other acquisition under this clause (C) will be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments and the proceeds received from any such transaction will be excluded from clause (C)(ii) of Section 7.23(a) for purposes of calculating the Restricted Payments Basket; and

(7) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors of the Company or 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 subclause (7), in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $2.5 million at any one time outstanding; provided , however , that the amount of such loans and advances will be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

92


(8) purchases, repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions or retirements for value of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants, rights to acquire Capital Stock or other convertible securities if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise or exchange price thereof, and any purchases, repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions or retirements for value of Capital Stock made in lieu of withholding taxes in connection with any exercise or exchange of warrants, options or rights to acquire Capital Stock; provided , however , that such acquisitions or retirements will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

(9) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Unsecured Debt or Subordinated Obligation (a) at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the principal amount of such Unsecured Debt or Subordinated Obligation in the event of a Change of Control in accordance with provisions similar to Section 7.30; provided, however that, prior to or simultaneously with such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, the Company has made the Change of Control Offer as provided Section 7.30 and has completed the repurchase or redemption of all Notes validly tendered for payment in connection with such Change of Control Offer; provided , however , that such acquisitions or retirements will be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

(10) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law or 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; provided , however , that any payment pursuant to this clause (10) shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

(11) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares; provided , however , that any payment pursuant to this clause (11) shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

(12) the payment of scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class of or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company issued on or after the Issue Date in accordance with Section 7.22, to the extent such dividends are included in Consolidated Interest Expense; provided , however , that any payment pursuant to this clause (12) shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

(13) Restricted Payments in an amount not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate since the Issue Date; provided , however , that the amount of such Restricted Payments will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments; and

 

93


(14) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in an amount paid (whether in cash, securities or otherwise) not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate.

(c) The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any cash Restricted Payment shall be its face amount and the Fair Market Value of any non-cash Restricted Payment shall be determined in accordance with the definition of that term.

(d) In the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the exceptions described in clauses (1) through (14) of Section 7.23(b) above or is entitled to be made pursuant to Section 7.23(a), the Company shall, in its sole discretion, subdivide and classify such Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with this Section 7.23.

(e) For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investment.” Such designation will be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to Section 7.23(a) or under clause (13) of Section 7.23(b), or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall directly purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Unsecured Debt or Capital Stock (but excluding in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, any “make-whole” payment in connection with such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement) with the proceeds of any borrowing under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

Section 7.24. Limitation on Liens . The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien other than Permitted Liens upon any of its property or assets (including Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries), which Lien secures Indebtedness.

Section 7.25. Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries .

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

(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

94


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

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

(b) However, paragraph (a) of this Section 7.25 will not prohibit:

(1) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to or by reason of an agreement in effect at or entered into on the Issue Date, including, without limitation, this Indenture and the Security Documents as in effect on such date;

(2) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Person pursuant to or by reason of an agreement relating to any Capital Stock or Indebtedness Incurred by a Person on or before the date on which such Person was acquired by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary (other than Capital Stock or Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Person was acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or in contemplation of the transaction) and outstanding on such date; provided , however that any such encumbrance or restriction shall not extend to any assets or property of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property so acquired;

(3) encumbrances and restrictions contained in contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of, or from the ability of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to realize the value of, property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) 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 entered into before the date on which such Unrestricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however that such agreement was not entered into in anticipation of the Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and any such encumbrance or restriction shall 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;

(5) with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary incorporated or organized outside the United States, any encumbrance or restriction contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or any agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was Incurred if either (a) 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 (b) the Company determines that any such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Company’s ability to make principal or interest payments on the Notes, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive;

 

95


(6) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement effecting a refunding, replacement or refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clauses (1) through (5), clause (12) or this clause (6) of this Section 7.25(b) or contained in any amendment, restatement, modification, renewal, supplemental, refunding, replacement or refinancing of an agreement referred to in clauses (1) through (5), clause (12) or this clause (6) of this Section 7.25(b); provided , however that the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in any such agreement taken as a whole are no less favorable in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refunded, replaced or refinanced;

(7) in the case of clause (3) of Section 7.25(a) above, any encumbrance or restriction:

(A) that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or farm-in agreements or farm-out agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or farm-in agreements or farm-out agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license (including, without limitation, licenses of intellectual property) or other contract;

(B) contained in mortgages, pledges or other security agreements permitted under this Indenture securing Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such encumbrances or restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such mortgages, pledges or other security agreements;

(C) contained in any agreement creating Hedging Obligations permitted from time to time under this Indenture which are not included in the definition of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (3) of the penultimate paragraph of the definition thereof;

(D) pursuant to customary provisions restricting dispositions of real property interests set forth in any reciprocal easement agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

(E) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in operating agreements, joint venture agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements and other agreements that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business and entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

96


(8) any encumbrance or restriction contained in (a) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and (b) Capitalized Lease Obligations permitted under this Indenture, in each case, that impose encumbrances or restrictions of the nature described in clause (3) of Section 7.25(a) on the property so acquired;

(9) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary (or any of its property or assets) imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the direct or indirect sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary (or the property or assets that are subject to such restriction) pending the closing of such sale or disposition;

(10) any customary encumbrances or restrictions imposed pursuant to any agreement of the type described in the definition of “Permitted Business Investment”;

(11) encumbrances or restrictions arising or existing by reason of applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

(12) encumbrances or restrictions contained in agreements governing Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be Incurred pursuant to an agreement entered into subsequent to the Issue Date in accordance with Section 7.22; provided , however that the provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction contained in such Indebtedness are not materially less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as determined by the Company in good faith, than the provisions contained in the First Lien Credit Agreement and in this Indenture as in effect on the Issue Date;

(13) the issuance of Preferred Stock by a Restricted Subsidiary or the payment of dividends thereon in accordance with the terms thereof; provided , however that issuance of such Preferred Stock is permitted pursuant to Section 7.22 and the terms of such Preferred Stock do not expressly restrict the ability of a Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock (other than requirements to pay dividends or liquidation preferences on such Preferred Stock prior to paying any dividends or making any other distributions on such other Capital Stock);

(14) supermajority voting requirements existing under corporate charters, bylaws, stockholders agreements and similar documents and agreements;

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

(16) any encumbrance or restriction contained in the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, and in any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided, however that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.

 

97


Section 7.26. Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock .

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will not sell, assign, farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any Property except for: (a) the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business; (b) farmouts of undeveloped acreage and assignments in connection with such farmouts; (c) the sale or transfer of equipment that is no longer necessary for the business of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors or is replaced by equipment of at least comparable value and use; (d) a disposition by a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Borrower or by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor to a Subsidiary Guarantor; (e) a disposition of cash, cash equivalents or other financial assets; (f) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Borrower or to a Subsidiary Guarantor; (g) any casualty or condemnation event (other than a Casualty Event described in clause (i) of this Section 7.03); (h) the making of a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 7.23 or a Permitted Investment; (i) the sale or other disposition (including Casualty Events) of any Oil and Gas Property or any interest therein or any Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties; provided, however that (i) 100% of the consideration received in respect of such sale or other disposition shall be cash; (ii) the consideration received in respect of such sale or other disposition shall be equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Oil and Gas Property, interest therein or Subsidiary subject of such sale or other disposition (as reasonably determined by the board of directors of the Company and the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying to that effect) and (iii) if any such sale or other disposition is of a Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties, such sale or other disposition shall include all the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary; and (j) sales and other dispositions of Properties not regulated by subsections (a) to (i) of this Section 7.26 having a fair market value not to exceed $1,000,000 during any 12-month period provided that any net cash proceeds of such sale or disposition permitted by the foregoing clause (i) or this clause (j) are used to make the prepayments or reinvested as required by Section 3.08(a).

Section 7.27. Limitation on Affiliate Transactions .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, make, amend or conduct any transaction (including making a payment to, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service), contract, agreement or understanding with or for the benefit of any Affiliate of the Company (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) unless:

(1) the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are not materially less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could reasonably be expected to be obtained in a comparable transaction at the time of such transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate; and

 

98


(2) either: (a) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million but not greater than $30.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction satisfies the criteria in clause (1) above, or (b) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate consideration in excess of $30.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction satisfies the criteria in clause (1) above and that the terms of such transaction have been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company having no personal pecuniary interest in such transaction.

(b) Section 7.27(a) shall not apply to and does not prohibit:

(1) any Restricted Payment (other than Investments) permitted to be made pursuant to Section 7.23;

(2) any payments, awards or grants in cash, Capital Stock or other property pursuant to, or the funding of, employment or severance agreements and other compensation arrangements, options to purchase Capital Stock of the Company, restricted stock plans, long-term incentive plans, stock appreciation rights plans, participation plans or similar employee benefits plans and/or insurance and indemnification arrangements provided to or for the benefit of directors and employees approved by the Board of Directors of the Company;

(3) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed $5.0 million;

(4) advances to or reimbursements of employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5) any transaction to the extent between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries, and Guarantees issued by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for the benefit of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with the Indenture;

(6) 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 Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in such Person;

(7) the issuance or sale of any Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to, or the receipt by the Company of any capital contribution from its shareholders;

(8) indemnities of officers, directors and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by bylaw or statutory provisions and any employment agreement or other employee compensation plan or arrangement entered into in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

99


(9) the payment of reasonable compensation and fees paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers or directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(10) the performance of obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under the terms of any agreement to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party as of or on the Issue Date and which is disclosed on Schedule 7.27 hereto, as these agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or renewed from time to time; provided , however , that any future amendment, modification, supplement, extension or renewal entered into after the Issue Date will be permitted only to the extent that its terms are not materially more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than the terms of the agreements in effect on the Issue Date;

(11) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, provided, however that in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors of the Company or the senior management of the Company, such transactions are on terms not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be expected to be obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company; and

(12) transactions between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Person, a director of which is also a director of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, and such director is the sole cause for such Person to be deemed an Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such director shall abstain from voting as a director of the Company or such direct or indirect parent company, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person.

Section 7.28. Future Subsidiary Guarantors .

The Company will cause any Restricted Subsidiary that is not already a Subsidiary Guarantor that Guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor under a Credit Facility or that incurs any Indebtedness under the First Lien Credit Agreement, in each case, to execute and deliver to the Trustee within 30 days of such guarantee or incurrence a supplemental indenture (in substantially the form specified in Exhibit E to this Indenture) pursuant to which such Subsidiary will unconditionally Guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the full and prompt payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on a senior basis. Any such Subsidiary Guarantee will be subject to the release and other provisions of Article Thirteen.

Section 7.29. Business Activities .

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business activity 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.

 

100


Section 7.30. Offer to Repurchase Upon a 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 Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, each Holder 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 of $2,000 or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof in the case of any PIK Interest Notes) of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the Company has previously or concurrently exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, the Company shall deliver a notice (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, stating, among other things:

(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of such Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date) (the “ Change of Control Payment ”);

(2) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”);

(3) that any Note not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(4) that unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes in certificated form purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Company to purchase such Notes, provided , however that the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter complying with the requirements of Section 7.30(f) below;

(7) that if the Company is repurchasing a portion of the Note of any Holder, the Holder will be issued a new Note equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered, provided , however that the unpurchased portion of the Note must be equal to a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000 (or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof in the case of any PIK Interest Notes); and

 

101


(8) other procedures determined by the Company, consistent with this Indenture, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes repurchased.

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

(1) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes (in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000 or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof in the case of any PIK Interest Notes) properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer and not properly withdrawn;

(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount in United States dollars equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes accepted for payment, provided , however , that the funds once deposited are to be uninvested until disbursed pursuant to this Section 7.30; and

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

(d) The paying agent will promptly mail or deliver to each Holder of Notes accepted for payment the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided , however that each such new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000 (or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof in the case of any PIK Interest Notes).

(e) If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after an interest 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 Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no further interest will be payable to Holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

(f) A tender made in response to a Change of Control Payment Notice may be withdrawn if the Company receives, not later than the third Business Day prior to the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, electronic mail, facsimile transmission or letter, specifying, as applicable: (1) the name of the Holder; (2) the certificate number of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted; (3) the principal amount of the Note (which shall be $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof in the case of any PIK Interest Notes) delivered for purchase by the Company as to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted; (4) a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such principal amount of such Note purchased; and (5) the principal amount, if any, of such Note (which shall be $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof in the case of any PIK Interest Notes) that remains subject to the original Change of Control Payment Notice and that has been or will be delivered for purchase by the Company.

 

102


(g) Subject to applicable unclaimed property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall return to the Company, upon its request, any cash that remains unclaimed for two years after a Change of Control Payment Date together with interest or dividends, if any, thereon (subject to Section 10.01(f)), held by them for the payment of the Change of Control Payment; and the Holder of such tendered and accepted Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company comply with the Commission Regulation 17AD-17 as it applies to lost bondholders; provided , further that (x) to the extent that the aggregate amount of cash deposited by the Company pursuant to clause (2) of paragraph (c) of this Section 7.30 exceeds the aggregate Change of Control Payment of the Notes or portions thereof to be purchased, then the Trustee shall hold such excess for the Company and (y) unless otherwise directed by the Company in writing, promptly after the Business Day following the Change of Control Payment Date the Trustee shall return any such excess to the Company together with interest, if any, thereon (subject to Section 10.01(f)).

(h) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 7.30, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 7.30 by virtue of such conflict.

(i) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if 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 Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

(j) In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company pursuant to Section 7.30(i) above, purchases all of the Notes 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 written notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described under this Section 7.30, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to the applicable Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

(k) A Change of Control 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 of the Change of Control Offer.

 

103


Section 7.31. Asset Coverage Ratio .

The Company will not permit as of any Test Date, the ratio (the “ Asset Coverage Ratio ”) of (1) Total Proved PV10% as of such Test Date attributable to the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Proved Reserves to (2) Total Secured Debt (net of any Unrestricted Cash on such date in an amount not to exceed (A) on any Test Date on or prior to March 31, 2018, $10,000,000 and (B) on any Test Date on or after April 1, 2018, $7,500,000, held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) to be less than (A) for any Test Date on or before March 31, 2017, 1.10 to 1.00, (B) for any Test Date after March 31, 2017, but on or before September 30, 2017, 1.35 to 1.00 and (C) for any Test Date after September 30, 2017, 1.50 to 1.00. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof is subsequently amended, supplemented, modified, refinanced or replaced such that the First Lien Credit Agreement, the Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, or the Permitted First Lien Replacement Facility either does not contain a financial covenant corresponding to the Asset Coverage Ratio or contains such a corresponding financial covenant but such financial covenant permits $10,000,000 or more of netting of unrestricted cash from the applicable debt calculation, then from and after the date of such applicable amendment, supplement, modification, refinancing or replacement, the Asset Coverage Ratio hereunder shall be calculated by netting Unrestricted Cash in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 from Total Secured Debt.

Section 7.32. G&A .

The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not incur general and administrative expenses determined in accordance with GAAP payable in cash in excess of (i) $3,575,000 during each of the third fiscal quarter and the fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2016 and (ii) $2,775,000 during any quarter of fiscal year 2017 or in excess of $10,100,000 in the aggregate for all of fiscal year 2017.

Section 7.33. Minimum Liquidity .

The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain Liquidity from the Effective Date until April 1, 2018, of at least $7,500,000, and thereafter, of at least $5,000,000.

Section 7.34. Termination of Covenants .

From and after the occurrence of an Investment Grade Rating Event, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the provisions of this Indenture described under Sections 7.22, 7.23, 7.24, 7.26, 7.27, 7.29, 7.31, 7.32 and 7.33. In addition, the Company will no longer be subject to the financial test set forth in clause (3) of Section 8.01(a). Following the termination of the covenants listed in this Section 7.34, the Company may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the second sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” The Company shall provide the Trustee and the Holders with written notice of each Investment Grade Rating Event within five Business Days of the occurrence thereof. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or provide notice to the Holders of the Notes of any such Investment Grade Rating Event.

 

104


ARTICLE EIGHT

SUCCESSORS

Section 8.01. Merger and Consolidation .

(a) The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions to, any Person, unless:

(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “ Successor Company ”) is a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement and any other Note Document;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary of the Successor Company as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(3) either (A) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would be able to Incur at least an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 7.22(a)(1), 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 Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Company is equal to or greater than the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately before such transaction;

(4) if the Company is not the Successor Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor (unless it is the other party to the transactions above, in which case clause (1) above shall apply) shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations in respect of this Indenture and the Notes shall continue to be in effect; and

(5) the Company shall have delivered, to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, to the effect that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

For purposes of this Section 8.01, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

105


(b) The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into, and will not permit the conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor to, any Person (other than the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor) unless:

(1) (a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person is a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia and such Person (if not such Subsidiary Guarantor) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the resulting, surviving or transferee Person or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by such Person or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture; or

(2) the transaction will result in the release of the Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee after and upon compliance with Section 13.04.

(c) Notwithstanding the preceding clause (3) of Section 8.01(a), (x) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company and the Company may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to a Subsidiary Guarantor and (y) the Company may merge with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction; and provided further that, in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary that consolidates with, merges into or transfers all or part of its properties and assets to the Company, the Company will not be required to comply with the preceding clause (5) of Section 8.01(a).

(d) Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 8.01(a), the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person has been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interests on the Notes and all other covenants and obligations under this Indenture.

 

106


ARTICLE NINE

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 9.01. Events of Default .

An “ Event of Default ” shall occur if:

(1) there shall be a default in the payment of any interest on any Note when it becomes due and payable, and such default shall continue for a period of 30 days;

(2) there shall be a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

(3) there shall be a default in the performance or breach of the provisions of Article Eight;

(4) [reserved];

(5) there shall be a failure by the Company to comply with any agreement in this Indenture (other than an agreement, a default in or failure to comply that is specifically dealt with elsewhere in this Section 9.01) and continuance of such default for 30 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

(6) there shall be any 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), other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, which default: (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (and any extensions of any grace period) (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 $20.0 million or more;

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

(A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent;

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding or to the commencement of any case or proceeding;

 

107


(C) files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Bankruptcy Law;

(D) consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or the taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any substantial part of its property; or

(E) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or the admission in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due;

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

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

(B) adjudges the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent;

(C) approves as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

(D) appoints a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or of any substantial part of their property;

(E) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary’s or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary’s, affairs,

and the final order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

(9) the failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million (to the extent not covered by insurance by a reputable and creditworthy insurer as to which the insurer has not disclaimed coverage), which judgments are not paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days following entry of such final judgment or decree during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or decree, by reason of pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;

 

108


(10) any of this Indenture (including the Subsidiary Guarantees), the Notes, the Security Documents and any supplemental indentures pursuant to this Indenture, after delivery thereof shall for any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in full force and effect and valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms against the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor party thereto or shall be repudiated by any of them in writing, or any of the Security Documents with respect to any Collateral, individually or in the aggregate, having a fair market value in excess of $25.0 million shall cease to create a valid and perfected Lien of the priority required thereby on any of the collateral purported to be covered thereby, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Indenture, or the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their Affiliates shall so state in writing; or

(11) there shall be any event of default under and as defined under the First Lien Credit Agreement that continues unwaived or uncured for 30 days.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (6) above shall have occurred and be continuing, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration (to the extent not in violation of any applicable law or in conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction) shall be automatically rescinded if (i) the Indebtedness that is the subject of such Event of Default has been repaid, or (ii) if the default relating to such Indebtedness is waived by the holders of such Indebtedness or cured and if such Indebtedness has been accelerated, then the holders thereof have rescinded their declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness, in each case within 20 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto.

Section 9.02. Acceleration .

(a) If an Event of Default (other than as specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 9.01 with respect to the Company) shall occur and be continuing with respect to this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders of the Notes) and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 9.01 with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.

 

109


(b) After a declaration of acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, on behalf of the Holders of Notes, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee under this Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, (B) all overdue interest on all Notes then outstanding, and (C) the principal of, and premium, if any, on any Notes then outstanding which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate borne by the Notes;

(2) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

(3) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture.

(c) No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 9.03. Other Remedies .

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

(b) The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.

A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 9.04. Waiver of Past Defaults .

The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding, by written notice (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes) to the Trustee and the Company, may on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default or non-compliance with any provisions under this Indenture and its consequences, except a continuing Default or Event of Default (1) in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note (which may only be waived with the consent of each Holder of Notes affected), or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision which under this Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected by such modification or amendment. In case of any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder and under the Notes, respectively. This Section 9.04 shall be in lieu of §316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA and such §316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture and the Notes, as permitted by the TIA. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

110


Section 9.05. Control by Majority .

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holders of Notes or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 9.06. Limitation on Suits .

Subject to Section 9.07 and Section 10.01, no Holder of any of the Notes has any right to institute any proceedings with respect to this Indenture or any remedy thereunder, unless (1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee pursue the remedy, (3) such Holders have furnished security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense, (4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the furnishing of security or indemnity, and (5) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not waived such Event of Default or otherwise given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

Section 9.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment .

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 9.08. Collection Suit by Trustee .

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 9.01 above occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of overdue principal of, premium, if any, interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and to the extent lawful, interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

111


Section 9.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other securities or property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 10.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 10.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 9.10. Priorities .

(a) If the Trustee collects any money or other property (or the same is distributed) pursuant to this Article Nine, it shall pay out the money and other property in the following order:

First : to the Trustee and Collateral Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due hereunder and under the Security Documents, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and Collateral Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

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

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

(b) The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 9.10.

Section 9.11. Undertaking for Costs .

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees

 

112


and expenses, 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 9.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 9.07, or a suit by Holders of more than ten percent in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE TEN

TRUSTEE

Section 10.01. Duties of Trustee .

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

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture.

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

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 10.01;

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

(3) the Trustee 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 9.05.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 10.01.

 

113


(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. 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 unless such Holders shall have furnished to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it, in its sole discretion, against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds and need not be held in an interest-bearing account, in each case except to the extent required by law or by any other provision of this Indenture. The Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it hereunder unless the Trustee otherwise agrees in writing with the Company.

Section 10.02. Certain Rights of Trustee .

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

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

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

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

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

(f) 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 unless such Holders shall have furnished to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE TRUSTEE BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON FOR SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS) FOR ANY ACTION IT TAKES OR OMITS TO TAKE, EVEN IF THE TRUSTEE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE.

 

114


(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of such event is sent to the Trustee in accordance with Section 16.02, and such notice references the Notes.

(h) Subject to Section 10.01(b)(2), the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(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 to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder, including the Collateral Agent.

(j) The Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the right of any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

(k) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the Holders holding a principal amount of the Notes not less than the principal amount of Notes required to make such direction pursuant to this Indenture as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

(l) Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Note and such request or authorization or consent shall be conclusive and binding upon future holders of Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.

(m) The Trustee may request that the Company delivers an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(n) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

(o) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God, earthquakes, fire, flood, terrorism, wars and other military disturbances, sabotage, epidemics, riots, interruptions, loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services, accidents, labor disputes, and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental actions.

 

115


Section 10.03. Individual Rights of Trustee .

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may become a creditor of, or otherwise deal with, the Company or any of 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 described in the TIA while any Default exists, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as Trustee with such conflict or resign as Trustee. The Collateral Agent and any other Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 10.10 and 10.11.

Section 10.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer .

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default under Sections 9.01(3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) or (10), or of the identity of any Significant Subsidiary unless either (a) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof or (b) the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof in accordance with Section 16.02 hereof from the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Holder. In accepting the trust hereby created, the Trustee acts solely as Trustee under this Indenture and not in its individual capacity and all persons, including without limitation the Holders of the Notes and the Company having any claim against the Trustee arising from this Indenture shall look only to the funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder for payment except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 10.05. Notice of Default .

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 10.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes .

(a) Within 60 days after each January 15 beginning with January 15, 2017, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall deliver to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA §313(a) (but if no event described in TIA §313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA §313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also deliver all reports as required by TIA
§313(c).

 

116


(b) A copy of each report at the time of its delivery to the Holders of Notes shall be delivered to the Company and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA §313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof.

Section 10.07. Compensation and Indemnity .

(a) The Company shall pay to the Trustee (in its capacity as Trustee, and, to the extent it has been appointed as such, as Paying Agent, Registrar and Conversion Agent) from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder in accordance with a written schedule provided by the Trustee to the Company. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services, except those resulting from its own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b) The Company shall indemnify the Trustee in its capacity against any and all losses, liabilities or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 10.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by either of the Company or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may elect to have separate counsel defend the claim, but the Company will be obligated to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel only if the Company fails to assume the Trustee’s defense or there is a conflict of interest between the Company, on the one hand, and the Trustee, on the other hand, with respect to the claim, as reasonably determined by the Trustee. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) The obligations of the Company under this Section 10.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(d) To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this section, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 9.01 occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

117


Section 10.08. Replacement of Trustee .

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 10.08.

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails or ceases to comply with Section 10.10;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

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

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with the obligations imposed on it under TIA §310(b) or Section 10.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee 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 deliver a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided , however that all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 10.07. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 10.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 10.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

118


Section 10.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc .

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another Person, the successor Person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 10.10. Eligibility; Disqualification .

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 trust powers, that is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authorities, that has (or its corporate parent shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition and that is not an Affiliate of the Company.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).

Section 10.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .

The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA §311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

Section 10.12. Trustee in Other Capacities .

References to the Trustee in Sections 10.01, 10.02, 10.03, 10.04, 10.07, 10.08 and 10.09 shall be understood to include the Trustee when acting in other capacities under the Indenture, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents, including, without limitation, as Collateral Agent and Paying Agent. Without limiting the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, such Sections shall be read to apply to the Collateral Agent and the Intercreditor Agreement and Security Documents, mutatis mutandis, in addition to this Indenture. The privileges, rights, indemnities and exculpatory provisions contained in this Indenture shall apply to the Trustee, wherever it is acting under the Intercreditor Agreement or the Security Documents.

Section 10.13. Credit Bid .

(a) The Trustee, on behalf of itself and the Holders, shall have the right, exercisable at the discretion and direction of the Holders of not less than 50% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, to credit bid and purchase for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders all or any portion of Collateral at any sale thereof conducted by the Trustee under the provisions of the UCC, including pursuant to Sections 9-610 or 9-620 of the UCC, at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Law, including Section 363 thereof, or a sale under a plan of reorganization, or at any other sale or foreclosure conducted by the Trustee (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with applicable law. Such credit bid or purchase may be completed through one or more acquisition vehicles formed by the Trustee to make such credit bid or purchase and, in connection therewith, the Trustee is authorized, on

 

119


behalf of itself and the other Holders, to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles, and assign the applicable obligations to any such acquisition vehicle in exchange for Equity Interests and/or debt issued by the applicable acquisition vehicle (which shall be deemed to be held for the ratable account of the applicable Holders on the basis of the obligations so assigned by each Holder); provided, however that any actions by the Trustee with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or Equity Interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by the vote of the Holders of not less than 50% in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, irrespective of the termination of this Indenture and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Holders of not less than 50% in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding contained in Section 12.03.

(b) Each Holder hereby agrees, on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates that is a Holder, that, except as otherwise provided in any Note Document or with the written consent of the Trustee and the Holders of not less than 50% in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, it will not take any enforcement action, accelerate obligations under any of the Note Documents, or exercise any right that it might otherwise have under applicable law to credit bid at foreclosure sales, UCC sales or other similar dispositions of Collateral.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 11.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 11.02 or 11.03 be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Eleven.

Section 11.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 11.01 of the option applicable to this Section 11.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 11.04, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to this Indenture and the Security Documents and all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed to have been discharged with respect to their obligations under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Security Documents on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes and Guarantees, respectively, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 11.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 11.02, and shall be deemed discharged from the payment and performance of all other obligations under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Security Documents (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until

 

120


otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from Funds in Trust (as defined in Section 11.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section) payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) subject to clause (a) of this Section 11.02, the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article Two and Section 7.02, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, indemnities and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (d) this Article Eleven. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option pursuant to this Section 11.02, the Subsidiary Guarantees will terminate with respect to the Notes, and payment of the Notes may not be accelerated pursuant to Section 9.02 because of an Event of Default. Subject to compliance with this Article Eleven, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section 11.02 applied to any Notes notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 11.03 applied to such Notes.

Section 11.03. Covenant Defeasance .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 11.01 of the option applicable to this Section 11.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 11.04, be released from its obligations, and each Restricted Subsidiary shall be released from its obligations, under the covenants contained in Sections 7.22 through 7.30, the covenants set forth in the Security Documents and the limitations set forth in clause (3) of Section 8.01(a) with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 11.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes to the extent permitted by GAAP). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 9.01, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture, the Security Documents and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 11.01 of the option applicable to this Section 11.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 11.04, (i) Sections 9.01(6), (7), (8) (clauses (7) and (8) with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only), and Sections 9.01(9) and (10) shall not constitute Events of Default and (ii) payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 9.01(4), (5), (6), (7), (8) (clauses (7) and (8) with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only), or Sections 9.01(9) and (10) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with clause (3) of Section 8.01(a).

 

121


Section 11.04. Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 11.02 or 11.03 to the outstanding Notes:

(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee, in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Notes cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations denominated in United States dollars, or a combination thereof (“ Funds in Trust ”), in such amounts as, in the aggregate, will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking firm, to pay and discharge the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity (or the applicable redemption date) (in each case assuming the payment of interest as Cash Interest through such date), if at or prior to electing either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an irrevocable notice to redeem all of the outstanding Notes on such redemption date, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to Stated Maturity or to a particular redemption date);

(b) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel in the United States confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel in the United States confirming that the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than an Event of Default or Default resulting from the incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens securing such Indebtedness, all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be applied to such deposit);

(e) such deposit shall not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture or the Security Documents) to which the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound or if such breach or default would occur, which is not waived as of, or for all purposes, on or after, the date of such deposit;

(f) 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 the Notes or any Guarantee over the other creditors of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or others; and

 

122


(g) the Company will have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

Section 11.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

(a) Subject to Section 11.06, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 11.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 11.04 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(b) The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 11.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

(c) Anything in this Article Eleven to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 11.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, nationally recognized investment banking firm, or appraisal firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 11.04(a)), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 11.06. Repayment to the Company .

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon its request; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company comply with the Commission Regulation 17AD-17 as it applies to lost bondholders.

Section 11.07. Reinstatement .

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 11.02 or 11.03, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or

 

123


otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations to make the related payments under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.02 or 11.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 11.02 or 11.03, as the case may be; provided , however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE TWELVE

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 12.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes .

(a) Notwithstanding Section 12.02, the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may modify, supplement or amend this Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement without the consent of any Holder of a Note to:

(1) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect, mistake or inconsistency;

(2) provide for the assumption by a successor of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement in accordance with the applicable provisions thereof;

(3) provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes ( provided, however that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code);

(4) add guarantors or Collateral with respect to the Notes, including Subsidiary Guarantors, or release a Subsidiary Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee and terminate such Subsidiary Guarantee or terminate a Lien securing the Notes; provided, however that the release and termination is in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(5) secure the Notes or Subsidiary Guarantees;

(6) add to the covenants of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor;

(7) make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder;

(8) comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

124


(9) provide for the succession of a successor Trustee; provided, however that the successor Trustee is otherwise qualified and eligible to act as such under this Indenture;

(10) make, complete or confirm any grant of Collateral permitted or required by this Indenture or any of the Security Documents;

(11) provide for the issuance of PIK Interest Notes or to increase the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, in each case in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof;

(12) make any change as provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement; or

(13) provide for conversion adjustments in accordance with Article Four in connection with a Reorganization Event.

In addition, the Intercreditor Agreement may be amended in accordance with its terms and without the consent of any Holder, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent with the consent of the parties thereto or otherwise in accordance with its terms; provided, however that such amendment does not affect the rights, duties, protections, indemnities, immunities or obligations of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent. The Intercreditor Agreement will also provide that in certain circumstances the Security Documents may be amended automatically without the consent of Holders of Notes, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent in connection with any amendments to corresponding security documents creating Prior Liens; provided, however that such amendment does not affect the rights, duties, protections, indemnities, immunities or obligations of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent.

(b) Upon the request of the Company, and upon receipt by the Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, of the documents described in Section 16.04 and Section 12.06, the Trustee or Collateral Agent shall join with the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor in the execution of any amendment or supplement authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to enter into such amendment or supplement that affects its own rights, duties, protections, obligations, indemnities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 12.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes .

(a) Except as provided below in this Section 12.02, the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, the PIK Interest Notes, if any; provided that no consent of the Holders of the PIK Interest Notes shall be required for any amendment to Article Four) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes); provided , however , that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby (including, without limitation, PIK Interest Notes, if any) voting as a single class:

(1) reduce the percentage in principal amount of such outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver or compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture;

 

125


(2) reduce the stated rate of or change the stated time for payment of interest on any Note;

(3) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note;

(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.07 and Section 3.08 hereof; other than modifications of Sections 7.26 and 7.30 or provisions relating thereto;

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note;

(6) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;

(7) modify the Subsidiary Guarantees in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes;

(8) release all or substantially all of the collateral subject to the Liens created by the Security Documents (except with respect to releases permitted under this Indenture)

(9) adversely affect the right of Holders to convert the Notes other than as provided in this Indenture; or

(10) make any change to or modify the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders.

(b) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or its duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided , however that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect.

 

126


(c) Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amendment, supplement or waiver, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, of the documents described in Section 12.06 and Section 16.04, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall join with the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor in the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver unless such amendment, supplement or waiver directly affects the Trustee’s or the Collateral Agent’s own rights, duties, indemnities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amendment, supplement or waiver.

(d) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 10.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

(e) After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 12.02 becomes effective, the Company shall deliver to the Holders of Notes a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 12.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental Indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 12.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents .

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

Section 12.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

(a) The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

(b) Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

127


Section 12.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc .

The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture or Note authorized pursuant to this Article Twelve if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities, indemnities or immunities of the Trustee. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture or Note, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

Section 13.01. Subsidiary Guarantee .

(a) Subject to this Article Thirteen, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, guarantees, on a senior unsecured basis, to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that: (i) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful (subject in all cases to any applicable grace period provided herein), and all other monetary obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The Subsidiary Guarantors agree that, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Subsidiary Guarantor. Subject to Section 9.06, each Subsidiary Guarantor waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

128


(d) Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Subsidiary Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Nine for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Nine, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under its Guarantee shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Subsidiary Guarantor, in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor determined in accordance with GAAP, so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.

(e) In respect to its obligations under its Guarantee, each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees to be bound to, and hereby covenants, with respect to itself, the covenant set forth in Section 7.06.

Section 13.02. Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantor Liability .

Each Subsidiary Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Subsidiary 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 Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount which, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor, and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Article Thirteen, will result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law.

Section 13.03. Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee .

(a) To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 13.01, with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, a Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute a notation of such Guarantee substantially in the form included in Exhibit D hereto endorsed by an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor by manual or facsimile signature on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

 

129


(b) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 13.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.

(c) If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the notation of Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a notation of Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

(d) The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Section 13.04. Releases of Subsidiary Guarantors .

(a) A Subsidiary Guarantor will be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from all of its obligations under its Guarantee without any further action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Notes:

(1) in the event that a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation, the sale of its Capital Stock or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets (other than by lease)) and whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving entity in such transaction to a Person which is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 7.26.

(2) if the Company designates such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation complies with the other applicable provisions of this Indenture or if the Subsidiary Guarantor no longer meets the definition of Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) if such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor under a Credit Facility, and is not a borrower under the First Lien Credit Agreement; provided, however that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; or

(4) upon a satisfaction and discharge or a legal or covenant defeasance of the Notes in accordance with Article Eleven or Article Fifteen.

(b) Any Subsidiary Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article Thirteen.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

Section 14.01. The Collateral Agent . By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to have irrevocably appointed the Collateral Agent to act as its agent under the Security Documents and irrevocably authorized the Collateral Agent to (i) perform the duties and exercise the rights,

 

130


powers and discretions that are specifically given to it under the Security Documents or other documents to which it is a party, together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions, and (ii) execute each document expressed to be executed by the Collateral Agent on its behalf. Each Holder agrees that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, protections, immunities, indemnities and benefits provided to the Collateral Agent by this Indenture and the Security Documents. The Collateral Agent will have no duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Security Documents to which it is party; provided, however that no provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Collateral Agent from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing:

(a) The duties and obligations of the Collateral Agent shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents and the Collateral Agent shall not be liable to any party hereto or to any Security Document to which it is a party by reason of any failure on the part of any other party hereto or any maker, guarantor, endorser or other signatory of any document or any other Person to perform such Person’s obligations under any such document.

(b) The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible in any manner for the validity, enforceability or sufficiency of this Indenture, the Security Documents or any Collateral delivered under the Security Documents, or for the value or collectability of any Notes or for any representations made or obligations assumed by any party other than the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall not be bound to examine or inquire into or be liable for any defect or failure in the right or title of the Grantors to all or any of the assets whether such defect or failure was known to the Collateral Agent or might have been discovered upon examination or inquiry and whether capable of remedy or not.

(c) The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for any unsuitability, inadequacy, expiration or unfitness of any security interest created pursuant to any Security Document pertaining to this matter nor shall it be obligated to make any investigation into, and shall be entitled to assume, the adequacy and fitness of any security interest created pursuant to any Security Document pertaining to this matter.

(d) The Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment, or for any act done or step taken or omitted by it in good faith or for any mistake in fact or law, or for anything which it may do or refrain from doing in connection herewith, in each case except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(e) The Collateral Agent may seek the advice, at the expense of the Company, of legal counsel in the event of any dispute or question as to the construction of any of the provisions of this Indenture or its duties hereunder or under any Security Document or applicable law, and it shall incur no liability and shall be fully protected in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with the advice or written opinion of such counsel.

 

131


(f) The Collateral Agent shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, approval or other paper or document it receives in connection with this Indenture or any Security Document.

(g) IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COLLATERAL AGENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS, EVEN IF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE WAS FORESEEABLE OR IT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION.

(h) In no event shall the Collateral Agent be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder or under any Security Document because of circumstances beyond its control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, strikes, work stoppages, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes, fire, riot, embargo, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, government action, including any laws, ordinances, regulations, governmental action or the like which delay, restrict or prohibit the providing of the services contemplated by this Indenture or any Security Document.

(i) The Collateral Agent agrees to accept and act upon facsimile transmission of written instructions pursuant to this Indenture or any Security Document; provided, however that (i) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions or directions to the Collateral Agent in a timely manner, and (ii) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions.

(j) The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to seek written directions from the requisite Holders prior to taking any action under this Indenture or any Security Document or with respect to any Collateral.

(k) Except with respect to its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible to any Holder for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of, or the perfection or priority of any Lien or security interest created or purported to be created under or in connection with, any Security Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.

(l) The Collateral Agent shall have no responsibility for or liability with respect to monitoring compliance of any other party to the Security Documents, this Indenture or any other document related hereto or thereto. The Collateral Agent has no duty to monitor the value or rating of any Collateral on an ongoing basis.

(m) No provision of this Indenture or any Security Document shall require the Collateral Agent to expend, advance or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties under this Indenture or in any of the Security Documents or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers hereunder or under any of the Security Documents unless it is indemnified to its satisfaction and the Collateral Agent shall have no liability to any Person for any loss occasioned by any delay in taking or failure to take any such action while it is awaiting an indemnity satisfactory to it.

 

132


(n) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture or any Security Document the Collateral Agent shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Collateral Agent (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence on its part, conclusively rely upon instructions from the requisite Holders.

(o) The Collateral Agent may act and rely and shall be protected in acting and relying in good faith on the opinion or advice of, or information obtained from, any counsel, accountant, investment banker, appraiser or other expert or adviser, whether retained or employed by the Holders or by the Collateral Agent.

(p) The Collateral Agent may employ or retain such counsel, accountants, sub-agent, agent or attorney in fact, appraisers or other experts or advisers as it may reasonably require for the purpose of determining and discharging its rights and duties hereunder and shall not be responsible for the actions of any such parties it appoints with due care.

(q) The Collateral Agent may request that the requisite Holders or other parties 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 or any Security Document.

(r) Money held by the Collateral Agent in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Collateral Agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed by the Collateral Agent in writing.

(s) Beyond the exercise of reasonable care in the custody thereof, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee or any income thereon or as to preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto and the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any Lien or security interest in the Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it accords similar collateral and shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in the value of any of the Collateral, by reason of the act or omission of any carrier, forwarding agency or other agent or bailee.

(t) The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for the existence, genuineness or value of any of the Collateral or for the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens on any of the Collateral, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act on its part hereunder, except to the extent such action or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Collateral Agent, for the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or any agreement or assignment contained therein, for the validity of the title to the Collateral, for insuring the Collateral or for the payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or otherwise as to the maintenance of the Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall have no duty to ascertain or inquire as to or monitor the performance or observance of any of the terms of this Indenture or the Security Documents.

 

133


(u) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Collateral Agent from and against any claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages or reasonable costs or expenses of whatever kind or nature, known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, arising out of the following in respect of the Collateral:

(w) the presence, disposal, release, or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials which are on, from, or affecting the soil, water, vegetation, buildings, personal property, Persons or animals; (x) any personal injury (including wrongful death) or property damage (real or personal) arising out of or related to such Hazardous Materials; (y) any lawsuit brought or threatened, settlement reached, or government order relating to such Hazardous Materials, and/or (z) any violation of laws, orders, regulations, requirements or demands of government authorities, which are based upon or in any way related to such Hazardous Materials including, reasonable attorney and consultant fees and expenses, reasonable investigation and laboratory fees, court costs, and reasonable litigation expenses, except, in each case, where such claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs or expenses arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Collateral Agent as determined in a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. For purposes of this paragraph, “Hazardous Materials” includes radioactive materials, hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, hazardous or toxic substances defined in CERCLA, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. Sections 5108, et seq.), the RCRA, and in the regulations adopted and publications promulgated pursuant thereto, or any other Federal, state or local environmental law, ordinance, rule, or regulation. The provisions of this paragraph shall be in addition to any and all other obligations and liabilities the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may have to the Collateral Agent at common law, and shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

(v) The Collateral Agent reserves the right to conduct an environmental audit prior to foreclosing on any real estate Collateral or mortgage Collateral. The Collateral Agent reserves the right to forebear from foreclosing in its own name if to do so may expose it to undue risk.

(w) Upon any payment or distribution of assets hereunder or under any Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which an insolvency or liquidation proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution in such insolvency or liquidation proceeding, delivered to the Collateral Agent, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto.

 

134


(x) In the event that, following a foreclosure in respect of any Property, the Collateral Agent acquires title to any portion of such Property or takes any managerial action of any kind in regard thereto in order to carry out any fiduciary or trust obligation for the benefit of another, which in the Collateral Agent’s sole discretion may cause the Collateral Agent to be considered an “owner or operator” under the provisions of CERCLA or otherwise cause the Collateral Agent to incur liability under CERCLA or any other Federal, state or local law, the Collateral Agent reserves the right, instead of taking such action, to either resign as Collateral Agent or arrange for the transfer of the title or control of the asset to a court-appointed receiver.

(y) The rights and protections of the Collateral Agent set forth herein shall also be applicable to the Collateral Agent in its roles as mortgagee, beneficiary, pledgee or any of its other roles (including as Collateral Agent) under the Security Documents.

(z) In acting as Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent may rely upon and enforce each and all of the rights, powers, immunities, indemnities and benefits of the Trustee under Article Ten hereof.

(aa) Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary and for the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Agent and the Trustee shall have no duty to act outside of the United States of America in respect of any Collateral.

Section 14.02. Authority Of Collateral Agent To Release Collateral And Liens . By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to authorize the Collateral Agent to release or subordinate any Collateral that is permitted to be sold, reclassified or released or be subject to a Lien pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Security Documents. By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to authorize the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver to the Company, at the Company’s sole cost and expense, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments or other documents reasonably requested by the Company in connection with any sale, reclassification or other disposition of Oil or Gas Property or such other Collateral to the extent such sale, reclassification or other disposition is permitted by the terms of Section 7.26 or is otherwise authorized by the terms of this Indenture or the Security Documents.

Section 14.03. Security Documents . (a) To secure the full and punctual payment when due and the full and punctual performance of the obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in respect of the Notes and this Indenture (including the Subsidiary Guarantees), the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall, on the Issue Date:

(1) enter into the Collateral Agreement and deliver to the Trustee or Collateral Agent all certificates representing Capital Stock and other instruments and documents required thereunder to be delivered to the Trustee (or to the First Lien Administrative Agent as gratuitous bailee for the Trustee);

(2) file, register or record all documents and instruments, including UCC financing statements, required by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent to be filed, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents and to perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security Documents or this Indenture; and

 

135


(3) enter into such Security Documents creating Liens on all interests in Property owned by the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary that are subject to any Lien securing the First Lien Secured Indebtedness (or that would be required, under the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on Issue Date, to secure such First Lien Secured Indebtedness if such First Lien Secured Indebtedness were outstanding and such First Lien Credit Agreement were in effect).

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in clause (a) or elsewhere in this Indenture or any Security Document, (1) any mortgages (and any related Security Documents) required to be granted pursuant to clause (a) on the Issue Date with respect to real property that is securing First Lien Secured Indebtedness on the Issue Date shall be granted as soon as commercially reasonable following the Issue Date, but in no event later than 30 days following the Issue Date (it being understood any such mortgages shall be accompanied by customary local counsel opinions) and (2) any control agreements required to be entered into pursuant to clause (a) with respect to deposit accounts and securities accounts that are securing First Lien Indebtedness on the Issue Date shall be entered into as soon as commercially reasonably following the Issue Date, but in no event later than 30 days following the Issue Date.

(c) On or after the Issue Date, the Company and the other Grantors shall enter into additional Security Documents and take or cause to be taken all such actions as may be required pursuant to this Indenture or under any Security Document to create, perfect and maintain, as security for the obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in respect of the Notes, this Indenture (including the Subsidiary Guarantors) and the Security Documents, a valid and enforceable perfected second-priority Lien and security interest in all of the Collateral (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents in all respects) in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders.

(d) Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents entered into on the Issue Date or from time to time thereafter (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) as each may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.

(e) In the event that security interests in any of the Collateral are not created as of the Issue Date, the Company and the other Grantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to implement security arrangements with respect to such Collateral as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Issue Date (or on such later date as may be permitted by the Holders in their sole discretion).

(f) Each Holder, by accepting the Notes, is deemed to acknowledge that, as more fully set forth in the Security Documents, the Collateral as now or hereafter constituted shall be for the benefit of all the Holders, the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the other secured parties described in the Security Documents and that the Lien granted in the Security Documents relating to the Notes in respect of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the Holders and such other secured parties is subject to and qualified and limited in all respects by the Security Documents and actions that may be taken thereunder.

 

136


Section 14.04. Intercreditor Agreement .

By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to acknowledge that the obligations of the Company under the First Lien Credit Agreement and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof are and shall be secured by Liens on assets of the Company and the other Grantors that constitute Collateral under the Security Documents and that the relative Lien priorities and other creditor rights of the Holders hereunder and the secured parties thereunder will be set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement. By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to acknowledge that it has received a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement. By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to (a) consent to the subordination of the Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees on the terms set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement, authorize and direct the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver the Intercreditor Agreement and any documents relating thereto, in each case on behalf of such Holder and without any further consent, authorization or other action by such Holder, (c) agrees that, upon the execution and delivery thereof, such Holder will be bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as if it were a signatory thereto and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (d) agrees that no Holder shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Trustee or the Collateral Agent as a result of any action taken by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 14.04 or in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement. By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to further irrevocably authorize and direct the Trustee and the Collateral Agent (i) to take such actions as shall be required to release Liens on the Collateral in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) to enter into such amendments, supplements or other modifications to the Intercreditor Agreement in connection with any extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement of any Notes or any refinancing indebtedness in respect thereof as are reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and Collateral Agent to give effect thereto, in each case on behalf of such Holder and without any further consent, authorization or other action by such Holder. The Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall have the benefit of the provisions of Article Ten with respect to all actions taken by it pursuant to this Section 14.04 or in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement to the full extent thereof.

Section 14.05. Release of Collateral . (a) The Collateral will be automatically released from the Lien and security interest created by the Security Documents at any time or from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents or as provided hereby under any one or more of the following circumstances:

(1) in connection with asset sales and dispositions permitted or not prohibited under Section 7.26 so long as the Company will apply the net proceeds of such sale or disposition in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.08(a); provided , however that such Liens will not be released if such sale or disposition is to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(2) with respect to the assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor that constitute Collateral, upon the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its Guarantee; and

(3) as described in Section 12.02; and

 

137


(4) if required in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

(b) The Liens on all Collateral that secures the Notes and the Guarantees also will be released:

(1) if the Company exercises its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option as described in Article Eleven; or

(2) upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as described in Article Fifteen or payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes and all other Obligations that are then due and payable.

The Company will comply with the provisions of TIA §314. To the extent applicable, the Company will comply with TIA §314(d), relating to the release of property or securities or relating to the substitution therefor of any property or securities to be subjected to the Lien of the Security Documents. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA §314(d) may be made by an Officer of the Company except in cases where TIA §314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person will be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph, the Company will not be required to comply with all or any portion of TIA §314(d) if it determines, in good faith based on advice of counsel, that under the terms of TIA §314(d) and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the Commission and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or any portion of TIA §314(d) is inapplicable to one or a series of released Collateral. For the purposes of the TIA or otherwise under this Indenture, the release of any Collateral from the terms of the Security Documents shall not be deemed to impair the security under this Indenture or the Security Documents. To the extent permitted under the TIA and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the SEC and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, the fair value of Collateral released from the Liens and security interest created by this Indenture and the Security Documents pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents shall not be considered in determining whether the aggregate fair value of the Collateral released from the Liens and security interest created by this Indenture and the Security Documents in any calendar year exceeds the 10% threshold specified in TIA §314(d)(1).

(c) Upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel that such release (and the execution, delivery and acknowledgement of the instruments specified below) is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all relevant conditions precedent under this Indenture have been met, the Collateral Agent will execute, deliver or acknowledge any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture.

Section 14.06. Form and Sufficiency of Release . In the event that (i) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of or proposes to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of any portion of the Collateral that may be sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the terms hereof, (ii) the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor requests the Trustee or the Collateral Agent to furnish a written disclaimer, release or quit-claim of any interest in such property under this Indenture and

 

138


the Security Documents and (iii) all conditions set forth herein and for execution, acknowledgement and delivery of such an instrument have been satisfied, upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel that such release (and the execution, delivery and acknowledgement of such an instrument) is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all relevant conditions precedent under this Indenture thereto have been met, the Collateral Agent and the Trustee, as applicable, shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor (in proper form) such an instrument. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, all purchasers and grantees of any property or rights purporting to be released herefrom shall be entitled to rely upon any release executed by the Collateral Agent hereunder as sufficient for the purpose of this Indenture and as constituting a good and valid release of the property therein described from the Lien of this Indenture or of the Security Documents.

Section 14.07. After-Acquired Property . Promptly, but in no event later than 90 days, following the acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any After Acquired Property, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such mortgages, Security Document supplements, security instruments and financing statements as shall be reasonably necessary to cause such After Acquired Property to be made subject to a perfected Lien (subject to Liens permitted under this Indenture, including Permitted Liens) in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents relating to the Collateral shall be deemed to relate to such After Acquired Property to the same extent and with the same force and effect; provided, however , that while the First Lien Credit Agreement is outstanding, the execution and delivery of such documents will only be required, and such After Acquired Property will only become part of the Collateral securing the Notes, if and to the extent that such After Acquired Property becomes part of the Collateral securing the First Lien Credit Agreement substantially concurrently therewith.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 15.01. Satisfaction and Discharge .

This Indenture and the Security Documents will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes and as otherwise expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture when:

(a) either:

(1) all Notes that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust as provided for in this Indenture) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

139


(2) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise;

(b) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for such purpose cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations denominated in United States dollars, or a combination thereof, in such amounts sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking firm, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest at such Maturity, Stated Maturity or redemption date;

(c) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums due and payable under this Indenture by the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(d) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Security Documents have been complied with; and

(e) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee hereunder to apply any deposited money described in clause (b) above to the payment of the Notes at Stated Maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

Section 15.02. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

(a) Subject to Section 15.03, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 15.02, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 15.01 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(b) Notwithstanding the above, the Trustee shall pay to the Company from time to time upon its request any cash or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Section 15.02 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect a satisfaction and discharge under this Article Fifteen.

 

140


Section 15.03. Repayment to the Company .

Any money deposited with the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Conversion Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its written request; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee, such Paying Agent or such Conversion Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company comply with the Commission Regulation 17AD-17 as it applies to lost bondholders.

Section 15.04. Reinstatement .

Section 11.07 of this Indenture shall apply to this Article Fifteen.

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 16.01. 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 any of its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 16.02. Notices .

(a) Any notice or communication by either of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, on the one hand, or the Trustee on the other hand, to the other is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile: (713) 780-9254

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

If to the Trustee:

Wilmington Trust, National Association

15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550

Dallas, TX 75248

Facsimile No.: (888) 316-6238

Attention: Goodrich Petroleum Administrator

(b) The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

141


(c) All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (ii) five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; (iii) when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; (iv) and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

(d) Any notice or communication to a Holder (i) of a Global Note shall be given in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary, and (ii) otherwise shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be delivered to any Person described in TIA §313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. 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.

(e) If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

(f) If the Company delivers a notice or communication to Holders, it shall deliver a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 16.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes .

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA §312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar, and Conversion Agent and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA
§312(c).

Section 16.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee: (1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 16.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and (2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 16.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel (who may rely on such Officers’ Certificate as to matters of fact), all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied. To the extent applicable, the Company shall also comply with TIA §314(c)(3).

Section 16.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA §314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA §314(e) and shall include:

(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

142


(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 16.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents .

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 16.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders .

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member, partner or trustee of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, this Indenture or the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

Section 16.08. Governing Law .

THIS INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

EACH PARTY (INCLUDING THE HOLDERS) HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

EACH PARTY (INCLUDING THE HOLDERS) HEREBY AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE NOTES.

TO THE EXTENT THAT THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION OF ANY FEDERAL OR NEW YORK STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, THE CITY OF NEW YORK, OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH SERVICE OF NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT,

 

143


ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION, EXECUTION OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY IN SUCH JURISDICTION, IT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES OR GUARANTEES, AS APPLICABLE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

Section 16.09. Trust Indenture Act Controls .

This Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the TIA. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by the TIA including TIA §318(c), the imposed duties shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

Section 16.10. Successors .

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01 or 13.04.

Section 16.11. Severability .

In case any provision in this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 16.12. Counterpart Originals .

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture, and each party hereto may sign any number of separate copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. 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 16.13. 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 Notes; 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

 

144


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 16.13.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such witness, notary or officer the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 16.13, the principal amount and serial numbers of Notes held by any Holder, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar as provided in Section 2.04.

(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of the Notes any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, 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 §316(c), such record date 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 2.06 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 Notes 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 Notes shall be computed as of such record date; provided, however 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) Subject to Section 12.04, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note 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 Note.

 

145


(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so itself with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

(g) For purposes of this Indenture, any action by the Holders which may be taken in writing may be taken by electronic means or as otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Section 16.14. Benefit of Indenture .

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Registrar and its successors hereunder, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 16.15. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

146


SIGNATURES

Company :

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

 

By:   /s/ Michael J. Killelea
Name:   Michael J. Killelea
Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Subsidiary Guarantor :

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

By:   /s/ Michael J. Killelea
Name:   Michael J. Killelea
Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Trustee :

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as

Trustee and Collateral Agent

 

By:   /s/ Shawn Goffinet
Name:   Shawn Goffinet
Title:   Assistant Vice President


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Initial Note]

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“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 IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS 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.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRANSFER PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE.] 1

[THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION, INCLUDING (X) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (Y) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (Z) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (III) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER

 

1   For Global Notes

 

Exhibit A-1 - 1


INFORMATION TO THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE REGISTRAR REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THEM, AND, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.] 2

 

 

2   For Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes.

 

Exhibit A-1 - 2


CUSIP:             

No.   Principal Amount: $            

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, for value received, promises to pay to, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [            ] ($[            ]) UNITED STATES DOLLARS on the later of (i) August 30, 2019 and (ii) the date that is six months after the scheduled maturity date (including after giving effect to the exercise of the RBL Extension Option) of the First Lien Credit Agreement or any Permitted First Lien Replacement Facility, but in any event no later than March 30, 2020 (the “ Maturity Date ”). If the Holder delivers a written notice to the Company on or before the Maturity Date requesting that any portion of the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of the Note (together with any accrued and unpaid interest) be made in Common Stock, the Company shall convert the Conversion Amount into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Rate. If the Holder makes an election as described in the preceding sentence, the Company shall be entitled to (i) deliver shares of Common Stock to the Holder, (ii) pay the Holder an amount in cash equal to the market value of the shares calculated using the Closing Price of the Common Stock on the Conversion Date; provided that the Company may not elect to deliver cash in respect of any Conversion Obligation in an aggregate amount exceeding 10% of the Conversion Obligation on any Conversion Date, or (iii) any combination thereof.

Interest Payment Dates: January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 2017.

Regular Record Dates: January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION,

a Delaware corporation

 

By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

Exhibit A-1 - 3


(Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication)

This is one of the 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee

 

By:    
  Authorized Signatory
Date:    

 

Exhibit A-1 - 4


[Reverse Side of Initial Note]

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019

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

1. Interest . The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 13.50% per annum until maturity. For any interest period ending other than at Stated Maturity, the Company may elect to pay all or any portion of interest in kind on the then outstanding principal amount of this Note by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Notes or by issuing additional Notes (“ PIK Interest Notes ”) in a principal amount equal to such interest (“ PIK Interest ”). The Company shall pay interest quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year (each, an “ Interest Payment Date ”). For any Interest Payment Date occurring while the First Lien Credit Agreement, but not any refinancing or replacement thereof, is outstanding, the Company shall be required to pay all interest in the form of PIK Interest on such Interest Payment Date. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Notes (or one or more Predecessor Notes) or, if no interest has been paid, from and including the date of original issuance; provided , however that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be January 15, 2017. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at one percentage point in excess of the rate then in effect on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay 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 such higher rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any payment date with respect to the Notes is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period provided such payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day.

2. Method of Payment . Except as provided in Section (1) of this Note, interest on the Notes shall be payable entirely in cash (“ Cash Interest ”). The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest, if any) to the Persons in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. If a Holder of the Notes has given wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent at least 10 Business Days before payment is due, the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s Notes in accordance with those instructions to an account in the United States. All other payments on the Notes shall be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent

 

Exhibit A-1 - 5


designated by the Company in the City and State of New York unless the Company elects to make Cash Interest payments by check, or PIK Payments by PIK Interest Notes that are Definitive Notes, mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders. Payments of Cash Interest to the Trustee as Paying Agent, if the Trustee then acts as Paying Agent, with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be made by the Company in immediately available funds for receipt by the Trustee no later than 1:00 p.m. New York Time on such Interest Payment Date. The Company will pay principal of, premium, if any, and Cash Interest on, Global Notes held by the Depositary or its nominee, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note. The Company will make PIK Payments on Global Notes held by the Depositary or its nominee, to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note.

The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and Cash Interest at the office or agency of the Paying Agent designated by the Company and maintained for such purpose, except as noted in the preceding paragraph. Such payment shall 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.

In connection with the payment of PIK Interest in respect of the Notes, the Company shall be entitled, without the consent of the Holders thereof (and without regard to any restrictions or limitations set forth in Section 7.22 of the Indenture), to make such PIK Payments by (i) issuing PIK Interest Notes or (ii) increasing the outstanding principal amount of the then authenticated PIK Interest Notes that are Global Notes.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the payment of accrued interest in connection with any redemption or repurchase of the Notes as described under Sections 3.07, 3.08 and 7.30 of the Indenture or at Stated Maturity will be made solely in cash. If the Company elects to pay interest on the Notes as a combination of Cash Interest and as PIK Interest, Cash Interest and PIK Interest shall be paid on the Notes to the Holders on a pro rata basis.

PIK Interest on the Notes will be payable (a) with respect to Notes represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of, or held by, DTC or its nominee on the relevant record date, (x) in the case of interest on any Initial Note then outstanding, (i) on the first Interest Payment Date on which interest on such Initial Note is paid in kind, by issuing an additional Global Note (each such note, a “ PIK Interest Note ”) in a principal amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for such interest period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar), and the Trustee shall, at the request of the Company and upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver such PIK Interest Note and (ii) on any subsequent Interest Payment Date on which interest on such Initial Note is paid in kind, by increasing the principal amount of such PIK Interest Note by an amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar) as provided in writing by an Officer of the Company to the Trustee and, upon receipt of such written order of the Company, the Trustee shall increase such PIK Interest Note by the amount of PIK Interest and (y) with respect to Definitive Notes, by issuing PIK Interest Notes in certificated form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar), and the Trustee shall, at the request of the Company and upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver such PIK Interest Notes in certificated form for original issuance to the

 

Exhibit A-1 - 6


Holders on the relevant record date, as shown by the records of the register of Holders. Following an increase in the principal amount of the outstanding PIK Interest Notes as a result of a payment of PIK Interest, the PIK Interest Notes shall bear interest on such increased principal amount from and after the date of such payment. Any PIK Interest Notes issued in certificated form shall be dated as of the applicable Interest Payment Date and shall bear interest from and after such date. Except with respect to the rights set forth in Article Four of the Indenture, all PIK Interest Notes issued pursuant to a payment of PIK Interest shall be governed by, and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of, the Indenture and shall have the same rights and benefits as the Notes issued on the Issue Date. Any certificated PIK Interest Notes shall be issued with the description “PIK” on the face of such PIK Interest Note.

3. Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity (except for purposes of Articles Eleven or Fourteen under the Indenture).

4. Indenture . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of October 12, 2016 (the “Indenture”) by and between the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

5. Conversion of Notes . This Note shall be convertible by the Holder into shares of Common Stock on the terms and conditions (and the Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment) as set forth in the Indenture.

6. Optional Redemption . The Notes shall be redeemable at the option of the Company as provided in Article Three of the Indenture.

7. Mandatory Redemption . The Notes shall be redeemed by the Company, including payment of the Prepayment Premium, as provided in Article Three of the Indenture.

8. Repurchase at Option of Holders .

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder may require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Notes in whole or in part in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof in the case of any PIK Interest Notes), at a purchase price in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the rights of Holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), pursuant to a Change of Control Offer in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

 

Exhibit A-1 - 7


(b) Under certain circumstances described in the Indenture, the Company will be required to apply the proceeds of sale, assignment or other transfer of Property to the repayment of the Notes.

9. Selection and Notice of Redemption . If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed (and the Company shall notify the Trustee of any such listing) or, if the Notes are not so listed, then on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion will deem to be fair and appropriate (or in the case of Global Notes, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption based on the Depositary’s method that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection).

10. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . Subject to the issuance of PIK Interest Notes as described herein, the Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (or, with respect to PIK Interest Notes, in minimum denominations of $1.00 and any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof). The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any transfer taxes or other governmental taxes and fees payable in connection therewith. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

11. Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.

12. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver . The Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented only as provided in the Indenture.

13. Defaults . In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization specified in the Indenture, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders of the Notes) and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default of Event of Default (1) in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note (which may only be waived with the consent of each Holder of Notes affected) or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected by such modification or amendment.

 

Exhibit A-1 - 8


14. Trustee Dealings with the Company . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

15. No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member, partner or trustee of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture, the Security Documents or the Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

16. Authentication . This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

17. 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 Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be place only on the other identification number placed thereon.

18. Governing Law . This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile: (713) 780-9254

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Exhibit A-1 - 9


EXHIBIT I

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

CONVERSION NOTICE

Reference is made to the Convertible Second Lien Secured Notes due 2019 (the “ Note ”) issued to the undersigned by Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”). In accordance with and pursuant to the Note, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the Conversion Amount (as defined in the Note) of the Note indicated below into shares of Common Stock (the “ Common Stock ”) of the Company, as of the date specified below.

Date of Conversion:

Aggregate Conversion Amount to be converted:

Please confirm the following information:

Conversion Price:

Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued:

Please issue the Common Stock into which the Note is being converted in the following name and to the following address:

Issue to:

Facsimile Number:

Authorization:

By:                     

Title:

Dated:

Account Number:

(if electronic book entry transfer)

Transaction Code Number:

(if electronic book entry transfer)

 

Exhibit A-1 - 10


ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Company hereby acknowledges this Conversion Notice and hereby directs its transfer agent to issue the above-indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Conversion Agent Instructions dated [            ] from the Company and acknowledged and agreed to by.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Exhibit A-1 - 11


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

 

(Insert assignee’s legal name)
 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                             

Signature:                             

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                             

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

Exhibit A-1 - 12


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 7.30 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[    ] Section 7.30

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 7.30 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$            

Date:                             

Your Signature:

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Tax Identification No.:                             

Signature Guarantee*:                             

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

Exhibit A-1 - 13


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

 

Amount of Decrease
in Principal Amount
at Maturity of this
Global Note

 

Amount of Increase in
Principal Amount at
Maturity of this
Global Note

 

Principal Amount at
Maturity of this Global
Note Following such
Decrease (or Increase)

     

 

Exhibit A-1 - 14


EXHIBIT A-2

[Face of PIK Interest Note]

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“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 IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS 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.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRANSFER PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE.] 3

[THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION, INCLUDING (X) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (Y) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (Z) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (III) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER

 

3   For Global Notes

 

Exhibit A-2 - 1


INFORMATION TO THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE REGISTRAR REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THEM, AND, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.] 4

 

 

4   For Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes.

 

Exhibit A-2 - 2


CUSIP:             

No.   Principal Amount: $            

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, for value received, promises to pay to, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [            ] ($[            ]) UNITED STATES DOLLARS on the later of (i) August 30, 2019 and (ii) the date that is six months after the scheduled maturity date (including after giving effect to the exercise of the RBL Extension Option) of the First Lien Credit Agreement or any Permitted First Lien Replacement Facility, but in any event no later than March 30, 2020 (the “ Maturity Date ”).

Interest Payment Dates: January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 2017.

Regular Record Dates: January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION,

a Delaware corporation

 

By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

Exhibit A-2 - 3


(Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication)

This is one of the 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee

 

By:    
  Authorized Signatory
Date:    

 

Exhibit A-2 - 4


[Reverse Side of PIK Interest Note]

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019

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

1. Interest . The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 13.50% per annum until maturity. For any interest period ending other than at Stated Maturity, the Company may elect to pay all or any portion of interest in kind on the then outstanding principal amount of this Note by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Notes or by issuing additional Notes (“ PIK Interest Notes ”) in a principal amount equal to such interest (“ PIK Interest ”). The Company shall pay interest quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year (each, an “ Interest Payment Date ”). For any Interest Payment Date occurring while the First Lien Credit Agreement, but not any refinancing or replacement thereof, is outstanding, the Company shall be required to pay all interest in the form of PIK Interest on such Interest Payment Date. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Notes (or one or more Predecessor Notes) or, if no interest has been paid, from and including the date of original issuance; provided , however that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be January 15, 2017. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at one percentage point in excess of the rate then in effect on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay 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 such higher rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any payment date with respect to the Notes is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period provided such payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day.

2. Method of Payment . Except as provided in Section (1) of this Note, interest on the Notes shall be payable entirely in cash (“ Cash Interest ”). The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest, if any) to the Persons in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. If a Holder of the Notes has given wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent at least 10 Business Days before payment is due, the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s Notes in accordance with those instructions to an account in the United States. All other payments on the Notes shall be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent

 

Exhibit A-2 - 5


designated by the Company in the City and State of New York unless the Company elects to make Cash Interest payments by check, or PIK Payments by PIK Interest Notes that are Definitive Notes, mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders. Payments of Cash Interest to the Trustee as Paying Agent, if the Trustee then acts as Paying Agent, with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be made by the Company in immediately available funds for receipt by the Trustee no later than 1:00 p.m. New York Time on such Interest Payment Date. The Company will pay principal of, premium, if any, and Cash Interest on, Global Notes held by the Depositary or its nominee, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note. The Company will make PIK Payments on Global Notes held by the Depositary or its nominee, to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note.

The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and Cash Interest at the office or agency of the Paying Agent designated by the Company and maintained for such purpose, except as noted in the preceding paragraph. Such payment shall 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.

In connection with the payment of PIK Interest in respect of the Notes, the Company shall be entitled, without the consent of the Holders thereof (and without regard to any restrictions or limitations set forth in Section 7.22 of the Indenture), to make such PIK Payments by (i) issuing PIK Interest Notes or (ii) increasing the outstanding principal amount of the then authenticated PIK Interest Notes that are Global Notes.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the payment of accrued interest in connection with any redemption or repurchase of the Notes as described under Sections 3.07, 3.08 and 7.30 of the Indenture or at Stated Maturity will be made solely in cash. If the Company elects to pay interest on the Notes as a combination of Cash Interest and as PIK Interest, Cash Interest and PIK Interest shall be paid on the Notes to the Holders on a pro rata basis.

PIK Interest on the Notes will be payable (a) with respect to Notes represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of, or held by, DTC or its nominee on the relevant record date, (x) in the case of interest on any Initial Note then outstanding, (i) on the first Interest Payment Date on which interest on such Initial Note is paid in kind, by issuing an additional Global Note (each such note, a “ PIK Interest Note ”) in a principal amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for such interest period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar), and the Trustee shall, at the request of the Company and upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver such PIK Interest Note and (ii) on any subsequent Interest Payment Date on which interest on such Initial Note is paid in kind, by increasing the principal amount of such PIK Interest Note by an amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar) as provided in writing by an Officer of the Company to the Trustee and, upon receipt of such written order of the Company, the Trustee shall increase such PIK Interest Note by the amount of PIK Interest and (y) with respect to Definitive Notes, by issuing PIK Interest Notes in certificated form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar), and the Trustee shall, at the request of the Company and upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver such PIK Interest Notes in certificated form for original issuance to the

 

Exhibit A-2 - 6


Holders on the relevant record date, as shown by the records of the register of Holders. Following an increase in the principal amount of the outstanding PIK Interest Notes as a result of a payment of PIK Interest, the PIK Interest Notes shall bear interest on such increased principal amount from and after the date of such payment. Any PIK Interest Notes issued in certificated form shall be dated as of the applicable Interest Payment Date and shall bear interest from and after such date. Except with respect to the rights set forth in Article Four of the Indenture, all PIK Interest Notes issued pursuant to a payment of PIK Interest shall be governed by, and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of, the Indenture and shall have the same rights and benefits as the Notes issued on the Issue Date. Any certificated PIK Interest Notes shall be issued with the description “PIK” on the face of such PIK Interest Note.

3. Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity (except for purposes of Articles Eleven or Fourteen under the Indenture).

4. Indenture . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of October 12, 2016 (the “Indenture”) by and between the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

5. Optional Redemption . The Notes shall be redeemable at the option of the Company as provided in Article Three of the Indenture.

6. Mandatory Redemption . The Notes shall be redeemed by the Company, including payment of the Prepayment Premium, as provided in Article Three of the Indenture.

7. Repurchase at Option of Holders .

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder may require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Notes in whole or in part in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof in the case of any PIK Interest Notes), at a purchase price in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the rights of Holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), pursuant to a Change of Control Offer in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

(b) Under certain circumstances described in the Indenture, the Company will be required to apply the proceeds of sale, assignment or other transfer of Property to the repayment of the Notes.

 

Exhibit A-2 - 7


8. Selection and Notice of Redemption . If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed (and the Company shall notify the Trustee of any such listing) or, if the Notes are not so listed, then on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion will deem to be fair and appropriate (or in the case of Global Notes, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption based on the Depositary’s method that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection).

9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . Subject to the issuance of PIK Interest Notes as described herein, the Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (or, with respect to PIK Interest Notes, in minimum denominations of $1.00 and any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof). The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any transfer taxes or other governmental taxes and fees payable in connection therewith. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver . The Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented only as provided in the Indenture.

12. Defaults . In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization specified in the Indenture, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders of the Notes) and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default of Event of Default (1) in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note (which may only be waived with the consent of each Holder of Notes affected) or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected by such modification or amendment.

 

Exhibit A-2 - 8


13. Trustee Dealings with the Company . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

14. No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member, partner or trustee of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture, the Security Documents or the Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

15. Authentication . This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

16. 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 Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be place only on the other identification number placed thereon.

17. Governing Law . This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile: (713) 780-9254

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Exhibit A-2 - 9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

 

(Insert assignee’s legal name)
 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                             

Signature:                             

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                             

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

Exhibit A-2 - 10


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 7.30 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[    ] Section 7.30

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 7.30 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$            

Date:                             

Your Signature:

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Tax Identification No.:                             

Signature Guarantee*:                             

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

Exhibit A-2 - 11


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

 

Amount of Decrease
in Principal Amount
at Maturity of this
Global Note

 

Amount of Increase in
Principal Amount at
Maturity of this
Global Note

 

PIK Increase

 

Principal Amount at
Maturity of this Global
Note Following such
Decrease (or Increase)

       

 

Exhibit A-2 - 12


EXHIBIT B-1

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile: (713) 780-9254

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Wilmington Trust, National Association

15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550

Dallas, TX 75248

Facsimile No.: (888) 316-6238

Attention: Goodrich Petroleum Administrator

Re: 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2016 (the “Indenture”) among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

             (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $              in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to              the (“Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. [    ] Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

Exhibit B-1 - 1


2. [    ] Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated 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) the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Permanent Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [    ] Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; or

(b) [    ] such Transfer is being effect to the Company or a subsidiary thereof; or

(c) [    ] such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Notes being transferred and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit B-2 to the Indenture and (2) if requested by the Company, an opinion of counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, and other certification or information satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act. For purposes of this provision, the term “ Institutional Accredited Investor ” shall mean an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Exhibit B-1 - 2


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:

 

Exhibit B-1 - 3


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE]

 

  (A) a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) [    ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Permanent Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

  (iii) [    ] Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

  (B) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note.

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

  (A) a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) [    ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Permanent Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

  (iii) [    ] Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

  (iv) [    ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

  (B) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (C) [    ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

Exhibit B-1 - 4


EXHIBIT B-2

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

[Date]

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile: (713) 780-9254

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Wilmington Trust, National Association

15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550

Dallas, TX 75248

Facsimile No.: (888) 316-6238

Attention: Goodrich Petroleum Administrator

Re: 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2016 (the “Indenture”) among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

In connection with our proposed purchase of $              aggregate principal amount of:

 

(a) ☐ a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

 

(b) ☐ a Definitive Note,

We represent and warrant to you that:

1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

2. We understand that the offer and distribution of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to

 

Exhibit B-2 - 1


such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if requested by the Company, an opinion of counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, and other certification or information satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interests therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

5. We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 

 

[Insert Name of Accredited Investor]

 

By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Dated:

 

Exhibit B-2 - 2


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

[Date]

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile: (713) 780-9254

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Wilmington Trust, National Association

15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550

Dallas, TX 75248

Facsimile No.: (888) 316-6238

Attention: Goodrich Petroleum Administrator

Re: 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2016 (the “Indenture”) among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

             (the “ Owner ”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $              in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

(a) ☐ CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.  In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that (i) the Restricted Definitive Note 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 Notes 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 Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

Exhibit C - 1


(b) CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE.  In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that (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 Definitive Note 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 Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

 

 

[Insert Name of Owner]

 

By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Dated:

 

Exhibit C - 2


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

For value received, each Subsidiary Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2016 (as supplemented or amended, the “Indenture”), among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes (as defined in the Indenture), whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal, premium, and interest, to the extent permitted by law, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Thirteen of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee. This Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

 

By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Dated:

 

Exhibit D - 1


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF GUARANTOR SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY GUARANTORS

GUARANTOR SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Guarantor Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of, among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), the Company’s Subsidiaries listed on Schedule A hereto (each, a “ New Guarantor ”), the Company’s Subsidiaries listed on Schedule B hereto (each, an “ Existing Guarantor ”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Company, the Existing Guarantors and the Trustee are parties to an indenture (as supplemented or amended, the “Indenture”), dated as of October 12, 2016, providing for the issuance of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, Section 12.01 of the Indenture provides that, without the consent of any Holders, the Company, the Existing Guarantors and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may modify, supplement or amend the Indenture to add a Guarantor or additional obligor under the Indenture or permit any Person to guarantee the Notes and/or obligations under the Indenture;

WHEREAS, each New Guarantor wishes to guarantee the Notes pursuant to the Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture, the Company, the Existing Guarantors, the New Guarantors and the Trustee have agreed to enter into this Guarantor Supplemental Indenture for the purposes stated herein; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary have been done to make this Guarantor Supplemental Indenture, when executed and delivered by the Company, the Existing Guarantors and each New Guarantor, the legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, the Existing Guarantors and each New Guarantor, in accordance with its terms.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, each New Guarantor, the Existing Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Guarantee . Each New Guarantor hereby guarantees the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes related thereto pursuant to the terms and conditions of Article Thirteen of the Indenture, such Article Thirteen being incorporated by reference herein as if set forth at length herein (each such guarantee, a “Guarantee”) and such New Guarantor agrees to be bound as a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture as if it had been an initial signatory thereto; provided, however that the New Guarantor can be released from its Guarantee to the same extent as any other Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

Exhibit E - 1


(3) GOVERNING LAW . THIS GUARANTOR SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(4) Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Guarantor Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(5) Effect of Headings . The section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(6) The Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Guarantor Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company, Existing Guarantors and the New Guarantors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Guarantor Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated:

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

a Delaware corporation

By:    
Name:  
Title:  
EACH GUARANTOR LISTED ON SCHEDULE A HERETO
By:    
Name:  
Title:  
EACH GUARANTOR LISTED ON SCHEDULE B HERETO
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

Exhibit E - 2


Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee
By:    
  Authorized Signatory

 

Exhibit E - 3


Schedule A

 

 

Exhibit E - 4


Schedule B

 

 

Exhibit E - 5


SCHEDULE 7.27

AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS

None.

 

Schedule 7.27 - 1

Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

Published CUSIP Number: 38240PAC8

EXIT CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of October 12, 2016

among

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION,

as Parent Guarantor,

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.,

as Borrower,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent,

and

The Lenders Party Hereto

 

 

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I   
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS   
Section 1.01    Terms Defined Above      2   
Section 1.02    Certain Defined Terms      2   
Section 1.03    Types of Loans and Borrowings      25   
Section 1.04    Terms Generally; Rules of Construction      25   
Section 1.05    Accounting Terms and Determinations; GAAP      26   
ARTICLE II   
THE CREDITS   
Section 2.01    Loans      26   
Section 2.02    Notes      26   
Section 2.03    No New Borrowings      27   
Section 2.04    Interest Elections      27   
Section 2.05    Funding of Borrowings      28   
Section 2.06    Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Credit Amounts      28   
Section 2.07    [Reserved]      29   
Section 2.08    Letter of Credit      29   
ARTICLE III   
PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; PREPAYMENTS; FEES   
Section 3.01    Repayment of Loans      32   
Section 3.02    Interest      32   
Section 3.03    Alternate Rate of Interest      33   
Section 3.04    Prepayments      33   
Section 3.05    Fees      35   
ARTICLE IV   
PAYMENTS; PRO RATA TREATMENT; SHARING OF SET-OFFS   
Section 4.01    Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs      36   
Section 4.02    Presumption of Payment by the Borrower      37   
Section 4.03    Payments and Deductions to a Defaulting Lender      37   
Section 4.04    Disposition of Proceeds      38   
Section 4.05    Defaulting Lenders      38   
ARTICLE V   
INCREASED COSTS; BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS; TAXES; ILLEGALITY   
Section 5.01    Increased Costs.      39   
Section 5.02    Break Funding Payments      40   
Section 5.03    Taxes      41   
Section 5.04    Designation of Different Lending Office      44   

 

- i -


Section 5.05    Illegality      44   
ARTICLE VI   
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT   
Section 6.01    Effective Date      45   
ARTICLE VII   
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   
Section 7.01    Organization; Powers      48   
Section 7.02    Authority; Enforceability      49   
Section 7.03    Approvals; No Conflicts      49   
Section 7.04    Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change      49   
Section 7.05    Litigation      50   
Section 7.06    Environmental Matters      50   
Section 7.07    Compliance with the Laws and Agreements; No Defaults      51   
Section 7.08    Investment Company Act      51   
Section 7.09    Taxes      51   
Section 7.10    ERISA      52   
Section 7.11    Disclosure; No Material Misstatements      52   
Section 7.12    Insurance      53   
Section 7.13    Restriction on Liens      53   
Section 7.14    Subsidiaries      53   
Section 7.15    Location of Business and Offices      53   
Section 7.16    Properties; Titles, Etc      54   
Section 7.17    Maintenance of Properties      55   
Section 7.18    Gas Imbalances, Prepayments      55   
Section 7.19    Marketing of Production      55   
Section 7.20    Swap Agreements      55   
Section 7.21    Use of Loans and Letter of Credit      56   
Section 7.22    Solvency      56   
Section 7.23    Sanctions Laws and Regulations      56   
Section 7.24    Foreign Corrupt Practices      57   
Section 7.25    Money Laundering Laws; Embargoed Persons      57   
ARTICLE VIII   
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS   
Section 8.01    Financial Statements; Ratings Change; Other Information      58   
Section 8.02    Notices of Material Events      61   
Section 8.03    Existence; Conduct of Business      61   
Section 8.04    Payment of Obligations      62   
Section 8.05    Performance of Obligations under Loan Documents      62   
Section 8.06    Operation and Maintenance of Properties      62   
Section 8.07    Insurance      63   
Section 8.08    Books and Records; Inspection Rights      63   

 

- ii -


Section 8.09    Compliance with Laws      63   
Section 8.10    Environmental Matters      63   
Section 8.11    Further Assurances      64   
Section 8.12    Reserve Reports      65   
Section 8.13    Title Information      65   
Section 8.14    Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors      66   
Section 8.15    ERISA Compliance      67   
Section 8.16    Keepwell      67   
Section 8.17    Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws      67   
Section 8.18    Compliance with FCPA      68   
Section 8.19    Additional Collateral Requirements      68   
Section 8.20    Depository Bank      70   
Section 8.21    Compass Bank Deposit Account Control Agreement      70   
ARTICLE IX   
NEGATIVE COVENANTS   
Section 9.01    Asset Coverage Ratios      70   
Section 9.02    Debt      71   
Section 9.03    Liens      72   
Section 9.04    Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions      72   
Section 9.05    Investments, Loans and Advances      73   
Section 9.06    Nature of Business; International Operations      74   
Section 9.07    Limitation on Leases      74   
Section 9.08    Proceeds of Notes      74   
Section 9.09    ERISA Compliance      75   
Section 9.10    Sale or Discount of Receivables      75   
Section 9.11    Mergers, Etc      75   
Section 9.12    Sale of Properties      75   
Section 9.13    Environmental Matters      76   
Section 9.14    Transactions with Affiliates      76   
Section 9.15    Subsidiaries      76   
Section 9.16    Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions      77   
Section 9.17    Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments      77   
Section 9.18    Swap Agreements      77   
Section 9.19    Swap Agreement Termination      78   
Section 9.20    Use of Proceeds      78   
Section 9.21    Consolidated Cash Balance      78   
Section 9.22    G&A      78   
Section 9.23    Leverage      78   
Section 9.24    Minimum Liquidity      79   
ARTICLE X   
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES   
Section 10.01    Events of Default      79   
Section 10.02    Remedies      81   

 

- iii -


ARTICLE XI   
HE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT   
Section 11.01    Appointment; Powers      82   
Section 11.02    Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent      82   
Section 11.03    Action by Administrative Agent      83   
Section 11.04    Reliance      84   
Section 11.05    Subagents      84   
Section 11.06    Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent      84   
Section 11.07    Administrative Agent and Issuing Bank as Lender      85   
Section 11.08    No Reliance      85   
Section 11.09    Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim      85   
Section 11.10    Withholding Tax      86   
Section 11.11    Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Collateral and Liens      86   
Section 11.12    The Arranger      87   
ARTICLE XII   
MISCELLANEOUS   
Section 12.01    Notices      87   
Section 12.02    Waivers; Amendments      88   
Section 12.03    Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver      89   
Section 12.04    Successors and Assigns      92   
Section 12.05    Survival; Revival; Reinstatement      95   
Section 12.06    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness      95   
Section 12.07    Severability      96   
Section 12.08    Right of Setoff      96   
Section 12.09    GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS      96   
Section 12.10    Headings      97   
Section 12.11    Confidentiality      98   
Section 12.12    Interest Rate Limitation      98   
Section 12.13    EXCULPATION PROVISIONS      99   
Section 12.14    Letter of Credit      100   
Section 12.15    Flood Insurance Provisions      100   
Section 12.16    Collateral Matters; Swap Agreements      100   
Section 12.17    No Third Party Beneficiaries      100   
Section 12.18    USA Patriot Act Notice      101   
Section 12.19    No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility      101   
Section 12.20    Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions      101   

 

- iv -


ANNEX I      LIST OF CREDIT AMOUNTS
EXHIBIT A      FORM OF NOTE
EXHIBIT B      [RESERVED]
EXHIBIT C      FORM OF INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST
EXHIBIT D      FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT E      SECURITY INSTRUMENTS

EXHIBIT F

EXHIBIT G

    

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

FORM OF INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT H      U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
SCHEDULE 7.05      LITIGATION
SCHEDULE 7.06      ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
SCHEDULE 7.14      SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE 7.18      GAS IMBALANCES; PREPAYMENTS
SCHEDULE 7.19      MARKETING CONTRACTS
SCHEDULE 7.20      SWAP AGREEMENTS

 

- v -


THIS EXIT CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of October 12, 2016, is among GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION, a corporation duly formed and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ Parent Guarantor ”), GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C., a limited liability company duly formed and existing under the laws of the State of Louisiana (the “ Borrower ”); each of the Lenders (as hereinafter defined) from time to time party hereto; and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

R E C I T A L S

A. On April 15, 2016 the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower filed voluntary petitions for relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”) commencing their respective cases (collectively, the “ Bankruptcy Proceedings ”) under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (as herein defined).

B. The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower have filed the Debtors’ First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code , dated August 12, 2016, (together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, the “ Plan of Reorganization ”) with the Bankruptcy Court, which was confirmed pursuant to an Order entered by the Bankruptcy Court on September 28, 2016 (the “ Confirmation Order ”). Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will reorganize and emerge from bankruptcy on the date hereof when the Plan of Reorganization is consummated.

C. The Borrower, the Parent Guarantor, certain lenders (the “ Prepetition Lenders ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Prepetition Administrative Agent ”) and issuing bank (in such capacity, the “ Prepetition Issuing Bank ”) are parties to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 5, 2009, as amended by that certain First Amendment dated as of September 22, 2009, that certain Second Amendment dated as of October 29, 2010, that certain Third Amendment dated as of February 4, 2011, that certain Fourth Amendment dated as of February 25, 2011, that certain Fifth Amendment dated as of May 16, 2011, that certain Sixth Amendment dated as of October 31, 2011, that certain Seventh Amendment dated as of November 2, 2012, that certain Eighth Amendment dated as of March 13, 2013, that certain Ninth Amendment dated as of October 25, 2013, that certain Tenth Amendment dated as of May 19, 2014, that certain Eleventh Amendment effective as of June 30, 2014, that certain Twelfth Amendment effective as of September 30, 2014, that certain Thirteenth Amendment, dated as of February 26, 2015, that certain Fourteenth Amendment, dated as of October 1, 2015, that certain Fifteenth Amendment, dated as of November 3, 2015 and that certain Sixteenth Amendment, dated as of March 29, 2016 to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “ Existing Credit Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Prepetition Lenders made certain loans to the Borrower and other extensions of credit which remain outstanding.

D. Pursuant to and upon consummation of the Plan of Reorganization, the Prepetition Lenders will receive, among other things (i) a cash payment in partial satisfaction of the Borrower’s outstanding obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement; and (ii) interests in a new term loan facility in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $20,000,000 plus

 

- 1 -


participation in a cash secured letter of credit in the face amount of $250,000 (the “ Exit Facility ”). The Prepetition Lenders and the Issuing Bank have agreed to extend credit under the Exit Facility on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

E. ACCORDINGLY, for adequate and sufficient consideration, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereto covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions and Accounting Matters

Section 1.01 Terms Defined Above . As used in this Agreement, each term defined above has the meaning indicated above.

Section 1.02 Certain Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Adjusted LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Affected Loans ” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 5.05.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Aggregate Credit Amounts ” at any time shall equal the sum of the Credit Amounts, as the same may be reduced or terminated pursuant to Section 2.06.

Agreement ” means this Exit Credit Agreement as the same may from time to time be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1.0% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1.5%; provided that, in the context of this definition of Alternate Base Rate and for the avoidance of doubt, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) at which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 with a one month maturity are offered by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such day (or the

 

- 2 -


immediately preceding Business Day if such day is not a day on which banks are open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market). Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively.

Anti-Corruption Laws ” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

Applicable Margin ” means, for any day, 4.50% per annum with respect to any ABR Loan and 5.50% per annum with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, as the case may be.

Applicable Percentage ” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the Aggregate Credit Amounts represented by such Lender’s Credit Amount as such percentage is set forth on Annex I .

Approved Counterparty ” means (a) any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender and (b) any other Person whose long term senior unsecured debt rating is A-/A3 by S&P or Moody’s (or their equivalent) or higher.

Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Approved Petroleum Engineers ” means (a) Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., (b) Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Consultants, L.P. and (c) any other independent petroleum engineers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Arranger ” means Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, in its capacities as the sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner hereunder.

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 12.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit F or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Bank Price Deck ” shall mean the Administrative Agent’s forward curve for each of oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons, as applicable, as in effect from time to time.

 

- 3 -


Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America or any successor Governmental Authority.

Borrowing ” means Loans of the same Type, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City or Houston, Texas are authorized or required by law to remain closed; and if such day relates to a Borrowing or continuation of, a payment or prepayment of principal of or interest on, or a conversion of or into, or the Interest Period for, a Eurodollar Loan or a notice by the Borrower with respect to any such Borrowing or continuation, payment, prepayment, conversion or Interest Period, any day which is also a day on which banks are open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Capital Leases ” means, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases on the balance sheet of the Person liable (whether contingent or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder.

Casualty Event ” means any loss, casualty or other insured damage to, or any nationalization, taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any Property of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries having a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000.

Change in Control ” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other than the Permitted Holders, of Equity Interests representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Parent Guarantor, (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Parent Guarantor by Persons who were neither (i) nominated or approved by the board of directors of the Parent Guarantor nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated or approved or (c) the Parent Guarantor shall fail to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

Change in Law ” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 5.01(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives issued thereunder or in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules guidelines or directive promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking

 

- 4 -


Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to acquire participations in the Letter of Credit hereunder as such commitment may be (a) modified from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 and (b) modified from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 12.04.

Commodity Exchange Act ” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. §1 et. seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

Confirmation Order ” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 6.01(q).

Consolidated Cash Balance ” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, treasury bonds and bills, certificates of deposit, investments in money market funds and commercial paper, in each case held by the Parent Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

Consolidated Net Income ” means with respect to the Parent Guarantor and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of the Parent Guarantor and the Consolidated Subsidiaries after allowances for taxes for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the following: (a) the net income of any Person in which the Parent Guarantor or any Consolidated Subsidiary has an interest (which interest does not cause the net income of such other Person to be consolidated with the net income of the Parent Guarantor and the Consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in cash during such period by such other Person to the Parent Guarantor or to a Consolidated Subsidiary, as the case may be; (b) the net income (but not loss) during such period of any Consolidated Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or loans by that Consolidated Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument or Governmental Requirement applicable to such Consolidated Subsidiary or is otherwise restricted or prohibited, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; (c) the net income (or loss) of any Person acquired in a pooling-of-interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such transaction; (d) any extraordinary gains or losses during such period; and (e) any gains or losses attributable to writeups or writedowns of assets; and provided further that if the Parent Guarantor or any Consolidated Subsidiary shall acquire or dispose of any Property during such period, then Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition or disposition, as if such acquisition or disposition had occurred on the first day of such period.

 

- 5 -


Consolidated Subsidiaries ” means each Subsidiary (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the financial statements of the Parent Guarantor in accordance with GAAP.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. For the purposes of this definition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Person that owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of the directors or other governing body of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such other Person) will be deemed to “control” such other Person. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Credit Amount ” means, as to each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Annex I under the caption “ Credit Amounts ”, as the same may be (a) reduced or terminated from time to time in connection with a reduction or termination of the Aggregate Credit Amounts pursuant to Section 2.06(b) or (b) modified from time to time pursuant to any assignment permitted by Section 12.04.

Credit Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans and its LC Exposure at such time.

Debt ” means, for any Person, the sum of the following (without duplication): (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, bankers’ acceptances, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (b) all obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, surety or other bonds and similar instruments (less the amount of cash collateral deposited for any such letter of credit, surety or other bond or similar instrument); (c) all accounts payable and all accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services; (d) all obligations under Capital Leases; (e) all obligations under Synthetic Leases; (f) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any Property of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person; (g) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others guaranteed by such Person or in which such Person otherwise assures a creditor against loss of the Debt (howsoever such assurance shall be made) to the extent of the lesser of the amount of such Debt and the maximum stated amount of such guarantee or assurance against loss; (h) all obligations or undertakings of such Person to maintain or cause to be maintained the financial position or covenants of others or to purchase the Debt or Property of others; (i) obligations to deliver commodities, goods or services, including, without limitation, Hydrocarbons, in consideration of one or more advance payments, other than gas balancing arrangements in the ordinary course of business; (j) obligations to pay for goods or services even if such goods or services are not actually received or utilized by such Person; (k) any Debt of a partnership for which such Person is liable either by agreement, by operation of law or by a Governmental Requirement but only to the extent of such liability; (l) Disqualified Capital Stock; and (m) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly received payment. The Debt of any Person shall include all obligations of such Person of the character described above to the extent such Person remains legally liable in respect thereof notwithstanding that any such obligation is not included as a liability of such Person under GAAP.

 

- 6 -


Default ” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender, as determined by the Administrative Agent, that has (a) failed to fund any portion of its participations in the Letter of Credit within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund participations in the Letter of Credit, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (e) (i) become or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent, (ii) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or (f) become, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has become, the subject of a Bail-in Action.

Designated Persons ” means a person or entity: (i) listed in the annex to, or otherwise the subject of the provisions of, any Executive Order; (ii) named as a “Specially Designated National and Blocked Person” (“ SDN ”) on the most current list published by OFAC at its official website or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list; or (iii) that is otherwise the subject of any Sanctions Laws and Regulations in which an entity or person on the SDN List has 50% or greater ownership interest or that is otherwise controlled by an SDN.

Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” means the sale, transfer, license, lease, abandonment, or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith and any assignment, termination, close out, or restructuring of any Swap Agreement.

Disqualified Capital Stock ” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is convertible or exchangeable for Debt or redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified

 

- 7 -


Capital Stock) at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is one year after the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the date on which there are no Loans, LC Exposure or other obligations hereunder outstanding.

dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

EBITDAX ” means, for any period, the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such period plus the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such period: interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expenses and other similar noncash charges, minus all noncash income added to Consolidated Net Income. The term “ EBITDAX ” specifically excludes all non-cash expenses, including, but not limited to, expenses relating to stock based compensation and hedging ceiling test impairments.

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Date ” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 6.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02).

Embargoed Person ” shall mean any party that is (a) a Designated Person or (ii) publicly identified as prohibited from doing business with the United States under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, or any other Requirement of Law.

Environmental Laws ” means any and all Governmental Requirements pertaining in any way to health, safety, the environment, the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, or the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials, in effect in any and all jurisdictions in which the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower is conducting, or at any time has conducted, business, or where any Property of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower is located, including, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“ OPA ”), as amended, the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“ CERCLA ”), as amended, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“ RCRA ”), as amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Law, as amended, and other environmental conservation or protection Governmental Requirements.

 

- 8 -


Environmental Permit ” means any permit, registration, license, notice, approval, consent, exemption, variance, or other authorization required under or issued pursuant to applicable Environmental Laws.

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interests, provided that any Debt that is convertible into Equity Interest is not “Equity Interests”.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute.

ERISA Affiliate ” means each trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which together with the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower would be deemed to be a “ single employer ” within the meaning of section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or subsections (b), (c), (m) or (o) of section 414 of the Code.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Eurodollar ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 10.01.

Excepted Liens ” means: (a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (b) Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (c) statutory landlord’s liens, operators’, vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, workers’, materialmen’s, construction or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business or incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties each of which is in respect of obligations that are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (d) contractual Liens which arise in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements

 

- 9 -


which are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and are for claims which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP, provided that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair the use of the Property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such Property is held by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (e) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies and burdening only deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution, provided that no such deposit account is a dedicated cash collateral account or is subject to restrictions against access by the depositor in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Board and no such deposit account is intended by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower to provide collateral to the depository institution; (f) easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations in any Property of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower for the purpose of roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil, coal or other minerals or timber, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment, that do not secure any monetary obligations and which in the aggregate do not materially impair the use of such Property for the purposes of which such Property is held by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (g) Liens on cash or securities pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business and (h) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default, provided that any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired and no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced; provided , further that Liens described in clauses (a) through (e) shall remain “Excepted Liens” only for so long as no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced and no intention to subordinate the first priority Lien granted in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders is to be hereby implied or expressed by the permitted existence of such Excepted Liens.

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 5.03, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 5.03(e) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

- 10 -


Executive Order ” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Sanction Laws and Regulations”.

Existing Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned such term in Recital A hereto.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement, (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to such intergovernmental agreement.

FCPA ” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and any rules or regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

Financial Officer ” means, for any Person, the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Financial Officer means a Financial Officer of the Parent Guarantor.

Financial Statements ” means the financial statement or statements of Parent Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries referred to in Section 7.04(a).

Foreign Lender ” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 1.05.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

Governmental Requirement ” means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, rules of common law, authorization or other directive or requirement, whether now or hereinafter in effect, of any Governmental Authority.

 

- 11 -


Guarantors ” means the Parent Guarantor and each Subsidiary Guarantor.

Guarantee Agreement ” means that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement of even date herewith among the Borrower and the guarantors thereunder in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders unconditionally guarantying on a joint and several basis, payment of the Indebtedness, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

Haynesville Specified Real Property ” and “ Haynesville Specified Real Properties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.19(c).

Hazardous Material ” means any substance regulated or as to which liability might arise under any applicable Environmental Law including: (a) any chemical, compound, material, product, byproduct, substance or waste defined as or included in the definition or meaning of “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “hazardous waste,” “solid waste,” “toxic waste,” “extremely hazardous substance,” “toxic substance,” “contaminant,” “pollutant,” or words of similar meaning or import found in any applicable Environmental Law; (b) Hydrocarbons, petroleum products, petroleum substances, natural gas, oil, oil and gas waste, crude oil, and any components, fractions, or derivatives thereof; and (c) radioactive materials, explosives, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, infectious or medical wastes.

Highest Lawful Rate ” means, with respect to each Lender, the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on other Indebtedness under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws allow as of the date hereof.

Hydrocarbon Interests ” means all rights, titles, interests and estates now or hereafter acquired in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and production payment interests, including any reserved or residual interests of whatever nature.

Hydrocarbons ” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all products refined or separated therefrom.

Indebtedness ” means (a) any and all amounts owing or to be owing by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor (whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising) to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender under any Loan Document; (b) all Secured Swap Obligations; (c) all Secured Cash Management Obligations; and (d) all renewals, extensions and/or rearrangements of any of the above.

 

- 12 -


Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Initial Reserve Report ” means the report of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. dated as of February 4, 2016, with respect to certain Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower as of December 31, 2015.

Intercreditor Agreement ” means an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G attached hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, in each case, in accordance with the terms thereof and, if required by the terms thereof, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and Majority Lenders.

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04.

Interest Payment Date ” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period.

Interest Period ” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two or three months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided , that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (b) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Investment ” means, for any Person: (a) the acquisition (whether for cash, Property, services or securities or otherwise) of Equity Interests of any other Person or any agreement to make any such acquisition (including, without limitation, any “short sale” or any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such short sale); (b) the making of any deposit with, or advance, loan or capital contribution to, assumption of Debt of, purchase or other acquisition of any other Debt or equity participation or interest in, or other extension of credit to, any other Person (including the purchase of Property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such Property to such Person, but excluding any such advance, loan or extension of credit having a term not exceeding 90 days representing the purchase price of inventory or supplies sold by such Person in the ordinary course of business); (c) the purchase or acquisition (in one or a series of transactions) of Property of another Person that constitutes a business unit or (d) the entering into

 

- 13 -


of any guarantee of, or other contingent obligation (including the deposit of any Equity Interests to be sold) with respect to, Debt or other liability of any other Person and (without duplication) any amount committed to be advanced, lent or extended to such Person.

Issuing Bank ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as the issuer of the Letter of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.08(i).

LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to the Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of the Letter of Credit at such time less the amount of cash collateral (but not to exceed the undrawn amount of such Letter of Credit), if any, held by the Administrative Agent in respect of the Letter of Credit plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.

Lenders ” means the Persons listed on Annex I and any Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

Letter of Credit ” means the Letter of Credit No. ISO311750U issued by the Issuing Bank for the benefit of RLI Insurance Company in the face amount of $250,000 with an expiration date of June 17, 2017.

Letter of Credit Agreements ” means all letter of credit applications and other agreements (including any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto) submitted by the Borrower, or entered into by the Borrower, with the Issuing Bank relating to the Letter of Credit.

LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, the greater of (a) 0.0% and (b) the rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) appearing on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 which displays an average ICE Benchmark Administration Interest Settlement Rate (or such other comparable page as may, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, replace such page for the purpose of displaying such rates), providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBO Rate” with respect to such Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) at which dollar deposits of $1,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

 

- 14 -


Lien ” means any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, and whether such obligation or claim is fixed or contingent, and including but not limited to (a) the lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes or (b) production payments and the like payable out of Oil and Gas Properties. The term “ Lien ” shall include easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to a conditional sale agreement, or leases under a financing lease or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by or vested in some other Person in a transaction intended to create a financing.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit Agreements, the Letter of Credit, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Instruments.

Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

Majority Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders holding greater than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans and without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 12.04(c)).

Material Acquisition ” means any acquisition of Property or series of related acquisitions of Property that involves the payment of consideration by the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 for any single acquisition or series of related acquisitions of Property.

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse change in, or material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, Property, or financial condition of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower or any Guarantor to perform any of its obligations under any Loan Document, (c) the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or (d) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender under any Loan Document.

Material Disposition ” means any Disposition of Property or series of related Dispositions of Property that yields gross proceeds to the Parent Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 for any single Disposition or series of related Dispositions of Property.

Material Indebtedness ” means Debt (other than the Loans and the Letter of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $1,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the Swap Termination Value.

Maturity Date ” means September 30, 2018, unless (i) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent no later than September 1, 2018, that it intends to extend the Maturity Date

 

- 15 -


to September 30, 2019, (ii) on September 30, 2018 no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that that no Default has occurred and is continuing on September 30, 2018, (iv) the Borrower shall have paid the fee referred to in Section 3.05(a)(ii) on or before September 30, 2018, and (v) on September 30, 2018, the aggregate of the outstanding Loans does not exceed the lesser of (A) $15,000,000 or (B) an amount such that on such date the ratio of (1) the PV-10 value of the Parent Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties attributable to the Parent Guarantor’s and its Subsidiaries’ Proved Developed Producing Properties as reflected in the July 1, 2018 Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section 8.12(a) (as updated in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to reflect acquisitions and divestitures subsequent to such Reserve Report date) prepared using the Bank Price Deck, and rolled forward to October 1, 2018 to (2) Total First Lien Debt on such date is not less than 3.0 to 1.0, in which event the Maturity Date will be September 30, 2019.

Money Laundering Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.25.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

Mortgaged Property ” means any Property owned by the Borrower or any Guarantor which is subject to the Liens existing and to exist under the terms of the Security Instruments.

Notes ” means the promissory notes of the Borrower described in Section 2.02(d) and being substantially in the form of Exhibit A, together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.

NYMEX Pricing ” means, as of any date of determination with respect to any month (i) for crude oil, the closing settlement price for the Light, Sweet Crude Oil futures contract for such month, and (ii) for natural gas, the closing settlement price for the Henry Hub Natural Gas futures contract for such month, in each case as published by New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) on its website currently located at www.nymex.com , or any successor thereto (as such price may be corrected or revised from time to time by the NYMEX in accordance with its rules and regulations).

OFAC ” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Oil and Gas Properties ” means (a) Hydrocarbon Interests; (b) the Properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests; (c) all presently existing or future unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including without limitation all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority) which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests; (d) all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including production sharing contracts and agreements, which relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests; (e) all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon

 

- 16 -


Interests; (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and Properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests and (g) all Properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all Property, real or personal, now owned or hereinafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or planned use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or Property (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment, rental equipment or other personal Property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, buildings, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.

Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

Other Taxes ” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement and any other Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.

Participant ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.04(c)(i).

Participant Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.04(c)(i).

Permitted Holders ” means (a) any Person or group that beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, the Equity Interests of the Parent Guarantor on the Effective Date, (b) any Affiliates of such Person or group listed in clause (a) and (c) any other Person or group who is organized by such Person or group listed in clause (a) primarily for the purpose of making equity or debt investments in one or more companies.

Permitted Second Lien Refinancing Debt ” means Debt (for purposes of this definition, “Refinancing Debt”) incurred in exchange for, or proceeds of which are used to refinance all or any portion of any Second Lien Facility; provided that (a) such Refinancing Debt is in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the then outstanding principal amount of such existing refinanced Debt immediately prior to any redemption or refinancing thereof with the Refinancing Debt, together with any reasonable fees, expenses or costs associated with such refinancing; (b) such Refinancing Debt does not shorten the maturity or average life to maturity of the existing refinanced Debt; (c) such Refinancing Debt does not contain terms or conditions taken as a whole which are more onerous to the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower than those imposed by the Debt being refinanced; (d) such Refinancing Debt (and any guarantees thereof) (i) is

 

- 17 -


unsecured or (ii) does not add additional Property (other than Property then securing the refinanced Debt) as collateral to secure the Refinancing Debt unless Borrower concurrently complies with Section 9.03(e), (e) no Default or Event of Default is existing or would result from the issuance of such Refinancing Debt and (f) if such Refinancing Debt is secured, such Refinancing Debt is subject to the Intercreditor Agreement.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Petroleum Industry Standards ” means the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, which (a) is currently or hereafter sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Borrower, a Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate or (b) was at any time during the six calendar years preceding the date hereof, sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate.

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in San Francisco, California; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective. Such rate is set by the Administrative Agent as a general reference rate of interest, taking into account such factors as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; it being understood that many of the Administrative Agent’s commercial or other loans are priced in relation to such rate, that it is not necessarily the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer and that the Administrative Agent may make various commercial or other loans at rates of interest having no relationship to such rate.

Property ” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

Proved Developed Producing Properties ” means Oil and Gas Properties which are categorized as “Proved Reserves” that are both “Developed” and “Producing”, as such terms are defined in the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves as promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

Proved Oil and Gas Properties ” means Oil and Gas Properties containing Proved Reserves.

Proved Reserves ” means reserves that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and one of the following: (a) “Developed Producing Reserves”; (b) “Developed Non-Producing Reserves”; or (c) “Undeveloped Reserves”.

 

- 18 -


Qualified ECP Guarantor ” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, the Borrower and each Guarantor that, at the time the relevant guarantee or other liability (or grant of the relevant security interest, as applicable) becomes or would become effective with respect to such obligation or liability, has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or otherwise constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” with respect to such Swap Obligation at such time by entering into a keepwell pursuant to Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Recipient ” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender or (c) any Issuing Bank, as applicable.

Redemption ” means with respect to any Debt, the repurchase, redemption, prepayment, repayment, defeasance or any other acquisition or retirement for value (or the segregation of funds with respect to any of the foregoing) of such Debt; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, the conversion of Second Lien Debt solely into common shares of the Borrower is not a Redemption for purposes of this Agreement. “ Redeem ” has the correlative meaning thereto.

Register ” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 12.04(b)(iv).

Regulation D ” means Regulation D of the Board, as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (including attorneys, accountants and experts) of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

Release ” means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting, discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing.

Remedial Work ” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 8.10(a).

Required Lenders ” means Lenders holding at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans and without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 12.04(c)).

Reserve Report ” means a report, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth, as of each January 1st or July 1st the oil and gas reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net income, taxes, operating expenses and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, based upon the economic assumptions consistent with the Administrative Agent’s lending requirements at the time.

Responsible Officer ” means, as to any Person, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Financial Officer or any Vice President of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references to a Responsible Officer herein shall mean a Responsible Officer of the Parent Guarantor.

 

- 19 -


Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other Property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other Property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, repurchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

Sanctioned Country ” means, at any time, a country or territory which is itself or whose government is, the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

Sanctioned Person ” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

Sanctions ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.23.

Sanctions Laws and Regulations ” means any sanctions, prohibitions or requirements imposed by any executive order (an “ Executive Order ”) or by any sanctions program administered by OFAC.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

SDN ” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Designated Persons”.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor Governmental Authority.

Second Lien Debt ” means Debt under the Second Lien Facility Agreement.

Second Lien Facility ” means one or more cash funded facilities in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $40,000,000 as determined for each facility on the date such facility becomes effective plus any interest paid in kind thereon (provided that nothing herein shall prohibit the incurrence of Permitted Second Lien Refinancing Debt in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in such definition), but in a minimum aggregate amount sufficient to cause the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower to have sufficient Unrestricted Cash on the Effective Date to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the loans under the Existing Credit Agreement to not more than $20,000,000 in the aggregate; each such facility to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and to be provided to the Borrower or the Parent Guarantor by Persons that are not (prior to the date hereof) Affiliates of the Borrower or the Parent Guarantor and which facilities are payment in kind while any Indebtedness described in clauses (a) – (c) of the definition thereof (but not any refinancing or replacement thereof) is outstanding.

 

- 20 -


Second Lien Facility Agreement ” means a second lien loan, credit or note agreement (or the equivalent thereof with respect to a private placement of notes including any indenture or similar agreement) evidencing the Second Lien Facility (a) that is subject to an Intercreditor Agreement, (b) that has a maturity date no earlier than 6 months after the Maturity Date, (c) that is secured on a junior basis to the Liens securing the Indebtedness, (d) that is payable in kind until this Exit Facility is paid in full in cash, (e) that has no mandatory Redemption prior to the date that is 6 months after the Maturity Date and (f) otherwise reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Administrative Agent and Majority Lenders, together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, refinancings, extensions and rearrangements thereof permitted by Section 9.04(b).

Second Lien Facility Documents ” means any Second Lien Facility Agreement and any “Loan Documents” (or similar term as defined therein), in each case, together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, refinancings, extensions and rearrangements thereto permitted by Section 9.04(b).

Second Lien Obligations ” means, collectively, the “Obligations” or similar term as such term is defined in each Second Lien Facility Agreement.

Secured Cash Management Agreement ” means a Cash Management Agreement between (a) the Parent Guarantor or any Subsidiary and (b) a Secured Cash Management Provider.

Secured Cash Management Obligations ” means any and all amounts and other obligations owing by the Parent Guarantor or any Subsidiary to any Secured Cash Management Provider under any Secured Cash Management Agreement.

Secured Cash Management Provider ” means a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent.

Secured Debt ” means at any time the aggregate of the outstanding Loans and the principal amount of the outstanding Second Lien Debt.

Secured Debt Asset Coverage Ratio ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.01(ii).

Secured Swap Agreement ” means any Swap Agreement between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Person that is entered into prior to the time, or during the time, that such Person was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender (including any such Swap Agreement in existence prior to the date hereof), even if such Person ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender for any reason (any such Person, a “ Secured Swap Party ”); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the term “ Secured Swap Agreement ” shall not include any transactions entered into after the time that such Secured Swap Party ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.

Secured Swap Obligations ” means all amounts and other obligations owing to any Secured Swap Party under any Secured Swap Agreement.

 

- 21 -


Secured Swap Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Secured Swap Agreement.

Security Instruments ” means the Guarantee Agreement, mortgages, deeds of trust and other agreements, instruments or certificates described or referred to in Exhibit E, and any and all other agreements, instruments, consents or certificates now or hereafter executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other Person (other than Secured Cash Management Agreements, Swap Agreements with the Lenders or any Affiliate of a Lender, or participation or similar agreements between any Lender and any other lender or creditor with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to this Agreement) in connection with, or as security for the payment or performance of the Indebtedness, the Notes or this Agreement, as such agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Shortfall Amount ” means at the time of determination thereof an amount equal to the greater of (i) the difference of (A) the actual amount of Total Debt of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries outstanding on the relevant Test Date minus (B) the maximum amount of Total Debt of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries that could have been outstanding on such Test Date in order for the Parent Guarantor not to have been in breach of Section 9.01(i) on such Test Date or (ii) the difference of (A) the actual amount of Secured Debt (net any cash on such date in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 for any Test Date on or prior to March 31, 2018, and not to exceed $7,500,000 for any Test Date on or after April 1, 2018) of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries outstanding on the relevant Test Date minus (B) the maximum amount of Secured Debt (net any cash on such date in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 for any Test Date on or prior to March 31, 2018, and not to exceed $7,500,000 for any Test Date on or after April 1, 2018) of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries that could have been outstanding on such Test Date in order for the Parent Guarantor not to have been in breach of Section 9.01(ii) on such Test Date.

Specified Real Property ” and “ Specified Real Properties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.19(b).

Statutory Reserve Rate ” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject (a) with respect to the Base CD Rate, for new negotiable nonpersonal time deposits in dollars of over $100,000 with maturities approximately equal to three months and (b) with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “ Eurocurrency Liabilities ” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

Strip Price ” shall mean, at any time, (a) for the remainder of the then-current calendar year, the average NYMEX Pricing for the remaining months in such calendar year, (b) for each

 

- 22 -


of the succeeding three complete calendar years, the average NYMEX Pricing for the twelve months in each such calendar year, and (c) for the succeeding fourth complete calendar year and each calendar year thereafter, the average NYMEX pricing for the twelve months in such fourth calendar year.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any other Person the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other Person (a) of which Equity Interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power (irrespective of whether or not at the time Equity Interests of any other class or classes of such Person shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) or, in the case of a partnership, any general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent. Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” refers to any subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor.

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means each Subsidiary that guarantees the Indebtedness pursuant to Section 8.14(b).

Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter” or otherwise, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to the Borrower or any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.”

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Agreements, as determined by the counterparties to such Swap Agreements.

Synthetic Leases ” means, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, treated as operating leases on the financial statements of the Person liable (whether contingently or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder and which were properly treated as indebtedness for borrowed money for purposes of U.S. federal income taxes, if the lessee in respect thereof is obligated to either purchase for an amount in excess of, or pay upon early termination an amount in excess of, 80% of the residual value of the Property subject to such operating lease upon expiration or early termination of such lease.

 

- 23 -


Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding) imposed by any Governmental Authority.

Test Date ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.01.

Total Debt ” means all Debt of the Parent Guarantor and the Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis other than Debt Under FASB AFC 815 and other than Second Lien Debt.

Total First Lien Debt ” means at any time the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Loans.

Total Proved Asset Coverage Ratio ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.01(i).

Total Proved PV10% ” means, as of any date of determination thereof with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties described in the then most recent Reserve Report delivered to the Administrative Agent, the net present value, determined using a discount rate of ten percent (10%) per annum, of the future net revenues expected to accrue to the Parent Guarantor’s and the Borrower’s collective interest in such Oil and Gas Properties during the remaining expected economic lives of such Oil and Gas Properties. Each calculation of such expected future net revenues shall be made in accordance with the then existing standards of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, provided that in any event (a) appropriate deductions shall be made for severance and ad valorem taxes and for operating, gathering, transportation and marketing costs, required for the production and sale of Hydrocarbons from such Oil and Gas Properties, (b) the pricing assumptions used in determining Total Proved PV10% for any Oil and Gas Properties shall be based upon (1) the Bank Price Deck, when determining the Total Proved Asset Coverage Ratio, and (2) the Strip Price, when determining the Secured Debt Asset Coverage Ratio, each on such date, adjusted in a manner, reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent to reflect the Parent Guarantor’s and the Borrower’s Secured Swap Agreements in respect of forecasted production from Proved Developed Producing Properties and (c) the cash-flows derived from the pricing assumptions set forth in clause (b) above shall be further adjusted to account for the historical basis differential in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. The amount of Total Proved PV10% at any time shall be calculated on a pro forma basis for dispositions and acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties consummated since the date of the Reserve Report most recently delivered hereto (provided that, in the case of any such acquisition or disposition, as the case may be, the Administrative Agent shall have received a Reserve Report evaluating all categories of Proved Reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties subject thereto and if such acquisition is a Material Acquisition, such Reserve Report shall be prepared by an Approved Petroleum Engineer).

Transactions ” means, with respect to (a) the Borrower, the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of the Letter of Credit hereunder, and the grant of Liens by the Borrower on Mortgaged Properties and other

 

- 24 -


Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments and (b) each Guarantor, the execution, delivery and performance by such Guarantor of each Loan Document to which it is a party, the guaranteeing of the Indebtedness and the other obligations under the Guarantee Agreement by such Guarantor and such Guarantor’s grant of the security interests and provision of collateral under the Security Instruments, and the grant of Liens by such Guarantor on Mortgaged Properties and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments.

Type ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Unrestricted Cash ” means cash and cash equivalents that are (A) held in an account subject to the control of the Administrative Agent, (B) not subject to any Lien other than the Lien of the Guarantee Agreement, Excepted Liens of the type described in clause (e) of the definition thereof and Liens described in Section 9.03(e) and (C) not held in a restricted account, payroll account, tax account, trust account, pension account, royalty account or other similar type of account; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, any cash collateral held by the Administrative Agent securing the Letter of Credit is not Unrestricted Cash.

U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of which all of the outstanding Equity Interests (other than any directors’ qualifying shares mandated by applicable law), on a fully-diluted basis, are owned by the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or one or more of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or are owned by the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower and/or one or more of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Section 1.03 Types of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans and Borrowings, respectively, may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan” or a “Eurodollar Borrowing”).

Section 1.04 Terms Generally; Rules of Construction . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” as used in this Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth in the Loan Documents), (b) any reference herein to any

 

- 25 -


law shall be construed as referring to such law as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to the restrictions contained in the Loan Documents), (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) with respect to the determination of any time period, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to and including” and (f) any reference herein to Articles, Sections, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be interpreted or construed against any Person solely because such Person or its legal representative drafted such provision.

Section 1.05 Accounting Terms and Determinations; GAAP . Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all determinations with respect to accounting matters hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with the Financial Statements except for changes in which the Parent Guarantor’s independent certified public accountants concur and which are disclosed to Administrative Agent on the next date on which financial statements are required to be delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.01(a); provided that, unless the Borrower and the Majority Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing, no such change shall modify or affect the manner in which compliance with the covenants contained herein is computed such that all such computations shall be conducted utilizing financial information presented consistently with prior periods.

ARTICLE II

The Credits

Section 2.01 Loans . As of the date hereof, each Lender set forth in Annex I to this Agreement holds a Loan to the Borrower in the amount set forth opposite its name in Annex I. No amounts paid on the Loans may be reborrowed.

Section 2.02 Notes . The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by a single promissory note of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit A, dated, in the case of (i) any Lender party hereto as of the date of this Agreement, as of the date of this Agreement, or (ii) any Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, as of the effective date of the Assignment and Assumption, payable to such Lender or its registered assigns in a principal amount equal to its Credit Amount as in effect on such date, and otherwise duly completed. The date, amount, Type, interest rate and, if applicable, Interest Period of each Loan made by each Lender, and all payments made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by such Lender on its books for its Note, and, prior to any transfer, may be recorded by such Lender on a schedule attached to such Note or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by such Lender. Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of its Note.

 

- 26 -


Section 2.03 No New Borrowings . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any Loan Documents to the contrary, no Lender has any obligation to make any loan to the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower (other than the Loan described in Section 2.01) and the Issuing Bank has no obligation to issue any letter of credit other than the Letter of Credit.

Section 2.04 Interest Elections .

(a) Conversion and Continuance . On the date of this Agreement the Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.04. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

(b) Interest Election Requests . To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.04, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing.. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable, except as to ABR Borrowings, and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in substantially the form of Exhibit C and signed by the Borrower.

(c) Information in Interest Election Requests . Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following:

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(ii) and Section 2.04(c)(iii) shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

- 27 -


(d) Notice to Lenders by the Administrative Agent . Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof, such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) Effect of Failure to Deliver Timely Interest Election Request and Events of Default on Interest Election . If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing: (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing (and any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective) and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

Section 2.05 Funding of Borrowings .

Funding by Lenders . Each Lender shall make each reimbursement of an LC Disbursement to be made by it hereunder on the date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for its reimbursement of an LC Disbursement in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for its reimbursement of an LC Disbursement in any particular place or manner.

Section 2.06 Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Credit Amounts .

(a) [Reserved].

(b) Optional Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Credit Amounts .

(i) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Aggregate Credit Amounts; provided that (A) each reduction of the Aggregate Credit Amounts shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000 and (B) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Credit Amounts if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 3.04(b), the total Credit Exposures would exceed the Aggregate Credit Amounts.

(ii) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Aggregate Credit Amounts under Section 2.06(b)(i) at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be irrevocable. Any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Credit Amounts shall be permanent and may not be reinstated. Each reduction of the Aggregate Credit Amounts shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with each Lender’s Applicable Percentage.

 

- 28 -


Section 2.07 [Reserved] .

Section 2.08 Letter of Credit .

(a) General . On the Effective Date, the Letter of Credit shall be deemed issued and outstanding hereunder.

(b) [Reserved].

(c) [Reserved].

(d) Participations . Without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in the outstanding Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower or not paid from the proceeds of cash collateral held by the Administrative Agent to secure the Letter of Credit on the date due as provided in Section 2.08(e), or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this Section 2.08(d) in respect of the Letter of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of the Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e) Reimbursement . If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of the Letter of Credit, and the Administrative Agent does not have sufficient cash collateral to reimburse such LC Disbursement in full or the Administrative Agent is unable to apply or is prohibited from applying some or all of any cash collateral that it holds to secure the Letter of Credit to reimburse such LC Disbursement, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement (or such portion thereof which Administrative Agent was unable to reimburse using cash collateral held by it) not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement (or part thereof), the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.05 (and Section 2.05 shall apply, mutatis

 

- 29 -


mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.08(e), the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this Section 2.08(e) to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this Section 2.08(e) to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(f) Obligations Absolute . The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in Section 2.08(e) shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Agreement or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under the Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank under the Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or the Letter of Credit Agreement, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.08(f), constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of the Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to the Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under the Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised all requisite care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of the Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

(g) Disbursement Procedures . The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under the

 

- 30 -


Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement to the extent provided in Section 2.08(e).

(h) Interim Interest . If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement which is not repaid by application of cash collateral held by the Administrative Agent to secure the Letter of Credit, then, until the Borrower shall have reimbursed the Issuing Bank for such LC Disbursement, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Loans. Interest accrued pursuant to this Section 2.08(h) shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to Section 2.08(e) to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

(i) Replacement of the Issuing Bank . The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.05(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to the Letter of Credit and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of the Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to the Letter of Credit.

(j) Cash Collateralization . On the effective date of this Agreement, the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent cash collateral in an amount equal to 105% of the face amount of the Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, an exclusive first priority and continuing perfected security interest in and Lien on the cash collateral account for the Letter of Credit and all cash, checks, drafts, certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time deposited or held in such account, all deposits or wire transfers made thereto, any and all investments purchased with funds deposited in such account, all interest, dividends, cash, instruments, financial assets and other Property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise payable in respect of, or in exchange for, any or all of the foregoing, and all proceeds, products, accessions, rents, profits, income and benefits therefrom, and any substitutions and replacements therefor. The deposit shall be held as collateral securing the payment and performance of the Borrower’s and the Guarantor’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole

 

- 31 -


discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements. Upon the expiration or termination of the Letter of Credit, such amount remaining in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default, if any, have been cured or waived.

ARTICLE III

Payments of Principal and Interest; Prepayments; Fees

Section 3.01 Repayment of Loans . The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan on the Maturity Date.

Section 3.02 Interest .

(a) ABR Loans . The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

(b) Eurodollar Loans . The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

(c) Post-Default Rate . Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower or any Guarantor hereunder or under any other Loan Document is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise and including any payments made pursuant to Section 3.04(c), then all Loans outstanding, in the case of an Event of Default, and such overdue amount, in the case of a failure to pay amounts when due, shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus 2%, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

(d) Interest Payment Dates . Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and on the Maturity Date; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to Section 3.02(c) shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than an optional prepayment of an ABR Loan prior to the Maturity Date), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment, and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e) Interest Rate Computations . All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days

 

- 32 -


elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and be binding upon the parties hereto.

Section 3.03 Alternate Rate of Interest . If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or

(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective.

Section 3.04 Prepayments .

(a) Optional Prepayments . The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with Section 3.04(b).

(b) Notice and Terms of Optional Prepayment . The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 3.02.

(c) Mandatory Prepayments .

(i) If, after giving effect to any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Credit Amounts pursuant to Section 2.06(b), the total Credit Exposures exceeds the Aggregate Credit Amounts, then the Borrower shall prepay the Borrowings on the date of such termination or reduction in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess.

(ii) In the event that on any Test Date the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower are not in compliance with the Total Proved Asset Coverage Ratio or the Secured Debt

 

- 33 -


Asset Coverage Ratio, or both, the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will not be in breach of Section 9.01 if the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of their election to, and they shall on or before (a) with respect to any Test Date referred to in clause (A) of the definition of Test Date the 45 th day immediately following such Test Date; or (b) the date of such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition, as applicable, for the Test Date referred to in clause (B) of the definition of Test Date, prepay the Borrowings under this Agreement in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Shortfall Amount.

(iii) Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this Section 3.04(c) shall be applied, first , ratably to any ABR Borrowings then outstanding, and, second , to any Eurodollar Borrowings then outstanding, and if more than one Eurodollar Borrowing is then outstanding, to each such Eurodollar Borrowing in order of priority beginning with the Eurodollar Borrowing with the least number of days remaining in the Interest Period applicable thereto and ending with the Eurodollar Borrowing with the most number of days remaining in the Interest Period applicable thereto.

(iv) Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this Section 3.04(c) shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowings. Prepayments pursuant to this Section 3.04(c) shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 3.02.

(d) If (i) there are outstanding Borrowings and (ii) (A) on or before March 31, 2018, the Consolidated Cash Balance exceeds $27,500,000 at the end of any Business Day or (B) on or after April 1, 2018, the Consolidated Cash Balance exceeds $7,500,000 as of the end of any Business Day, then the Borrower shall, within one Business Day, prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess.

(e) Within one (1) Business Day of the issuance by the Parent Guarantor of any Equity Interests, the Borrower shall prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of the net cash proceeds of such issuance (net of customary and reasonable out of pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with such issuance, including, but not limited to, all reasonable and documented underwriter fees and expenses, SEC and blue sky fees, printing costs, fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors and brokerage commissions).

(f) Within one (1) Business Day of the consummation of any sale or other disposition of Property permitted pursuant to Section 9.12(i) or (j), the Borrower shall prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of the net cash proceeds of such disposition (net of customary and reasonable out of pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with such disposition including, but not limited to, (1) all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors and brokerage commissions, (2) any taxes directly attributable to such disposition and (3) any Debt or other liabilities required to be paid with the proceeds of such disposition).

(g) Within one (1) Business Day of any assignment, termination or unwinding any Swap Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 9.19, the Borrower shall prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of the net cash proceeds of such assignment,

 

- 34 -


termination or unwinding (net of customary and reasonable out of pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with such assignment, termination or unwinding, including, but not limited to, (1) all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors and brokerage commissions, (2) any taxes directly attributable to such assignment, termination or unwinding and (3) any Debt or other liabilities required to be paid with the proceeds of such assignment, termination or unwinding).

(h) No Premium or Penalty . Prepayments permitted or required under this Section 3.04 shall be without premium or penalty, except as required under Section 5.02.

Section 3.05 Fees .

(a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender (i) on April 1, 2018, a fee of 3.0% of the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans on such date and (ii) if the Borrower intends to extend the Maturity Date to September 30, 2019, as provided in the definition of Maturity Date, on or before September 30, 2018, a fee of 2.0% of the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans on September 30, 2018.

(b) Letter of Credit Fees . The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender, a participation fee with respect to its participations in the Letter of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Margin used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount of the Letter of Credit (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements), during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the date on which such Letter of Credit is terminated or expires; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing during such period, the Letter of Credit participation fee shall increase by 2% per annum over the then applicable rate, (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum on the average daily amount of the undrawn amount of the Letter of Credit (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the date on which there ceases to be any undrawn amount of the Letter of Credit; provided that in no event shall such fee be less than $500 during any quarter, and (iii) to the Issuing Bank, for its own account, its standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of the Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date of this Agreement; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the Maturity Date and any such fees accruing after the Maturity Date shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 3.05(b) shall be payable within ten days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

- 35 -


(c) Administrative Agent Fees . The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

ARTICLE IV

Payments; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs

Section 4.01 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs .

(a) Payments by the Borrower . Except as provided for in Section 4.03, the Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 5.01, Section 5.02, Section 5.03 or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without defense, deduction, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim. Fees, once paid, shall be fully earned and shall not be refundable under any circumstances. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices specified in Section 12.01, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Section 5.01, Section 5.02, Section 5.03 and Section 12.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.

(b) Application of Insufficient Payments . If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

(c) Sharing of Payments by Lenders . If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements; provided that (i) if any such participations are

 

- 36 -


purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

Section 4.02 Presumption of Payment by the Borrower . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

Section 4.03 Payments and Deductions to a Defaulting Lender .

(a) The Borrower shall have the right, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to setoff any amounts owed to it by any Defaulting Lender in respect of deposit liabilities and liabilities under Swap Agreements against amounts due by the Borrower to such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement, provided that the amount of such set-off shall not exceed the amount of such Defaulting Lender’s Credit Exposures and interest. Further, if any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(a), Section 2.08(d), Section 2.08(e) or Section 4.02 then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid in cash.

(b) If a Defaulting Lender (or a Lender who would be a Defaulting Lender but for the expiration of the relevant grace period) as a result of the exercise of a set-off shall have received a payment in respect of its Credit Exposure which results in its Credit Exposure being less than its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate Credit Exposures, then no payments will be made to such Defaulting Lender until such time as all amounts due and owing to the Lenders have been equalized in accordance with each Lender’s respective pro rata share of the Indebtedness. Further, if at any time prior to the acceleration or maturity of the Loans, the

 

- 37 -


Administrative Agent shall receive any payment in respect of principal of a Loan or a reimbursement of an LC Disbursement while one or more Defaulting Lenders shall be party to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall apply such payment first to the Borrowing(s) for which such Defaulting Lender(s) shall have failed to fund its pro rata share until such time as such Borrowing(s) are paid in full or each Lender (including each Defaulting Lender) is owed its Applicable Percentage of all Loans then outstanding. After acceleration or maturity of the Loans, subject to the first sentence of this Section 4.03(b), all principal will be paid ratably as provided in Section 10.02(c).

Section 4.04 Disposition of Proceeds . The Security Instruments contain an assignment by the Borrower and/or the Guarantors unto and in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders of all of the Borrower’s or each Guarantor’s interest in and to production and all proceeds attributable thereto which may be produced from or allocated to the Mortgaged Property. The Security Instruments further provide in general for the application of such proceeds to the satisfaction of the Indebtedness and other obligations described therein and secured thereby. Notwithstanding the assignment contained in such Security Instruments, until the occurrence of an Event of Default, (a) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that they will neither notify the purchaser or purchasers of such production nor take any other action to cause such proceeds to be remitted to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, but the Lenders will instead permit such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and (b) the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to take such actions as may be necessary to cause such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and/or such Subsidiaries.

Section 4.05 Defaulting Lenders .

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05, Section 2.08(d), Section 2.08(e) or Section 4.02 then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid in cash.

(b) [Reserved].

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(i) Fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.05.

(ii) The Credit Amount and the outstanding principal balance of the Loans and participation interests in the Letter of Credit of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders, the Majority Lenders or the Required Lenders have

 

- 38 -


taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 12.02), provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring (A) the consent of all Lenders or (B) the consent of each affected Lender and which affects such Defaulting Lender, shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

(iii) If any LC Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(A) [Reserved];

(B) [Reserved];

(C) if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to this Section 4.05 or otherwise then the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.05(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(D) [Reserved]; and

(E) if any Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is not cash collateralized, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, letter of credit fees payable under Section 3.05(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until such LC Exposure is cash collateralized.

ARTICLE V

Increased Costs; Break Funding Payments; Taxes; Illegality

Section 5.01 Increased Costs .

(a) Eurodollar Changes in Law . If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate); or

(ii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender; and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) Capital Requirements . If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or

 

- 39 -


the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in the Letter of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letter of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates . A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), and, if requested by the Borrower, a detailed statement, with any necessary calculations, setting forth how such Lender or Issuing Bank determined such amounts, shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten days after receipt thereof.

(d) Effect of Failure or Delay in Requesting Compensation . Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 5.01 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 365 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 365- day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

Section 5.02 Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan into an ABR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market.

 

- 40 -


A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 5.02 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten days after receipt thereof.

Section 5.03 Taxes .

(a) Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any Guarantor under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower or any Guarantor shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions of Indemnified Taxes applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 5.03(a)), the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower or such Guarantor shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower or such Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower . The Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Indemnification by the Borrower . The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank, within ten days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.03) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate of the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Bank as to the amount of such payment or liability under this Section 5.03 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower or a Guarantor to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Status of Lenders . (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition,

 

- 41 -


any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 5.03(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

  (1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

  (2) executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

  (3)

in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the

 

- 42 -


  meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or

 

  (4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-2 or Exhibit H-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

- 43 -


(iii) On or before the date on which Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (and any successor or replacement Administrative Agent) becomes the Administrative Agent hereunder, it shall deliver to the Borrower executed originals of either (i) IRS Form W-9, or (ii) IRS Form W-8ECI (with respect to any payments to be received on its own behalf) and IRS Form W-8IMY (for all other payments), in each case, establishing that the Borrower can make payments to the Administrative Agent without deduction or withholding of any Taxes imposed by the United States, including Taxes imposed under FATCA.

(vi) Each Recipient agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(f) Tax Refunds . If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 5.03, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 5.03 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided , that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This Section 5.03 shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

Section 5.04 Designation of Different Lending Office . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 5.01, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.03, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (a) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 5.01 or Section 5.03, as the case may be, in the future and (b) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

Section 5.05 Illegality . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for any Lender or its applicable lending office to honor its

 

- 44 -


obligation to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans either generally or having a particular Interest Period hereunder, then (a) such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof and such Lender’s obligation to make such Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended (the “Affected Loans”) until such time as such Lender may again make and maintain such Eurodollar Loans and (b) all Affected Loans which would otherwise be made by such Lender shall be made instead as ABR Loans (and, if such Lender so requests by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, all Affected Loans of such Lender then outstanding shall be automatically converted into ABR Loans on the date specified by such Lender in such notice) and, to the extent that Affected Loans are so made as (or converted into) ABR Loans, all payments of principal which would otherwise be applied to such Lender’s Affected Loans shall be applied instead to its ABR Loans.

ARTICLE VI

Conditions Precedent

Section 6.01 Effective Date . This Agreement shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02):

(a) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received all commitment, facility and agency fees and all other fees and amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent).

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower and each Guarantor setting forth (i) resolutions of its board of directors with respect to the authorization of the Borrower or such Guarantor to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents, (ii) the officers of the Borrower or such Guarantor (A) who are authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which the Borrower or such Guarantor is a party and (B) who will, until replaced by another officer or officers duly authorized for that purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing documents and giving notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) specimen signatures of such authorized officers, and (iv) the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Borrower and such Guarantor, certified as being true and complete. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Administrative Agent receives notice in writing from the Borrower to the contrary.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of the appropriate State agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of the Borrower and each Guarantor.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a compliance certificate which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit D, duly and properly executed by a Responsible Officer and dated as of the date of Effective Date.

 

- 45 -


(e) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower party thereto (in such number of counterparts as may be requested by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, and the Lenders, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received duly executed Notes payable to each Lender or its registered assigns in a principal amount equal to its Credit Amount dated as of the date hereof.

(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party thereto duly executed counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of the Security Instruments, including the Guarantee Agreement and the other Security Instruments described on Exhibit E. In connection with the execution and delivery of the Security Instruments, the Administrative Agent shall:

(i) be reasonably satisfied that the Security Instruments create first priority, perfected Liens (subject only to Excepted Liens identified in clauses (a) to (d) and (f) of the definition thereof, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition) on at least 95% of the total value of the Proved Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the Initial Reserve Report; and

(ii) with respect to any Equity Interests that are certificated, have received certificates, together with undated, blank stock powers for each such certificate, representing all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower.

(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received the opinion of Vinson & Elkins LLP counsel for the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower and the opinions of Copeland Cook Taylor & Bush, P.A. Mississippi counsel and Cook, Young, King & Galloway, P.C., Louisiana counsel for the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, all such opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of insurance coverage of the Borrower evidencing that the Borrower is carrying insurance in accordance with Section 7.12.

(j) The Administrative Agent shall have received title information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require satisfactory to the Administrative Agent setting forth the status of title to Oil and Gas Properties that have Proved Reserves representing at least 90% of the total value of the Proved Reserves in the Initial Reserve Report.

(k) The Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied with the environmental condition of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower.

(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that the Borrower and the Parent Guarantor have received all consents and approvals required by Section 7.03 and that the statements in Sections 6.01(t), (v), (w) and (x) below are true and correct.

 

- 46 -


(m) The Administrative Agent shall have received the financial statements referred to in Section 7.04(a) and the Initial Reserve Report accompanied by a certificate covering the matters described in Section 8.12(c).

(n) The Administrative Agent shall have received appropriate UCC search certificates reflecting no prior Liens encumbering the Properties of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower for each jurisdiction requested by the Administrative Agent other than those being assigned or released on or prior to the Effective Date or Liens permitted by Section 9.03.

(o) The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower shall have paid all outstanding loans under the Existing Credit Agreement in excess of $20,000,000 and shall have paid all interest and fees under the Existing Credit Agreement, including all interest payable in kind.

(p) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all Liens securing the obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement have been released and discharged including without limitation all Uniform Commercial Code termination statements and all other Lien releases it deems necessary to reflect of public record the release and discharge of all such Liens.

(q) The Bankruptcy Court shall have entered a final order satisfactory to the Administrative Agent confirming the Plan of Reorganization (the “ Confirmation Order ”) and all conditions to the Effective Date (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization) of the Plan of Reorganization shall have been satisfied (or will be satisfied upon the occurrence of the Effective Date) or waived. The Confirmation Order shall approve the Loan Documents and authorize the Borrower’s and the Parent Guarantor’s execution and delivery thereof.

(r) The Borrower shall have deposited $41,750 with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, counsel for the Administrative Agent, to be held by such counsel and applied toward payment of costs and expenses for recordation of the Mortgaged Property, as provided pursuant to Section 12.03(a). If such deposit exceeds the amount of such costs and expenses, the excess shall be returned to the Borrower. If such deposit is less than such costs and expenses, the deficit shall be paid by Borrower pursuant to Section 12.03(a).

(s) The Administrative Agent shall have received pro forma Effective Date Financial Statements, which shall reflect no Debt other than the Loans and other Debt permitted by Section 9.02 .

(t) After giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions on the Effective Date, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall have no outstanding Debt, contingent liabilities or preferred stock, except (i) Debt incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (ii) such other existing Debt and contingent liabilities that are permitted under this Agreement.

(u) The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent or special counsel to the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

(v) No Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

- 47 -


(w) No event, development or circumstance has occurred or shall then exist that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(x) The representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct.

(y) The Administrative Agent shall have received a detailed 12 month projection of cash flow, projected changes in financial position, projected income, projected capital expenditures and projected production of oil, gas and natural gas liquids of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(z) The Administrative Agent shall have received duly executed agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to have “control” (as defined in Section 8-106 of the UCC, as such term relates to investment property, or as used in Section 9-104(a) of the UCC as such term relates to deposit accounts) on all investment property and all deposit accounts (other than as provided in Section 8.21) of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries.

(aa) The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of all of the Second Lien Facility Documents certified by an officer of the Borrower as being true, correct and complete, together with evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that at least $20,000,000 in the aggregate has been funded thereunder.

(bb) The Borrower shall deposit, in a blocked, controlled account with the Administrative Agent, an amount of cash equal to $262,500 to cash collateralize the Letter of Credit.

(cc) The Administrative Agent shall have received the Reserve Report dated as of July 1, 2016 to be delivered pursuant to Section 8.12.

(dd) The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of the duly executed Intercreditor Agreement.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the occurrence of Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 12.02) at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 15, 2016 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, this Agreement shall terminate at such time).

ARTICLE VII

Representations and Warranties

The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower represent and warrant to the Lenders that on the date hereof:

Section 7.01 Organization; Powers . Each of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its

 

- 48 -


organization, has all requisite power and authority, and has all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own its assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where failure to have such power, authority, licenses, authorizations, consents, approvals and qualifications could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 7.02 Authority; Enforceability . The Transactions are within the Borrower’s and each Guarantor’s corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, stockholder action (including, without limitation, any action required to be taken by any class of directors of the Parent Guarantor or any other Person, whether interested or disinterested, in order to ensure the due authorization of the Transactions). Each Loan Document to which the Borrower and each Guarantor is a party has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and such Guarantor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower and such Guarantor, as applicable, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

Section 7.03 Approvals; No Conflicts . The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other third Person (including shareholders or any class of directors, whether interested or disinterested, of the Borrower or any other Person), nor is any such consent, approval, registration, filing or other action necessary for the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect other than (i) the recording and filing of the Security Instruments as required by this Agreement, (ii) those third party approvals or consents which, if not made or obtained, would not cause a Default hereunder, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or do not have an adverse effect on the enforceability of the Loan Documents and (iii) the filing of any document with the SEC, (b) do not violate any applicable law or regulation in any material respect or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any material agreement or other instrument binding upon the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or its Properties, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower (other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents).

Section 7.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change .

(a) The Parent Guarantor has heretofore furnished to the Lenders a pro forma unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Guarantor and the Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date, after giving effect to the Transactions contemplated to occur on the Effective Date, certified by the Parent Guarantor’s chief financial officer, as presenting fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Parent Guarantor and the Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date.

 

- 49 -


(b) Since December 31, 2015, there has been no event, development or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (other than the commencement and pendency of the Bankruptcy Proceedings).

(c) Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower has on the date hereof any material Debt (including Disqualified Capital Stock) or any material contingent liabilities, off-balance sheet liabilities or partnerships, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments, except as referred to or reflected or provided for in the Financial Statements.

Section 7.05 Litigation . Except as set forth on Schedule 7.05, there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Parent Guarantor, threatened against or affecting the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.

Section 7.06 Environmental Matters . Except for such matters as set forth on Schedule 7.06 or that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

(a) the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower and each of their respective Properties and operations thereon are, and within all applicable statute of limitation periods have been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.

(b) the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower have obtained all Environmental Permits required for their respective operations and each of their Properties, with all such Environmental Permits being currently in full force and effect, and neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower have received any written notice or otherwise has knowledge that any such existing Environmental Permit will be revoked or that any application for any new Environmental Permit or renewal of any existing Environmental Permit will be protested or denied.

(c) there are no claims, demands, suits, orders, inquiries, or proceedings concerning any violation of, or any liability (including as a potentially responsible party) under, any applicable Environmental Laws that is pending or, to the Parent Guarantor’s knowledge, threatened against the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or any of their respective Properties or as a result of any operations at such Properties.

(d) none of the Properties of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower contain or have contained any: (i) underground storage tanks; (ii) asbestos-containing materials; (iii) landfills or dumps; (iv) hazardous waste management units as defined pursuant to RCRA or any comparable state law; or (v) sites on or nominated for the National Priority List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or any state remedial priority list promulgated or published pursuant to any comparable state law.

 

- 50 -


(e) there has been no Release or, to the Parent Guarantor’s knowledge, threatened Release, of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from the Parent Guarantor’s or the Borrower’s Properties, there are no investigations, remediations, abatements, removals, or monitorings of Hazardous Materials required under applicable Environmental Laws at such Properties and, to the knowledge of the Parent Guarantor, none of such Properties are adversely affected by any Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material originating or emanating from any other real property.

(f) neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower has received any written notice asserting an alleged liability or obligation under any applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the investigation, remediation, abatement, removal, or monitoring of any Hazardous Materials at, under, or Released or threatened to be Released from any real properties offsite the Parent Guarantor’s or the Borrower’s Properties and, to the Parent Guarantor’s knowledge, there are no conditions or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of such written notice.

(g) there has been no exposure of any Person or Property to any Hazardous Materials as a result of or in connection with the operations and businesses of any of the Parent Guarantor’s or the Borrower’s Properties that could reasonably be expected to form the basis for a claim for damages or compensation.

(h) The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower have provided to the Lenders complete and correct copies of all environmental site assessment reports, investigations, studies, analyses, and correspondence on environmental matters relating to any alleged or potential non-compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws that are in any of the Parent Guarantor’s or the Borrower’s possession or control and relating to their respective Properties or operations thereon.

Section 7.07 Compliance with the Laws and Agreements; No Defaults .

(a) The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower are in compliance with all Governmental Requirements applicable to it or its Property and all agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its Property, and possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, exemptions, approvals and other governmental authorizations necessary for the ownership of its Property and the conduct of its business, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) No Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 7.08 Investment Company Act . Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 7.09 Taxes . The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower have each timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the

 

- 51 -


extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower in respect of Taxes and other governmental charges are, in the reasonable opinion of the Borrower, adequate. No Tax Lien (other than an Excepted Lien) has been filed and, to the knowledge of the Parent Guarantor, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Tax or other such governmental charge.

Section 7.10 ERISA .

(a) The Parent Guarantor, the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate have complied in all material respects with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code regarding each Plan.

(b) Each Plan is, and has been, established and maintained in substantial compliance with its terms, ERISA and, where applicable, the Code.

(c) No act, omission or transaction has occurred which could result in imposition on the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate (whether directly or indirectly) of (i) either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i), (l) or (m) of section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code or (ii) breach of fiduciary duty liability damages under section 409 of ERISA.

(d) Full payment when due has been made of all amounts which the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required under the terms of each Plan or applicable law to have paid as contributions to such Plan as of the date hereof.

(e) Neither the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or contributes to an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in its sole discretion at any time without any material liability.

(f) Neither the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has at any time in the six-year period preceding the date hereof sponsored, maintained or contributed to, any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code.

Section 7.11 Disclosure; No Material Misstatements . The Parent Guarantor has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or the Borrower is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the other reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the

 

- 52 -


circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Parent Guarantor represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time. There is no fact peculiar to the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or in the future is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect and which has not been set forth in this Agreement or the Loan Documents or the other documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by or on behalf of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower prior to, or on, the date hereof in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. There are no statements or conclusions in any Reserve Report which are based upon or include misleading information or fail to take into account material information regarding the matters reported therein, it being understood that projections concerning volumes attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and production and cost estimates contained in each Reserve Report are necessarily based upon professional opinions, estimates and projections and that the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower do not warrant that such opinions, estimates and projections will ultimately prove to have been accurate.

Section 7.12 Insurance . The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower have, (a) all insurance policies sufficient for the compliance by each of them with all material Governmental Requirements and all material agreements and (b) insurance coverage in at least amounts and against such risk (including, without limitation, public liability) that are usually insured against by companies similarly situated and engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders have been named as additional insureds in respect of such liability insurance policies and the Administrative Agent has been named as loss payee with respect to Property loss insurance.

Section 7.13 Restriction on Liens . Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower is a party to any material agreement or arrangement (other than Capital Leases creating Liens permitted by Section 9.03(c), but then only on the Property subject of such Capital Lease and other than any Second Lien Facility Documents), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or in respect of their Properties to secure the Indebtedness and the Loan Documents.

Section 7.14 Subsidiaries . All of the Subsidiaries of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, if any, are set forth on Schedule 7.14 or as may be disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly furnish a copy to the Lenders), which shall be a supplement to Schedule 7.14. All Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 7.14, if any, are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

Section 7.15 Location of Business and Offices . The Parent Guarantor’s jurisdiction of organization is Delaware; the name of the Parent Guarantor as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Goodrich Petroleum Corporation; and the organizational identification number of the Parent Guarantor in its jurisdiction of organization is 2675735. The Borrower’s jurisdiction of organization is Louisiana; the name of the Borrower as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C.; and the organizational identification number of the Borrower in its jurisdiction of organization is

 

- 53 -


34719938K (or, in each case, as set forth in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.01(m) in accordance with Section 12.01). The Parent Guarantor’s and Borrower’s principal place of business and chief executive offices are located at the address specified in Section 12.01 (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(m) and Section 12.01(c)). Each Subsidiary’s jurisdiction of organization, name as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number in its jurisdiction of organization, and the location of its principal place of business and chief executive office is stated on Schedule 7.14 (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(m)).

Section 7.16 Properties; Titles, Etc .

(a) The Borrower has good and defensible title to the Proved Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and good title to all its personal Properties, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by Section 9.03. After giving full effect to the Excepted Liens, the Borrower owns the net interests in production attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests as reflected in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, and the ownership of such Properties shall not in any material respect obligate the Borrower to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each Property set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Borrower’s net revenue interest in such Property.

(b) All material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Borrower are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, and there exists no default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a default under any such lease or leases, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The rights and Properties presently owned, leased or licensed by the Borrower including, without limitation, all easements and rights of way, include all rights and Properties necessary to permit the Borrower to conduct its business in all material respects in the same manner as its business has been conducted prior to the date hereof.

(d) All of the Properties of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower which are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards.

(e) The Borrower owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual Property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower either owns or has valid licenses or other rights to use all databases, geological data, geophysical data, engineering data, seismic data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in its businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same, which limitations are customary for companies engaged in the business of the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons, with such exceptions as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 54 -


Section 7.17 Maintenance of Properties . Except for such acts or failures to act as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all Governmental Requirements and in conformity with the provisions of all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Hydrocarbon Interests and other contracts and agreements forming a part of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower. Specifically in connection with the foregoing, except for those as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) no Oil and Gas Property of the Borrower is subject to having allowable production reduced below the full and regular allowable (including the maximum permissible tolerance) because of any overproduction (whether or not the same was permissible at the time) and (b) none of the wells comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties (or Properties unitized therewith) of the Borrower is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by Governmental Requirements, and such wells are, in fact, bottomed under and are producing from, and the well bores are wholly within, the Oil and Gas Properties (or in the case of wells located on Properties unitized therewith, such unitized Properties). All pipelines, wells, gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures and equipment owned in whole or in part by the Borrower that are necessary to conduct normal operations are being maintained in a state adequate to conduct normal operations, and with respect to such of the foregoing which are operated by the Borrower, in a manner consistent with the Borrower’s past practices (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this Section 7.17 could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).

Section 7.18 Gas Imbalances, Prepayments . Except as set forth on Schedule 7.18 or on the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to Section 8.12(c), on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments which would require the Borrower to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from their Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor exceeding one-half bcf of gas (on an mcf equivalent basis) in the aggregate.

Section 7.19 Marketing of Production . Except for contracts listed and in effect on the date hereof on Schedule 7.19, and thereafter either disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent or included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (with respect to all of which contracts the Borrower represents that it is receiving a price for all production sold thereunder which is computed substantially in accordance with the terms of the relevant contract and are not having deliveries curtailed substantially below the subject Property’s delivery capacity), no material agreements exist which are not cancelable on 60 days notice or less without penalty or detriment for the sale of production from the Borrower’s Hydrocarbons (including, without limitation, calls on or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (a) pertain to the sale of production at a fixed price and (b) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six months from the date hereof.

Section 7.20 Swap Agreements . Schedule 7.20, as of the date hereof, and after the date hereof, each report required to be delivered by the Parent Guarantor and Borrower pursuant to

 

- 55 -


Section 8.01(d), sets forth, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied) and the counterparty to each such agreement.

Section 7.21 Use of Loans and Letter of Credit . The proceeds of the Loans and the Letter of Credit shall be used to provide working capital for exploration and production operations, to refinance Debt under the Existing Credit Agreement, and for general corporate purposes. The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower are not engaged principally, or as one of its or their important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Board). No part of the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit will be used for any purpose which violates the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Board.

Section 7.22 Solvency . After giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) the aggregate assets (after giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement), at a fair valuation, of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, taken as a whole, will exceed the aggregate Debt of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower on a consolidated basis, (b) each of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will not have incurred or intended to incur, and will not believe that it will incur, Debt beyond its ability to pay such Debt (after taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by each of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower and the amounts to be payable on or in respect of its liabilities, and giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement) as such Debt becomes absolute and matures and (c) each of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will not have (and will have no reason to believe that it will have thereafter) unreasonably small capital for the conduct of its business.

Section 7.23 Sanctions Laws and Regulations .

(a) Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower, or any directors or officers of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or, to the knowledge of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, any brokers or other agents acting at the direction of the foregoing in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document:

(i) is (A) the target of any economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), or (B) located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country; or

(ii) is a Designated Person.

 

- 56 -


(b) Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower will, directly or, to the knowledge of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, indirectly, use the proceeds of the Loans, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) to fund any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions, or (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Loans, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor, or otherwise).

(c) The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, such continued compliance with Sanctions.

Section 7.24 Foreign Corrupt Practices . Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower, nor, to the knowledge of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower, is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such Persons of the FCPA or any other applicable anti-corruption law or regulation, 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 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 Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, and their Subsidiaries have conducted their business 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, such continued compliance therewith.

Section 7.25 Money Laundering Laws; Embargoed Persons .

(a) The operations of each of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower are and have been conducted by such Person 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 rules and regulations thereunder, and any related or similar laws, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency of the United States (including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended), and the Executive Order) (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 Parent Guarantor or the Borrower with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or threatened in writing.

(b) Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower is, and, to the knowledge of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, none of their respective officers or directors that is acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Loans is, an Embargoed Person.

(c) Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower is, and, to the knowledge of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, none of their respective officers or directors that is acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Loans (i) conducts any business or

 

- 57 -


engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Embargoed Person, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any Money Laundering Law or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Money Laundering Law.

ARTICLE VIII

Affirmative Covenants

Until the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall have been paid in full and the Letter of Credit shall have expired or terminated (or otherwise cash collateralized in a manner satisfactory to the Issuing Bank), the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

Section 8.01 Financial Statements; Ratings Change; Other Information . The Parent Guarantor will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a) Annual Financial Statements . As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of Parent Guarantor, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Ernst & Young, LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements . As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Parent Guarantor, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

(c) Monthly Financial Statements and Reports . (i) As soon as available, but in any event not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal month of each fiscal year of the Parent Guarantor, its consolidated income statements, balance sheets and year-to-date detail of capital expenditures and workovers, as of the end of and for such fiscal month and the then

 

- 58 -


elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes and (ii) a report from the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent setting forth (A) the previous month’s production of each of crude oil and natural gas and (B) the prices at which sales of such production were made and the revenue derived from such sales.

(d) Certificate of Financial Officer — Compliance . Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a) or Section 8.01(b), a certificate of a Financial Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections 9.01, 9.22, 9.23 and 9.24 and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 7.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate.

(e) Certificate of Financial Officer – Swap Agreements . Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a), Section 8.01(b) and Section 8.01(c) hereunder, a certificate of a Financial Officer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth as of the last Business Day of such fiscal month, fiscal quarter or fiscal year, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark-to-market value therefor, any new credit support agreements relating thereto not listed on Schedule 7.20, any margin required or supplied under any credit support document, and the counterparty to each such agreement.

(f) Certificate of Insurer — Insurance Coverage . Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a), a certificate of insurance coverage from each insurer with respect to the insurance required by Section 8.07, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all copies of the applicable policies.

(g) Other Accounting Reports . Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of each other report or letter submitted to the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower, and a copy of any response by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower, or the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower, to such letter or report.

(h) SEC and Other Filings; Reports to Shareholders . Promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Parent Guarantor with the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Parent Guarantor to its shareholders generally, as the case may be.

 

- 59 -


(i) Notices Under Material Instruments . Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any financial statement, report or notice furnished to or by any Person pursuant to the terms of any preferred stock designation, indenture, loan or credit or other similar agreement, other than this Agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other provision of this Section 8.01.

(j) Notice of Sales of Oil and Gas Properties . In the event the Borrower intends to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of any Oil or Gas Properties in accordance with Section 9.12, prior written notice of such disposition, the price thereof and the anticipated date of closing and any other details thereof requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

(k) Notice of Casualty Events . Prompt written notice, and in any event within three Business Days, of the occurrence of any Casualty Event or the commencement of any action or proceeding that could reasonably be expected to result in a Casualty Event.

(l) Certificate of Financial Officer – Asset Coverage . On or before the forty-fifth (45 th ) day after each Test Date, a certificate of a Financial Officer setting forth, as of such Test Date, a calculation in reasonable detail of the Total Proved Asset Coverage Ratio and the Secured Debt Asset Coverage Ratio as of such Test Date.

(m) Information Regarding Borrower and the Subsidiaries . Prompt written notice (and in any event at least fifteen (15) days prior thereto) of any change (i) in the Parent Guarantor’s or Borrower’s corporate name or in any trade name used to identify such Person in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its Properties, (ii) in the location of the Parent Guarantor’s or Borrower’s chief executive office or principal place of business, (iii) in the Parent Guarantor’s or Borrower’s identity or corporate structure or in the jurisdiction in which such Person is incorporated or formed, (iv) in the Parent Guarantor’s or Borrower’s jurisdiction of organization or such Person’s organizational identification number in such jurisdiction of organization, and (v) in the Parent Guarantor’s or Borrower’s federal taxpayer identification number.

(n) Production Report and Lease Operating Statements . Within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a report setting forth, for each calendar month during the then current fiscal year to date, the volume of production and sales attributable to production (and the prices at which such sales were made and the revenues derived from such sales) for each such calendar month from the Oil and Gas Properties, and setting forth the related ad valorem, severance and production taxes and lease operating expenses attributable thereto and incurred for each such calendar month.

(o) Notices of Certain Changes . Promptly, but in any event within five Business Days after the execution thereof, copies of any amendment, modification or supplement to the certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws, any preferred or convertible stock designation or any other organic document of the Parent Guarantor or Borrower

 

- 60 -


(p) Accounts Payable . Concurrently with delivery of the annual and the quarterly financial statements pursuant to the foregoing (a) and (b), a report as of the last day of such fiscal quarter or fiscal year in reasonable detail (i) of the Parent Guarantor’s and its Subsidiaries’ aged accounts payable and (ii) copies of all written demands or claims related to or asserting any Liens in respect of Parent Guarantor’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets or Properties.

(q) Projections . Concurrently with delivery of the annual and the quarterly financial statements pursuant to the foregoing (a) and (b), a detailed twelve-month projection of cash flow, projected changes in financial position, projected income, projected capital expenditures and projected production of oil, gas and natural gas liquids of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such projections represent the Parent Guarantor’s good faith estimate of future financial performance and that such projections have been prepared on the basis of estimates, information and assumptions set forth therein and which the Parent Guarantor believes are fair and reasonable in light of the current and reasonable foreseeable business conditions together with a quarterly reconciliation of the previously delivered projections to the prior quarters’ actual results.

(r) Other Requested Information . Promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Parent Guarantor or Borrower (including, without limitation, any Plan and any reports or other information required to be filed with respect thereto under the Code or under ERISA), or compliance with the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

Section 8.02 Notices of Material Events . The Parent Guarantor will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of, or the threat in writing of, any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower not previously disclosed in writing to the Lenders or any material adverse development in any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration (whether or not previously disclosed to the Lenders) that, in either case, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section 8.02 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

Section 8.03 Existence; Conduct of Business . Each of the Parent Guarantor and Borrower will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business and maintain, if necessary, its qualification to do business in each other jurisdiction in which its Oil and Gas Properties is located or the ownership of its

 

- 61 -


Properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 9.11.

Section 8.04 Payment of Obligations . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will each pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) (i) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (ii) the Parent Guarantor or Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, or (b) the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or result in the seizure or levy of any Property of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower.

Section 8.05 Performance of Obligations under Loan Documents . The Borrower will pay the Notes according to the reading, tenor and effect thereof, and the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will do and perform every act and discharge all of the obligations to be performed and discharged by them under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, this Agreement, at the time or times and in the manner specified.

Section 8.06 Operation and Maintenance of Properties . The Borrower, at its own expense, will:

(a) operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all Governmental Requirements, including, without limitation, applicable pro ration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations of every other Governmental Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom, except, in each case, where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) keep and maintain all Property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted preserve, maintain and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its material Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties, including, without limitation, all equipment, machinery and facilities.

(c) promptly pay and discharge, or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all delay rentals, royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the leases or other agreements affecting or pertaining to its Oil and Gas Properties and will do all other things necessary to keep unimpaired their rights with respect thereto and prevent any forfeiture thereof or default thereunder.

(d) promptly perform or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be performed, in accordance with industry standards, the obligations required by each and all of the assignments, deeds, leases, sub-leases, contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties.

 

- 62 -


(e) operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties or cause or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties to be operated in accordance with the practices of the industry and in material compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance in all material respects with all Governmental Requirements.

(f) to the extent that the Borrower is not the operator of any Property, the Borrower shall use reasonable efforts to cause the operator to comply with this Section 8.06.

Section 8.07 Insurance . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. The loss payable clauses or provisions in said insurance policy or policies insuring any of the collateral for the Loans shall be endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as its interests may appear and such policies shall name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds” and provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent.

Section 8.08 Books and Records; Inspection Rights . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its Properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.

Section 8.09 Compliance with Laws . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its Property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.10 Environmental Matters .

(a) The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower shall each, at its sole expense: (i) comply, and shall cause its Properties and operations to comply, with all applicable Environmental Laws, the breach of which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) not Release or threaten to Release, and shall cause each Subsidiary not to Release or threaten to Release, any Hazardous Material on, under, about or from any of its Properties or any other property offsite the Property to the extent caused by its operations except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, the Release or threatened Release of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) timely obtain or file all Environmental Permits, if any, required under applicable Environmental Laws to be obtained or filed in connection with the operation or use of its Properties, which failure to obtain or file could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, and shall cause each Subsidiary to promptly commence and

 

- 63 -


diligently prosecute to completion, any assessment, evaluation, investigation, monitoring, containment, cleanup, removal, repair, restoration, remediation or other remedial obligations (collectively, the “ Remedial Work ”) in the event any Remedial Work is required or reasonably necessary under applicable Environmental Laws because of or in connection with the actual or suspected past, present or future Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material on, under, about or from any of its Properties, which failure to commence and diligently prosecute to completion could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (v) conduct its operations and businesses in a manner that will not expose any Property or Person to Hazardous Materials that could reasonably be expected to form the basis for a material claim for damages or compensation; and (vi) establish and implement, and shall cause each Subsidiary to establish and implement, such procedures as may be necessary to continuously determine and assure that its obligations under this Section 8.10(a) are timely and fully satisfied, which failure to establish and implement could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Parent Guarantor or the Borrower, as applicable, will promptly, but in no event later than five days of the occurrence of a triggering event, notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing of any threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority or any threatened demand or lawsuit by any Person against the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or their Properties of which the Borrower or the Parent Guarantor has knowledge in connection with any Environmental Laws if the Borrower could reasonably anticipate that such action will result in liability (whether individually or in the aggregate) in excess of $1,000,000, not fully covered by insurance, subject to normal deductibles.

(c) The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will, in connection with any future acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties or other Properties, provide environmental assessments, audits and tests in accordance with the most current version of the American Society of Testing Materials standards upon request by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and no more than once per year in the absence of any Event of Default (or as otherwise required to be obtained by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by any Governmental Authority).

Section 8.11 Further Assurances .

(a) The Parent Guarantor and Borrower at their sole expense will promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to comply with, cure any defects or accomplish the conditions precedent, covenants and agreements of the Parent Guarantor or Borrower, as the case may be, in the Loan Documents, including the Notes, or to further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Indebtedness, or to correct any omissions in this Agreement or the Security Instruments, or to state more fully the obligations secured therein, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Security Instruments or the priority thereof, or to make any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, in connection therewith.

(b) The Parent Guarantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property without the signature of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower

 

- 64 -


where permitted by law. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of the Security Instruments or any financing statement covering the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

Section 8.12 Reserve Reports .

(a) On or before February 15th and August 15 th of each year, commencing August 15, 2016, the Parent Guarantor shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report evaluating the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower as of the immediately preceding January 1st and July 1st. The Reserve Report as of January 1 of each year shall be prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers, and the July 1 Reserve Report of each year shall be prepared in form and substance and shall use forecasts and assumptions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and be by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate and to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding January 1 Reserve Report.

(b) [Reserved].

(c) With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Parent Guarantor shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (x) all other reports, data and supplemental information as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and (y) a certificate from a Responsible Officer certifying that in all material respects: (i) the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct, (ii) the Borrower owns good and defensible title to the Proved Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report, (iii) the Oil and Gas Properties are free of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 9.03, (iv) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 7.18 with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report which would require the Borrower to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor, (v) none of their Oil and Gas Properties have been sold since the date of the last Test Date except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which certificate shall list all of the Oil and Gas Properties sold and in such detail as reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, (vi) attached to the certificate is a list of all marketing agreements entered into subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the most recently delivered Reserve Report which the Parent Guarantor could reasonably be expected to have been obligated to list on Schedule 7.19 had such agreement been in effect on the date hereof and (vii) attached to the certificate is a schedule of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that are Mortgaged Properties and that the Administrative Agent has a Lien on all Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower except as specifically noted on such certificate.

Section 8.13 Title Information .

(a) On or before the delivery to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of each Reserve Report required by Section 8.12(a), the Parent Guarantor will deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent covering enough of

 

- 65 -


the Proved Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that were not included in the immediately preceding Reserve Report, so that the Administrative Agent shall have received together with title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, satisfactory title information on at least 90% of the total value of the Proved Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report.

(b) If the Parent Guarantor has provided title information for additional Properties under Section 8.13(a), the Parent Guarantor shall, within 60 days of notice from the Administrative Agent that title defects or exceptions exist with respect to such additional Properties, either (i) cure any such title defects or exceptions (including defects or exceptions as to priority) which are not permitted by Section 9.03 raised by such information, (ii) substitute acceptable Mortgaged Properties with no title defects or exceptions except for Excepted Liens (other than Excepted Liens described in clauses (e), (g) and (h) of such definition) having an equivalent value or (iii) deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent so that the Administrative Agent shall have received, together with title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, satisfactory title information on at least 90% of the value of the Proved Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report.

Section 8.14 Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors .

(a) [Reserved].

(b) In the event that any Subsidiary incurs or guarantees any Debt, the Borrower or Parent Guarantor shall promptly cause such Subsidiary to guarantee the Indebtedness pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement. In connection with any such guarantee, the Borrower or Parent Guarantor shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to, (i) execute and deliver a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement executed by such Subsidiary, (ii) pledge all of the Equity Interests of such new Subsidiary (including, without limitation, if applicable, delivery of original stock certificates evidencing the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, together with an appropriate undated stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and (iii) execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, certificates and legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent.

(c) The Parent Guarantor will, at all times, cause the other material tangible and intangible assets of the Borrower to be subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments.

(d) The Borrower shall not create or acquire any subsidiary without (i) giving 15 days advance written notice to the Administrative Agent of such proposed creation or acquisition, and (ii) entering into any agreements, instruments, or documentation that the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, deems reasonably necessary to include such subsidiary under the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents prior to such creation or acquisition.

(e) The Borrower shall (i) notify the Administrative Agent within three (3) Business Days of the opening of any deposit account or securities account by the Parent Guarantor or its Subsidiaries, and (ii) promptly, but in no event later than within 10 Business Days (or such longer time as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion)

 

- 66 -


following a request by the Administrative Agent, cause any deposit or securities account to be subject to a deposit account control agreement or securities account control agreement, as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Section 8.15 ERISA Compliance . The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will promptly furnish and will cause any ERISA Affiliate to promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent (a) promptly after the filing thereof with the United States Secretary of Labor or the Internal Revenue Service, copies of each annual and other report with respect to each Plan or any trust created thereunder, and (b) immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any “prohibited transaction,” as described in section 406 of ERISA or in section 4975 of the Code, in connection with any Plan or any trust created thereunder, a written notice signed by the President or the principal Financial Officer of the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or the ERISA Affiliate, as the case may be, specifying the nature thereof, what action the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or the ERISA Affiliate is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken or proposed by the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Labor with respect thereto.

Section 8.16 Keepwell . Each of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Guarantor that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time of the guarantee or the grant of a security interest under the Loan Documents, in each case, with respect to any Swap Obligation to, jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertake to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Guarantor to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 8.16 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 8.16, or otherwise under this Agreement, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 8.16 shall remain in full force and effect until the Indebtedness has been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. The Borrower intends that this Section 8.16 constitute, and this Section 8.16 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Section 8.17 Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws . Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower shall:

(a) Directly or indirectly, in connection with the Loans, knowingly (i) conduct any operations in violation of any Money Laundering Laws, (ii) conduct any business or engage in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Embargoed Person or (iii) engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Money Laundering Laws.

(b) Directly or indirectly, in connection with the Loans, knowingly cause or permit any of the funds of either the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower that are used to repay the Loans to be derived from any unlawful activity with the result that the making of the Loans would be in violation of any Money Laundering Laws.

 

- 67 -


(c) Knowingly cause or permit (i) an Embargoed Person to have any direct or indirect interest in or benefit of any nature whatsoever in either the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or (ii) any of the funds or properties of either the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower that are used to repay the Loans to constitute property of, or be beneficially owned directly or indirectly by, an Embargoed Person.

(d) The Borrower shall deliver to the Lenders any certification or other evidence requested from time to time by any Lender in its reasonable discretion, confirming the Parent Guarantor’s and the Borrower’s compliance with this Section 8.17.

Section 8.18 Compliance with FCPA . Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower, will use the proceeds of any Loan in a manner that would result in a violation by such Persons of the FCPA or any other applicable anti-corruption law or regulation, including without limitation, an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other 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 Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, and their Subsidiaries will conduct their business 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, such continued material compliance therewith.

Section 8.19 Additional Collateral Requirements .

(a) On each Test Date and as requested from time to time by the Administrative Agent, the Parent Guarantor shall ascertain whether all of the Proved Oil and Gas Properties owned by the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries are Mortgaged Properties. In the event that all of the Proved Oil and Gas Properties owned by the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries are not Mortgaged Properties, then the Parent Guarantor shall grant, within 15 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) of delivery of the certificate required under Section 8.12(c) or within 15 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) of the Administrative Agent’s request, as applicable, to the Administrative Agent as security for the Indebtedness a first-priority Lien interest (provided that Excepted Liens of the type described in clauses (a) to (d) and (f) of the definition thereof may exist, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition) on any Proved Oil and Gas Properties not already subject to a Lien pursuant to the Security Instruments; provided, that, if at any time the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, determines that the cost of obtaining such first-priority Lien interest exceeds the value of such Lien interest with respect to a Proved Oil and Gas Property, then the Parent Guarantors and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to grant a Lien on such Proved Oil and Gas Property at such time. All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of deeds of trust, security agreements and financing statements or other Security Instruments, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes. In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Subsidiary places a Lien on its Proved Oil and Gas Properties and such Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with Section 8.14(b).

 

- 68 -


(b) (i) On each Test Date and as requested from time to time by the Administrative Agent, the Parent Guarantor shall ascertain whether all real property that is owned by the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries located in Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Fayette, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Jim Wells, Karnes, LaSalle, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Live Oak, Madison, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Milam, Robertson, San Patricio, Washington, Webb, Wilson, Zavala Counties, Texas, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Catahoula, Concordia, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Grant, La Salle, Livingston, Point Coupee, Rapides, St Helena, St Landry, St Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vernon, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana Parishes, Louisiana and Adams, Amite, Franklin, Hancock, Marion, Pearl River, Pike, Walthall, Wilkinson Counties, Mississippi (such properties, collectively, “ Specified Real Properties ” and each a “ Specified Real Property ”) are Mortgaged Properties. In the event that all of the Specified Real Properties are not Mortgaged Properties, then the Parent Guarantor shall grant, within fifteen (15) days of the delivery of the certificate required under Section 8.12(c) (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) or within 15 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) of the Administrative Agent’s request, as applicable, to the Administrative Agent as security for the Indebtedness a first-priority Lien interest (provided that Excepted Liens of the type described in clauses (a) to (d) and (f) of the definition thereof may exist, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition) on any Specified Real Properties not already subject to a Lien pursuant to the Security Instruments; provided, that, if at any time the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, determines that the cost of obtaining such first-priority Lien interest exceeds the value of such Lien interest with respect to such Specified Real Property, then the Parent Guarantors and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to grant a Lien on such Specified Real Property at such time. All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of deeds of trust, security agreements and financing statements or other Security Instruments, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes. In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Subsidiary places a Lien on any Specified Real Property and such Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with Section 8.14(b). At the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and each Guarantor shall be required to deliver opinions of counsel related to any additional mortgages, financing statements or other documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 8.19(b).

(c) (i) On each Test Date and as requested from time to time by the Administrative Agent, the Parent Guarantor shall ascertain whether all real property that is owned by the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries located in the Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Webster Parishes, Louisiana and Angelina, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Upshur Counties, Texas (such properties, collectively, “ Haynesville Specified Real Properties ” and each a “ Haynesville Specified Real Property ”) are Mortgaged Properties. In the event that all of the Haynesville Specified Real Properties are not Mortgaged Properties, then the Parent Guarantor shall grant, within fifteen (15) days of the delivery of the certificate required under Section 8.12(c) (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) or within 15 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) of the Administrative Agent’s request, as applicable, to the

 

- 69 -


Administrative Agent as security for the Indebtedness a first-priority Lien interest (provided that Excepted Liens of the type described in clauses (a) to (d) and (f) of the definition thereof may exist, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition) on any Haynesville Specified Real Properties not already subject to a Lien pursuant to the Security Instruments; provided, that, if at any time the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, determines that the cost of obtaining such first-priority Lien interest exceeds the value of such Lien interest with respect to such Haynesville Specified Real Property, then the Parent Guarantors and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to grant a Lien on such Haynesville Specified Real Property at such time. All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of deeds of trust, security agreements and financing statements or other Security Instruments, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes. In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Subsidiary places a Lien on any Haynesville Specified Real Property and such Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with Section 8.14(c). At the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and each Guarantor shall be required to deliver opinions of counsel related to any additional mortgages, financing statements or other documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 8.19(c).

Section 8.20 Depository Bank . Commencing on the Effective Date or such later date as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent, the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries will at all times maintain the Administrative Agent as its principal depository bank, including for the maintenance of operating, administrative, cash management, collection activity and other deposit accounts for the conduct of its business.

Section 8.21 Compass Bank Deposit Account Control Agreement . Within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent shall agree to), the Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to have “control” (as used in Section 9-104(a) of the UCC as such term relates to deposit accounts) on Account No. ######4406 maintained by the Borrower with Compass Bank.

ARTICLE IX

Negative Covenants

Until the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents have been paid in full and the Letter of Credit shall have expired or terminated (or otherwise cash collateralized in a manner satisfactory to the Issuing Bank), the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

Section 9.01 Asset Coverage Ratios .

(i) The Borrower will not permit, as of any Test Date, the ratio (the “ Total Proved Asset Coverage Ratio ”) of (1) Total Proved PV10% as of such Test Date attributable to the Parent Guarantor’s and its Subsidiaries’ Proved Developed Producing Properties to (2) Total Debt of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as of such Test Date to be less than (A) for any Test Date before December 31, 2018, 1.5 to 1.0 and (B) for any Test Date on or after December 31, 2018, 2.0 to 1.0.

 

- 70 -


(ii) The Borrower will not permit as of any Test Date, the ratio (the “ Secured Debt Asset Coverage Ratio ”) of (1) Total Proved PV10% as of such Test Date attributable to the Parent Guarantor’s and its Subsidiaries’ Proved Reserves to (2) Secured Debt (net of any Unrestricted Cash on such date in an amount not to exceed (A) on any Test Date on or prior to March 31, 2018, $10,000,000 and (B) on any Test Date on or after April 1, 2018, $7,500,000 held by the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries) to be less than (A) for any Test Date on or before March 31, 2017, 1.10 to 1.00, (B) for any Test Date after March 31, 2017, but on or before September 30, 2017, 1.35 to 1.00 and (C) for any Test Date after September 30, 2017, 1.50 to 1.00.

(iii) For the purposes hereof, “ Test Date ” means (A) each January 1 and July 1 of each year commencing with January 1, 2017 and (B) the date of any Material Acquisition or Material Disposition by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower of the Oil and Gas Properties (and after giving effect thereto, including any change in Debt of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as a result thereof).

Section 9.02 Debt . The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will not incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:

(a) the Notes or other Indebtedness arising under the Loan Documents or any guarantee of or suretyship arrangement for the Notes or other Indebtedness arising under the Loan Documents.

(b) Debt of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower existing on the date hereof that is reflected in the Financial Statements.

(c) accounts payable and accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services, from time to time incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not greater than 60 days past the date of invoice or delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP.

(d) Debt under Capital Leases not to exceed $1,000,000.

(e) Debt associated with bonds or surety obligations required by Governmental Requirements in connection with the operation of any Oil and Gas Properties.

(f) intercompany Debt between Parent Guarantor and Borrower to the extent permitted by Section 9.05(g); provided that such Debt is not held, assigned, transferred, negotiated or pledged to any other Person, and; provided further , that any such Debt shall be subordinated to the Indebtedness on terms set forth in the Guarantee Agreement.

(g) endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business.

 

- 71 -


(h) Debt not to exceed $265,000 under cash collateralized letters of credit, bonds, surety obligations and similar instruments.

(i) other Debt not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.

(j) Debt under any Second Lien Facility and any guarantees thereof, the original principal amount of which does not exceed $40,000,000, plus any interest paid in kind thereon, in the aggregate, and any Permitted Second Lien Refinancing Debt.

Section 9.03 Liens . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any of its Properties (now owned or hereafter acquired), except:

(a) Liens securing the payment of any Indebtedness.

(b) Excepted Liens.

(c) Liens securing Capital Leases permitted by Section 9.02(d) but only on the Property under lease.

(d) Liens on cash and cash equivalents securing Debt permitted by Section 9.02(h).

(e) Liens on Property to secure the Second Lien Obligations subject to the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement, including Section 2.03 thereof. In connection therewith, the Parent Guarantor and Borrower shall execute and deliver such other additional Security Instruments and other closing documents, certificates and legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by Administrative Agent.

Section 9.04 Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions .

(a) Restricted Payments . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, return any capital to its stockholders or make any distribution of its Property to its Equity Interests holders; provided, however, that, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom (i) the Parent Guarantor and Borrower may declare, make or pay Restricted Payments with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) and (ii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may declare, make and pay Restricted Payments to the Parent Guarantor and the Subsidiaries of the Borrower may declare, make and pay Restricted Payments to the Borrower.

(b) Redemption of Second Lien Debt; Amendment of Second Lien Facility Documents . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will not: (i) prior to the date that is six months after the Maturity Date, call, make or offer to make any optional or voluntary Redemption of or otherwise optionally or voluntarily Redeem (whether in whole or in part) the Second Lien Facility; provided that the Borrower may refinance the Second Lien Facility with Permitted Second Lien Refinancing Debt; provided further that the foregoing shall not prohibit the

 

- 72 -


Borrower from paying cash in lieu of issuing fractional shares in the event of the conversion of Second Lien Debt into common stock of the Parent Guarantor pursuant to the Second Lien Facility Agreement; (ii) while any Indebtedness described in clauses (a) – (c) of the definition thereof (but not any refinancing or replacement thereof) is outstanding, pay any interest in cash on the Second Lien Debt, including in respect of any portion thereof payable in kind; (iii) while any Indebtedness is outstanding, amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, consent to or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, any of the terms of any Second Lien Facility or any Second Lien Facility Document if (A) the effect thereof would be to shorten its maturity or average life to maturity or (B) such action adds additional Property as collateral to secure any Second Lien Obligations unless Borrower complies with Section 9.03(e); or (iv) while any Indebtedness is outstanding, make any mandatory Redemption of the Second Lien Facility unless (A) such mandatory Redemption is made using the proceeds of Permitted Second Lien Refinancing Debt or (B) such mandatory Redemption would also be required by the terms of Section 3.04(c) and the Lenders have waived the requirement to make such mandatory Redemption in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 9.05 Investments, Loans and Advances . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will not make or permit to remain outstanding any Investments in or to any Person, except that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:

(a) Investments reflected in the Financial Statements.

(b) accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business.

(c) direct obligations of the United States or any agency thereof, or obligations guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof, in each case maturing within one year from the date of creation thereof.

(d) commercial paper maturing within one year from the date of creation thereof rated in the highest grade by S&P or Moody’s.

(e) deposits maturing within one year from the date of creation thereof with, including certificates of deposit issued by, any Lender or any office located in the United States of any other bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating at least $250,000,000 (as of the date of such bank or trust company’s most recent financial reports) and has a short term deposit rating of no lower than A2 or P2, as such rating is set forth from time to time, by S&P or Moody’s, respectively.

(f) deposits in money market funds investing exclusively in Investments described in Section 9.05(c), Section 9.05(d) or Section 9.05(e).

(g) Investments (i) made by the Parent Guarantor in or to the Borrower and (ii) made by the Borrower in or to the Parent Guarantor.

(h) subject to the limits in Section 9.06, Investments (including, without limitation, capital contributions) in general or limited partnerships or other types of entities (each a “venture”) entered into by the Borrower or the Parent Guarantor with others in the ordinary

 

- 73 -


course of business; provided that (i) any such venture is engaged exclusively in oil and gas exploration, development, production, processing and related activities, including transportation, (ii) the interest in such venture is acquired on fair and reasonable terms and (iii) such venture interests acquired and capital contributions made (valued as of the date such interest was acquired or the contribution made) do not exceed, in the aggregate at any time outstanding an amount equal to $1,000,000.

(i) subject to the limits in Section 9.06, Investments in direct ownership interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties and gas gathering systems related thereto or related to farm-out, farm-in, joint operating, joint venture or area of mutual interest agreements, gathering systems, pipelines or other similar arrangements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas exploration and production business located within the geographic boundaries of the United States of America.

(j) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors in the ordinary course of business of the Parent Guarantor or any of the Subsidiaries, in each case only as permitted by applicable law, including Section 402 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, but in any event not to exceed $250,000 in the aggregate at any time.

(k) Investments in stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts arising from Investments permitted under this Section 9.05 owing to the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower as a result of a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding of the obligor in respect of such debts or upon the enforcement of any Lien in favor of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries; provided that the Parent Guarantor shall give the Administrative Agent prompt written notice in the event that the aggregate amount of all Investments held at any one time under this Section 9.05(k) exceeds $2,500,000.

(l) other Investments not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any time.

Section 9.06 Nature of Business; International Operations . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will not allow any material change to be made in the character of its business as an oil and gas exploration and production company. From and after the date hereof, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries will not acquire or make any other expenditure (whether such expenditure is capital, operating or otherwise) in or related to, any Oil and Gas Properties not located within the geographical boundaries of the United States.

Section 9.07 Limitation on Leases . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any obligation for the payment of rent or hire of Property of any kind whatsoever (real or personal but excluding Capital Leases and leases of Hydrocarbon Interests), under leases or lease agreements which would cause the aggregate amount of all payments made pursuant to all such leases or lease agreements, including, without limitation, any residual payments at the end of any lease, to exceed $1,000,000 in any period of twelve consecutive calendar months during the life of such leases.

Section 9.08 Proceeds of Notes . The Parent Guarantor will not permit the proceeds of the Notes to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 7.21. Neither the Borrower nor any Person acting on behalf of the Borrower has taken or will take any action

 

- 74 -


which might cause any of the Loan Documents to violate Regulations T, U or X or any other regulation of the Board or to violate Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect. If requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 or such other form referred to in Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board, as the case may be.

Section 9.09 ERISA Compliance . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will not at any time:

(a) engage in, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to engage in, any transaction in connection with which the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate could be subjected to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i), (l) or (m) of section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code.

(b) fail to make, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail to make, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable law, the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions thereto.

(c) contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to (i) any employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by such entities in their sole discretion at any time without any material liability, or (ii) any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code.

Section 9.10 Sale or Discount of Receivables . Except for receivables obtained by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower out of the ordinary course of business or the settlement of joint interest billing accounts in the ordinary course of business or discounts granted to settle collection of accounts receivable or the sale of defaulted accounts arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof and not in connection with any financing transaction, the Borrower will not discount or sell (with or without recourse) any of its notes receivable or accounts receivable.

Section 9.11 Mergers, Etc . Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower will merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person, or sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its Property to any other Person, except that any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may merge with any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and that the Borrower may merge with any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary so long as the Borrower is the survivor.

Section 9.12 Sale of Properties . The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will not sell, assign, farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any Property except for: (a) the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business; (b) farmouts of undeveloped acreage and

 

- 75 -


assignments in connection with such farmouts; (c) the sale or transfer of equipment that is no longer necessary for the business of the Borrower or the Parent Guarantor or is replaced by equipment of at least comparable value and use; (d) a disposition by a Guarantor to the Borrower or by the Borrower or a Guarantor to a Guarantor; (e) a disposition of cash, cash equivalents or other financial assets in the ordinary course of business; (f) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Guarantor to the Borrower or to a Guarantor; (g) any casualty or condemnation event (other than a Casualty Event covered by the following clause (i)); (h) the making of a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 9.04 or an Investment permitted by Section 9.05; (i) the sale or other disposition (including Casualty Events) of any Oil and Gas Property or any interest therein or any Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties; provided that (i) 100% of the consideration received in respect of such sale or other disposition shall be cash; (ii) the consideration received in respect of such sale or other disposition shall be equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Oil and Gas Property, interest therein or Subsidiary subject of such sale or other disposition (as reasonably determined by the board of directors of the Parent Guarantor and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Parent Guarantor shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying to that effect) and (iii) if any such sale or other disposition is of a Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties, such sale or other disposition shall include all the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary; and (j) sales and other dispositions of Properties not regulated by subsections (a) to (i) of this Section 9.12 having a fair market value not to exceed $1,000,000 during any 12-month period provided that any net cash proceeds of such sale or disposition permitted by the foregoing clause (i) or this clause (j) are used to prepay outstanding Loans.

Section 9.13 Environmental Matters . Each of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will not cause or permit any of its Property to be in violation of, or do anything or permit anything to be done which will subject any such Property to a Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials, exposure to any Hazardous Materials, or to any Remedial Work under any Environmental Laws, assuming disclosure to the applicable Governmental Authority of all relevant facts, conditions and circumstances, if any, pertaining to such Property where such violations, Release or threatened Release, exposure, or Remedial work could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 9.14 Transactions with Affiliates . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower will not enter into any transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate (other than the Guarantors and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower) unless such transactions are otherwise permitted under this Agreement and are upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.

Section 9.15 Subsidiaries . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create or acquire any additional subsidiary unless the Borrower complies with Section 8.14. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, assign or otherwise dispose of any Equity Interests in any subsidiary except in compliance with Section 9.12(i). Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall have any Subsidiaries organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Colombia.

 

- 76 -


Section 9.16 Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions . The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any contract, agreement or understanding which in any way prohibits or restricts the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its Property in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or restricts any Subsidiary from paying dividends or making distributions to the Borrower or any Guarantor, or which requires the consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith other than:

(a) this Agreement, the Security Instruments, any Second Lien Facility Documents, or Capital Leases creating Liens permitted by Section 9.03(c);

(b) any leases, subleases, licenses or similar contracts as they affect any Property or Lien subject to such lease, sublease, license or similar contract;

(c) restrictions imposed by any Governmental Requirement;

(d) restrictions that arise pursuant to agreements entered into with respect to any sale, transfer or other disposition permitted by Section 9.12 and applicable solely to assets under such sale, transfer or disposition;

(e) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted by Section 9.05, which customary provisions are applicable solely to such joint ventures or otherwise arise in agreements which restrict the Disposition or distribution of assets or Property in oil and gas leases, joint operating agreements, joint exploration and/or development agreements, participation agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of the oil and gas exploration and development business;

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

(g) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business.

Section 9.17 Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments . The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower will not allow gas imbalances, take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower that would require Borrower to deliver Hydrocarbons at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor to exceed one half bcf of gas (on an mcf equivalent basis) in the aggregate.

Section 9.18 Swap Agreements . Neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower will enter into any commodity Swap Agreements (a) with any Person other than an Approved Counterparty or (b) which would cause the notional volumes for which (when aggregated with other commodity Swap Agreements then in effect other than basis differential swaps on volumes already hedged pursuant to other Swap Agreements) to exceed, as of the date such Swap Agreement is executed, 90% of Forecasted Production from the Proved Developed Producing Properties as set forth in the most recent Reserved Report delivered pursuant hereto for each month during the period during which such Swap Agreement is in effect for each of crude oil,

 

- 77 -


natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately, for the 60 month period following the date such Swap Agreement is entered into. In no event shall any Swap Agreement contain any requirement, agreement or covenant for the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower to post collateral or margin to secure their obligations under such Swap Agreement or to cover market exposures (other than Secured Swap Agreements secured pursuant to the Loan Documents).

Section 9.19 Swap Agreement Termination . The Parent Guarantor and Borrower shall maintain the hedged positions established pursuant to Swap Agreements used to calculate the then effective Total Proved Asset Coverage Ratio and the Secured Debt Asset Coverage Ratio and shall neither assign, terminate or unwind any such Swap Agreements nor sell any Swap Agreements if the effect of such action (when taken together with any other Swap Agreements executed contemporaneously with the taking of such action) would have the effect of canceling its positions under such Swap Agreements; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower may assign, terminate or unwind Swap Agreements with the effect of canceling its position if it (x) provides not less than ten Business Days prior written notice of such intent to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, (y) is in pro forma compliance with the Total Proved Asset Coverage Ratio and the Secured Debt Asset Coverage Ratio and (z) uses any net cash proceeds of such disposition to prepay outstanding Loans.

Section 9.20 Use of Proceeds . The Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that the Parent Guarantor, the Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or the Letter of Credit (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

Section 9.21 Consolidated Cash Balance . When any Loans are outstanding, the Parent Guarantor and Borrower shall not permit the Consolidated Cash Balance at the end of any Business Day (i) on or before March 31, 2018, to exceed $27,500,000 and (ii) on or after April 1, 2018, to exceed $7,500,000.

Section 9.22 G&A . The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower shall not incur general and administrative expenses determined in accordance with GAAP payable in cash in excess of (i) $3,575,000 during each of the third fiscal quarter and the fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2016 and (ii) $2,775,000 during any quarter of fiscal year 2017 or in excess of $10,100,000 in the aggregate for all of fiscal year 2017.

Section 9.23 Leverage . The Borrower shall not permit the ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2018 of (x) Debt (net of any Unrestricted Cash on such date in an amount not to exceed (A) on or prior to March 31, 2018 $10,000,000 and (B) on or after April 1, 2018, $7,500,000 held by the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries) of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (other than non-cash Debt under FASB AFC 815) to (y) EBITDAX for the twelve months ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter to be greater than 4.00 to 1.00.

 

- 78 -


Section 9.24 Minimum Liquidity . The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower shall maintain minimum liquidity from the Effective Date until April 1, 2018, of $3.0 million, and thereafter, of $2.0 million; provided that any breach of this minimum liquidity covenant may be waived with the consent of the Majority Lenders.

ARTICLE X

Events of Default; Remedies

Section 10.01 Events of Default . One or more of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof, by acceleration or otherwise.

(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in Section 10.01(a)) payable under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days.

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Parent Guarantor or Borrower in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification of any Loan Document or waiver under such Loan Document, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made.

(d) the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 8.01(m), Section 8.01(o), Section 8.02, Section 8.03, Section 8.14, Section 8.15, Section 8.19, Section 8.21 or in Article IX.

(e) the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in Section 10.01(a), Section 10.01(b) or Section 10.01(d)) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 15 days after the earlier to occur of (A) notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Parent Guarantor (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) or (B) a Responsible Officer of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower otherwise becoming aware of such default.

(f) the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) when due beyond any applicable grace or cure period in respect of any Material Indebtedness.

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to

 

- 79 -


require the Redemption thereof or any offer to Redeem to be made in respect thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity or require the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower to make an offer in respect thereof; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing a breach of Section 7.33 of the Second Lien Facility Agreement shall not constitute an Event of Default under this Section 10.01(g) to the extent the holders of the Second Lien Debt waive such breach prior to its becoming an event of default under the Second Lien Facility Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, such waiver by the holders of the Second Lien Debt shall not constitute a waiver of Section 9.24 hereof.

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 30 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered.

(i) the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in Section 10.01(h), (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or any stockholder of the Parent Guarantor shall make any request or take any action for the purpose of calling a meeting of the stockholders of the Parent Guarantor to consider a resolution to dissolve and wind-up the Parent Guarantor’s or the Borrower’s affairs.

(j) the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due.

(k) (i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $1,000,000 or (ii) any one or more non-monetary judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, shall be rendered against the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower to enforce any such judgment.

(l) the Loan Documents after delivery thereof shall for any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in full force and effect and valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms against the Parent Guarantor the Borrower or shall be repudiated by any of them, or cease to create a valid and perfected Lien of the priority required thereby on any of the collateral purported to be covered thereby, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or any of their Affiliates shall so state in writing.

 

- 80 -


(m) a Change in Control shall occur.

(n) the Intercreditor Agreement shall for any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in full force and effect and valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms against Borrower or any party thereto or any lender of any Second Lien Facility or shall be repudiated by any of them, or cause the Liens of any Second Lien Facility Documents to be senior or pari passu in right to the Liens of this Agreement, or any payment by Borrower or any Guarantor in violation of the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

(o) the threshold in any Second Lien Facility Agreement for Property Disposition that triggers a requirement for a Redemption of Second Lien Debt shall be reduced.

Section 10.02 Remedies .

(a) In the case of an Event of Default other than one described in Section 10.01(h), Section 10.01(i) or Section 10.01(j), at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders, shall, by notice to the Parent Guarantor, declare the Notes and the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower and the Guarantors accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower and each Guarantor; and in case of an Event of Default described in Section 10.01(h), Section 10.01(i) or Section 10.01(j), the Notes and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and the other obligations of the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower and the Guarantors accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

(b) In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will have all other rights and remedies available at law and equity.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.03, all proceeds realized from the liquidation or other disposition of collateral or otherwise received after maturity of the Notes, whether by acceleration or otherwise, shall be applied:

(i) first , to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Indebtedness constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

- 81 -


(ii) second , pro rata to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Indebtedness constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Lenders;

(iii) third , pro rata to payment of accrued interest on the Loans;

(iv) fourth , pro rata to payment of principal outstanding on the Loans and payment of Secured Swap Obligations and Secured Cash Management Obligations;

(v) fifth , pro rata to any other Indebtedness; and

(vi) sixth , to serve as cash collateral to be held by the Administrative Agent to secure the LC Exposure, if any; and

(vii) seventh , any excess, after all of the Indebtedness shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, shall be paid to the Borrower or as otherwise required by any Governmental Requirement.

ARTICLE XI

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Section 11.01 Appointment; Powers . Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, and neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions (other than under Section 11.06 and Section 11.11).

Section 11.02 Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall have no duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Bank shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing (the use of the term “agent” herein and in the other Loan Documents with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law; rather, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties), (b) neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Bank shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except as provided in Section 11.03, and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Bank shall have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or as Issuing Bank or any of their Affiliates in any capacity. Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or a Lender, and shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or

 

- 82 -


inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or in any other Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article VI or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or as to those conditions precedent expressly required to be to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, (vi) the existence, value, perfection or priority of any collateral security or the financial or other condition of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or their Subsidiaries or any other obligor or guarantor, or (vii) any failure by the Borrower or any other Person (other than itself) to perform any of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document or the performance or observance of any covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Article VI, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the proposed closing date specifying its objection thereto.

Section 11.03 Action by Administrative Agent . Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Bank shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02) and in all cases the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder or under any other Loan Documents unless it shall (a) receive written instructions from the Required Lenders, the Majority Lenders or the Lenders, as applicable, (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02) specifying the action to be taken and (b) be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expenses which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The instructions as aforesaid and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall be binding on all of the Lenders. If a Default has occurred and is continuing, then the Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default as shall be directed by the requisite Lenders in the written instructions (with indemnities) described in this Section 11.03; provided that, unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders. In no event, however, shall the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement, the Loan Documents or applicable law. The Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders, the Majority Lenders or the Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under

 

- 83 -


the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02), and otherwise the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document or under any other document or instrument referred to or provided for herein or therein or in connection herewith or therewith INCLUDING ITS OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Section 11.04 Reliance . The Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon and each of the Borrower, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby waive the right to dispute the Administrative Agent’s or the Issuing Bank record of such statement, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be. The Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof permitted hereunder shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent.

Section 11.05 Subagents . The Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding Sections of this Article XI shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative or the Issuing Bank and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

Section 11.06 Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent . Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this Section 11.06, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation or removal of the retiring Administrative Agent, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article XI and Section 12.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such

 

- 84 -


retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

Section 11.07 Administrative Agent and Issuing Bank as Lender . The bank serving as the Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank hereunder.

Section 11.08 No Reliance . Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Bank shall be required to keep itself informed as to the performance or observance by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries of this Agreement, the Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the Properties or books of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or their Subsidiaries. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, neither the Administrative Agent nor the Issuing Bank shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower (or any of their Affiliates) which may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or any of their Affiliates. In this regard, each Lender acknowledges that Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is acting in this transaction as special counsel to the Administrative Agent only, except to the extent otherwise expressly stated in any legal opinion or any Loan Document. Each other party hereto will consult with its own legal counsel to the extent that it deems necessary in connection with the Loan Documents and the matters contemplated therein.

Section 11.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Indebtedness that are owing and unpaid

 

- 85 -


and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Section 12.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 12.03.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Indebtedness or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

Section 11.10 Withholding Tax . To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. Without limiting the provisions of Section 5.03(a) or Section 5.03(c), each Lender and the Issuing Bank shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payable in respect thereof within 30 days after demand therefor, against any and all Taxes and any and all related losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent by the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority as a result of the failure of the Administrative Agent to properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, because the appropriate form was not delivered or not property executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding tax ineffective). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender or the Issuing Bank by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or the Issuing Bank under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this Section 11.10. The agreements in this Section 11.10 shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

Section 11.11 Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Collateral and Liens . Each Lender (on behalf of itself and on behalf of any Affiliate that is a Secured Swap Party or a Secured Cash Management Provider) and the Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative

 

- 86 -


Agent to release any Collateral that is permitted to be sold or released pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents and to release any Guarantor from the Guarantee Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments or other documents reasonably requested by the Borrower in connection with any sale or other disposition of Property to the extent such sale or other disposition is permitted by the terms of Section 9.12 or is otherwise authorized by the terms of the Loan Documents.

Section 11.12 The Arranger . The Arranger shall have no duties, responsibilities or liabilities under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents other than its duties, responsibilities and liabilities in its capacity as a Lender hereunder.

ARTICLE XII

Miscellaneous

Section 12.01 Notices .

(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to Section 12.01(b)), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

(i) if to the Parent Guarantor, to it at 801 Louisiana, Suite 700, Houston, TX 77002, Attention of Chief Financial Officer (Telecopy No. (832) 389-5396);

(ii) if to the Borrower, to it at 801 Louisiana, Suite 700, Houston, TX 77002, Attention of Chief Financial Officer (Telecopy No. (832) 389-5396);

(iii) if to the Administrative Agent, to it at 1000 Louisiana St., 8th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Stephanie Harrell, Facsimile: (713) 319-1925;

(iv) if to the Administrative Agent, to it at 1525 West W. T. Harris Boulevard, MAC D1109-019, Charlotte, NC 28262, Attention: Yvette McQueen (Telephone: (704) 590-2706, Facsimile: (704) 590-2782); with a copy to: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 1000 Louisiana Street, Ninth Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, MAC T0002-090, Attention: Stephanie Harrell, Facsimile: (713) 319-1925, Email: stephanie.harrell@wellsfargo.com; and

(v) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II, Article III, Article IV and Article V unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

- 87 -


(c) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

Section 12.02 Waivers; Amendments .

(a) No failure on the part of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, power or privilege, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right, power or privilege, under any of the Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under any of the Loan Documents preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 12.02(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of the Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof nor any Security Instrument nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower and the Majority Lenders or by the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Majority Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Credit Amount of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, or reduce any other Indebtedness hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby (except that the application of the post-default rate interest under Section 3.02(c) may be waived by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Majority Lenders), (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment or prepayment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or any other Indebtedness hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone or extend the Maturity Date without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby (except that any mandatory prepayment required by Section 3.04(c)(i) or Section 3.04(c)(ii) may be waived by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Majority Lenders), (iv) change Section 4.01(b) or Section 4.01(c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) waive or amend Section 3.04(c)(iii), Section 3.04(c)(iv), Section 6.01, Section 8.14, Section 10.02(c) or

 

- 88 -


Section 12.16 or change the definition of the term “Subsidiary” without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender); provided that any waiver or amendment to Section 12.16, the terms of Section 10.02(c) or any Security Instrument in a manner that results in the Secured Swap Obligations or the Secured Cash Management Obligations secured by such Security Instrument no longer being secured thereby on an equal and ratable basis with the principal of the Loans, or any amendment or other change to the definition of “Secured Swap Agreement”, “Secured Swap Obligations”, “Secured Swap Party”, “Secured Cash Management Agreement”, “Secured Cash Management Obligations” or “Secured Cash Management Provider” shall also require the written consent of each Lender and each Secured Swap Party and each Secured Cash Management Provider adversely affected thereby, (vi) release any Guarantor (except as set forth in the Guarantee Agreement) or release all or substantially all of the collateral (other than as provided in Section 11.11) without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), or (vii) change any of the provisions of this Section 12.02(b) or the definition of “Majority Lenders” or “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or under any other Loan Documents or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder or any other Loan Documents, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender); provided that any change to the provisions of Section 12.02(b)(v) or this proviso in this Section 12.02(b)(vii), shall also require the written consent of each Secured Swap Party and each Secured Cash Management Provider; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, or the Issuing Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such other Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any supplement to Schedule 7.14 shall be effective simply by delivering to the Administrative Agent a supplemental schedule clearly marked as such and, upon receipt, the Administrative Agent will promptly deliver a copy thereof to the Lenders.

Section 12.03 Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a) The Parent Guarantor and the Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of legal counsel and other outside consultants for the Administrative Agent, the reasonable travel, photocopy, mailing, courier, telephone and other similar expenses, and the cost of environmental invasive and non-invasive assessments and audits and surveys and appraisals, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration (both before and after the execution hereof and including advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent as to the rights and duties of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect thereto) of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of or consents related to the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all costs, expenses and Other Taxes incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by this Agreement or any Security Instrument or any other document referred to therein, (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of the Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder,

 

- 89 -


(iv) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel, financial advisor or consultant for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including its rights under this Section 12.03, or in connection with the Loans or the Letter of Credit issued hereunder, including, without limitation, all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or the Letter of Credit.

(b) THE PARENT GUARANTOR AND THE BORROWER SHALL INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK AND EACH LENDER, AND EACH RELATED PARTY OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING PERSONS (EACH SUCH PERSON BEING CALLED AN “ INDEMNITEE ”) AGAINST, AND DEFEND AND HOLD EACH INDEMNITEE HARMLESS FROM, ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, LIABILITIES AND RELATED EXPENSES, INCLUDING THE FEES, CHARGES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY COUNSEL FOR ANY INDEMNITEE, INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF (i) THE EXECUTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY AGREEMENT OR INSTRUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, THE PERFORMANCE BY THE PARTIES HERETO OR THE PARTIES TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR BY ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, (ii) THE FAILURE OF THE PARENT GUARANTOR OR THE BORROWER TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THIS AGREEMENT, OR WITH ANY GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT, (iii) ANY INACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OR COVENANT OF THE BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR SET FORTH IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY INSTRUMENTS, DOCUMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (iv) ANY LOAN OR THE LETTER OF CREDIT OR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS THEREFROM, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, (A) ANY REFUSAL BY THE ISSUING BANK TO HONOR A DEMAND FOR PAYMENT UNDER THE LETTER OF CREDIT IF THE DOCUMENTS PRESENTED IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH DEMAND DO NOT STRICTLY COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF THE LETTER OF CREDIT, OR (B) THE PAYMENT OF A DRAWING UNDER THE LETTER OF CREDIT NOTWITHSTANDING THE NON COMPLIANCE, NON-DELIVERY OR OTHER IMPROPER PRESENTATION OF THE DOCUMENTS PRESENTED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (v) ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (vi) THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS OF THE PARENT GUARANTOR AND THE BORROWER BY THE PARENT GUARANTOR AND THE BORROWER, (vii) ANY ASSERTION THAT THE LENDERS WERE NOT ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE PROCEEDS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, (viii) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE PARENT GUARANTOR OR THE BORROWER OR ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES OR OPERATIONS, INCLUDING, THE PRESENCE, GENERATION, STORAGE, RELEASE, THREATENED RELEASE, USE, TRANSPORT, DISPOSAL, ARRANGEMENT OF DISPOSAL OR TREATMENT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR AT ANY OF THEIR

 

- 90 -


PROPERTIES, (ix) THE BREACH OR NON-COMPLIANCE BY THE PARENT GUARANTOR OR THE BORROWER WITH ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE PARENT GUARANTOR OR THE BORROWER, (x) THE PAST OWNERSHIP BY THE PARENT GUARANTOR OR THE BORROWER OF ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES OR PAST ACTIVITY ON ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES WHICH, THOUGH LAWFUL AND FULLY PERMISSIBLE AT THE TIME, COULD RESULT IN PRESENT LIABILITY, (xi) THE PRESENCE, USE, RELEASE, STORAGE, TREATMENT, DISPOSAL, GENERATION, THREATENED RELEASE, TRANSPORT, ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSPORT OR ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR AT ANY OF THE PROPERTIES OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE PARENT GUARANTOR OR THE BORROWER OR ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED PRESENCE OR RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR FROM ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE PARENT GUARANTOR OR THE BORROWER, (xii) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THE PARENT GUARANTOR OR THE BORROWER, OR (xiii) ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH OR SAFETY CONDITION IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR (xiv) ANY ACTUAL OR PROSPECTIVE CLAIM, LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY INDEMNITEE IS A PARTY THERETO, AND SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL EXTEND TO EACH INDEMNITEE NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF EVERY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, WHETHER AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT OR AN OMISSION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL TYPES OF NEGLIGENT CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN THE RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS OF ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES OR BY REASON OF STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED WITHOUT FAULT ON ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES; PROVIDED THAT SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL NOT, AS TO ANY INDEMNITEE, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH INDEMNITEE. THIS SECTION 12.03(b) SHALL NOT APPLY WITH RESPECT TO TAXES OTHER THAN TAXES THAT REPRESENT LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, ETC. ARISING FROM ANY NON-TAX CLAIM.

(c) To the extent that the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank under Section 12.03(a) or Section 12.03(b), each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.

(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, neither Parent Guarantor nor Borrower shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or

 

- 91 -


actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e) All amounts due under this Section 12.03 shall be payable not later than ten days after written demand therefor.

Section 12.04 Successors and Assigns .

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues the Letter of Credit), except that (i) neither the Parent Guarantor nor the Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 12.04. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues the Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in Section 12.04(c)) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 12.04(b)(ii), any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of the Loans and participation in the Letter of Credit at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:

(A) the Borrower; provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required if such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, is to any other assignee; and

(B) the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to an assignee that is a Lender immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Loans and participation in the Letter of Credit, the amount of the Loans and participation in the Letter of Credit of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

- 92 -


(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500;

(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and

(E) no such assignment shall be made to the Borrower, the Parent Guarantor or any of their Affiliates or Subsidiaries or to any natural Person.

(iii) Subject to Section 12.04(b)(iv) and the acceptance and recording thereof, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.01, Section 5.02, Section 5.03 and Section 12.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 12.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 12.04(c).

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Credit Amount of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In connection with any changes to the Register, if necessary, the Administrative Agent will reflect the revisions on Annex I and forward a copy of such revised Annex I to the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and each Lender.

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 12.04(c)(ii) and any written consent to such assignment

 

- 93 -


required by Section 12.04, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this Section 12.04(b).

(c)

(i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of the Loans and its participation in the Letter of Credit owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the proviso to Section 12.02 that affects such Participant. In addition such agreement must provide that the Participant be bound by the provisions of Section 12.03. Subject to Section 12.04(c)(ii), the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.01, Section 5.02 and Section 5.03 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 12.04. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.08 as though it were a Lender; provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.01(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 5.01 or Section 5.03 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A

 

- 94 -


Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.03 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 5.03(e) as though it were a Lender.

(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including, without limitation, any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section 12.04(d) shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

Section 12.05 Survival; Revival; Reinstatement .

(a) All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or the Letter of Credit is outstanding. The provisions of Section 5.01, Section 5.02, Section 5.03 and Section 12.03 and Article XI shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letter of Credit or the termination of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

(b) To the extent that any payments on the Indebtedness or proceeds of any collateral are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such extent, the Indebtedness so satisfied shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ Liens, security interests, rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement and each Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect. In such event, each Loan Document shall be automatically reinstated and the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower shall each take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to effect such reinstatement.

Section 12.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness .

(a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.

 

- 95 -


(b) This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

(c) Except as provided in Section 6.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 12.07 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document 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 or thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 12.08 Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations (of whatsoever kind, including, without limitations obligations under Swap Agreements) at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower against any of and all the obligations owed to such Lender now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section 12.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender or its Affiliates may have.

Section 12.09 GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS .

(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAW PERMITS ANY LENDER TO CONTRACT FOR, CHARGE, RECEIVE, RESERVE OR TAKE INTEREST AT THE RATE ALLOWED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE WHERE SUCH LENDER IS LOCATED.

 

- 96 -


(b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS OR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW) IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS. THIS SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION IS NON-EXCLUSIVE AND DOES NOT PRECLUDE A PARTY FROM OBTAINING JURISDICTION OVER ANOTHER PARTY IN ANY COURT OTHERWISE HAVING JURISDICTION.

(c) EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO IT AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 12.01 OR SUCH OTHER ADDRESS AS IS SPECIFIED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12.01 (OR ITS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION), SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF A PARTY OR ANY HOLDER OF A NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST ANOTHER PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

(d) EACH PARTY HEREBY (i) IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN; (ii) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY SUCH LITIGATION ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES; (iii) CERTIFIES THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF COUNSEL FOR ANY PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (iv) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 12.09.

Section 12.10 Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

- 97 -


Section 12.11 Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 12.11, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Agreement relating to the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower and their obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 12.11 or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower. For the purposes of this Section 12.11, “Information” means all information received from the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower relating to the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower and their businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower; provided that, in the case of information received from the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 12.11 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, “Information” shall not include, and the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the respective Affiliates of each of the foregoing (and the respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives of the aforementioned Persons), and any other party, may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind (a) any information with respect to the U.S. federal and state income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated hereby and any facts that may be relevant to understanding the U.S. federal or state income tax treatment of such transactions (“tax structure”), which facts shall not include for this purpose the names of the parties or any other person named herein, or information that would permit identification of the parties or such other persons, or any pricing terms or other nonpublic business or financial information that is unrelated to such tax treatment or tax structure, and (b) all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or such Lender relating to such tax treatment or tax structure.

Section 12.12 Interest Rate Limitation . It is the intention of the parties hereto that each Lender shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it. Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious as to any Lender under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of America and the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction whose

 

- 98 -


laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents or any agreement entered into in connection with or as security for the Notes, it is agreed as follows: (a) the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such

Lender under any of the Loan Documents or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Notes shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and any excess shall be canceled automatically and if theretofore paid shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Indebtedness (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Indebtedness shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower); and (b) in the event that the maturity of the Notes is accelerated by reason of an election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender may never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically by such Lender as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Indebtedness (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Indebtedness shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such Lender, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the stated term of the Loans evidenced by the Notes until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest payable to any Lender on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender pursuant to this Section 12.12 and (ii) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Lender would be less than the amount of interest payable to such Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender, then the amount of interest payable to such Lender in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender until the total amount of interest payable to such Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to such Lender if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to this Section 12.12. To the extent that Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code is relevant for the purpose of determining the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to a Lender, such Lender elects to determine the applicable rate ceiling under such Chapter by the weekly ceiling from time to time in effect. Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code does not apply to the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

Section 12.13 EXCULPATION PROVISIONS . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO SPECIFICALLY AGREES THAT IT HAS A DUTY TO READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND AGREES THAT IT IS CHARGED WITH NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; THAT IT HAS IN FACT READ THIS AGREEMENT AND IS FULLY INFORMED AND HAS FULL NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS, CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS OF THIS AGREEMENT; THAT IT HAS BEEN

 

- 99 -


REPRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDING ITS EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND HAS RECEIVED THE ADVICE OF ITS ATTORNEY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND THAT IT RECOGNIZES THAT CERTAIN OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS RESULT IN ONE PARTY ASSUMING THE LIABILITY INHERENT IN SOME ASPECTS OF THE TRANSACTION AND RELIEVING THE OTHER PARTY OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH LIABILITY. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT CONTEST THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY EXCULPATORY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ON THE BASIS THAT THE PARTY HAD NO NOTICE OR KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH PROVISION OR THAT THE PROVISION IS NOT “CONSPICUOUS.”

Section 12.14 Letter of Credit . Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to this contrary, the provisions of this Agreement relating to the Letter of Credit shall only be effective if the Letter of Credit is outstanding on the Effective Date.

Section 12.15 Flood Insurance Provisions . Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, in no event is any enclosed structure (having two or more walls and a roof) or manufactured mobile home (both a “Building”) included in the definition of “Mortgaged Property” and no Building is hereby encumbered by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 12.16 Collateral Matters; Swap Agreements . The benefit of the Security Instruments and of the provisions of this Agreement relating to any collateral securing the Indebtedness shall also extend to and be available to Secured Swap Parties and Secured Cash Management Providers on a pro rata basis (but subject to the terms of the Loan Documents, including provisions thereof relating to the application and priority of payments to the Persons entitled thereto) in respect of any Secured Swap Obligations or Secured Cash Management Obligations; provided that if a Person or its Affiliate ceases to be a Secured Swap Party or Secured Cash Management Provider solely because the Credit Exposures have been paid in full, then the Liens securing such Secured Swap Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreement shall continue in favor of such Person until those obligations are paid in full in cash or otherwise expire or are terminated or otherwise cash collateralized in a manner acceptable to such Secured Swap Party or Secured Cash Management Provider. Except as expressly set forth in Section 12.02(b), no Secured Swap Party or Secured Swap Cash Management Provider shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document as a result of the existence of any Secured Swap Obligations or Secured Cash Management Obligations owed to it.

Section 12.17 No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the agreement of the Lenders to make Loans and the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend the Letter of Credit hereunder are solely for the benefit of the Borrower, and no other Person (including, without limitation, any Subsidiary, any obligor, contractor, subcontractor, supplier or materialsman) shall have any rights, claims, remedies or privileges hereunder or under any other Loan Document against the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender for any reason whatsoever. There are no third party beneficiaries.

 

- 100 -


Section 12.18 USA Patriot Act Notice . Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

Section 12.19 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower acknowledge and agree that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services related to the Loan Documents provided by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower are each capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent and each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Parent Guarantor or the Borrower. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower hereby waive and release any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

Section 12.20 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

- 101 -


(b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]

 

- 102 -


The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

PARENT GUARANTOR:     GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ Michael J. Killelea

    Name:   Michael J. Killelea
    Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
BORROWER:     GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.
    By:  

/s/ Michael J. Killelea

    Name:   Michael J. Killelea
    Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

[Signature Page – Credit Agreement]

1


ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:     WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
    as Administrative Agent and Lender
    By:  

/s/ Stephanie Harrell

    Name:   Stephanie Harrell
    Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page – Credit Agreement]

2


LENDER:     BANK OF MONTREAL
    as Lender
    By:  

/s/ James A. Jerz

    Name:   James A. Jerz
    Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page – Credit Agreement]

3


LENDER:     COMPASS BANK
    as Lender
    By:  

/s/ Payton K. Swope

    Name:   Payton K. Swope
    Title:   Executive Vice President

 

[Signature Page – Credit Agreement]

4


LENDER:     JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
    By:  

/s/ Correne Loeffler

    Name:   Correne Loeffler
    Title:   Authorized Signature

 

[Signature Page – Credit Agreement]

5


LENDER:     BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
    By:  

/s/ Tyler D. Levings

    Name:   Tyler D. Levings
    Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page – Credit Agreement]

6


LENDER:     ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
    as Lender
    By:  

/s/ Leslie P. Vowell

    Name:   Leslie P. Vowell
    Title:   Attorney-in-Fact

 

[Signature Page – Credit Agreement]

7


LENDER:     THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
    as Lender
    By:  

/s/ Marc Graham

    Name:   Marc Graham
    Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page – Credit Agreement]

8


ANNEX I

LIST OF CREDIT AMOUNTS

Aggregate Credit Amounts

 

Name of Lender

   Credit Amount      Applicable Percentage  

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

   $ 4,155,555.56         20.78

Bank of Montreal

   $ 2,911,111.11         14.56

Compass Bank

   $ 2,911,111.11         14.56

JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA

   $ 2,911,111.11         14.56

Royal Bank of Canada

   $ 2,666,666.67         13.33

Bank of America, N.A.

   $ 2,666,666.67         13.33

The Bank of Nova Scotia

   $ 1,777,777.78         8.89

TOTAL

   $ 20,000,000.00         100.0000

 

Annex 1 - 1


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTE

 

$[            ]    [        ], 2016

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”) hereby promises to pay to [            ] or its registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), at the principal office of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “ Administrative Agent ”), at 1000 Smith Street, Suite 800, Houston, TX 77002, the principal sum of [            ] Dollars ($[            ]) (or such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, as hereinafter defined), in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, on the dates and in the principal amounts provided in the Credit Agreement, and to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each such Loan, at such office, in like money and funds, for the period commencing on the date of such Loan until such Loan shall be paid in full, at the rates per annum and on the dates provided in the Credit Agreement.

The date, amount, Type, interest rate, Interest Period and maturity of each Loan made by the Lender to the Borrower, and each payment made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender on its books and, prior to any transfer of this Note, may be recorded by the Lender on the schedules attached hereto or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by the Lender. Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of this Note.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Exit Credit Agreement dated as of October 12, 2016 among the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and the other agents and lenders signatory thereto (including the Lender), and evidences Loans made by the Lender thereunder (such Credit Agreement as the same may be amended and restated, amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used in this Note have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

This Note is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in, the Credit Agreement and is entitled to the benefits provided for in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Credit Agreement provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the occurrence of certain events, for prepayments of Loans upon the terms and conditions specified therein and other provisions relevant to this Note.

 

Exhibit A - 1


THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

Exhibit A - 2


EXHIBIT B

[Reserved]

 

Exhibit B - 1


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

[                ], 20[     ]

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Exit Credit Agreement dated as of October 12, 2016 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, the “ Credit Agreement ”) among the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the other agents and lenders (the “ Lenders ”) which are or become parties thereto (unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein is defined in the Credit Agreement), hereby makes an Interest Election Request as follows:

(i) The Borrowing to which this Interest Election Request applies, and if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information specified pursuant to (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing) is [            ];

(ii) The effective date of the election made pursuant to this Interest Election Request is [            ], 20[ ];[and]

(iii) The resulting Borrowing is to be [an ABR Borrowing] [a Eurodollar Borrowing]; [(iv) If the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing, this Interest Election Request is [Revocable] [Irrevocable] [; and]

[(v) [If the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing] The Interest Period applicable to the resulting Borrowing after giving effect to such election is [            ]].

The undersigned certifies that he/she is the [            ] of the Borrower, and that as such he/she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. The undersigned further certifies, represents and warrants on behalf of the Borrower, in his/her official capacity set forth below and not in his/her individual capacity, that the Borrower is entitled to receive the requested continuation or conversion under the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

Exhibit C - 1


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the [            ] of GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), and the [            ] of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent Guarantor ”) and that as such he/she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Parent Guarantor and the Borrower, in his/her official capacity set forth below and not in his/her individual capacity. With reference to the Exit Credit Agreement dated as of October 12, 2016 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto being the “ Agreement ”) among the Parent Guarantor, the Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents and lenders (the “ Lenders ”) which are or become a party thereto, and such Lenders, the undersigned represents and warrants as follows (each capitalized term used herein having the same meaning given to it in the Agreement unless otherwise specified):

(a) There exists no Default or Event of Default [or specify Default and describe].

(b) Attached hereto are the detailed computations necessary to determine whether the [Parent Guarantor] [Borrower] is in compliance with Sections 9.01, 9.22, 9.23 and 9.24 as of the end of the [fiscal quarter][fiscal year] ending                 [the             Test Date].

 

Exhibit D - 1


EXECUTED AND DELIVERED this [            ] day of [            ].

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

Exhibit D - 2


EXHIBIT E

SECURITY INSTRUMENTS

 

1) Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of October 12, 2016 by the Borrower and the Parent Guarantor, as the Guarantors, in favor of the Administrative Agent.

 

2) Financing Statements in respect of item 1, by

 

  a) the Borrower; and

 

  b) the Parent Guarantor.

 

3) Stock Powers delivered in respect of item 1.

 

  a) Goodrich Petroleum Company, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company;

 

4) Mortgage, Deed of Trust, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement, Fixture Filing and Financing Statement dated as of October 12, 2016 from the Borrower to Stephanie Harrell, as Trustee for the benefit of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and the Other Secured Persons.

 

Exhibit E - 1


EXHIBIT F

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (the “ Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [ Insert name of Assignor ] (the “ Assignor ”) and [ Insert name of Assignee ] (the “ Assignee ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto o the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit and guarantees included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.    Assignor:   

 

  
2.    Assignee:   

 

  
      [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender] 1 ]
3.    Borrower:    GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.
4.    Administrative Agent:    Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement

 

1   Select as applicable.

 

Exhibit F - 1


5.    Credit Agreement:    The Exit Credit Agreement dated as of October 12, 2016 among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, LLC, the Lenders parties thereto, BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent, and the other agents parties thereto.
6.    Assigned Interest:   

 

Aggregate Amount of Loans for all Lenders

   Amount of Loans
Assigned
     Percentage Assigned of
Loans 2
 

$

   $           %   

$

   $           %   

$

   $           %   

Effective Date:             , 20            [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:  

 

    Title:
ASSIGNEE
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By:  

 

    Title:

 

2   Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

 

Exhibit F - 2


[Consented to and] 3 Accepted:
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent
By  

 

    Title:
[Consented to and] 4 Accepted:
[NAME OF RELEVANT PARTY]
By  

 

    Title:

 

3   To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
4   To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/ or other parties (e.g. Issuing Bank) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

Exhibit F - 3


ANNEX 1

[                    ] 5

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties .

1.1 Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee . The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 8.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (v) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

 

5   Describe Credit Agreement at option of Administrative Agent.

 

Annex 1 - 1


2. Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

3. General Provisions . This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Texas.

 

Annex 1 - 2


EXHIBIT G

INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT ATTACHED

 

Exhibit G - 1


EXHIBIT H

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES

 

Exhibit H - 1


EXHIBIT H-1

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as Borrower, Goodrich Petroleum Corporation as Parent Guarantor, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party thereto.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.03 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

[NAME OF LENDER]

 

By:  

 

Name:
Title:
Date:                , 20[    ]

 

H-1-1


EXHIBIT H-2

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as Borrower, Goodrich Petroleum Corporation as Parent Guarantor, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party thereto.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.03 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

[NAME OF LENDER]

 

By:  

 

Name:
Title:
Date:                , 20[    ]

 

H-2-1


EXHIBIT H-3

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as Borrower, Goodrich Petroleum Corporation as Parent Guarantor, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party thereto.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.03 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

By:  

 

Name:
Title:
Date:                , 20[    ]

 

H-3-1


EXHIBIT H-4

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as Borrower, Goodrich Petroleum Corporation as Parent Guarantor, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party thereto.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.03 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

[NAME OF LENDER]

 

By:  

 

Name:
Title:
Date:            , 20[    ]

 

H-4-1


SCHEDULE 7.05

LITIGATION

None.

 

Schedule 7.05 - 1


SCHEDULE 7.06

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

None.

 

Schedule 7.06 - 1


SCHEDULE 7.14

SUBSIDIARIES

 

    Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

 

Schedule 7.14 - 1


SCHEDULE 7.18

GAS IMBALANCES; PREPAYMENTS

None.

 

Schedule 7.18 - 1


SCHEDULE 7.19

MARKETING CONTRACTS

None.

 

Schedule 7.19 - 1


SCHEDULE 7.20

SWAP AGREEMENTS

None.

 

Schedule 7.20 - 1

Exhibit 10.2

EXECUTION VERSION

NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the “ Subsidiary Guarantor ”) and each entity identified as a Shenkman Purchaser on Appendix A hereto, CVC Capital Partners (acting through such of its affiliates to managed funds as it deems appropriate), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (acting through such of its affiliates or managed funds as it deems appropriate), Franklin Advisers, Inc. (as investment manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts), O’Connor Global Multi-Strategy Alpha Master Limited and Nineteen 77 Global Multi-Strategy Alpha (Levered) Master Limited (collectively, and together with each of their successors and assigns, the “ Purchasers ”).

WHEREAS, on April 15, 2016, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor filed voluntary petitions for relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”) commencing their respective cases (collectively, the “ Bankruptcy Proceedings ”) under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (as herein defined);

WHEREAS, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have filed the Debtors’ First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code , dated August 12, 2016, (together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, the “ Plan of Reorganization ”) with the Bankruptcy Court, which was confirmed pursuant to an Order entered by the Bankruptcy Court on September 28, 2016 (the “ Confirmation Order ”). Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor will reorganize and emerge from bankruptcy on the date hereof when the Plan of Reorganization is consummated;

WHEREAS, pursuant to and upon consummation of the Plan of Reorganization, the Purchasers have agreed to purchase $40,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “ Notes ”) under that certain Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee and Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Purchasers (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) on the terms and conditions set forth therein and herein;

WHEREAS, the parties desire to memorialize certain of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations in respect of the purchase of the Notes;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

 

1


1. DEFINITIONS.

Section 1.01. Meanings . Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Indenture and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

2. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 2.01. Effective Date . The Purchasers shall not be obligated to purchase the Notes until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02 of the Indenture) (such date, the “ Effective Date ”):

(a) The Purchasers shall have received all commitment, facility and agency fees and all other fees and amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Company hereunder.

(b) The Purchasers shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor setting forth (i) resolutions of the Company’s board of directors and the sole member of the Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the authorization of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor to execute and deliver the Note Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents, (ii) the officers of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor (A) who are authorized to sign the Note Documents to which the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor is a party and (B) who will, until replaced by another officer or officers duly authorized for that purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing documents and giving notices and other communications in connection with the Indenture and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) specimen signatures of such authorized officers, and (iv) the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, certified as being true and complete. The Purchasers may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Trustee receives notice in writing from the Company to the contrary.

(c) The Purchasers shall have received certificates of the appropriate State agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor.

(d) The Purchasers shall have received a compliance certificate, which shall be substantially in the form described in Section 7.04 of the Indenture, duly and properly executed by an officer of the Company and dated as of the date of Effective Date.

(e) This Agreement and the other Note Documents, including the Indenture, the Notes, the Warrants, the Notes Registration Rights Agreement and the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement, shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor party thereto (in such number of counterparts as may be requested by the Purchasers), the Trustee and the Purchasers, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Purchasers.

(f) The Purchasers shall have received an opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to the Company and opinions of Copeland Cook Taylor & Bush, P.A., Mississippi counsel, and Cook, Young, King & Galloway, Louisiana counsel for the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, all such opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

2


(g) The Trustee shall have received a certificate of insurance coverage of the Company evidencing that the Company is carrying insurance in accordance with Section 7.07 of the Indenture.

(h) The Purchasers shall have received appropriate UCC search certificates reflecting no prior Liens encumbering the Properties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor for each jurisdiction requested by the Purchasers other than those being assigned or released on or prior to the Effective Date or Liens permitted by Section 7.24 of the Indenture.

(i) The Purchasers shall have received evidence that all Liens securing the obligations under the Existing First Lien Credit Agreement have been released and discharged including without limitation all UCC termination statements and all other Lien releases it deems necessary to reflect of public record the release and discharge of all such Liens.

(j) The Bankruptcy Court shall have entered a final order satisfactory to the Purchasers confirming the Plan of Reorganization (the “ Confirmation Order ”), and all conditions to the Effective Date (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization) of the Plan of Reorganization shall have been satisfied (or will be satisfied upon the occurrence of the Effective Date) or waived. The Confirmation Order shall approve the Note Documents and authorize the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantor’s execution and delivery thereof.

(k) After giving effect to the issuance of Notes on the Effective Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall have no outstanding Indebtedness, contingent liabilities or preferred stock, except (i) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Indenture and the other Note Documents and (ii) such other existing Indebtedness and contingent liabilities that are permitted under the Indenture.

(l) The Purchasers shall have received such other documents as the Purchasers or special counsel to the Purchasers may reasonably request.

(m) No Default under the Indenture or this Agreement or any other Indebtedness of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor shall have occurred and be continuing or result from the closing of the Transactions.

(n) No event, development or circumstance has occurred or shall then exist that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(o) The representations and warranties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor set forth in the Indenture, this Agreement and in the other Note Documents shall be true and correct.

(p) Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall have received duly executed agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent to have “control” (as defined in Section 8-106 of the UCC, as such term relates to Investment Property (as defined in the UCC), or as used in Section 9-104(a) of the UCC as such term relates to deposit accounts) of the deposit accounts of the Company and the Subsidiaries maintained at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

 

3


(q) The First Lien Credit Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchasers and shall have been executed and delivered contemporaneously with the Indenture.

(r) The Purchasers shall have received a certificate of an officer of the Company certifying that the Asset Coverage Ratio as of the date hereof is not less than 1.1 to 1.0.

(s) The Purchasers shall have received evidence that each Restructuring Document has been executed and delivered and is in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchasers.

(t) The Purchasers shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act, in each case to the extent requested at least five Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor represent and warrant to the Purchasers that on the date hereof:

Section 3.01. Organization; Powers .

Each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority, and has all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own its assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where failure to have such power, authority, licenses, authorizations, consents, approvals and qualifications could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.02. Authority; Enforceability .

The Transactions are within the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantor’s corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, stockholder action (including, without limitation, any action required to be taken by any class of directors of the Company or any other Person, whether interested or disinterested, in order to ensure the due authorization of the Transactions). Each Note Document to which the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor is a party has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

4


Section 3.03. Approvals; No Conflicts .

The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other third Person (including shareholders or any class of directors, whether interested or disinterested, of the Company or any other Person), nor is any such consent, approval, registration, filing or other action necessary for the validity or enforceability of any Note Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect other than (i) the recording and filing of the Security Documents as required by the Indenture, (ii) those third party approvals or consents which, if not made or obtained, would not cause a Default hereunder, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or do not have an adverse effect on the enforceability of the Note Documents and (iii) the filing of any document with the Commission, (b) do not violate any applicable law or regulation in any material respect or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any material agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor or its Properties, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor (other than the Liens created by the Note Documents).

Section 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change .

(a) The Company has heretofore furnished to the Purchasers a pro forma unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date, after giving effect to the Transactions contemplated to occur on the Effective Date, certified by the Company’s chief financial officer, as presenting fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and the its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date (such financial information, the “ Financial Statements ”).

(b) Since December 31, 2015, there has been no event, development or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (other than the commencement and pendency of the Bankruptcy Proceedings).

(c) Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor has on the date hereof any material Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock) or any material contingent liabilities, off-balance sheet liabilities or partnerships, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments, except as referred to or reflected or provided for in the Financial Statements.

Section 3.05. Litigation .

Except as set forth on Schedule 3.05, there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) that involve any Note Document or the Transactions.

 

5


Section 3.06. Environmental Matters .

Except for such matters as set forth on Schedule 3.06 or that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

(a) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor and each of their respective Properties and operations thereon are, and within all applicable statute of limitation periods have been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.

(b) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have obtained all Environmental Permits required for their respective operations and each of their Properties, with all such Environmental Permits being currently in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor have received any written notice or otherwise has knowledge that any such existing Environmental Permit will be revoked or that any application for any new Environmental Permit or renewal of any existing Environmental Permit will be protested or denied.

(c) There are no claims, demands, suits, orders, inquiries, or proceedings concerning any violation of, or any liability (including as a potentially responsible party) under, any applicable Environmental Laws that is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor or any of their respective Properties or as a result of any operations at such Properties.

(d) None of the Properties of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor contain or have contained any: (i) underground storage tanks; (ii) asbestos-containing materials; (iii) landfills or dumps; (iv) hazardous waste management units as defined pursuant to RCRA or any comparable state law; or (v) sites on or nominated for the National Priority List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or any state remedial priority list promulgated or published pursuant to any comparable state law.

(e) There has been no Release or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened Release, of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s Properties, there are no investigations, remediations, abatements, removals, or monitorings of Hazardous Materials required under applicable Environmental Laws at such Properties and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of such Properties are adversely affected by any Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material originating or emanating from any other real Property.

(f) Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor has received any written notice asserting an alleged liability or obligation under any applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the investigation, remediation, abatement, removal, or monitoring of any Hazardous Materials at, under, or Released or threatened to be Released from any real Properties offsite the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s Properties and, to the Company’s knowledge, there are no conditions or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of such written notice.

 

6


(g) There has been no exposure of any Person or Property to any Hazardous Materials as a result of or in connection with the operations and businesses of any of the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s Properties that could reasonably be expected to form the basis for a claim for damages or compensation.

(h) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have provided to the Purchasers complete and correct copies of all environmental site assessment reports, investigations, studies, analyses, and correspondence on environmental matters relating to any alleged or potential non-compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws that are in any of the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s possession or control and relating to their respective Properties or operations thereon.

Section 3.07. Compliance with the Laws and Agreements; No Defaults .

(a) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor are in compliance with all Governmental Requirements applicable to it or its Property and all agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its Property, and possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, exemptions, approvals and other governmental authorizations necessary for the ownership of its Property and the conduct of its business, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) No Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 3.08. Investment Company Act .

Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 3.09. Taxes .

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have each timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of Taxes and other governmental charges are, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, adequate. No Tax Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) has been filed and, to the knowledge of the Company, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Tax or other such governmental charge.

 

7


Section 3.10. ERISA .

(a) The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor and each ERISA Affiliate have complied in all material respects with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code regarding each Plan.

(b) Each Plan is, and has been, established and maintained in substantial compliance with its terms, ERISA and, where applicable, the Code.

(c) No act, omission or transaction has occurred which could result in imposition on the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate (whether directly or indirectly) of (i) either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i), (l) or (m) of section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code or (ii) breach of fiduciary duty liability damages under section 409 of ERISA.

(d) Full payment when due has been made of all amounts which the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate is required under the terms of each Plan or applicable law to have paid as contributions to such Plan as of the date hereof.

(e) Neither the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or contributes to an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate in its sole discretion at any time without any material liability.

(f) Neither the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has at any time in the six-year period preceding the date hereof sponsored, maintained or contributed to, any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code.

Section 3.11. Disclosure; No Material Misstatements .

The Company has disclosed to the Purchasers all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or the Company is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the other reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee or any Purchaser or any of their Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of the Indenture or any other Note Document or delivered hereunder or under any other Note Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Company represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time. There is no fact peculiar to the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or in the future is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect and which has not been set forth in the Indenture or the Note Documents or the other documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Trustee or the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor prior to, or on, the date hereof in connection with

 

8


the transactions contemplated hereby. There are no statements or conclusions in any reserve report which are based upon or include misleading information or fail to take into account material information regarding the matters reported therein, it being understood that projections concerning volumes attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and production and cost estimates contained in each reserve report are necessarily based upon professional opinions, estimates and projections and that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor do not warrant that such opinions, estimates and projections will ultimately prove to have been accurate.

Section 3.12. Insurance .

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have, (a) all insurance policies sufficient for the compliance by each of them with all material Governmental Requirements and all material agreements and (b) insurance coverage in at least amounts and against such risk (including, without limitation, public liability) that are usually insured against by companies similarly situated and engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor. The Trustee has been named as an additional insured in respect of such liability insurance policies and the Trustee has been named as loss payee with respect to Property loss insurance.

Section 3.13. Restriction on Liens .

Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor is a party to any material agreement or arrangement (other than the Note Documents, any Capitalized Lease Obligations permitted by clause (10) of the definition of Permitted Liens and the First Lien Credit Agreement), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to the Trustee and the Purchasers on or in respect of their Properties to secure the Indebtedness in respect of the Notes and the Note Documents.

Section 3.14. Subsidiaries .

All of the Subsidiaries of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, are set forth on Schedule 3.14 or as may be disclosed in writing to the Trustee (which shall promptly furnish a copy to the Purchasers), which shall be a supplement to Schedule 3.14. All Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 3.14, if any, are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

Section 3.15. Location of Business and Offices .

The Company’s jurisdiction of organization is Delaware; the name of the Company as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Goodrich Petroleum Corporation; and the organizational identification number of the Company in its jurisdiction of organization is 2675735. The Subsidiary Guarantor’s jurisdiction of organization is Louisiana; the name of the Subsidiary Guarantor as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C.; and the organizational identification number of the Subsidiary Guarantor in its jurisdiction of organization is 34719938K. The Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantor’s principal place of business and chief executive offices are located at the address specified in Section 16.02.

 

9


Section 3.16. Properties; Titles, Etc .

(a) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have good and defensible title to the Proved Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently prepared reserve report and good title to all their personal Properties, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by Section 7.24 of the Indenture. On the date hereof all of the Proved Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor are Mortgaged Properties. After giving full effect to any Permitted Liens, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor own the net interests in production attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests as reflected in the most recently prepared reserve report, and the ownership of such Properties shall not in any material respect obligate the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each Property set forth in the most recently prepared reserve report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s net revenue interest in such Property.

(b) All material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, and there exists no default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a default under any such lease or leases, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The rights and Properties presently owned, leased or licensed by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor including, without limitation, all easements and rights of way, include all rights and Properties necessary to permit the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor to conduct their businesses in all material respects in the same manner as its business has been conducted prior to the date hereof.

(d) All of the Properties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor which are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards.

(e) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor own, or are licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual Property material to their businesses, and the use thereof by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor either own or have valid licenses or other rights to use all databases, geological data, geophysical data, engineering data, seismic data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in its businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same, which limitations are customary for companies engaged in the business of the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons, with such exceptions as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

10


Section 3.17. Maintenance of Properties .

Except for such acts or failures to act as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all Governmental Requirements and in conformity with the provisions of all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Hydrocarbon Interests and other contracts and agreements forming a part of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor. Specifically in connection with the foregoing, except for those as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) no Oil and Gas Property of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is subject to having allowable production reduced below the full and regular allowable (including the maximum permissible tolerance) because of any overproduction (whether or not the same was permissible at the time) and (b) none of the wells comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties (or Properties unitized therewith) of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by Governmental Requirements, and such wells are, in fact, bottomed under and are producing from, and the well bores are wholly within, the Oil and Gas Properties (or in the case of wells located on Properties unitized therewith, such unitized Properties). All pipelines, wells, gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures and equipment owned in whole or in part by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that are necessary to conduct normal operations are being maintained in a state adequate to conduct normal operations, and with respect to such of the foregoing which are operated by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, in a manner consistent with the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s past practices (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this Section 3.17 could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).

Section 3.18. Solvency .

After giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) the aggregate assets (after giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement), at a fair valuation, of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, taken as a whole, will exceed the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor on a consolidated basis, (b) each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor will not have incurred or intended to incur, and will not believe that it will incur, Indebtedness beyond its ability to pay such Indebtedness (after taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor and the amounts to be payable on or in respect of its liabilities, and giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement) as such Indebtedness becomes absolute and matures and (c) each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor will not have (and will have no reason to believe that it will have thereafter) unreasonably small capital for the conduct of its business.

Section 3.19. Sanctions Laws and Regulations .

(a) Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor, or any directors or officers of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor or, to the knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, any brokers or other agents acting at the direction of the foregoing in connection with the Indenture or any other Note Document:

 

11


(i) is (A) the target of any economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), or (B) located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country; or

(ii) is a Designated Person.

(b) Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor will, directly or, to the knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, indirectly, use the proceeds of the Notes, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) to fund any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions, or (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Notes, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor, or otherwise).

(c) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, such continued compliance with Sanctions.

Section 3.20. Foreign Corrupt Practices .

Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor, nor, to the knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, any director, officer, agent, employee or Subsidiary of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, 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 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 and the Subsidiary Guarantor, and their Subsidiaries have conducted their business 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, such continued compliance therewith.

Section 3.21. Money Laundering Laws; Embargoed Persons .

(a) The operations of each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor are and have been conducted by such Person 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 rules and regulations thereunder, and any related or similar laws, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency of the United States (including, without limitation, the USA Patriot Act, the Trading With the Enemy

 

12


Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended), and the Executive Order) (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 the Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or threatened in writing.

(b) Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor is, and, to the knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, none of their respective officers or directors that is acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Notes is, an Embargoed Person.

(c) Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor is, and, to the knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, none of their respective officers or directors that is acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Notes (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Embargoed Person, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any Property or interests in Property blocked pursuant to any Money Laundering Law or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Money Laundering Law.

Section 3.22 Federal Reserve Regulations; Exchange Act .

(a) None of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying margin stock.

(b) No portion of the proceeds of any Note shall be used in any manner whether directly or indirectly, that causes or could reasonably be expected to cause, such Note or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board or any other regulation thereof or to violate the Exchange Act.

4. NOTE DOCUMENT . This Agreement shall constitute a Note Document for all purposes of the Notes and the other Note Documents.

5. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of New York.

6. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be simultaneously executed in several counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

7. AUTHORITY. Each of the undersigned represent that he or she has the authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of the respective party.

8. BINDING EFFECT; SURVIVAL . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantor, the Purchasers and their respective successors and permitted assigns pursuant to the terms of the Indenture; provided that the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantor may not assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Purchasers.

 

13


9. AMENDMENTS. None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Sections 12.01 and 12.02 of the Indenture.

10. SEVERABILITY. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid, such provision shall be deemed severable and the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

11. INTEGRATION. This Agreement contains a final and complete integration of all prior expressions by the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall constitute the entire understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding all prior oral or written understandings. There are no representations, agreements, arrangements or understandings, oral or written, among the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement except as are fully expressed herein.

[ Signature Page Follows. ]

 

14


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and the year first-above written.

SUBSIDIARY

GUARANTOR:

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.
By:   /s/ Michael J. Killelea
Name:   Michael J. Killelea
Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

COMPANY:

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Michael J. Killelea
Name:   Michael J. Killelea
Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

PURCHASERS:

Each Entity listed on Appendix A hereto

By: Shenkman Capital Management, Inc., in its capacity as investment manager to each Shenkman Purchaser listed on Schedule A hereto

 

By:   /s/ Justin Slatky
Name:   Justin Slatky
Title:   Executive Vice President

CVC Global Credit Opportunities Master Fund, LP

By: Its Investment Advisor CVC Credit Partners, LLC

 

By:   /s/ Scott Bynum
Name:   Scott Bynum
Title:   Managing Director

[Signature Page to Purchase Agreement]


J.P. Morgan Securities LLC , with respect to only its Credit Trading group

 

By:   /s/ Christopher Cestaro
Name:   Christopher Cestaro
Title:   Authorized Signatory

Franklin Advisers, Inc. , as Investment Manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts

 

By:   /s/ Glenn Voyles
Name:   Glenn Voyles
Title:   VP/Director of Portfolio Management

O’Connor Global Multi-Strategy Alpha Master Limited

By: UBS O’Connor LLC, its investment adviser

 

By:   /s/ Andrew Martin
Name:   Andrew Martin
Title:   Managing Director

 

By:   /s/ Joseph Workman
Name:   Joseph Workman
Title:   Deputy General Counsel

Nineteen77 Global Multi-Strategy Alpha (Levered) Master Limited

By: UBS O’Connor LLC, its investment adviser

 

By:   /s/ Andrew Martin
Name:   Andrew Martin
Title:   Managing Director

 

By:   /s/ Joseph Workman
Name:   Joseph Workman
Title:   Deputy General Counsel

 

By:   /s/ Jeff Richmond
Name:   Jeff Richmond
Title:   Executive Director

[Signature Page to Purchase Agreement]


Appendix A

Shenkman Purchasers

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Pension Plan

EDS 1994 Pension Scheme

EDS Retirement Plan

P SCM Energy HY Ltd.

Shenkman Energy Opportunity Master Fund Ltd.

Four Points Multi-Strategy Master Fund, Inc.

[Appendix A]

 


Schedule 3.05

Litigation

None.

Schedule 3.05


Schedule 3.06

Environmental Matters

None.

Schedule 3.06


Schedule 3.14

Subsidiaries

 

1. Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., a Louisiana Limited Liability Company and wholly owned subsidiary of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation.

Schedule 3.14

Exhibit 10.3

EXECUTION VERSION

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (including all exhibits hereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware (the “ Company ”), and the other parties signatory hereto and any additional parties identified on the signature pages of any joinder agreement executed and delivered pursuant hereto (each a “ Holder ” and collectively, the “ Holders ”).

WHEREAS, the Company and certain affiliated debtors (collectively, the “ Debtors ”) filed a Plan of Reorganization pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, on August 12, 2016 which, as amended, was confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division on September 28, 2016 (including all exhibits, schedules and supplements thereto and as amended from time to time, the “ Plan ”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy pursuant to the Plan, the Initial Holders agreed to purchase the Initial Notes (as defined below) from the Company and in connection therewith will receive certain warrants (the “ Warrants ”) from the Company; and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Initial Holders have agreed to enter into this Agreement pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Initial Holders registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities in furtherance of the foregoing.

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Holders agree as follows:

1. Definitions . Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein that are defined in the Plan have the meanings given such terms in the Plan. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Advice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15(c) .

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any person, any other person which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) as used in this definition means the possession, directly or indirectly (including through one or more intermediaries), of the power or authority to direct or cause the direction of management, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement ” means an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such definition may be amended from time to time.

 

1


beneficially own ” (and related terms such as “beneficial ownership” and “beneficial owner”) shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, and any Person’s beneficial ownership of securities shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such Rule.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

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

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock ” means the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and any securities into which such shares of common stock may hereinafter be reclassified.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Conversion Shares ” means the shares of Common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.

Counsel to the Holders ” means (i) with respect to any Demand Registration, the counsel selected by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initially requesting such Demand Registration and (ii) with respect to any Underwritten Takedown or Piggyback Registration, the counsel selected by the Majority Holders.

Demand Registration Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) .

Effective Date ” means the date that a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is first declared effective by the Commission.

Equity Holders ” means, collectively, each Person that is a “Holder” (as defined in the Equity Registration Rights Agreement) as of the relevant determination date.

Equity Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain registration rights agreement (including all exhibits thereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof) made and entered into as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and certain stockholders of the Company who were issued shares of the Company’s Common Stock in the Plan.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Form S-1 ” means form S-1 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission for the general registration of securities under the Securities Act.

Form S-3 ” means form S-3 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same usage as Form S-3.

 

2


Form S-4 ” means form S-4 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same usage as Form S-4.

Form S-8 ” means form S-8 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same usage as Form S-8.

FINRA ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9 .

Grace Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a)(B) .

Holder ” or “ Holders ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble. A Person shall cease to be a Holder hereunder at such time as it ceases to hold any Registrable Securities.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(c) .

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(c) .

Initial Holders ” means the Holders as of the date hereof.

Initial Notes ” means the $40 million of 13.5% Convertible Senior Secured Second Lien Notes of the Company issued pursuant to the indenture, dated the date hereof, among the Company, the guarantors named therein, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, purchased by the Initial Holders.

Initial Shelf Expiration Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) .

Initial Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) .

Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a) .

Majority Holders ” means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be included in such Underwritten Offering held by all Holders that have made the request requiring the Company to conduct such Underwritten Offering (but not including any Holders that have exercised “piggyback” rights hereunder to be included in such Underwritten Offering).

Notes ” means the Initial Notes and the PIK Notes.

Other Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b) .

Person ” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Piggyback Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) .

Piggyback Offering ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) .

 

3


PIK Notes ” means any additional notes issued as payment-in-kind on the Initial Notes or on any previously issued PIK Notes.

Plan ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Plan Effective Date ” shall mean the date on which the Plan becomes effective.

Proceeding ” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.

Prospectus ” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

Registrable Securities ” means, collectively, (a) all Notes issued to any Holder or to any Affiliate or Related Fund of any Holder, either directly or pursuant to a joinder or assignment (including any Conversion Shares issued or issuable upon the conversion of such Notes), and any additional Notes (including any Conversion Shares issued or issuable upon the conversion of such Notes) acquired by any Holder, Affiliate or Related Fund of any Holder in open market or other purchases after the Plan Effective Date and (b) any additional Notes, Conversion Shares or shares of Common Stock paid, issued or distributed in respect of any such Notes or Conversion Shares by way of pay-in-kind interest, dividend, split or distribution, or in connection with a combination of securities, and any security into which such Notes or Conversion Shares shall have been converted or exchanged in connection with a recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, exchange, distribution or otherwise; provided , however , that as to any Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to constitute Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the date on which such securities are disposed of pursuant to an effective Registration Statement; (ii) the date on which such securities are disposed of pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) promulgated under the Securities Act; and (iii) the date on which such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding.

Registration Statement ” means any one or more registration statements of the Company filed under the Securities Act that covers the resale of any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation any Shelf Registration Statement), amendments and supplements to such Registration Statements, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Registration Statements.

Related Fund ” means, with respect to any Person, any fund, account or investment vehicle that is controlled or managed by such Person, by any Affiliate of such Person, or, if applicable, such Person’s investment manager.

 

4


Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 158 ” means Rule 158 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 415 ” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 424 ” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Selling Stockholder Questionnaire ” means a questionnaire reasonably adopted by the Company from time to time.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with the Securities Act for the offer and sale of Registrable Securities by Holders on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to Rule 415.

Smaller Reporting Company ” means a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f) of Regulation S-K, as such definition may be amended from time to time.

Transfer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13 .

Underwritten Offering ” means an offering of Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement in which the Registrable Securities are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

Underwritten Takedown ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f).

Warrant Holders ” means, collectively, each Person that is a “Holder” (as defined in the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement) as of the relevant determination date.

Warrant Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain registration rights agreement (including all exhibits thereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, made and entered into as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the persons to whom the Warrants are issued on the date hereof.

 

5


2. Initial Shelf Registration .

(a) The Company shall prepare a Shelf Registration Statement (the “ Initial Shelf Registration Statement ”), and shall include in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities of each Holder who shall request inclusion therein of some or all of their Registrable Securities by checking the appropriate box on the signature page of such Holder hereto or by written notice to the Company no later than 45 days after the Plan Effective Date. The Company shall file the Initial Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission on or prior to the 120th day following the Plan Effective Date; provided, however , that the Company shall not be required to include in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities of any Holder unless such Holder otherwise timely complies with the requirements of this Agreement with respect to the inclusion of such Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

(b) The Company shall include in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement all Registrable Securities whose inclusion has been timely requested as aforesaid; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to include an amount of Registrable Securities in excess of the amount as may be permitted to be included in such Registration Statement under the rules and regulations of the Commission and the applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the Commission.

(c) The Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-1; provided, however, that, if the Company becomes eligible to register the Registrable Securities for resale by the Holders on Form S-3 (including without limitation a Form S-3 filed as an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement), the Company shall be entitled to amend the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 or file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 in substitution of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement as initially filed.

(d) The Company shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as practicable, and in any event not later than the 365 th day following the Plan Effective Date, and shall use its reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, and not subject to any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission, until the earlier of (i) the date the Company (A) is eligible to register the Registrable Securities for resale by Holders on Form S-3 or is a Smaller Reporting Company eligible to incorporate by reference pursuant to Item 12(b) of Form S-1 and (B) has filed such Registration Statement with the Commission and such Registration Statement has been declared effective and (ii) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall cease to be Registrable Securities (such earlier date, the “ Initial Shelf Expiration Date ”). In the event of any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission relating to the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, if any Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration Statement remain unsold, the period during which the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be required to remain effective will be extended by the number of days during which such stop order, injunction or similar order or requirement is in effect.

(e) If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is on Form S-1, then for so long as any Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration Statement remain unsold, the Company will file any supplements to the Prospectus or post-effective amendments

 

6


required to be filed by applicable law in order to incorporate into such Prospectus any Current Reports on Form 8-K necessary or required to be filed by applicable law, any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or any Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Commission, or any other information necessary so that (i) the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall not include any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and (ii) the Company complies with its obligations under Item 512(a)(1) of Regulation S-K; provided, however, that these obligations remain subject to the Company’s rights under Section 6.

(f) Upon the demand of one or more Holders, the Company shall facilitate a “takedown” of Registrable Securities in the form of an Underwritten Offering (each, an Underwritten Takedown ), in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 5 of this Agreement, provided that either (i) the principal amount of Registrable Securities to be included in such “takedown” shall equal at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders or (ii) the Registrable Securities requested to be sold by the Holders in such “takedown” shall have an anticipated aggregate offering price (before deducting underwriting discounts and commission) of at least $15 million.

3. Subsequent Shelf Registration Statements

(a) After (i) the Effective Date of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and prior to the Initial Shelf Expiration Date and (ii) for so long as any Registerable Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to (A) ensure that it will be eligible to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 after the Initial Shelf Expiration Date, and (B) meet the requirements of General Instruction VII of Form S-1 after the Initial Shelf Expiration Date.

(b) After the Initial Shelf Expiration Date and for so long as any Registerable Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to (A) be eligible and/or to maintain its eligibility to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, and (B) meet the requirements of General Instruction VII of Form S-1.

(c) After the Initial Shelf Expiration Date, if there is not an effective Registration Statement which includes the Registrable Securities that is currently outstanding, the Company shall (i) if the Company is eligible to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, promptly file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective, (ii) if the Company is a Smaller Reporting Company eligible to incorporate by reference pursuant to Item 12(b) of Form S-1, promptly file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-1 and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective or (iii) promptly file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-1 and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective and for so long as any Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration on Form S-1 remain unsold, the Company will file any supplements to the Prospectus or post-effective amendments required to be filed by applicable law in order to incorporate into such Prospectus any Current Reports on Form 8-K necessary or required to be filed by applicable law, any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or any Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Commission, or any other information necessary so that

 

7


(x) such Shelf Registration shall not include any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and (y) the Company complies with its obligations under Item 512(a)(1) of Regulation S-K; provided, however, that these obligations remain subject to the Company’s rights under Section 6.

4. Demand Registration

(a) At any time and from time to time on or following the Plan Effective Date, any Holder or group of Holders may request in writing (“ Demand Registration Request ”) that the Company effect the registration of all or part of such Holder’s or Holders’ Registrable Securities with the Commission under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act. The Company will file a Registration Statement covering such Holder’s or Holders’ Registrable Securities requested to be registered, and shall use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective, as promptly as practicable after receipt of such request; provided , however , that the Company will not be required to file a Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 4(a) :

(A) unless either (i) the principal amount of Registrable Securities requested to be registered on such Registration Statement equals at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders or (ii) the Registrable Securities requested to be sold by the Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement have an anticipated aggregate gross offering price (before deducting underwriting discounts and commission) of at least $10 million;

(B) if the Registrable Securities requested to be registered are already covered by an existing and effective Registration Statement and such Registration Statement may be utilized for the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered;

(C) if a registration statement filed by the Company shall have previously been initially declared effective by the Commission within the one hundred eighty (180) days preceding the date such Demand Registration Request is made; and

(D) if the number of Demand Registration Requests previously made pursuant to this Section 4(a) shall equal or exceed five (5); provided, however that a Demand Registration Request shall not be considered made for purposes of this clause (D) unless the requested Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission for more than 75% of the full amount of Registrable Securities for which registration has been requested.

(b) A Demand Registration Request shall specify (i) the then-current name and address of such Holder or Holders, (ii) the aggregate amount of Registrable Securities requested to be registered, (iii) the total amount of Registrable Securities then beneficially owned by such Holder or Holders, and (iv) the intended means of distribution. If at the time the Demand Registration Request is made the Company appears, based on public information available to such Holder or Holders, eligible to use Form S-3 for the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities, the Holder or Holders making such request may request that the

 

8


registration be in the form of a Shelf Registration Statement (for the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be under the obligation to file a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 if, upon the advice of its counsel, it is not eligible to make such a filing).

(c) The Company may satisfy its obligations under Section 4(a) hereof by amending (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any registration statement previously filed by the Company under the Securities Act, so that such amended registration statement will permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods of disposition specified as aforesaid) of all of the Registrable Securities for which a Demand Registration Request has been properly made under Section 4(b) hereof. If the Company so amends a previously filed registration statement, it will be deemed to have effected a registration for purposes of Section 4(a) hereof; provided, however that the Effective Date of the amended registration statement, as amended pursuant to this Section 4(c) shall be the “the first day of effectiveness” of such Registration Statement for purposes of determining the period during which the Registration Statement is required to be maintained effective in accordance with Section 4(e) hereof.

(d) Within ten (10) days after receiving a Demand Registration Request, the Company shall give written notice of such request to all other Holders of Registrable Securities and shall, subject to the provisions of Section 5(c) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, include in such registration all such Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within fifteen (15) days after the Company’s giving of such notice, provided that such Registrable Securities are not already covered by an existing and effective Registration Statement that may be utilized for the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered in the manner so requested.

(e) The Company will use its reasonable efforts to keep a Registration Statement that has become effective as contemplated by this Section 4 continuously effective, and not subject to any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission:

(A) in the case of a Registration Statement other than a Shelf Registration Statement, until all Registrable Securities registered thereunder have been sold pursuant to such Registration Statement, but in no event later than two hundred seventy (270) days from the Effective Date of such Registration Statement; and

(B) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, until the earlier of: (x) three (3) years following the Effective Date of such Shelf Registration Statement; and (y) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement shall cease to be Registrable Securities;

provided, however, that in the event of any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission relating to any Shelf Registration Statement, if any Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement remain unsold, the period during which such Shelf Registration Statement shall be required to remain effective will be extended by the number of days during which such stop order, injunction or similar order or requirement is in effect; provided further, however , that if any Shelf Registration Statement was initially declared effective on Form S-3 and, prior to the date determined pursuant to Section 4(e)(B) , the Company becomes ineligible to use Form S-3, the period during which such Shelf Registration

 

9


Statement shall be required to remain effective will be extended by the number of days during which the Company did not have an effective Registration Statement covering unsold Registrable Securities initially registered on such Shelf Registration Statement.

(f) The Holder or Holders making a Demand Registration Request may, at any time prior to the Effective Date of the Registration Statement relating to such registration, revoke their request for the Company to effect the registration of all or part of such Holder’s or Holders’ Registrable Securities by providing a written notice to the Company. If, pursuant to the preceding sentence, the entire Demand Registration Request is revoked, then, at the option of the Holder or Holders who revoke such request, either (i) such Holder or Holders shall reimburse the Company for all of its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the preparation, filing and processing of the Registration Statement, which out-of-pocket expenses, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include overhead expenses and which requested registration shall not count as one of the permitted Demand Registration Requests hereunder or (ii) the requested registration that has been revoked will be deemed to have been effected for purposes of Section   4(a) .

(g) If a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 4 is a Shelf Registration Statement, then upon the demand of one or more Holders, the Company shall facilitate a “takedown” of Registrable Securities in the form of an Underwritten Offering, in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 5 of this Agreement, provided that either (i) the principal amount of Registrable Securities to be included in such “takedown” shall equal at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders or (ii) the Registrable Securities requested to be sold by the Holders in such “takedown” shall have an anticipated aggregate offering price (before deducting underwriting discounts and commission) of at least $15 million.

5. Procedures for Underwritten Offerings . The following procedures shall govern Underwritten Offerings pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g) , whether in the case of an Underwritten Takedown or otherwise.

(a) (i) The Majority Holders shall select one or more investment banking firm(s) of national standing to be the managing underwriter or underwriters for any Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Demand Registration Request or an Underwritten Takedown with the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and (ii) the Company shall select one or more investment banking firms of national standing to be the managing underwriter or underwriters for any other Underwritten Offering with the consent of the Majority Holders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(b) All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through an Underwritten Offering, as a condition for inclusion of their Registrable Securities therein, shall agree to enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters; provided, however that the underwriting agreement is in customary form and reasonably acceptable to the Majority Holders and provided , further, however that no Holder of Registrable Securities included in any Underwritten Offering shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding (i) such

 

10


Holder’s ownership of its Registrable Securities to be sold or transferred, (ii) such Holder’s power and authority to effect such transfer and (iii) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities laws as may be reasonably requested).

(c) If the managing underwriter or underwriters for an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Demand Registration or an Underwritten Takedown advises the Holders that the total amount of Registrable Securities or other shares of Common Stock permitted to be registered is such as to materially adversely affect the success of such Underwritten Offering, the amount of Registrable Securities or other shares of Common Stock to be registered on such Registration Statement will be reduced as follows: first , the Company shall reduce or eliminate the securities of the Company to be included by any Person other than a Holder, an Equity Holder, a Warrant Holder or the Company; second , the Company shall reduce or eliminate any securities of the Company to be included by the Company; third , the Company shall reduce or eliminate any securities of the Company, other than Registrable Securities, to be included by any Equity Holder and/or Warrant Holder entitled to participate therein on a pro rata basis based on the total amount of such securities requested by the Equity Holders and/or Warrant Holders to be included in the Underwritten Offering; and fourth , the Company shall reduce the amount of Registrable Securities to be included by Holders on a pro rata basis based on the total amount of Registrable Securities requested by the Holders to be included in the Underwritten Offering.

(d) Within ten (10) days after receiving a request for an Underwritten Offering constituting a “takedown” from a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall give written notice of such request to all other Holders, and subject to the provisions of Section 5(c) hereof, include in such Underwritten Offering all such Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within fifteen (15) days after the Company’s giving of such notice; provided, however that such Registrable Securities are covered by an existing and effective Shelf Registration Statement that may be utilized for the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered.

(e) The Company will not be required to undertake an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g) if the number of Underwritten Offerings previously made pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g) in the immediately preceding twelve (12)-month period shall exceed three (3); provided that an Underwritten Offering shall not be considered made for purposes of this clause (e) unless the offering has resulted in the disposition by the Holders of at least 75% of the amount of Registrable Securities requested to be included.

6. Grace Periods .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein—

(A) the Company shall be entitled to postpone the filing or effectiveness of, or, at any time after a Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission suspend the use of, a Registration Statement (including the Prospectus included therein) if in the good faith judgment of the Board, such registration, offering or use would reasonably be expected to materially affect in an adverse manner or materially interfere with any bona fide material financing of the Company or any material transaction under

 

11


consideration by the Company or would require the disclosure of information that has not been, and is not otherwise required to be, disclosed to the public and the premature disclosure of which would materially affect the Company in an adverse manner; provided however , that in the event such Registration Statement relates to a Demand Registration Request or an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g) , then the Holders initiating such Demand Registration Request or such Underwritten Offering shall be entitled to withdraw the Demand Registration Request or request for the Underwritten Offering and, if such request is withdrawn, it shall not count against the limits imposed pursuant to Section 4(a)(D) or Section 5(e) and the Company shall pay all registration expenses in connection with such registration; and

(B) at any time after a Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission and there is no duty to disclose under applicable law, the Company may delay the disclosure of material non-public information concerning the Company if the disclosure of such information at the time would, in the good faith judgment of the Board, adversely affect the Company (the period of a postponement or suspension as described in clause (A) and/or a delay described in this clause (B), a “ Grace Period ”).

(b) The Company shall promptly (i) notify the Holders in writing of the existence of the event or material non-public information giving rise to a Grace Period (provided that the Company shall not disclose the content of such material non-public information to any Holder, without the express consent of such Holder) or the need to file a post-effective amendment, as applicable, and the date on which such Grace Period will begin, (ii) use its reasonable efforts to terminate a Grace Period as promptly as practicable and (iii) notify the Holders in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends.

(c) The duration of any one Grace Period shall not exceed sixty (60) days, and the aggregate of all Grace Periods in total during any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period shall not exceed ninety (90) days. For purposes of determining the length of a Grace Period, the Grace Period shall be deemed to begin on and include the date the Holders receive the notice referred to in clause (i) of Section 6(b) and shall end on and include the later of the date the Holders receive the notice referred to in clause (iii) of Section 6(b) and the date referred to in such notice. In the event the Company declares a Grace Period, the period during which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of an Initial Shelf Registration Statement or a Registration Statement filed pursuant to a Demand Registration Request shall be extended by the number of days during which such Grace Period is in effect.

7. Piggyback Registration

(a) If at any time, and from time to time, the Company proposes to—

(A) file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an underwritten offering of Common Stock of the Company or any securities convertible or exercisable into Common Stock of the Company (other than with respect to a registration statement (i) on Form S-8 or any successor form thereto, (ii) on Form S-4 or any successor form thereto or (iii) another form not available for registering the Registrable Securities for sale to the public), whether or not for its own account; or

(B) conduct an underwritten offering constituting a “takedown” of a class of Common Stock or any securities convertible or exercisable into Common Stock registered under a shelf registration statement previously filed by the Company;

 

12


the Company shall give written notice (the “ Piggyback Notice ”) of such proposed filing or underwritten offering to the Holders at least twenty (20) Business Days before the anticipated filing date. Such notice shall include the amount and class of securities proposed to be registered or offered, the proposed date of filing of such registration statement or the conduct of such underwritten offering, any proposed means of distribution of such securities, any proposed managing underwriter of such securities and a good faith estimate by the Company of the proposed maximum offering price of such securities as such price is proposed to appear on the front cover page of such registration statement (or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, would appear on the front cover page of a registration statement), and shall offer the Holders the opportunity to register such amount of Registrable Securities as each Holder may request on the same terms and conditions as the registration of the Company’s and/or the holders of other securities of the Company securities, as the case may be (a “ Piggyback Offering ”). Subject to Section 7(b) , the Company will include in each Piggyback Offering all Registrable Securities for which the Company has received written requests for inclusion within ten (10) Business Days after the date the Piggyback Notice is given; provided, however, that in the case of the filing of a registration statement, such Registrable Securities are not otherwise registered pursuant to an existing and effective Shelf Registration Statement under this Agreement; provided further, however that, in the case of an underwritten offering in the form of a “takedown” under a shelf registration statement, such Registrable Securities are covered by an existing and effective Shelf Registration Statement that may be utilized for the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be offered.

(b) The Company will cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of the proposed offering to permit the Holders that have requested Registrable Securities to be included in the Piggyback Offering to include all such Registrable Securities on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities, if any, of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such underwritten offering advises the Company and the selling Holders in writing that, in its view, the total amount of securities that the Company, such Holders and any other holders entitled to participate in such offering (“ Other Holders ”) propose to include in such offering is such as to materially adversely affect the success of such underwritten offering, then:

(A) if such Piggyback Offering is an underwritten primary offering by the Company for its own account, the Company will include in such Piggyback Offering: (i) first , all securities to be offered by the Company; (ii) second , up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by the Holders and the Equity Holders and the Warrant Holders entitled to participate in such offering, allocated pro rata among such holders on the basis of the amount of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder; and (iii) third , up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by all other Other Holders;

(B) if such Piggyback Offering is an underwritten secondary offering for the account of Other Holders exercising “demand” rights (including pursuant to a Demand

 

13


Registration Request), the Company will include in such registration: (i) first , all securities of the Other Holders exercising “demand” rights (including pursuant to a Demand Registration Request) requested to be included therein; (ii) second , up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by the Holders and the Equity Holders and the Warrant Holders entitled to participate in such offering (except for any of the foregoing groups to the extent such group was the group exercising such “demand” right), allocated pro rata among such holders on the basis of the amount of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder; (iii) third , up to the full amount of securities proposed to be included in the registration by the Company; and (iv) fourth , up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by any other Other Holders entitled to participate therein, allocated pro rata among such other Other Holders on the basis of the amount of securities requested to be included therein by each such other Other Holder;

such that, in each case, the total amount of securities to be included in such Piggyback Offering is the full amount that, in the view of such managing underwriter, can be sold without materially adversely affecting the success of such Piggyback Offering.

(c) If at any time after giving the Piggyback Notice and prior to the time sales of securities are confirmed pursuant to the Piggyback Offering, the Company determines for any reason not to register or delay the registration of the Piggyback Offering, the Company may, at its election, give notice of its determination to all Holders, and in the case of such a determination, will be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with the abandoned or delayed Piggyback Offering, without prejudice.

(d) Any Holder of Registrable Securities requesting to be included in a Piggyback Offering may withdraw its request for inclusion by giving written notice to the Company, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the anticipated Effective Date of the Registration Statement filed in connection with such Piggyback Offering, or in the case of a Piggyback Offering constituting a “takedown” off of a shelf registration statement, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the anticipated date of the filing by the Company under Rule 424 of a supplemental prospectus (which shall be the preliminary supplemental prospectus, if one is used in the “takedown”) with respect to such offering, of its intention to withdraw from that registration; provided , however , that (i) the Holder’s request be made in writing and (ii) the withdrawal will be irrevocable and, after making the withdrawal, a Holder will no longer have any right to include its Registrable Securities in that Piggyback Offering.

8. Registration Procedures . If and when the Company is required to effect any registration under the Securities Act as provided in Sections 2(a) , 4(a) , 5 or 7 of this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to:

(a) prepare and file with the Commission the requisite Registration Statement to effect such registration and thereafter use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become and remain effective, subject to the limitations contained herein;

 

14


(b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of in accordance with the method of disposition set forth in such Registration Statement, subject to the limitations contained herein;

(c) (i) before filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, at the Company’s expense, furnish to the Holders whose securities are covered by the Registration Statement copies of all such documents, other than documents that are incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, proposed to be filed and such other documents reasonably requested by such Holders (which may be furnished by email), and afford Counsel to the Holders a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such documents; and (ii) in connection with the preparation and filing of each such Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement, (A) upon reasonable advance notice to the Company, give each of the foregoing such reasonable access to all financial and other records, corporate documents and properties of the Company as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of Counsel to the Holders and such underwriters, to conduct a reasonable due diligence investigation for purposes of the Securities Act and Exchange Act, and (B) upon reasonable advance notice to the Company and during normal business hours, provide such reasonable opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers, directors, employees and the independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of Counsel to the Holders and such underwriters, to conduct a reasonable due diligence investigation for purposes of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act;

(d) notify each selling Holder of Registrable Securities, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when such Registration Statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any Prospectus forming a part of such Registration Statement has been filed;

(e) with respect to any offering of Registrable Securities, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities, and the managing underwriters for such Underwritten Offering, if any, without charge, such number of copies of the applicable Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus, and any other Prospectus (including any Prospectus filed under Rule 424, Rule 430A or Rule 430B promulgated under the Securities Act and any “issuer free writing prospectus” as such term is defined under Rule 433 promulgated under the Securities Act), all exhibits and other documents filed therewith and such other documents as such seller or such managing underwriters may reasonably request including in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller, and upon request, a copy of any and all transmittal letters or other correspondence to or received from, the Commission or any other governmental authority relating to such offer;

 

15


(f) (i) register or qualify all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such states or other jurisdictions of the United States of America as the Holders covered by such Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing, (ii) keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such Registration Statement remains in effect and (iii) take any other action that may be necessary or reasonably advisable to enable such Holders to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the securities to be sold by such Holders, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this subsection (f) be obligated to be so qualified, to subject itself to taxation in such jurisdiction or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

(g) cause all Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other federal or state governmental agencies or authorities as necessary upon the opinion of counsel to the Company or Counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to enable such Holder or Holders thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with their intended method of distribution thereof;

(h) with respect to any Underwritten Offering, obtain and, if obtained, furnish to each Holder that is named as an underwriter in such Underwritten Offering and each other underwriter thereof, a signed

(A) opinion of outside counsel for the Company (including a customary 10b-5 statement), dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement and addressed to the underwriters, reasonably satisfactory (based on the customary form and substance of opinions of issuers’ counsel customarily given in such an offering) in form and substance to such underwriters, if any, and

(B) “comfort” letter, dated the date of the Underwriting Agreement and another dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement and addressed to the underwriters and signed by the independent public accountants who have certified the Company’s financial statements included or incorporated by reference in such registration statement, reasonably satisfactory (based on the customary form and substance of “cold comfort” letters of issuers’ independent public accountant customarily given in such an offering) in form and substance to such Holder and such underwriters, if any,

in each case, covering substantially the same matters with respect to such Registration Statement (and the Prospectus included therein) and, in the case of the accountants’ comfort letter, with respect to events subsequent to the date of such financial statements, as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ comfort letters delivered to underwriters in such types of offerings of securities;

(i) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement at any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under

 

16


the Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of which, the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made and for which the Company chooses to suspend the use of the Registration Statement and Prospectus in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, at the written request of any such Holder, promptly prepare and furnish to it a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such Prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such securities, such Prospectus, as supplemented or amended, shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made;

(j) notify the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement promptly of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of such Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information;

(k) advise the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement promptly after the Company receives notice or obtains knowledge of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement relating to the Registrable Securities at the earliest practicable moment and promptly use its reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal;

(l) otherwise comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and any other governmental agency or authority having jurisdiction over the offering of Registrable Securities, and make available to its stockholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months, but not more than eighteen (18) months, beginning with the first (1 st ) full calendar month after the Effective Date of such Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder and which requirement will be deemed satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Form 10-Q and 10-K and Current Reports on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

(m) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for the Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement no later than the Effective Date thereof;

(n) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as the Holders beneficially owning a majority of the Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement or the underwriters, if any, shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including customary indemnification; and provide reasonable cooperation, including causing at least one (1) executive officer and a

 

17


senior financial officer to attend and participate in “road shows” and other information meetings organized by the underwriters, if any, as reasonably requested; provided , however, that nothing in this Agreement shall require the Company to participate in more than two (2) “road shows” in any twelve (12)-month period and such participation shall not unreasonably interfere with the business operations of the Company;

(o) if requested by the managing underwriter(s) or the Holders beneficially owning a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection with an Underwritten Offering, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information relating to the plan of distribution for such Registrable Securities provided to the Company in writing by the managing underwriters and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold and that is required to be included therein relating to the plan of distribution with respect to such Registrable Securities, including without limitation, information with respect to the amount of Registrable Securities being sold to such underwriters, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and with respect to any other terms of the Underwritten Offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering, and make any required filings with respect to such information relating to the plan of distribution as soon as practicable after notified of the information;

(p) cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement and the managing underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends, and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such amounts and registered in such names as the managing underwriters, or, if none, the Holders beneficially owning a majority of the Registrable Securities being offered for sale, may reasonably request at least three (3) Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities to the underwriters; and

(q) otherwise use its reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

In addition, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement for any registration under this Agreement, the Company will notify each Holder of the information the Company requires from that Holder, including any update to or confirmation of the information contained in the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire, if any, which shall be completed and delivered to the Company promptly upon request and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days prior to the applicable anticipated filing date. Each Holder further agrees that it shall not be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement or use the Prospectus for offers and resales of Registrable Securities at any time, unless such Holder has returned to the Company a completed and signed Selling Stockholder Questionnaire and a response to any requests for further information as described in the previous sentence and, if an Underwritten Offering, entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters in accordance with Section 5(b) . If a Holder of Registrable Securities returns a Selling Stockholder Questionnaire or a request for further information, in either case, after its respective deadline, the Company shall be permitted to exclude such Holder from being a selling security holder in the Registration Statement or any pre-effective or post-effective

 

18


amendment thereto. Each Holder acknowledges and agrees that the information in the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire or request for further information as described in this Section   8 will be used by the Company in the preparation of the Registration Statement and hereby consents to the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement.

9. Registration Expenses . All fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with its obligations under this Agreement (excluding any underwriting discounts, fees or selling commissions or broker or similar commissions or fees, or transfer taxes of any Holder) shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with any stock exchange on which any Registrable Securities are then listed for trading, (B) with respect to compliance with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as requested by the Holders) and (C) if not previously paid by the Company in connection with an Issuer Filing, with respect to any filing that may be required to be made by any broker through which a Holder intends to make sales of Registrable Securities with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“ FINRA ”) pursuant to the FINRA Rule 5110, so long as the broker is receiving no more than a customary brokerage commission in connection with such sale, (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) the reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with any road show for underwritten offerings, (vi) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vii) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company will pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Counsel to the Holders, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any expenses of Counsel to the Holders in connection with the filing or amendment of any Registration Statement, Prospectus or free writing prospectus hereunder. Each Holder that sells Registrable Securities pursuant to an Underwritten Offering shall bear and pay all underwriting discounts, fees and commissions applicable to the Registrable Securities sold for such Holder’s account.

10. Lockups .

(a) In connection with any Underwritten Takedown or underwritten registration pursuant to a Demand Registration Request or other underwritten public offering of equity securities by the Company, except with the written consent of the underwriters managing such offering, no Holder who participates in such offering or beneficially owns five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at such time and an amount of Registrable Securities that exceeds three percent (3%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders shall effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or

 

19


exercisable for such securities, without prior written consent from the Company, during the seven (7) days prior to and the ninety (90)-day period beginning on the date of closing of such offering (the “ Lockup Period ”), except as part of such offering, provided , that such Lockup Period restrictions are applicable on substantially similar terms to the Company and all of its and its subsidiaries’ executive officers and directors; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Holder from making a distribution of Registrable Securities to any of its partners, members or stockholders thereof or a transfer of Registrable Securities to an Affiliate or Related Fund that is otherwise in compliance with the applicable securities laws, so long as such distributees or transferees, as applicable, agree to be bound by the restrictions set forth in this Section 10(a) ; provided, further, that nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the ability of any Holder from participating in any such offering, to the extent otherwise permitted, through the exercise of “piggyback” or similar rights that such Holder may otherwise have under the Equity Registration Rights Agreement or Warrant Registration Rights Agreement. Each Holder agrees to execute a lock-up agreement in favor of the Company’s underwriters to such effect and, in any event, that the Company’s underwriters in any relevant offering shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section   10(a) . The provisions of this Section   10(a) will no longer apply to a Holder once such Holder ceases to hold Registrable Securities.

(b) In connection with any Underwritten Offering, the Company shall not effect any public sale or distribution of equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, without prior written consent from the Majority Holders, during the Lockup Period, except as part of such offering, provided, that such Lockup Period restrictions are applicable on substantially similar terms to the Majority Holders. The Company agrees to execute a lock-up agreement in favor of the Majority Holders’ underwriters to such effect and, in any event, that the Majority Holders’ underwriters in any relevant offering shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 10(b) . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may effect a public sale or distribution of securities of the type described above and during the periods described above if such sale or distribution is made pursuant to registrations on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or as part of any registration of securities or offering and sale to employees, directors or consultants of the company and its subsidiaries pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit plan arrangement.

11. Indemnification .

(a) Indemnification by the Company . The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, agents, partners, members, managers, investment managers, stockholders, Affiliates and employees of each of them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, investment managers, stockholders, agents and employees of each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of preparation and investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “ Losses ”), to which any of them may become subject, that arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any

 

20


preliminary prospectus or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (A) such untrue statements, alleged untrue statements, omissions or alleged omissions are based upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was provided by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or (B) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 8(i) , related to the use by a Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated and defined in Section 15(c) below, but only if and to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 11(c) ), shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Holders, and shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Indemnification by Holders . Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its respective directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising out of or are based solely upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (i) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein or (ii) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was provided by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (iii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 8(i) , to the extent, but only to the extent, related to the use by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 15(c) , but only if and to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and

 

21


effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 11(c) ), shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Holders, and shall be in addition to any liability which the Holder may otherwise have.

(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings . If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “ Indemnified Party ”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof; provided , that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that such failure shall have materially and adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.

An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses; (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that in the reasonable judgment of such counsel a conflict of interest exists if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party; provided , that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all Indemnified Parties. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable and documented fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section 11(c) ) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, with reasonable promptness after receipt of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party; provided , that the Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is finally judicially determined to not be entitled to indemnification hereunder. The failure to deliver written notice to the Indemnifying Party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such Indemnifying Party of any liability to the Indemnified Party under this Section 11 , except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially and adversely prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

 

22


(d) Contribution . If a claim for indemnification under Section 11(a) or (b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses, then each Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission.

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 11(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 11(d) , no Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

12. Rule   144 and Rule   144A; Other Exemptions . With a view to making available to the Holders of Registrable Securities the benefits of Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act and other rules and regulations of the Commission that may at any time permit a Holder of Registrable Securities to sell securities of the Company without registration, until such time as when no Registrable Securities remain outstanding, the Company covenants that it will (i) file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required, if any, to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder and (ii) make available information necessary to comply with Rule 144 and Rule 144A, if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, at all times, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (x) Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act (if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities), as such rules may be amended from time to time or (y) any other rules or regulations now existing or hereafter adopted by the Commission. Upon the reasonable request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such information requirements, and, if not, the specific reasons for non-compliance.

13. Transfer of Registration Rights . Any Holder may freely assign its rights hereunder on a pro rata basis in connection with any sale, transfer, assignment, or other conveyance (any of the foregoing, a “ Transfer ”) of Registrable Securities to any transferee or

 

23


assignee; provided that all of the following additional conditions are satisfied: (a) such Transfer is effected in accordance with applicable securities laws; (b) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to become subject to the terms of this Agreement; and (c) the Company is given written notice by such Holder of such Transfer, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee and identifying the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred or assigned; and further provided, that (i) any rights assigned hereunder shall apply only in respect of the Registrable Securities that are Transferred and not in respect of any other securities that the transferee or assignee may hold and (ii) any Registrable Securities that are Transferred may cease to constitute Registrable Securities following such Transfer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

14. Further Assurances . Each of the parties hereto shall execute all such further instruments and documents and take all such further action as any other party hereto may reasonably require in order to effectuate the terms and purposes of this Agreement.

15. Miscellaneous .

(a) Remedies . Any Person having rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) for specific performance and for other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

(b) Compliance . Each Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it (unless an exemption therefrom is available) in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement and shall sell the Registrable Securities only in accordance with a method of distribution described in each Registration Statement

(c) Discontinued Disposition . By its acquisition of Registrable Securities, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of a Grace Period or any event of the kind described in Section 8(i) , such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus (as it may have been supplemented or amended) may be resumed. The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to enforce the provisions of this paragraph.

(d) Preservation of Rights . Except as may otherwise be contained in the Equity Registration Rights Agreement or the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement (in each case as of, and as in effect on, the date hereof), the Company shall not grant any registration rights to third parties which are more favorable than or inconsistent with the rights granted hereunder unless any such more favorable rights are concurrently added to the rights granted hereunder.

 

24


(e) No Inconsistent Agreements . The Company shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement.

(f) Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, or waived unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and Holders holding at least a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities; provided, however, that any party may give a waiver as to itself; provided further, however that no amendment, modification, supplement, or waiver that disproportionately and adversely affects, alters, or changes the interests of any Holder shall be effective against such Holder without the prior written consent of such Holder; and provided further that the waiver of any provision with respect to any Registration Statement or offering may be given by Holders holding at least a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities entitled to participate in such offering or, if such offering shall have been commenced, having elected to participate in such offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of certain Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; provided , however , that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. No waiver of any terms or conditions of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any other breach of such terms and conditions or any other term or condition, nor shall any failure to enforce any provision hereof operate as a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof. No written waiver hereunder, unless it by its own terms explicitly provides to the contrary, shall be construed to effect a continuing waiver of the provisions being waived and no such waiver in any instance shall constitute a waiver in any other instance or for any other purpose or impair the right of the party against whom such waiver is claimed in all other instances or for all other purposes to require full compliance with such provision. The failure of any party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of such provision and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

(g) Notices . Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified or regular mail, by private national courier service (return receipt requested, postage prepaid), by personal delivery, by electronic mail or by facsimile transmission. Such notice or communication shall be deemed given (i) if mailed, two days after the date of mailing, (ii) if sent by national courier service, one Business Day after being sent, (iii) if delivered personally, when so delivered, (iv) if sent by electronic mail, on the Business Day such electronic mail is transmitted, or (v) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the Business Day such facsimile is transmitted, in each case as follows:

(A) If to the Company:

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation
Attn: Michael J. Killelea, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Tel: (713) 780-9494

Fax: (713) 780-9254

E-mail: Mike.Killelea@goodrichpetroleum.com

 

25


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

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Attn: Harry Perrin

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002-6760

Tel: (713) 758-2548

Fax: (713) 615-5016

E-mail: hperrin@velaw.com

and

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Attn:   David S. Meyer
  Lauren R. Kanzer

666 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor

New York, New York 10103-0040

Tel: (212) 237-0058

Fax: (917) 849-5358

E-mail:   dmeyer@velaw.com
  lkanzer@velaw.com

(B) If to the Holders (or to any of them), at their addresses as they appear in the records of the Company or the records of the transfer agent or registrar, if any, for the Registrable Securities.

If any time period for giving notice or taking action hereunder expires on a day which is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of New York or the jurisdiction in which the Company’s principal office is located, the time period shall automatically be extended to the Business Day immediately following such Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

(h) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any trustee in bankruptcy). In addition, and whether or not any express assignment shall have been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of the Holders of Registrable Securities (or any portion thereof) as such shall be for the benefit of and enforceable by any subsequent holder of any Registrable Securities (or of such portion thereof); provided , that such subsequent holder of Registrable Securities shall be required to execute a joinder to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company agreeing to be bound by its terms. No assignment or delegation of this Agreement by the Company, or any of the Company’s rights, interests or obligations hereunder, shall be effective against any Holder without the prior written consent of such Holder.

 

26


(i) Execution and Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

(j) Delivery by Facsimile . This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or other electronic means, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

(k) Governing Law; Venue . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) to the extent such rules or provisions would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. Each of the parties to this Agreement consents and agrees that any action to enforce this Agreement or any dispute, whether such dispute arises in law or equity, arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or any New York State Court sitting in New York City. The parties hereto consent and agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Each of the parties to this Agreement waives and agrees not to assert in any such dispute, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claim that (i) such party and such party’s property is immune from any legal process issued by such courts or (ii) any litigation or other proceeding commenced in such courts is brought in an inconvenient forum. The parties hereby agree that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding to an address provided in writing by the recipient of such mailing, or in such other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof and hereby waive any objections to service in the manner herein provided.

(l) Waiver of Jury Trial . Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby agrees to waive its respective rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out of this Agreement. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, including contract claims, tort claims and all other common law and statutory claims. Each party hereto acknowledges that this waiver is a material inducement to enter into this Agreement, that each has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each will continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings. Each party hereto further warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR

 

27


IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION   15(l) AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

(m) Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

(n) Descriptive Headings; Interpretation; No Strict Construction . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns, pronouns, and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. Reference to any agreement, document, or instrument means such agreement, document, or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and, if applicable, hereof. The words “include”, “includes” or “including” in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation”. The use of the words “or,” “either” or “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. All references to laws, rules, regulations and forms in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such laws, rules, regulations and forms, as amended from time to time or, to the extent replaced, the comparable successor thereto in effect at the time. All references to agencies, self-regulatory organizations or governmental entities in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the comparable successors thereto from time to time.

(o) Entire Agreement . This Agreement and any certificates, documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof.

(p) Termination . The obligations of the Company and of any Holder, other than those obligations contained in Section 11 and this Section 15 , shall terminate with respect to the Company and such Holder as soon as such Holder no longer beneficially owns any Registrable Securities.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

28


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Michael J. Killelea

Name:   Michael J. Killelea
Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Notes)


EACH ENTITY LISTED ON SCHEDULE A HERETO
By:   Shenkman Capital Management, Inc., in its capacity as investment manager to each Shenkman Purchaser listed on Schedule A hereto
By:   /s/ Justin Slatky
  Name:   Justin Slatky
  Title:   Executive Vice President

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Notes)]


FRANKLIN ADVISERS, INC. , as investment manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts
By:   /s/ Glenn Voyles
  Name: Glenn Voyles
  Title: Vice President, Director of Portfolio Management

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Notes)]


O’CONNOR GLOBAL MULTI-STRATEGY ALPHA MASTER LIMITED
By:   UBS O’Connor LLC, its investment adviser
By:   /s/ Andrew Martin
  Name:   Andrew Martin
  Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Joseph Workman
  Name:   Joseph Workman
  Title:   Deputy General Counsel
By:   /s/ Jeff Richmond
  Name:   Jeff Richmond
  Title:   Executive Director

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Notes)]


NINETEEN77 GLOBAL MULTI-STRATEGY ALPHA (LEVERED) MASTER LIMITED
By:   UBS O’Connor LLC, its investment adviser
By:   /s/ Andrew Martin
  Name:   Andrew Martin
  Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Joseph Workman
  Name:   Joseph Workman
  Title:   Deputy General Counsel
By:   /s/ Jeff Richmond
  Name:   Jeff Richmond
  Title:   Executive Director

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Notes)]


J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC , with respect to only its Credit Trading group
By:   /s/ Christopher Cestaro
  Name:   Christopher Cestaro
  Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Notes)]


CVC GLOBAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND, LP
By:   Its Investment Advisor CVC Credit Partners, LLC
By:   /s/ Scott Bynum
  Name:   Scott Bynum
  Title:   Managing Director

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Notes)]


SCHEDULE A

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Pension Plan

EDS 1994 Pension Scheme

EDS Retirement Plan

P SCM Energy HY Ltd.

Shenkman Energy Opportunity Master Fund Ltd.

Four Points Multi-Strategy Master Fund Inc.

Exhibit 10.4

EXECUTION VERSION

WARRANT AGREEMENT

THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 12, 2016, is by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”).

WHEREAS, on April 15, 2016, the Company (the “ Debtor ”) and Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. (the “ Debtor Affiliate ”) filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the for the Southern District of Texas (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”), case number 16-31975;

WHEREAS, on August 12, 2016, the Debtor and Debtor Affiliate filed the First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “ Plan of Reorganization ”);

WHEREAS, on September 28, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Plan of Reorganization, and the Company and Debtor Affiliate emerged from their chapter 11 cases on the date first written above (the “ Effective Date ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Company will issue or cause to be issued, on or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, warrants (the “ Warrants ”) to purchase shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”), representing an aggregate total of 20% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization (subject to dilution as set forth in the Plan of Reorganization) to the New 2L Notes Purchasers (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization);

WHEREAS , the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the Warrants, the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the respective rights, limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent, and the holders of the Warrants;

WHEREAS , the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, call, exercise and cancellation of the Warrants; and

WHEREAS , all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Warrants, when issued, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definition of Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following respective meanings:


(a) “ Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

(b) “ Affiliate Transaction ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.9 hereof.

(c) “ Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(d) “ Appropriate Officer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a) hereof.

(e) “ Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§101-1532.

(f) “ Beneficial Holder ” means, with respect to any Warrants represented by a Global Warrant Certificate, any person or entity that “beneficially owns” (as such term is defined under and determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) such Warrants.

(g) “ Beneficial Ownership Limitation ” means 9.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the Warrant Exercise Shares as set forth in the applicable Exercise Form.

(h) “ Bankruptcy Court ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(i) “ Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(j) “ Book-Entry Warrants ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(k) “ Business Day ” means any day that is not (i) a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed and, (ii) in the event that the Warrants or Common Stock are listed on a national securities exchange other than the New York Stock Exchange, a day on which such national securities exchange is closed.

(l) “ Certificated Warrants ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(m) “ Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals, and shall include any successor security as a result of any recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification or similar transaction involving the Company.

(n) “ Common Stock Deemed Outstanding ” means, at any given time, the sum of (a) the number of shares of Common Stock actually outstanding at such time, plus (b) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options, Warrants and Unsecured Creditors’ Warrants actually outstanding at such time, plus (c) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities actually outstanding at such time (treating as actually outstanding any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of Options actually outstanding at such time), in each case, regardless of whether the Options or Convertible Securities are actually exercisable at such time; provided , that Common Stock Deemed Outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries.


(o) “ Convertible Securities ” means any securities (directly or indirectly) convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, but excluding Options.

(p) “ Current Sale Price ” of the Common Stock on any date of determination means:

(i) if the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or The NASDAQ Stock Market on such date, the average closing sale price per share of the Common Stock (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and closing ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date of determination, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange or The NASDAQ Stock Market, as applicable;

(ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or The NASDAQ Stock Market on such date, but is listed on another U.S. national or regional securities exchange, the average closing sale price per share of the Common Stock (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the high bid and low asked prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average high bid and low asked prices) for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date of determination, as reported in composite transactions for such securities exchange (or, if more than one, the principal securities exchange on which the Common Stock is traded);

(iii) if the Common Stock is not listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, the average last quoted sale price for the Common Stock (or, if no sale price is reported, the average of the high bid and low asked price for such date) for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date of determination, in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or other similar organization; or

(iv) in all other cases, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

The Current Sale Price shall be determined without reference to early hours, after hours or extended market trading.

The Current Sale Price shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board of Directors in good faith if the “ex date” (as hereinafter defined) for any event (other than the issuance or distribution requiring such computation) occurs during the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the day as of which the Current Sale Price is being determined.

For these purposes the term “ex date”, when used:

(i) with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on the relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the sale price or bid and ask prices, as applicable, were obtained without the right to receive such issuance or distribution;


(ii) with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or combination becomes effective; and

(iii) with respect to any tender or exchange offer, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in such market after the expiration time of such offer.

The foregoing adjustments shall be made to the Current Sale Price in accordance with the terms hereof, as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the intent of this Agreement and to avoid unjust or inequitable results as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

(q) “ Customer Identification Program ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.16 hereof.

(r) “ Date of Issuance ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a) hereof.

(s) “ Debtor ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(t) “ Debtor Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(u) “ Depositary ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(v) “ Direct Registration Warrants ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(w) “ Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

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

(y) “ Excluded Issuance ” means any issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale in accordance with Section 5.3 ) by the Company after the Date of Issuance of (a) shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the Warrants; (b) shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the Unsecured Creditors’ Warrants; (c) shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of the Initial Notes; (d) shares of Common Stock issued directly pursuant to a broadly distributed, registered public offering that is underwritten on a firm commitment basis; (e) shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options to directors, officers, employees, or consultants of the Company in connection with their service as directors of the Company, their employment by the Company or their retention as consultants by the Company, in each case authorized by the Board of Directors and issued pursuant to the Company’s long term incentive plan (including all such shares of Common Stock and Options outstanding prior to the Effective Date); (f) shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exercise of Options (other than Options covered by clause (e) above) or Convertible Securities issued prior to the Date of Issuance, provided that such securities are not amended after the date hereof to increase the number of shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder or to lower the exercise or conversion price thereof; or (g) shares of Common Stock issued as bona fide “equity kickers” following the Effective Date in connection with one or more debt financings of the Company from one or more lenders that are not Affiliates of the Company.

 


(z) “ Exercise Date ” means any date, on or prior to the expiration of the Exercise Period, on which the Registered Holder exercises the right to purchase the Warrant Exercise Shares, in whole or in part, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions described herein.

(aa) “ Exercise Form ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(d) hereof.

(bb) “ Exercise Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

(cc) “ Exercise Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 hereof.

(dd) “ Fair Market Value ” shall mean (i) in the case of Publicly Traded Securities, the average closing price on the applicable trading exchange or quotation system on each trading day during the five (5) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the measurement date, and (ii) in the case of equity securities other than Publicly Traded Securities, the fair market value per equity security, as determined on a reasonable basis and in good faith by the Board, but without regard for any liquidity or minority discounts.

(ee) “ Funds ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(i) hereof.

(ff) “ Global Warrant Certificates ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(gg) “Governmental Authority” means any (i) government, (ii) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department, official or entity and any court or other tribunal) or (iii) body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory or taxing authority or power of any nature, in each case, whether federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, supranational or of any other jurisdiction.

(hh) “ Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

(ii) “ Initial Notes ” means the $40 million of 13.5% Convertible Senior Secured Second Lien Notes of the Company issued pursuant to the indenture, dated the date hereof, among the Company, the guarantors named therein, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.

(jj) “ Law ” means all laws, statutes, rules, regulations, codes, injunctions, decrees, orders, ordinances, registration requirements, disclosure requirements and other pronouncements having the effect of law of the United States, any foreign country or any domestic or foreign state, county, city or other political subdivision or of any Governmental Authority.

(kk) “ Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor thereto.


(ll) “ Options ” means any warrants or other rights or options to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

(mm) “ Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association, indenture trustee, organization, joint stock company, joint venture, estate, trust, governmental unit or any political subdivision thereof, or any other entity (as such term is defined in the Bankruptcy Code).

(nn) “ Plan of Reorganization ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(oo) “ Publicly Traded Securities ” shall mean securities that are registered under the Securities Act, are freely tradable and listed for trading on a national securities exchange.

(pp) “ Registered Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(d) hereof.

(qq) “ Requisite Holders ” means Registered Holders of Warrants exercisable for a majority of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of all Warrants then outstanding.

(rr) “ Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

(ss) “ S&P ” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

(tt) “ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

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

(vv) “ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, limited liability company or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of the partnership, limited liability company or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, limited liability company or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of partnership, limited liability company or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the general partner, the managing member or entity performing similar functions of such partnership, limited liability company or other business entity.

(ww) “ Transfer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a) hereof.


(xx) “ Unsecured Creditors’ Warrants ” means out-of-the money warrants equal to 10% of the New Goodrich Equity Interests (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization), on a fully diluted basis, issued pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization.

(yy) “ USA PATRIOT Act ” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

(zz) “ Waiver Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(c) hereof.

(aaa) “ Warrant Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall include any successor to the Warrant Agent pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof.

(bbb) “ Warrant Certificates ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(ccc) “ Warrant Exercise Shares ” means the shares of Common Stock issued upon the applicable exercise of a Warrant.

(ddd) “ Warrant Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(c) hereof.

(eee) “ Warrant Restrictions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(fff) “ Warrant Statements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(ggg) “ Warrants ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Section 1.2 Rules of Construction

(a) The singular form of any word used herein, including the terms defined in Section 1.1 hereof, shall include the plural, and vice versa. The use herein of a word of any gender shall include correlative words of all genders.

(b) Unless otherwise specified, references to Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of this Agreement are to the designated Articles, Sections and other subdivision of this Agreement as originally executed. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole.

(c) References to “$” are to dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

(d) The Exhibits attached hereto are an integral part of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

APPOINTMENT OF WARRANT AGENT

Section 2.1 Appointment . The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company for the Warrants in accordance with the express terms and subject to the


conditions set forth in this Agreement (and no implied terms or conditions), and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the express terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

ARTICLE III

WARRANTS

Section 3.1 Issuance of Warrants .

(a) On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the terms of the Plan of Reorganization, on or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date (such date, the “ Date of Issuance ”), the Company will issue the Warrants to the New 2L Notes Purchasers, as set forth in the Plan of Reorganization.

(b) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to exercise of the Warrants shall be 2,499,999 shares, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to this Agreement.

(c) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Warrants (such Warrants being referred to as “ Book-Entry Warrants ”) shall be issued through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company, as depositary (the “ Depositary ”), in the form of one or more global warrant certificates (“ Global Warrant Certificates ”), duly executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned, either by manual or facsimile signature, by the Warrant Agent, in the manner set forth in Section 3.2(b) below, which the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered to the Depositary, on or promptly after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Warrants that are not issuable through the mandatory reorganization function of the Depositary shall either be (x) represented by certificates (including the Global Warrant Certificates, “ Warrant Certificates ”; and any Warrant represented by a Warrant Certificate, other than a Global Warrant Certificate, being referred to as a “ Certificated Warrant ”) or (y) issued by electronic entry registration on the books of the Warrant Agent (“ Direct Registration Warrants ”) and shall be reflected on statements issued by the Warrant Agent from time to time to the holders thereof (the “ Warrant Statements ”); provided that any Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants that are not subject to any restriction on Transfer or exercise, or are not subject to any vesting requirements (such restrictions or requirements, “ Warrant Restrictions ”), may be exchanged at any time for a corresponding number of Book-Entry Warrants, in accordance with Section   6.1(d) and the applicable procedures of the Depositary and the Warrant Agent.

Section 3.2 Form of Warrant .

(a) Subject to Section 6.1 of this Agreement, the Global Warrant Certificates, with the forms of election to exercise and of assignment printed on the reverse thereof, shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 attached hereto. The Certificated Warrants, with the forms of election to exercise and of assignment printed on the reverse thereof, shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 attached hereto. The Warrant Certificates may bear such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or


permitted by this Agreement, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries, or endorsements placed thereon as may be required by the Depositary (including as provided in Section 3.2(b) ) or to comply with any Law or with any rules or regulations made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, or, be determined by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer of the Company (each, an “ Appropriate Officer ”) executing such Warrant Certificates, as evidenced by their execution of the Warrant Certificates, provided any such insertions, omissions, substitutions or variations shall be reasonably acceptable to the Warrant Agent; and provided further , in each case, that they do not affect the rights, duties, obligations, responsibilities, liabilities or indemnities of the Warrant Agent.

(b) The Global Warrant Certificates shall bear a legend substantially in the form indicated therefor on Exhibit A-1 . The Global Warrant Certificates shall be deposited on or after the Date of Issuance with the Warrant Agent and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of the Depositary. Each Global Warrant Certificate shall represent such number of the outstanding Warrants as specified therein, and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Warrants from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Warrants represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Section 3.3 Execution of Warrant Certificates .

(a) The Warrant Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Company by an Appropriate Officer. Each such signature upon the Warrant Certificates may be in the form of a facsimile signature of any such Appropriate Officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant Certificates and for that purpose the Company may adopt and use the facsimile signature of any Appropriate Officer.

(b) If any Appropriate Officer who shall have signed any of the Warrant Certificates shall cease to be such Appropriate Officer before the Warrant Certificates so signed shall have been countersigned, either by manual or facsimile signature, by the Warrant Agent or delivered or disposed of by or on behalf of the Company, such Warrant Certificates nevertheless may be countersigned and delivered or disposed of with the same force and effect as though such Appropriate Officer had not ceased to be such Appropriate Officer of the Company; and any Warrant Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Warrant Certificate, shall be a proper Appropriate Officer of the Company to sign such Warrant Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such person was not such Appropriate Officer.

(c) A Warrant Certificate shall be, and shall remain, subject to the provisions of this Agreement until such time as all of the Warrants evidenced thereby shall have been duly exercised or shall have expired or been canceled in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 3.4 Registration and Countersignature .

(a) Upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Appropriate Officer instructing the Warrant Agent to do so, the Warrant Agent (i) shall upon receipt of


Warrant Certificates, including the Global Warrant Certificates, duly executed on behalf of the Company, countersign, either by manual or facsimile signature, such Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants, and record such Warrant Certificates, including the Registered Holders thereof, in the Warrant Register, and (ii) shall register in the Warrant Register any Direct Registration Warrants in the names of the initial Registered Holders thereof. Such written order of the Company shall specifically state the number of Warrants that are to be issued as Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants and the name of the Registered Holders thereof, and the number of Warrants that are to be issued as Book-Entry Warrants, and the Warrant Agent may rely conclusively on such written order. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not instruct the Warrant Agent to register any Direct Registration Warrants unless and until the Warrant Agent shall notify the Company in writing that it has the capabilities to accommodate Direct Registration Warrants.

(b) No Warrant Certificate shall be valid for any purpose, and no Warrant evidenced thereby shall be exercisable, until such Warrant Certificate has been countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of the Warrant Agent. Such signature by the Warrant Agent upon any Warrant Certificate executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that such Warrant Certificate so countersigned has been duly issued hereunder.

(c) The Warrant Agent shall keep or cause to be kept, at an office designated for such purpose, books (the “ Warrant Register ”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it shall register the Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, and the Warrants represented by Global Warrant Certificates, and exchanges, cancellations and Transfers of outstanding Warrants in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 6.1 of this Agreement, all in a form satisfactory to the Company and the Warrant Agent. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of Transfer of the Warrants, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or other charge that may be imposed on any Registered Holder in connection with any such exchange or registration of Transfer. The Warrant Agent shall have no obligation to effect an exchange or register a Transfer unless and until it is satisfied that any payments required by the immediately preceding sentence have been made.

(d) Prior to due presentment for registration of Transfer or exchange of any Warrants in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Agreement, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Warrants are registered upon the Warrant Register (the “ Registered Holder ” of such Warrants) as the absolute owner of such Warrants, for all purposes including, without limitation, for the purpose of any exercise thereof, any distribution to the holder thereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Warrant Agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary. Neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent will be liable or responsible for any registration or Transfer of any Warrants that are registered or to be registered in the name of a fiduciary or the nominee of a fiduciary.


ARTICLE IV

TERMS AND EXERCISE OF WARRANTS

Section 4.1 Exercise Price . Each Warrant shall entitle (i) in the case of the Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, the Registered Holder thereof and (ii) in the case of Book-Entry Warrants, the Beneficial Holder thereof ((i) and (ii) collectively, the “ Holder ”), subject to the provisions of the Warrants and this Agreement, the right to purchase from the Company one share of Common Stock (subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Article V hereof), at the price of $0.01 per share (the “ Exercise Price ”).

Section 4.2 Exercise Period . Warrants may be exercised by the Holder thereof, in whole or in part (but not as to a fractional share of Common Stock), at any time and from time to time after the Date of Issuance and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York time on October 12, 2026 (the “ Exercise Period ”). To the extent that a Warrant or portion thereof is not exercised prior to the expiration of the Exercise Period, it shall be automatically cancelled with no action by any Person, and with no further rights thereunder, upon such expiration.

Section 4.3 Method of Exercise .

(a) In connection with the exercise of any Warrants, (i) the Holder of such Warrants shall exchange the Common Stock purchase rights represented thereby by surrendering such Warrant (or portion thereof) to the Warrant Agent for the number of Warrant Exercise Shares being exercised, up to the aggregate number of Warrant Exercise Shares for which the Warrants are exercisable (subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement and the Warrants), and (ii) the Exercise Price shall be paid, at the option of the Holder, (x) in United States dollars by personal, certified or official bank check payable to the Warrant Agent (if by certified or official bank check the Holder’s account number with the Warrant Agent and name and address must be typeset on the check), or by wire transfer to an account specified in writing by the Company or the Warrant Agent to such Holder, in either case in immediately available funds in an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for such Warrant Exercise Shares as specified in the Exercise Form or (y) by cashless exercise as set forth in Section 4.3(b) ).

(b) In lieu of paying the Exercise Price by personal, certified or official bank check or by wire transfer, any Holder may elect to exercise Warrants by authorizing the Company to withhold and not issue to such Holder, in payment of the Exercise Price thereof, a number of such Warrant Exercise Shares equal to (x) the number of Warrant Exercise Shares for which the Warrants are being exercised, multiplied by (y) the Exercise Price, and divided by (z) the Current Sale Price on the Exercise Date (and such withheld shares shall no longer be issuable under such Warrants, and the Holder shall not have any rights or be entitled to any payment with respect to such withheld shares).

(c) At no time when the Common Stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act shall the Company or the Warrant Agent effect any exercise of the Warrants, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of the Warrants, to the extent that, after giving effect to the exercise as set forth on the applicable Exercise Form, such Holder (together with such Holder’s Affiliates, and any Persons acting as a group together with such Holder or


any of such Holder’s Affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation; provided that, upon a Holder providing the Company and the Warrant Agent with sixty-one (61) days’ notice (the “ Waiver Notice ”) at any time, whether before or after the Common Stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, that such Holder wishes to waive the provisions of this Section 4.3(c) with regard to any or all Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of such Holder’s Warrants, this Section 4.3(c) shall be of no force or effect with regard to the Warrants referenced in the Waiver Notice. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder, its Affiliates and any Persons acting as a group together with such Holder or its Affiliates shall include the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company beneficially owned by such Holder, its Affiliates or any other such Persons if such securities are subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 4.3(c), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In order to correct this Section 4.3(c) (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation, the provisions of this Section 4.3(c) may be construed and implemented in a manner other than in strict conformity with the terms hereof.

(d) Upon exercise of any Warrants, the Warrant Agent will (no later than three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Exercise Form) deliver written notice to the Company to confirm the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with such exercise. The Company shall calculate and transmit to the Warrant Agent in a written notice, and the Warrant Agent shall have no duty, responsibility or obligation to calculate, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with any exercise. The Warrant Agent shall be entitled to rely conclusively on any such written notice provided by the Company, and the Warrant Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with such written instructions or pursuant to this Agreement. Such written notice from the Company shall also set forth the cost basis for such shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to such exercise.

(e) Subject to the terms and conditions of the Warrants and this Agreement, the Holder of any Warrants may exercise, in whole or in part, such Holder’s right to purchase the Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of such Warrants by: (x) in the case of Certificated Warrants, properly completing and duly executing the exercise form for the election to exercise such Warrants (including the exercise forms referred to in clauses (y) and (z) below, an “ Exercise Form ”) appearing on the reverse side of the Warrant Certificates, (y) in the case of Direct Registration Warrants, providing an Exercise Form substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, properly completed and duly executed by the Registered Holder thereof, to the Warrant Agent, and (z) in the case of Book-Entry Warrants, providing an Exercise Form substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto or otherwise complying with the practices and procedures of the Depositary and its direct and indirect participants, as applicable.


(f) Any exercise of Warrants pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be irrevocable and shall constitute a binding agreement between the Holder and the Company, enforceable in accordance with the terms of the Warrants and this Agreement; provided however, if the Holder undertakes a cashless exercise as set forth in Section 4.3(b) and the Current Sale Price is determined pursuant to clause (iv) of the definition of Current Sale Price, the Holder shall be entitled at its option to revoke exercise within five (5) business days of being notified in writing of the determination of the Current Sale Price.

(g) In the case of Certificated Warrants, upon receipt of the Warrant Certificate with the properly completed and duly executed Exercise Form, or in the case of Direct Registration Warrants, upon receipt of an Exercise Form, in each case pursuant to Section 4.3(d) , the Warrant Agent shall:

(i) examine the Exercise Form and all other documents delivered to it by or on behalf of Holders as contemplated hereunder to ascertain whether or not, on their face, such Exercise Form and any such other documents have been executed and completed in accordance with their terms and the terms hereof;

(ii) if an Exercise Form or other document appears, on its face, to have been improperly completed or executed or some other irregularity in connection with the exercise of the Warrants exists, endeavor to inform the appropriate parties (including the person submitting such instrument) of the need for fulfillment of all requirements, specifying those requirements which appear to be unfulfilled;

(iii) inform the Company of and cooperate with and assist the Company in resolving any reconciliation problems between the information provided on any Exercise Form received and the information on the Warrant Register;

(iv) advise the Company no later than three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Exercise Form, of (A) the receipt of such Exercise Form and the number of Warrant Exercise Shares in respect of which the Warrants are requested to be exercised in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (B) the instructions with respect to delivery of the Common Stock deliverable upon such exercise, subject to timely receipt of such information by the Warrant Agent, and (C)   such other information as the Company shall reasonably request; and

(v) subject to Common Stock being made available to the Warrant Agent by or on behalf of the Company, and written instructions from the Company, liaise with the transfer agent for the Common Stock for the issuance and registration (in electronic entry form, in the case of Direct Registration Warrants) of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with the Exercise Form.

The Company reserves the right to reject any and all Exercise Forms that it determines are not in proper form or for which any corresponding agreement by the Company to exchange would, in the opinion of the Company, be unlawful. Any such determination by the Company shall be final and binding on the Holders of the Warrants, absent manifest error. Moreover, the Company


reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions to any particular exercise of Warrants or any defects in the Exercise Form(s) with regard to any particular exercise of Warrants. The Company shall provide prompt written notice to the Warrant Agent of any such rejection or waiver.

(h) In the case of Book-Entry Warrants, the Company and the Warrant Agent shall cooperate with the Depositary and its direct and indirect participants in order to effectuate the exercise of such Warrants, in accordance with the applicable practices and procedures of the Depositary and such participants, including the manner of delivery of notice of exercise by the Beneficial Holders thereof, which may be substantially in the form of Exhibit C or in such other form as shall be prescribed by such participants, as applicable.

(i) The Warrant Agent shall not be under any duty to give notice to the Holders of the Warrants of any irregularities in any exercise of Warrants, nor shall it incur any liability for the failure to give such notice.

(j) All funds received by the Warrant Agent under this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by the Warrant Agent in the performance of services (the “Funds”) shall be held by the Warrant Agent as agent for the Company and deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by the Warrant Agent in its name as agent for the Company. Until paid pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Warrant Agent will hold the Funds through such accounts in: deposit accounts of commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion or with an average rating above investment grade by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating) (each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.). The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Funds that may result from any deposit made by the Warrant Agent in accordance with this paragraph, including any losses resulting from a default by any bank, financial institution or other third party.  

Section 4.4 Issuance of Common Stock.

(a) Upon the effectiveness of any exercise of any Warrants pursuant to Section 4.3 , the Company shall, subject to Section 4.6 , promptly at its expense, and in no event later than five (5) Business Days after the Exercise Date, cause to be issued as directed by the Holder of such Warrants the total number of whole shares of Common Stock for which such Warrants are being exercised (as the same may be hereafter adjusted pursuant to Article V) in such denominations as are requested by the Holder as set forth below:

(i) in the case of the exercise of any Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants by the Registered Holder thereof, by electronic entry on the books of the Company’s transfer agent, registered as directed by the Holder, and

(ii) in the case of the exercise of any Book-Entry Warrants by the Beneficial Holder thereof, by same-day or next-day credit to the Depositary in accordance with the practices and procedures of the Depositary and its respective participants, delivered to such account as directed by the Holder.


(b) Notwithstanding the five (5) Business Day period set forth in Section 4.4(a) , the Warrant Exercise Shares shall be deemed to have been issued at the time at which all of the conditions to such exercise have been fulfilled, and the Holder, or other person to whom the Holder shall direct the issuance thereof, shall be deemed for all purposes to have become the holder of such Warrant Exercise Shares at such time.

Section 4.5 Reservation of Shares .

(a) The Company agrees that it shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of issuance upon the exercise of the Warrants, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all such actions as may be necessary to assure that all such shares of Common Stock may be so issued without violating the Company’s governing documents, any agreements to which the Company is a party on the date thereof, any requirements of any national securities exchange upon which shares of Common Stock may be listed or any applicable Laws. The Company shall not take any action which would cause the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to be less than the number of such shares required to be reserved hereunder for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants.

(b) The Company covenants that it will take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that all Warrant Exercise Shares issued upon exercise of the Warrants will, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, be fully paid and non-assessable and free from any and all (i) security interests created by or imposed upon the Company and (ii) taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof. If at any time prior to the expiration of the Exercise Period the number and kind of authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s capital stock shall not be sufficient to permit exercise in full of the Warrants, the Company will promptly take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be reasonably necessary (including seeking stockholder approval, if required) to increase its authorized but unissued shares to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes. The Company agrees that its issuance of Warrants shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the issuance of Warrant Exercise Shares to issue Warrant Exercise Shares upon the exercise of Warrants. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will not increase the stated or par value per share, if any, of the Common Stock above the Exercise Price per share in effect immediately prior to such increase in stated or par value.

(c) The Company represents and warrants to the Holders that the issuance of the Warrants and the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof will not constitute a breach of, or a default under, its governing documents and any other material agreements to which the Company is a party on the date hereof.

Section 4.6 Fractional Shares . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to issue any fraction of a share of its capital stock in connection with the exercise of any Warrants, and in any case where a Registered Holder of Warrants would, except for the provisions of this Section 4.6 , be entitled under the terms thereof to receive a fraction of a share upon the exercise of such Warrants, the


Company shall, upon the exercise of such Warrants, issue or cause to be issued only the largest whole number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon such exercise (and such fraction of a share will be disregarded, and the Holder shall not have any rights or be entitled to any payment with respect to such fraction of a share); provided that the number of whole Warrant Exercise Shares which shall be issuable upon the contemporaneous exercise of any Warrants shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of all such Warrants.

Section 4.7 Close of Books; Par Value . The Company shall not close its books against the Transfer of any Warrants or any Warrant Exercise Shares in any manner which interferes with the timely exercise of such Warrants. Without limiting Section 4.5(b) , the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, from time to time, take all such actions as may be necessary to assure that the par value per share of the unissued shares of Common Stock acquirable upon exercise of the Warrants is at all times equal to or less than the Exercise Price then in effect.

Section 4.8 Payment of Taxes . In connection with the exercise of any Warrants, the Company shall not be required to pay any tax or other charge imposed in respect of any transfer involved in the Company’s issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock (including certificates therefor) (or any payment of cash or other property in lieu of such shares) to any recipient other than the Holder of the Warrants being exercised, and in case of any such tax or other charge, the Warrant Agent and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any such shares (or cash or other property in lieu of such shares) until (x) such tax or charge has been paid or an amount sufficient for the payment thereof has been delivered to the Warrant Agent or the Company or (y) it has been established to the Company’s and the Warrant Agent’s satisfaction that any such tax or other charge that is or may become due has been paid. For the avoidance of doubt, the Warrant Agent shall not have any duty or obligation to take any action under any section of this Agreement that requires the payment of taxes or charges, unless and until the Warrant Agent is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges have been paid.

ARTICLE V

ADJUSTMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE AND NUMBER OF

WARRANT EXERCISE SHARES

In order to prevent dilution of the purchase rights granted under the Warrants, the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Article V (in each case, after taking into consideration any prior adjustments pursuant to this Article V ).

Section 5.1 Adjustment to Number of Warrant Exercise Shares Upon Issuance of Common Stock . Except as provided in Section 5.2 , and except in the case of an event described in either Section 5.4 or Section 5.5 , if the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date, issue or sell, or in accordance with Section 5.3 is deemed to have issued or sold, any shares of Common Stock without consideration or for consideration per share less than the Fair Market Value of each such share of Common Stock, then immediately upon such issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale), the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable


upon exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to any such issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale) shall be increased to a number of Warrant Exercise Shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale) by a fraction (which shall in no event be less than one), (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately after such issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale) and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the sum of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately prior to such issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale) plus (B) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate amount of consideration, if any, received by the Company upon such issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale) would purchase at the Fair Market Value of each such share of Common Stock.

Section 5.2 Exceptions To Adjustment Upon Issuance of Common Stock . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, there shall be no adjustment to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants with respect to any Excluded Issuance.

Section 5.3 Effect of Certain Events on Adjustment to Number of Warrant Exercise Shares . For purposes of determining the adjusted number of Warrant Exercise Shares under Section 5.1 , the following shall be applicable:

(a) Issuance of Options . If the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date, in any manner grant or sell (whether directly, through a subsidiary of the Company or by assumption in a merger or otherwise) any Options, whether or not such Options or the right to convert or exchange any Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options are immediately exercisable, and the price per share (determined as provided in this paragraph and in Section 5.3(e) ) for which Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options is less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock immediately prior to the time of the granting or sale of such Options, then the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon conversion or exchange of the total maximum amount of Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of granting or sale of such Options (and thereafter shall be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of adjusting the number of Warrant Exercise Shares under Section 5.1 ), at a price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the sum (which sum shall constitute the applicable consideration received for purposes of Section 5.1 ) of (x) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the granting or sale of all such Options, plus (y) the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise of all such Options, plus (z), in the case of such Options which relate to Convertible Securities, the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the issuance or sale of all such Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities, by (B) the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of all such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of all Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of all such Options. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.3(c) , no further adjustment of the number of Warrant Exercise Shares shall be made upon the actual issuance of Common Stock or of Convertible Securities upon exercise of such Options or upon the actual issuance of Common Stock upon conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of such Options.


(b) Issuance of Convertible Securities . If the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date, in any manner grant or sell (whether directly, through a subsidiary of the Company or by assumption in a merger or otherwise) any Convertible Securities, whether or not the right to convert or exchange any such Convertible Securities is immediately exercisable, and the price per share (determined as provided in this paragraph and in Section 5.3(e) ) for which Common Stock is issuable upon the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities is less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock immediately prior to the time of the granting or sale of such Convertible Securities, then the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exchange of the total maximum amount of such Convertible Securities shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of granting or sale of such Convertible Securities (and thereafter shall be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of adjusting the number of Warrant Exercise Shares pursuant to Section 5.1 ), at a price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the sum (which sum shall constitute the applicable consideration received for purposes of Section 5.1 ) of (x) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the granting or sale of such Convertible Securities, plus (y) the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities, by (B) the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.3(c) , (A) no further adjustment of the number of Warrant Exercise Shares shall be made upon the actual issuance of Common Stock upon conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities and (B) no further adjustment of the number of Warrant Exercise Shares shall be made by reason of the issue or sale of Convertible Securities upon exercise of any Options to purchase any such Convertible Securities for which adjustments of the number of Warrant Exercise Shares have been made pursuant to the other provisions of this Section 5.3 .

(c) Change in Terms of Options or Convertible Securities . Upon any change in any of (A) the total amount received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the granting or sale of any Options or Convertible Securities referred to in Section 5.3(a) or Section 5.3(b) , (B) the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the exercise of any Options or upon the issuance, conversion or exchange of any Convertible Securities referred to in Section 5.3(a) or Section 5.3(b) , (C) the rate at which Convertible Securities referred to in Section 5.3(a) or Section 5.3(b) are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or (D) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with any Options referred to in Section 5.3(a) or any Convertible Securities referred to in Section 5.3(b) (in each case, other than in connection with an Excluded Issuance), then (whether or not the original issuance or sale of such Options or Convertible Securities resulted in an adjustment to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares pursuant to this Article V ) the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants at the time of such change shall be adjusted or readjusted, as applicable, to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares which would have been in effect at such time pursuant to the provisions of this Article V had such Options or Convertible Securities still outstanding provided for such changed consideration, conversion rate or maximum number of shares, as the case may be, at the time initially granted, issued or sold, but only if as a result of such adjustment or readjustment, the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is increased.


(d) Treatment of Expired or Terminated Options or Convertible Securities . Upon the expiration or termination of any unexercised Option (or portion thereof) or any unconverted or unexchanged Convertible Security (or portion thereof) for which any adjustment (either upon its original issuance or upon a revision of its terms) was made pursuant to this Article V (including without limitation upon the redemption or purchase for consideration of all or any portion of such Option or Convertible Security by the Company), the number of Warrant Exercise Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Warrants shall forthwith be changed pursuant to the provisions of this Article V to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares which would have been in effect at the time of such expiration or termination had such unexercised Option (or portion thereof) or unconverted or unexchanged Convertible Security (or portion thereof), to the extent outstanding immediately prior to such expiration or termination, never been issued.

(e) Calculation of Consideration Received . If the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date, issue or sell, or is deemed to have issued or sold in accordance with this Section 5.3 any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities: (i) for cash, the consideration received therefor shall be deemed to be the net amount received by the Company therefor; (ii) for consideration other than cash, the amount of the consideration other than cash received by the Company shall be the fair value of such consideration, except where such consideration consists of marketable securities, in which case the amount of consideration received by the Company shall be the market price (as reflected on any securities exchange, quotation system or association or similar pricing system covering such security) for such securities as of the end of business on the date of receipt of such securities; (iii) for no specifically allocated consideration in connection with an issuance or sale of other securities of the Company, together comprising one integrated transaction, the amount of the consideration therefor shall be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the aggregate consideration received by the Company in such transaction as is attributable to such shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, as the case may be, issued in such transaction; or (iv) to the owners of the non-surviving entity in connection with any merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation, the amount of consideration therefor shall be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the net assets and business of the non-surviving entity as is attributable to such shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, as the case may be, issued to such owners. The net amount of any cash consideration and the fair value of any consideration other than cash or marketable securities shall be determined in good faith the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be described in a resolution.

(f) Record Date . For purposes of any adjustment to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares in accordance with this Article V , in case the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (i) to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities or (ii) to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, then such record date shall be deemed to be the date of the issue or sale of the shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or the making of such other distribution or the date of the granting of such right of subscription or purchase, as the case may be.


(g) Treasury Shares . The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and the disposition of any such shares (other than the cancellation or retirement thereof or the transfer of such shares among the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries) shall be considered an issue or sale of Common Stock for the purpose of this Article V .

Section 5.4 Adjustment to Number of Warrant Exercise Shares Upon Dividend, Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock . If the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date, (i) pay a dividend or make any other distribution upon the Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company payable in shares of Common Stock or in Options or Convertible Securities, or (ii) subdivide (by any stock split, recapitalization or otherwise) its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to any such dividend, distribution or subdivision shall be proportionately increased. If the Company at any time combines (by combination, reverse stock split or otherwise) its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such combination shall be proportionately decreased. Any adjustment under this Section 5.4 shall become effective at the close of business on the date the dividend, subdivision or combination becomes effective.

Section 5.5 Adjustment to Number of Warrant Exercise Shares Upon Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation or Merger . In the event of any (i) capital reorganization of the Company, (ii) reclassification of the stock of the Company (other than a change in par value or from par value to no par value or from no par value to par value or as a result of a stock dividend or subdivision, split-up or combination of shares), (iii) consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another Person, (iv) sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to another Person or (v) other similar transaction (other than any such transaction covered by Section 5.4 ), in each case which entitles the holders of Common Stock to receive (either directly or upon subsequent liquidation) stock, securities or assets with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock, the Warrants shall, immediately after such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction, remain outstanding and shall thereafter, in lieu of or in addition to (as the case may be) the number of Warrant Exercise Shares then exercisable under the Warrants, be exercisable for the kind and number of shares of stock or other securities or assets of the Company or of the successor Person resulting from such transaction to which the Holders would have been entitled upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction if the Holders had exercised the Warrants in full immediately prior to the time of such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction and acquired the applicable number of Warrant Exercise Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Warrants as a result of such exercise (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the exercisability of the Warrants); and, in such case, appropriate adjustment (in form and substance satisfactory to the Holders) shall be made with respect to the Holders’ rights under the Warrants to insure that the provisions of this Article V shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as possible, to the Warrants in relation to any shares of stock, securities or assets thereafter acquirable upon exercise of the Warrants. The provisions of this Section 5.5 shall similarly apply to successive reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers, sales or similar transactions. The Company shall not effect any such reorganization,


reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction unless, prior to the consummation thereof, the successor Person (if other than the Company) resulting from such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction, shall assume, by written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Agreement and satisfactory to the Holders, the obligation to deliver to the Holders such shares of stock, securities or assets which, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, such Holders shall be entitled to receive upon exercise of the Warrants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, with respect to any corporate event or other transaction contemplated by the provisions of this Section 5.5 , the Holders shall have the right to elect prior to the consummation of such event or transaction, to give effect to the exercise rights contained in Section 4.2 instead of giving effect to the provisions contained in this Section 5.5 with respect to the Warrants.

Section 5.6 Other Dividends and Distributions . If the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date, make or declare, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or any other distribution payable in securities of the Company (other than a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities in respect of outstanding shares of Common Stock), cash or other property, then, and in each such event, provision shall be made so that each Holder shall receive upon exercise of the Warrants held by such Holder, in addition to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares receivable thereupon, the kind and amount of securities of the Company, cash or other property which such Holder would have been entitled to receive had the Warrants held by such Holder been exercised in full into Warrant Exercise Shares on the date of such event and had such Holder thereafter, during the period from the date of such event to and including the Exercise Date, retained such securities, cash or other property receivable by them as aforesaid during such period, giving application to all adjustments called for during such period under this Article V with respect to the rights of such Holder; provided , that no such provision shall be made if the Holders receive, simultaneously with the distribution to the holders of Common Stock, a dividend or other distribution of such securities, cash or other property in an amount equal to the amount of such securities, cash or other property as the Holders would have received if the Warrants had been exercised in full into Warrant Exercise Shares on the date of such event.

Section 5.7 Certain Events . If any event of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Article V but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features) occurs, then the Board of Directors shall make an appropriate adjustment in the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants so as to protect the rights of the Holders in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Article V ; provided , that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall decrease the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable as otherwise determined pursuant to this Article V .

Section 5.8 Notices . Whenever the number and/or kind of Warrant Exercise Shares is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall (i) prepare and deliver, or cause to be prepared and delivered, forthwith to the Warrant Agent a written statement setting forth the adjusted number and/or kind of shares issuable upon the exercise of Warrants after such adjustment, the facts requiring such adjustment and the computation by which adjustment was made, and (ii) cause the Warrant Agent to give written notice to each Registered Holder in the manner provided


in Section 9.2 below, of the record date or the effective date of the event. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such event. The Warrant Agent shall be fully protected in relying upon any such written notice delivered in accordance with this Section 5.8 , and on any adjustment therein contained, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment unless and until it shall have received such written notice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Warrant Agent shall have no duty or obligation to investigate or confirm whether the information contained in any such written notice complies with the terms of this Agreement or any other document, including the Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Agent shall have no duty to determine when an adjustment under this Article V should be made, how any such adjustment should be calculated, or the amount of any such adjustment.

Section 5.9 Form of Warrant After Adjustments . The form of the Warrant Certificate need not be changed because of any adjustments in the number and/or kind of shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and Warrant Certificates theretofore or thereafter issued may continue to express the same number and kind of shares as are stated therein, as initially issued. The Company, however, may at any time in its sole discretion make any change in the form of Warrant Certificate that it may deem appropriate to give effect to such adjustments and that does not affect the substance of the Warrant Certificate (including the rights, duties, liabilities or obligations of the Warrant Agent), and any Warrant Certificate thereafter issued, whether in exchange or substitution for an outstanding Warrant Certificate, may be in the form so changed.

Section 5.10 Deferral or Exclusion of Certain Adjustments  No adjustment to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares shall be required hereunder unless such adjustment together with other adjustments carried forward as provided below, would result in an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) of the number of Warrant Exercise Shares; provided that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 5.10 are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. Subject to Section 4.5(b) , no adjustment need be made for a change in the par value of the shares of Common Stock. All calculations under this Section 5.10 shall be made to the nearest one one-thousandth (1/1,000) of a share.

ARTICLE VI

TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

OF WARRANTS

Section 6.1 Registration of Transfers and Exchanges .

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Book-Entry Warrants. The Transfer (as defined below) and exchange of Book-Entry Warrants shall be effected through the Depositary and its direct and indirect participants, in accordance with the practices and procedures therefor of the Depositary and such participants. As used herein, “ Transfer ” means any transfer, sale, assignment or other disposition of the Warrants.


(b) Exchange of Book-Entry Warrants for Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants . If at any time:

(i) the Depositary for the Global Warrant Certificates notifies the Company that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Warrant Certificates and a successor Depositary for the Global Warrant Certificates is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after delivery of such notice; or

(ii) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Warrant Agent in writing that it elects to exclusively cause the issuance of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants under this Agreement, then upon written instructions signed by an Appropriate Officer of the Company, the Warrant Agent shall register and issue Certificated Warrants, or shall register Direct Registration Warrants, in an aggregate number equal to the number of Book-Entry Warrants represented by the Global Warrant Certificates, in accordance with such written instructions. Such written instructions provided by the Company shall state that the Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants issued in exchange for Book-Entry Warrants pursuant to this Section 6.1(a) shall be registered in such names and in such amounts as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Warrant Agent.

(c) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants. When Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants are presented to the Warrant Agent with a written request:

(i) to register the Transfer of such Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants; or

(ii) to exchange such Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants for an equal number of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, respectively, of other authorized denominations,

the Warrant Agent shall register the Transfer or make the exchange, and in the case of Certificated Warrants shall issue such new Warrant Certificates, as requested if its customary requirements for such transactions are met, provided , that (A) the Warrant Agent shall have received (x) a written instruction of Transfer in form satisfactory to the Warrant Agent, duly executed by the Registered Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, (y) a written order of the Company signed by an Appropriate Officer authorizing such exchange and (z) in the case of Certificated Warrants, surrender of the Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates representing same duly endorsed for Transfer or exchange.

(d) Exchange of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants for Book-Entry Warrants . Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants that are not subject to any Warrant Restrictions or subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.4 , may be exchanged for Book-Entry Warrants upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Warrant Agent of appropriate written instruments of transfer with respect to such Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, in form satisfactory to the Warrant Agent, and in the case of Certificated Warrants, surrender of the Warrant Certificate or Certificate(s)


representing same duly endorsed for Transfer or exchange, together with written instructions directing the Warrant Agent to make, or to direct the Depositary to make, an endorsement on the Global Warrant Certificate to reflect an increase in the number of Warrants represented by the Global Warrant Certificate equal to the number of Warrants represented by such Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, then the Warrant Agent shall cancel such Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants on the Warrant Register and cause, or direct the Depositary to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Warrant Agent, the number of Book-Entry Warrants represented by the Global Warrant Certificate to be increased accordingly. If no Global Warrant Certificates are then outstanding, or if the Global Warrant Certificates then outstanding cannot be used for such purposes, the Company shall issue and the Warrant Agent shall countersign, by either manual or facsimile signature, a new Global Warrant Certificate representing the appropriate number of Book-Entry Warrants. Any exchange pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) shall be subject to the Company’s prior written approval.

(e) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Warrant Certificates . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement (other than the provisions set forth in Section 6.1(f) ), unless and until it is exchanged in whole for Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, a Global Warrant Certificate may not be transferred as a whole except 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.

(f) Restrictions on Transfer . No Warrants or Warrant Exercise Shares shall be sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred in violation of the Securities Act or state securities Laws or the Company’s articles of incorporation.

(g) Exchange of Global Warrant Certificate . A Global Warrant Certificate may be exchanged for another Global Warrant Certificate of like or similar tenor for purposes of complying with the practices and procedures of the Depositary.

(h) Cancellation of Global Warrant Certificate . At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Warrant Certificates have either been exchanged for Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, the Global Warrant Certificate shall be returned to, or retained and cancelled pursuant to applicable Law by, the Warrant Agent, upon written instructions from the Company satisfactory to the Warrant Agent.

Section 6.2 Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Warrants .

(a) All Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants issued upon any registration of Transfer or exchange of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, respectively, shall be the valid obligations of the Company, entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants surrendered upon such registration of Transfer or exchange. No service charge shall be made to a Registered Holder for any registration, Transfer or exchange of any Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, but the Company or the Warrant Agent may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or other charge that may be imposed on the Registered


Holder in connection with any such exchange or registration of Transfer. The Warrant Agent shall forward any such sum collected by it to the Company or to such persons as the Company shall specify by written notice. The Warrant Agent shall have no obligation to effect an exchange or register a Transfer unless and until it is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges have been paid.

(b) So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a Global Warrant Certificate, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, shall be considered by the Company, the Warrant Agent, and any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent as the sole owner or holder of the Warrants represented by such Global Warrant Certificate for all purposes under this Agreement. Neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent, in its capacity as registrar for such Warrants, will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to beneficial interests in a Global Warrant Certificate or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Warrant Agent, or any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy, or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant Certificate.

(c) Subject to Section 6.1(c) and this Section 6.2 , the Warrant Agent shall,

(i) in the case of Certificated Warrants, upon receipt of all information required to be delivered hereunder, from time to time register the Transfer of any outstanding Certificated Warrants in the Warrant Register, upon delivery by the Registered Holder thereof, at the Warrant Agent’s office designated for such purpose, of the Warrant Certificate representing such Certificated Warrants, properly completed and duly endorsed for Transfer, by the Registered Holder thereof or by the duly appointed legal representative thereof or by a duly authorized attorney, and upon any such registration of Transfer, a new Warrant Certificate shall be issued to the transferee.

(ii) in the case of Direct Registration Warrants, upon receipt of all information required to be delivered hereunder, from time to time register the Transfer of any outstanding Direct Registration Warrants in the Warrant Register, upon delivery by the Registered Holder thereof, at the Warrant Agent’s office designated for such purpose, of a form of assignment substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, properly completed and duly executed by the Registered Holder thereof or by the duly appointed legal representative thereof or by a duly authorized attorney, and upon any such registration of Transfer, new Direct Registration Warrants shall be issued to the transferee.

Section 6.3 Fractional Warrants . The Warrant Agent shall not effect any registration of Transfer or exchange which will result in the issuance of a fraction of a Warrant.

Section 6.4 Restricted Warrants; Legends . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, the Company will cause any Warrants that are distributed or issued hereunder to be issued as Certificated Warrants represented by Warrant Certificates bearing a legend in


substantially the following form, or as Direct Registration Warrants with a notation to a similar effect on the Warrant Register:

THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”) AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. THESE WARRANTS (AND THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE THEREOF) MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (B) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER.

The Warrant Exercise Shares issued upon exercise of any such Warrants shall be issued in the form of registered stock certificates bearing a legend indicating that transfer may be restricted under United States federal and state securities laws, or in the form of an electronic entry on the stock register maintained by the transfer agent for the Common Stock with a notation to a similar effect.

The Holder (or its transferee, as applicable) of any such Warrants or Warrant Exercise Shares, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive from the Company, without expense, new securities of like tenor not bearing the restrictive legend set forth above when (a) all such Warrants or Warrant Exercise Shares, as applicable, shall have been (i) effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with a registration statement covering such securities or (ii) disposed of pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 or any comparable rule under the Securities Act or (b) when, in the written reasonable opinion of independent counsel for such Holder (which counsel shall be experienced in Securities Act matters and which counsel and opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company), such restrictions are no longer required in order to insure compliance with the Securities Act (including, without limitation, when all such Warrants or Warrant Exercise Shares, as applicable, could be sold in a single transaction pursuant to Rule 144 without restriction as to volume or manner of sale).

ARTICLE VII

OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF WARRANTS

Section 7.1 No Rights or Liability as Stockholder . Nothing contained in the Warrants shall be construed as conferring upon the Holder or his, her or its transferees the right to vote or to receive dividends or to consent or to receive notice as a stockholder in respect of any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of the Company or of any other matter, or any rights whatsoever as stockholders of the Company. The vote or consent of any Holder shall not be required with respect to any action or proceeding of the Company and no Holder shall have any right not expressly conferred hereunder or under, or by applicable Law with respect to, the Warrants or any Warrant Certificates held by such Holder. Except as otherwise provided herein, no Holder, by reason of the ownership or possession of a Warrant or Warrant Certificate, shall


have any right to receive any cash dividends, stock dividends, allotments or rights or other distributions paid, allotted or distributed or distributable to the holders of Common Stock prior to, or for which the relevant record date preceded, the date of the exercise of such Warrant. No provision thereof and no mere enumeration therein of the rights or privileges of the Holder shall give rise to any liability of such Holder for the Exercise Price hereunder or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

Section 7.2 Notice to Registered Holders . The Company shall give notice to Registered Holders by regular mail, and prompt written notice thereof to the Warrant Agent, if at any time prior to the expiration or exercise in full of the Warrants, any of the following events shall occur:

(a) the payment of any dividend payable in any securities upon shares of Common Stock or the making of any distribution (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend) to all holders of Common Stock;

(b) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of any additional shares of Common Stock or of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock or of any other subscription rights, options or warrants;

(c) the issuance of any Additional Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities that would result in an adjustment to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants pursuant to Article V ;

(d) a capital reorganization of the Company, reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company, consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another Person, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to another Person;

(e) a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company; or

(f) the occurrence of any other event that would result in an adjustment to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under Article V .

Such giving of notice shall be initiated at least ten (10) days prior to the date fixed as the record date or the date of closing of the Company’s stock transfer books for the determination of the stockholders entitled to such dividend, distribution or subscription rights, or of the stockholders entitled to vote on such capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up or the proposed effective date of a capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, issuance of Additional Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities or any other event that would result in an adjustment to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under Article V . Such notice shall specify such record date or the date of closing the stock transfer books or proposed effective date, as the case may be. Failure to provide such notice shall not affect the validity of any action taken. For the avoidance of doubt, no such notice (or failure to provide it to any Holder) shall supersede or limit any adjustment called for by Article V by reason of any event as to which notice is required by this Section 7.2 .


Section 7.3 Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Warrant Certificates . If any Warrant Certificate is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Company may issue, and upon written request by the Company, the Warrant Agent shall countersign, either by manual or facsimile signature, and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Warrant Certificate, or in lieu of and substitution for the Warrant Certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor in accordance with written instructions from the Company and subject to the terms of this Section 7.3 . In the case of Warrant Certificates other than Global Warrant Certificates, the Company or the Warrant Agent may in its discretion require evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft or destruction of such Warrant Certificate, and an open penalty surety bond satisfactory to it and holding it and the Company harmless and absent notice to the Warrant Agent that such replacement certificates have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. Applicants for such substitute Warrant Certificates shall also comply with such other regulations and pay such other charges as the Company or the Warrant Agent may require.

Section 7.4 Cancellation of Warrants . If the Company shall purchase or otherwise acquire Warrants, such Warrants shall be cancelled and retired, in the case of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, by appropriate notation on the Warrant Register, and, in the case of Book-Entry Warrants, in accordance with the practices and procedures of the Depositary, including if required by such practices and procedures by appropriate notation on the applicable Global Warrant Certificate.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE WARRANT AGENT AND OTHER MATTERS

Section 8.1 Resignation, Removal, Consolidation or Merger of Warrant Agent .

(a) Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent . The Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving sixty (60) days’ notice in writing to the Company. In the event of any such resignation of the Warrant Agent or successor thereto, the Company shall promptly give notice of such resignation to Registered Holders by regular mail. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint in writing a successor Warrant Agent in place of the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of sixty (60) days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Warrant Agent or by the Registered Holder of a Warrant, then the Registered Holder of any Warrant may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent at the Company’s cost. The Company may, at any time and for any reason at no cost to the Holders, remove the Warrant Agent and appoint a successor Warrant Agent by written instrument signed by the Company and specifying such removal and the date when it is intended to become effective, one copy of which shall be delivered to the Warrant Agent being removed and one copy to the successor Warrant Agent. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such court, shall be a Person organized and existing under the Laws of the United States of America, or any state thereunder, in good standing. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties


and obligations of its predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations of such predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Warrant Agent, the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations.

(b) Notice of Successor Warrant Agent . In the event a successor Warrant Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall (i) give notice thereof to the predecessor Warrant Agent and the transfer agent for the Common Stock not later than the effective date of any such appointment, and (ii) cause written notice thereof to be delivered to each Registered Holder at such Holder’s address appearing on the Warrant Register. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 8.1(b) or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of the removal of the Warrant Agent or the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent, as the case may be.

(c) Merger, Consolidation or Name Change of Warrant Agent .

(i) Any Person into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement, without any further act or deed, if such person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Warrant Agent under the provisions of Section 8.1(a). If any of the Warrant Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered at the time such successor to the Warrant Agent succeeds under this Agreement, any such successor to the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature of any previous Warrant Agent; and if at that time any of the Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor to the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Warrant Agent or in the name of the successor Warrant Agent; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.

(ii) If at any time the name of the Warrant Agent is changed and at such time any of the Warrant Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered, the Warrant Agent whose name has changed may adopt the countersignature under its prior name; and if at that time any of the Warrant Certificates have not been countersigned, the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.

Section 8.2 Fees and Expenses of Warrant Agent .

(a) Remuneration . The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as Warrant Agent and will reimburse the Warrant Agent upon


demand for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses), taxes and governmental charges and other charges of any kind and nature incurred by the Warrant Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, delivery, administration, execution, modification, waiver, delivery, enforcement or amendment of this of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder.

(b) Further Assurances . The Company agrees to perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments, and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 8.3 Duties of Warrant Agent .

(a) Covered Persons . References to the Warrant Agent in this Section 8.3 shall include the Warrant Agent and its affiliates, principles, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, attorneys, accountants, advisors and other professionals.

(b) Liability .

(i) The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement, the Warrant Statements or in the Warrant Certificates (except, in each case, its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof or in respect of the validity or execution of any Warrant Certificate (except, in each case, its countersignature thereof); nor shall the Warrant Agent be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant Certificate to be complied with by the Company; nor shall the Warrant Agent be responsible for the making of any adjustment in the number and/or kind of shares issuable upon the exercise of a Warrants required under the provisions of Article V or be responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such change or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change; nor shall the Warrant Agent by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Warrant Exercise Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any Warrant Exercise Shares will, when issued, be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable. The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable or under any duty or responsibility for the use by the Company of any Warrant Certificate authenticated by the Warrant Agent and delivered by it to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or for the application by the Company of the proceeds of the issue and sale, or exercise, of the Warrants.

(ii) The Warrant Agent shall have no liability under, and no duty to inquire as to, the provisions of any agreement, instrument or document other than this Agreement, including any Warrant Certificate.


(iii) The Warrant Agent may rely on and shall incur no liability or responsibility to the Company, any Holder, or any other Person for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it upon any notice, instruction, request, resolution, waiver, consent, order, certificate, affidavit, statement, or other paper, document or instrument furnished to the Warrant Agent hereunder and believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties. The Warrant Agent shall be under no duty to inquire into or investigate the validity, accuracy or content of any such notice, instruction, request, resolution, waiver, consent, order, certificate, affidavit, statement, or other paper, document or instrument. The Warrant Agent shall not take any instructions or directions except those given in accordance with this Agreement.

(iv) The Warrant Agent shall act hereunder solely as agent for the Company and in a ministerial capacity and does not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any of the Holders, and its duties shall be determined solely by the provisions hereof. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken in connection with this Agreement except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines that its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (as each is determined by a final, nonappealable judgment) was the primary cause of any loss.

(v) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Warrant Agent be liable for any special, incidental, punitive, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Warrant Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, any liability of the Warrant Agent under this Agreement shall be limited in the aggregate to an amount equal to the annual fees paid by the Company to the Warrant Agent hereunder.

(vi) All rights and obligations contained in this Section 8.3 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the resignation, replacement, incapacity or removal of the Warrant Agent. All fees and expenses incurred by the Warrant Agent prior to the resignation, replacement, incapacity or removal of the Warrant Agent shall be paid by the Company in accordance with this Section 8.3 of this Agreement notwithstanding such resignation, replacement, incapacity or removal of the Warrant Agent.

(vii) The Warrant Agent shall not be under any liability for interest on any monies at any time received by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

(viii) In no event shall the Warrant Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable 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 or hardware) services.


(ix) In the event the Warrant Agent believes any ambiguity or uncertainty exists hereunder or in any notice, instruction, direction, request or other communication, paper or document received by the Warrant Agent hereunder, the Warrant Agent, may, in its sole discretion, refrain from taking any action, and shall be fully protected and shall not be liable in any way to the Company or any Holder or other person or entity for refraining from taking such action, unless the Warrant Agent receives written instructions signed by the Company which eliminates such ambiguity or uncertainty to the satisfaction of Warrant Agent.

(c) Reliance on Company Statement . Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by an Appropriate Officer of the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or suffered by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. The Company will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Warrant Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

(d) Indemnity . The Company agrees to indemnify, defend, protect and save the Warrant Agent and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, claims, liabilities, penalties, judgments, settlements, actions, suits, proceedings, litigation, investigations, costs or expenses, including without limitation reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against such Person, at any time, and in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with, directly or indirectly, the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the enforcement of any rights or remedies under or in connection with this Agreement, or as may arise by reason of any act, omission or error of such Person; provided , however , that no such Person shall be entitled to be so indemnified, defended, protected, saved and kept harmless to the extent such loss was caused by its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, each as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be responsible for any settlement made without its written consent, which written consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed.

(e) Exclusions . The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Warrant (except, in each case, its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant; nor shall it be responsible to make any adjustments required under the provisions of Article V hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any Common Stock will, when issued, be valid and fully paid and non-assessable. The Warrant Agent will not be under any duty or responsibility to ensure compliance with any applicable federal or state securities laws in connection with the issuance, Transfer or exchange of Warrants.


(f) The Warrant Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys, agents or employees, and the Warrant Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys, agents or employees or for any loss to the Company resulting from such neglect or misconduct, provided that the Warrant Agent acts without gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (each as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) in connection with the selection of such attorneys, agents or employees.

(g) The Warrant Agent may consult at any time with legal counsel satisfactory to it (who may be legal counsel for the Company) and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent as to any action taken or omitted by such parties in accordance with such advice.

(h) The Warrant Agent may buy, sell, or deal in any of the Warrants or other securities of the Company freely as though it was not Warrant Agent under this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall preclude the Warrant Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person.

(i) The Warrant Agent shall not be required to use or risk its own funds in the performance of any of its obligations or duties or the exercise of any of its rights or powers, and shall not be required to take any action which, in the Warrant Agent’s sole and absolute judgment, could involve it in expense or liability unless furnished with security and indemnity satisfactory to it.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 9.1 Binding Effects; Benefits . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall confer on any person other than the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders, or their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors or assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 9.2 Notices . Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified or regular mail (return receipt requested, postage prepaid), by private national courier service, by personal delivery or by facsimile transmission. Such notice or communication shall be deemed given (i) if mailed, two (2) days after the date of mailing, (ii) if sent by national courier service, one (1) Business Day after being sent, (iii) if delivered personally, when so delivered, or (iv) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the Business Day after such facsimile is transmitted, in each case as follows:


if to the Warrant Agent, to:

Kathy O’Kane

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

16633 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 600

Addison, Texas 75001

Facsimile: (972) 588-1890

if to the Company, to:

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile: (713) 780-9254

Attention: General Counsel

if to Registered Holders, at their addresses as they appear in the Warrant Register and, if different, at the addresses appearing in the records of the transfer agent or registrar for the Common Stock.

Section 9.3 Persons Having Rights under this Agreement . Nothing in this Agreement expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the Holders, any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, their successors and assigns and the Holders.

Section 9.4 Examination of this Agreement . A copy of this Agreement, and of the Warrant Register relating to such Holder’s Warrants, shall be available at all reasonable times at an office designated for such purpose by the Warrant Agent, for examination by the Registered Holder of any Warrant.

Section 9.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile or electronic PDF counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 9.6 Effect of Headings . The section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation hereof.

Section 9.7 Amendments .

(a) Subject to Section 9.7(b) below, this agreement may not be amended except in writing signed by the Company and the Warrant Agent.


(b) The Company and the Warrant Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement or the Warrants, as follows:

(i) without the approval of any Holder in order to cure any ambiguity, manifest error or other mistake in this Agreement or the Warrants, or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in the Warrants that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein or in the Warrants, or to make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder that the Company may deem necessary or desirable and that shall not adversely affect, alter or change the interests of the Holders in any material respect, or

(ii) with the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders; provided , however , that the consent of each Holder adversely affected thereby shall be required for any amendment that (i) reduces the term of the Warrants (or otherwise modifies any provisions pursuant to which the Warrants may be terminated or cancelled), (ii) decreases the number of Warrant Exercise Shares (or, as applicable, the amount of such other securities and/or assets) deliverable upon exercise of the Warrants, other than such decreases that are made pursuant to Article V or (iii) modifies, in a manner adverse to the Holders generally, the material anti-dilution provisions set forth in Article V .

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, upon the delivery of a certificate from an Appropriate Officer which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 9.7 , the Warrant Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment; provided that the Warrant Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any amendment or supplement that affects Warrant Agent’s rights, duties, immunities, liabilities or obligations hereunder. Any amendment, modification or waiver effected pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.7 shall be binding upon all Holders and upon each future Holder, the Company and the Warrant Agent. In the event of any amendment, modification or waiver, the Company shall give prompt notice thereof to all Registered Holders and, if appropriate, notation thereof shall be made on all Warrant Certificates thereafter surrendered for registration of Transfer or exchange. Any failure of the Company to give such notice or any defect therein shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment.

Section 9.8 No Inconsistent Agreements; No Impairment . The Company shall not, on or after the date hereof, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which conflicts with the rights granted to the Holders in the Warrants or the provisions hereof. The Company represents and warrants to the Holders that the rights granted hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights granted to holders of the Company’s securities under any other agreements. The Company shall not, by amendment of its articles of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Company, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of the Warrants and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary in order to preserve the exercise rights of the Holders against impairment.


Section 9.9 Affiliate Transactions . So long as any Warrant remains outstanding, without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its securities, properties or assets to, or purchase any securities, property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend (including by waiver) any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless: (i) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable in the aggregate to the Company or the relevant Subsidiary than those that could be obtained by the Company or such Subsidiary from a person that is not an Affiliate, and (ii) the Company delivers to the Warrant Agent an officers’ certificate signed by at least two of the Company’s executive officers certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above.

Section 9.10 Integration/Entire Agreement . This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein, with respect to the Warrants. This Agreement and the Warrants supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

Section 9.11 Governing Law, Etc . This Agreement and each Warrant issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the Laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of such State. Each party hereto consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in New York County and of the U.S. federal courts located in the Southern District of New York in connection with any action or proceeding brought against it that arises out of or in connection with, that is based upon, or that relates to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. In connection with any such action or proceeding in any such court, each party hereto hereby waives personal service of any summons, complaint or other process and hereby agrees that service thereof may be made in accordance with the procedures for giving notice set forth in Section 9.2 hereof. Each party hereto hereby waives any objection to jurisdiction or venue in any such court in any such action or proceeding and agrees not to assert any defense based on forum non conveniens or lack of jurisdiction or venue in any such court in any such action or proceeding.

Section 9.12 Termination . This Agreement will terminate on the earlier of (i) such date when all Warrants have been exercised with respect to all shares subject thereto, or (ii) the expiration of the Exercise Period. The provisions of Section 8.3 and this Article IX shall survive such termination and the resignation, replacement or removal of the Warrant Agent.

Section 9.13 Waiver of Trial by Jury . Each party hereto, including each Holder by its receipt of a Warrant, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to a trial by jury in any action, suit, counterclaim or other proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.


Section 9.14 Remedies . The Company hereby agrees that, in the event that the Company violates any provisions of the Warrants (including the obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock upon the exercise thereof), the remedies at law available to the Holder of such Warrant may be inadequate. In such event, the Requisite Holders and, other than in the event the Company fails to deliver Warrant Exercise Shares upon a Holder’s exercise of its Warrants (which shall not require the consent of the Requisite Holders), with the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders, the holder of such Warrants, shall have the right, in addition to all other rights and remedies any of them may have, to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief to enforce the provisions of this Agreement and the Warrants.

Section 9.15 Severability . In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in the Warrants, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provisions in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not be affected or impaired thereby; provided , however , that if any such excluded provision shall adversely affect the rights, immunities, duties or obligations of the Warrant Agent, the Warrant Agent shall be entitled to immediately resign.

Section 9.16 Customer Identification Program . The Company acknowledges that the Warrant Agent is subject to the customer identification program ( “Customer Identification Program” ) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, and that the Warrant Agent must obtain, verify and record information that allows the Warrant Agent to identify the Company. Accordingly, prior to accepting an appointment hereunder, the Warrant Agent may request information from the Company that will help the Warrant Agent to identify the Company, including without limitation the Company’s physical address, tax identification number, organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or any other information that the Warrant Agent deems necessary. The Company agrees that the Warrant Agent cannot accept an appointment hereunder unless and until the Warrant Agent verifies the Company’s identity in accordance with the Customer Identification Program requirements.

Section 9.17 Registration Rights . The Company has granted certain registration rights with respect to the Warrants, as set forth in that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, by and among the Company and parties signatory thereto.

Section 9.18 Confidentiality . The Warrant Agent and the Company agree that the Warrant Register and personal, non-public warrant holder information, which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or carrying out of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except as may be required by law, including, without limitation, pursuant to subpoenas from state or federal government authorities (e.g., in divorce and criminal actions) or pursuant to the requirements of the SEC.

[ Signature Page Follows ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the undersigned parties hereto as of the date first above written.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Michael J. Killelea
Name:   Michael J. Killelea
Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Warrant Agent
By:   /s/ Michael A. Nespoli
Name:   Michael A. Nespoli
Title:   Executive Director

Signature Page to Warrant Agreement


EXHIBIT A-1

FACE OF GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE

VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON OCTOBER 12, 2026

This Global Warrant Certificate is held by The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) 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) this Global Warrant Certificate may be exchanged in whole but not in part pursuant to Section 6.1(g) of the Warrant Agreement, (ii) this Global Warrant Certificate may be delivered to the Warrant Agent for cancellation pursuant to Section 6.1(h) of the Warrant Agreement and (iii) this Global Warrant Certificate may be transferred to a successor Depositary with the prior written consent of the Company.

Unless this Global Warrant Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of the Depositary to the Company or the Warrant Agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary (and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary), any transfer, pledge or other use hereof for value or otherwise by or to any person is wrongful because the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

Transfers of this Global Warrant Certificate shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to nominees of the Depositary or to a successor thereof or such successor’s nominee.

No registration or transfer of the securities issuable pursuant to the Warrant will be recorded on the books of the Company until such provisions have been complied with.


THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE (INCLUDING THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANT) ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 12, 2016, BY AND BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE WARRANT AGENT (THE “ WARRANT AGREEMENT ”).

THIS WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO

5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON OCTOBER 12, 2026

WARRANT TO PURCHASE

2,499,999 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION ¤

CUSIP # 382410 157

ISSUE DATE: October 12, 2016

No. W-1

This certifies that, for value received, Cede & Co. and its registered assigns (collectively, the “Registered Holder”), is entitled to purchase from Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York time, on October 12, 2026, the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of the Company set forth above at the Exercise Price (as defined in the Warrant Agreement). The number and kind of shares purchasable hereunder are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Article V of the Warrant Agreement. The Exercise Price shall be $0.01.

This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent.

 

 

¤   Exercisable for 2,499,999 shares of Common Stock for all Warrants in the aggregate, subject to adjustment in accordance with Article V of the Warrant Agreement.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Warrant has been duly executed by the Company under its corporate seal as of the      day of October, 2016.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:  

 

Print Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Attest:  

 

 

 

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC,

as Warrant Agent

By:  

 

 
Name:  
Title:  

Address of Registered Holder for Notices (until changed in accordance with this Warrant):

Cede & Co.

55 Water Street

New York, New York 10041

REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF. SUCH FURTHER PROVISIONS SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS THOUGH FULLY SET FORTH AT THIS PLACE.


REVERSE OF GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants to purchase 2,499,999 ¤ shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, as dated October 12, 2016 (the “ Warrant Agreement ”), by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”). A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be inspected at the office of the Warrant Agent designated for such purpose. The Warrant Agreement hereby is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the Registered Holders of the Warrants. All capitalized terms used in this Global Warrant Certificate that are not defined herein but are defined in the Warrant Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Stock or any certificates that evidence fractional Common Stock.

No Warrants may be sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred in violation of the Securities Act or state securities laws.

This Warrant does not entitle the Registered Holder to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company.

The Company and Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone) for the purpose of any exercise hereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

¤   Exercisable for 2,499,999 shares of Common Stock for all Warrants in the aggregate, subject to adjustment in accordance with Article V of the Warrant Agreement.


EXHIBIT A-2

FACE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE

VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON OCTOBER 12, 2026

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE (INCLUDING THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANT) ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 12, 2016, BY AND BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE WARRANT AGENT (THE “WARRANT AGREEMENT”).

 

Certificate Number                                         Warrants                                     
   CUSIP    382410 157        
This certifies that   
is the holder of   

WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK OF

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of the certificate properly endorsed. Each Warrant entitles the holder and its registered assigns (collectively, the “Registered Holder”) to purchase from Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York time, on October 12, 2026, one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock of the Company at the Exercise Price (as defined in the Warrant Agreement). The number and kind of shares purchasable hereunder are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Article V of the Warrant Agreement. The Exercise Price shall be $0.01.

This certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Warrant Agent.

WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

     DATED

 

      
Authorized Officer       

Attest:

 

 

 

   [Corporate seal]  

COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, WARRANT AGENT

Secretary       
     By  

 

               AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE


REVERSE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are a part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants to purchase 2,499,999 shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, as dated October 12, 2016 (the “ Warrant Agreement ”), by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”). A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be inspected at the office of the Warrant Agent designated for such purpose. The Warrant Agreement is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the Registered Holders of the Warrants. All capitalized terms used in this Warrant Certificate that are not defined herein but are defined in the Warrant Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Stock or any certificates that evidence fractional Common Stock. No Warrants may be sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred in violation of the Securities Act or state securities laws. The Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate do not entitle the Registered Holder to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company. The Company and Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone) for the purpose of any exercise hereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations.
   
Ten COM –   as tenants in common   UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -     Custodian
                                               (Cust)    (Minor)                             
TEN ENT –   as tenants by the entireties       under Uniform Gifts to Minor Act        
                (State)                      
JT TEN –   as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common  

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -

           
              Custodian (until age)
                    (Cust)          
                       
              under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act         
          (Minor)           (State)
                               

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

For value received,                                                                               hereby sells, assigns and transfers the Warrants to purchase shares of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation                                                                  Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number

represented by this Warrant Certificate to:

 

 

Print name and address

and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                                                   attorney, to transfer said Warrants on the Warrant Register maintained for the purpose of registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises:

 

Dated:               , 20     

  

Signature:                                                              

  

Name:                                                                    

Note: The above signature and name should correspond exactly with the name of the holder as it appears on the face of the certificate, in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.


EXERCISE FORM

The undersigned Registered Holder of this Warrant Certificate hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the number of Warrants indicated below for the purchase of the number of shares of Common Stock indicated below and (check one):

 

Number of Warrants:   

 

  
Number of Shares of Common Stock:   

 

  
   (Total number of shares of Common Stock for which the Warrant is being exercised, before withholding for Exercise Price, if cashless exercise)   

 

  herewith tenders payment for                  of the Warrant Exercise Shares to the order of reorganized Goodrich Petroleum Corporation in the amount of $                      in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement; or

 

  herewith tenders                      Warrants pursuant to the cashless exercise provisions of Section 4.3(b) of the Warrant Agreement.

The undersigned requests that the Warrant Exercise Shares, or the net number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants pursuant to the cashless exercise provisions of Section 4.3(b) of the Warrant Agreement, be issued in the name of the undersigned Holder or as otherwise indicated below:

 

Name

  

                                                  

      Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number
 
Address   

                                                  

       
  

                                                  

     

If such Warrants shall not constitute all of the Warrants represented hereby, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor and date for the balance of the Warrants represented hereby be issued and delivered in the name of the undersigned Holder or as otherwise indicated as follows:

 

Name

  

                                                  

      Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number
 
Address   

                                                  

       
  

                                                  

     

 

Dated:                        , 20          Signature:  

                                          

 
    Name:  

                                          

 
       

Note: The above signature and name should correspond exactly with the name of the holder as it appears on the face of the certificate, in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.


EXHIBIT B

EXERCISE FORM FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS

OF DIRECT REGISTRATION WARRANTS

(To be executed upon exercise of Warrants)

NOTE: THIS EXERCISE NOTICE MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE WARRANT AGENT, PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON OCTOBER 12, 2026.

The undersigned Registered Holder, being the holder of Direct Registration Warrants of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, as dated October 12, 2016 (the “ Warrant Agreement ”), by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”), hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the number of Direct Registration Warrants indicated below, for the purchase of the number of shares of Common Stock indicated below (check one). All capitalized terms used in this Exercise Form that are not defined herein but are defined in the Warrant Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

 

Number of Warrants:   

 

  
Number of Shares of Common Stock:   

 

  
   (Total number of shares of Common Stock for which the Direct Registration Warrant is being exercised, before withholding for Exercise Price, if cashless exercise)   

 

  herewith tenders payment for              of the Warrant Exercise Shares to the order of reorganized Goodrich Petroleum Corporation in the amount of $              in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement; or

 

  herewith tenders              Warrants pursuant to the cashless exercise provisions of Section 4.3(b) of the Warrant Agreement.

The undersigned requests that the Warrant Exercise Shares, or the net number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants pursuant to the cashless exercise provisions of Section 4.3(b) of the Warrant Agreement, be issued in the name of the undersigned Holder or as otherwise indicated below:

 

Name

  

                                                  

      Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number
Address   

                                                  

       
  

                                                  

     

If said number of Warrant Exercise Shares shall not be all the Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant representing the balance of such Warrant shall be issued in the name of the undersigned Holder or as otherwise indicated below and that a Warrant Statement reflecting such balance be delivered to the address indicated below:

 

Name

  

                                                  

      Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number
Address   

                                                  

       
  

                                                  

     

 

Dated:                  , 20                  Signature:  

                                          

 
    Name:  

                                          

 
       

_


EXHIBIT C

EXERCISE FORM FOR BENEFICIAL HOLDERS

HOLDING WARRANTS THROUGH THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY

TO BE COMPLETED BY DIRECT PARTICIPANT

IN THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY

(To be executed upon exercise of Warrants)

NOTE: THIS EXERCISE NOTICE MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE WARRANT AGENT, PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON OCTOBER 12, 2026.

The undersigned, being the beneficial holder of Book-Entry Warrants issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, as dated October 12, 2016 (the “ Warrant Agreement ”), by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”) and held for its benefit through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company (the “ Depositary ”), hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the number of Book-Entry Warrants indicated below, for the purchase of the number of shares of Common Stock indicated below, pursuant to the exercise provisions of Section 4.3 of the Warrant Agreement and (check one). All capitalized terms used in this Exercise Form that are not defined herein but are defined in the Warrant Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

 

  Cashless exercise pursuant to Section 4.3(b) of the Warrant Agreement; or

 

  Non-cashless exercise pursuant to Section 4.3(a) of the Warrant Agreement with paymentin the amount of $             .

 

Number of Warrants:

     

 

  

Number of Shares of Common Stock:

     

 

  
      (Total number of shares of Common Stock for which the Book-Entry Warrants are being exercised before withholding for the Exercise Price, if a cashless exercise.)    

The undersigned requests that the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants be delivered to the account at the Depositary specified below.

THE WARRANT AGENT SHALL NOTIFY YOU (THROUGH THE CLEARING SYSTEM) OF (1) THE WARRANT AGENT’S ACCOUNT AT THE DEPOSITARY TO WHICH YOU MUST DELIVER YOUR WARRANTS, AND PAYMENT, IF ANY, ON THE EXERCISE DATE AND (2) THE ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND FACSIMILE NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN CONTACT THE WARRANT AGENT.

 

 

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:

 

 

                                                                               

 

  

 

NAME:

 

 

                                                                               

 

  

 

CAPACITY IN WHICH SIGNING:

 

 

                                                                               

 

  

 

DATED:

 

 

                                                                               

 

  

 

NAME OF PARTICIPANT:

 

 

                                                                               

 

  

 

ADDRESS:

 

 

                                                                               

 

  

 

CONTACT NAME (if different than above):

 

 

                                                                               

 

  

 

TELEPHONE (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):

 

 

                                                                               

 

  

 

FAX (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):

 

 

                                                                               

 

  

 

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

 

 

                                                                               

 

  

 

DEPOSITARY ACCOUNT NO.:

 

 

                                                                               

 

  


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS

HOLDING DIRECT REGISTRATION WARRANTS

(To be executed only upon assignment of Warrants)

For value received, the undersigned Registered Holder of Direct Registration Warrants issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, as dated October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”), hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto the Assignee(s) named below the number of Direct Registration Warrants listed opposite the respective name(s) of the Assignee(s) named below, and all other rights of the Registered Holder under said Direct Registration Warrants, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                          attorney, to transfer said Direct Registration Warrants, as and to the extent set forth below, on the Warrant Register maintained for the purpose of registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises:

 

Name(s) of Assignee(s)    Address of Assignee(s)    Number of Warrants

                                                      

  

                                                                   

  

                                                      

 

Dated:                  , 20                  Signature:  

                                          

 
    Name:  

                                          

 
       

Note: The above signature and name should correspond exactly with the name of the Holder of the Direct Registration Warrants as it appears on the Warrant Register.

Exhibit 10.5

EXECUTION VERSION

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (including all exhibits hereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware (the “ Company ”), and the other parties signatory hereto and any additional parties identified on the signature pages of any joinder agreement executed and delivered pursuant hereto (each a “ Holder ” and collectively, the “ Holders ”).

WHEREAS, the Company and certain affiliated debtors (collectively, the “ Debtors ”) filed a Plan of Reorganization pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, on August 12, 2016 which, as amended, was confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division on September 28, 2016 (including all exhibits, schedules and supplements thereto and as amended from time to time, the “ Plan ”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy pursuant to the Plan, the Initial Holders agreed to purchase certain notes from the Company and in connection therewith will receive the Warrants (as defined below); and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Initial Holders have agreed to enter into this Agreement pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Initial Holders registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities in furtherance of the foregoing.

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Holders agree as follows:

1. Definitions . Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein that are defined in the Plan have the meanings given such terms in the Plan. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Advice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15(c) .

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any person, any other person which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) as used in this definition means the possession, directly or indirectly (including through one or more intermediaries), of the power or authority to direct or cause the direction of management, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement ” means an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such definition may be amended from time to time.

 

1


beneficially own ” (and related terms such as “beneficial ownership” and “beneficial owner”) shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, and any Person’s beneficial ownership of securities shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such Rule.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

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

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock ” means the shares of the Company’s common stock , par value $0.01 per share, and any securities into which such shares of common stock may hereinafter be reclassified.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Counsel to the Holders ” means (i) with respect to any Demand Registration, the counsel selected by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initially requesting such Demand Registration and (ii) with respect to any Underwritten Takedown or Piggyback Registration, the counsel selected by the Majority Holders.

Demand Registration Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) .

Effective Date ” means the date that a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is first declared effective by the Commission.

Equity Holders ” means, collectively, each Person that is a “Holder” (as defined in the Equity Registration Rights Agreement) as of the relevant determination date.

Equity Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain registration rights agreement (including all exhibits thereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof) made and entered into as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and certain stockholders of the Company who were issued shares of the Company’s Common Stock in the Plan.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Form S-1 ” means form S-1 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission for the general registration of securities under the Securities Act.

Form S-3 ” means form S-3 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same usage as Form S-3.

Form S-4 ” means form S-4 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same usage as Form S-4.

 

2


Form S-8 ” means form S-8 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same usage as Form S-8.

FINRA ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9 .

Grace Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a)(B) .

Holder ” or “ Holders ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble. A Person shall cease to be a Holder hereunder at such time as it ceases to hold any Registrable Securities.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(c) .

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(c) .

Initial Holders ” means the Holders as of the date hereof.

Initial Shelf Expiration Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) .

Initial Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) .

Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a) .

Majority Holders ” means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be included in such Underwritten Offering held by all Holders that have made the request requiring the Company to conduct such Underwritten Offering (but not including any Holders that have exercised “piggyback” rights hereunder to be included in such Underwritten Offering).

Noteholders ” means, collectively, each Person that is a “Holder” (as defined in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement) as of the relevant determination date.

Notes ” means the $40 million of 13.5% Convertible Senior Secured Second Lien Notes of the Company issued pursuant to the indenture, dated the date hereof, among the Company, the guarantors named therein, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.

Notes Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain registration rights agreement (including all exhibits thereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof) made and entered into as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the persons to whom the Notes are issued on the date hereof.

Other Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b) .

Person ” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Piggyback Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) .

 

3


Piggyback Offering ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) .

Plan ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Plan Effective Date ” shall mean the date on which the Plan becomes effective.

Proceeding ” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.

Prospectus ” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

Registrable Securities ” means, collectively, (a) all Warrants issued to any Holder or to any Affiliate or Related Fund of any Holder, either directly or pursuant to a joinder or assignment (including in each case any Warrants Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants), and any additional Warrants (including any Warrants Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants) acquired by any Holder, Affiliate or Related Fund of any Holder in open market or other purchases after the Plan Effective Date and (b) any additional Warrants, Warrant Shares or shares of Common Stock paid, issued or distributed in respect of any such Warrants or Warrant Shares by way of a stock dividend, stock split or distribution, or in connection with a combination of shares, and any security into which such Warrants or Warrant Shares shall have been converted or exchanged in connection with a recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, exchange, distribution or otherwise; provided , however , that as to any Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to constitute Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the date on which such securities are disposed of pursuant to an effective Registration Statement; (ii) the date on which such securities are disposed of pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) promulgated under the Securities Act; and (iii) the date on which such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding. For the avoidance of doubt, any provision herein requiring the calculation of the number of Registrable Securities shall be deemed to refer to the number of Warrant Shares constituting Registrable Securities, including Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of Warrants constituting Registrable Securities, without regard to any limitation on the exercise of the Warrants.

Registration Statement ” means any one or more registration statements of the Company filed under the Securities Act that covers the resale of any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation any Shelf Registration Statement), amendments and supplements to such Registration Statements, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Registration Statements.

 

4


Related Fund ” means, with respect to any Person, any fund, account or investment vehicle that is controlled or managed by such Person, by any Affiliate of such Person, or, if applicable, such Person’s investment manager.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 158 ” means Rule 158 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 415 ” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 424 ” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Selling Stockholder Questionnaire ” means a questionnaire reasonably adopted by the Company from time to time.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with the Securities Act for the offer and sale of Registrable Securities by Holders on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to Rule 415.

Smaller Reporting Company ” means a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f) of Regulation S-K, as such definition may be amended from time to time.

Transfer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13 .

Underwritten Offering ” means an offering of Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement in which the Registrable Securities are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

Underwritten Takedown ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f).

Warrants ” means the warrants, exercisable for shares of Common Stock, issued by the Company pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

Warrant Shares ” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

 

5


2. Initial Shelf Registration .

(a) The Company shall prepare a Shelf Registration Statement (the “ Initial Shelf Registration Statement ”), and shall include in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities of each Holder who shall request inclusion therein of some or all of their Registrable Securities by checking the appropriate box on the signature page of such Holder hereto or by written notice to the Company no later than 45 days after the Plan Effective Date. The Company shall file the Initial Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission on or prior to the 120th day following the Plan Effective Date; provided, however , that the Company shall not be required to include in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities of any Holder unless such Holder otherwise timely complies with the requirements of this Agreement with respect to the inclusion of such Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

(b) The Company shall include in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement all Registrable Securities whose inclusion has been timely requested as aforesaid; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to include an amount of Registrable Securities in excess of the amount as may be permitted to be included in such Registration Statement under the rules and regulations of the Commission and the applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the Commission.

(c) The Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-1; provided, however, that, if the Company becomes eligible to register the Registrable Securities for resale by the Holders on Form S-3 (including without limitation a Form S-3 filed as an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement), the Company shall be entitled to amend the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 or file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 in substitution of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement as initially filed.

(d) The Company shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as practicable, and in any event not later than the 365 th day following the Plan Effective Date, and shall use its reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, and not subject to any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission, until the earlier of (i) the date the Company (A) is eligible to register the Registrable Securities for resale by Holders on Form S-3 or is a Smaller Reporting Company eligible to incorporate by reference pursuant to Item 12(b) of Form S-1 and (B) has filed such Registration Statement with the Commission and such Registration Statement has been declared effective and (ii) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall cease to be Registrable Securities (such earlier date, the “ Initial Shelf Expiration Date ”). In the event of any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission relating to the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, if any Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration Statement remain unsold, the period during which the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be required to remain effective will be extended by the number of days during which such stop order, injunction or similar order or requirement is in effect.

 

6


(e) If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is on Form S-1, then for so long as any Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration Statement remain unsold, the Company will file any supplements to the Prospectus or post-effective amendments required to be filed by applicable law in order to incorporate into such Prospectus any Current Reports on Form 8-K necessary or required to be filed by applicable law, any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or any Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Commission, or any other information necessary so that (i) the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall not include any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and (ii) the Company complies with its obligations under Item 512(a)(1) of Regulation S-K; provided, however, that these obligations remain subject to the Company’s rights under Section 6.

(f) Upon the demand of one or more Holders, the Company shall facilitate a “takedown” of Registrable Securities in the form of an Underwritten Offering (each, an Underwritten Takedown ), in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 5 of this Agreement, provided that either (i) the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such “takedown” shall equal at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders or (ii) the Registrable Securities requested to be sold by the Holders in such “takedown” shall have an anticipated aggregate offering price (before deducting underwriting discounts and commission) of at least $15 million.

3. Subsequent Shelf Registration Statements

(a) After (i) the Effective Date of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and prior to the Initial Shelf Expiration Date and (ii) for so long as any Registerable Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to (A) ensure that it will be eligible to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 after the Initial Shelf Expiration Date, and (B) meet the requirements of General Instruction VII of Form S-1 after the Initial Shelf Expiration Date.

(b) After the Initial Shelf Expiration Date and for so long as any Registerable Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to (A) be eligible and/or to maintain its eligibility to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, and (B) meet the requirements of General Instruction VII of Form S-1.

(c) After the Initial Shelf Expiration Date, if there is not an effective Registration Statement which includes the Registrable Securities that is currently outstanding, the Company shall (i) if the Company is eligible to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, promptly file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective, (ii) if the Company is a Smaller Reporting Company eligible to incorporate by reference pursuant to Item 12(b) of Form S-1, promptly file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-1 and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective or (iii) promptly file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-1 and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective and for so long as any Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration on Form S-1 remain unsold, the Company will file any supplements to the Prospectus or post-effective amendments required to be filed by applicable law in order to

 

7


incorporate into such Prospectus any Current Reports on Form 8-K necessary or required to be filed by applicable law, any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or any Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Commission, or any other information necessary so that (x) such Shelf Registration shall not include any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and (y) the Company complies with its obligations under Item 512(a)(1) of Regulation S-K; provided, however, that these obligations remain subject to the Company’s rights under Section 6.

4. Demand Registration

(a) At any time and from time to time on or following the Plan Effective Date, any Holder or group of Holders may request in writing (“ Demand Registration Request ”) that the Company effect the registration of all or part of such Holder’s or Holders’ Registrable Securities with the Commission under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act. The Company will file a Registration Statement covering such Holder’s or Holders’ Registrable Securities requested to be registered, and shall use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective, as promptly as practicable after receipt of such request; provided , however , that the Company will not be required to file a Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 4(a) :

(A) unless either (i) the number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered on such Registration Statement equals at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders or (ii) the Registrable Securities requested to be sold by the Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement have an anticipated aggregate gross offering price (before deducting underwriting discounts and commission) of at least $10 million;

(B) if the Registrable Securities requested to be registered are already covered by an existing and effective Registration Statement and such Registration Statement may be utilized for the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered;

(C) if a registration statement filed by the Company shall have previously been initially declared effective by the Commission within the one hundred eighty (180) days preceding the date such Demand Registration Request is made; and

(D) if the number of Demand Registration Requests previously made pursuant to this Section 4(a) shall equal or exceed five (5); provided, however that a Demand Registration Request shall not be considered made for purposes of this clause (D) unless the requested Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission for more than 75% of the full amount of Registrable Securities for which registration has been requested.

(b) A Demand Registration Request shall specify (i) the then-current name and address of such Holder or Holders, (ii) the aggregate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered, (iii) the total number of Registrable Securities then beneficially owned by such Holder or Holders, and (iv) the intended means of distribution. If at the time

 

8


the Demand Registration Request is made the Company appears, based on public information available to such Holder or Holders, eligible to use Form S-3 for the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities, the Holder or Holders making such request may request that the registration be in the form of a Shelf Registration Statement (for the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be under the obligation to file a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 if, upon the advice of its counsel, it is not eligible to make such a filing).

(c) The Company may satisfy its obligations under Section 4(a) hereof by amending (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any registration statement previously filed by the Company under the Securities Act, so that such amended registration statement will permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods of disposition specified as aforesaid) of all of the Registrable Securities for which a Demand Registration Request has been properly made under Section 4(b) hereof. If the Company so amends a previously filed registration statement, it will be deemed to have effected a registration for purposes of Section 4(a) hereof; provided, however that the Effective Date of the amended registration statement, as amended pursuant to this Section 4(c) shall be the “the first day of effectiveness” of such Registration Statement for purposes of determining the period during which the Registration Statement is required to be maintained effective in accordance with Section 4(e) hereof.

(d) Within ten (10) days after receiving a Demand Registration Request, the Company shall give written notice of such request to all other Holders of Registrable Securities and shall, subject to the provisions of Section 5(c) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, include in such registration all such Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within fifteen (15) days after the Company’s giving of such notice, provided that such Registrable Securities are not already covered by an existing and effective Registration Statement that may be utilized for the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered in the manner so requested.

(e) The Company will use its reasonable efforts to keep a Registration Statement that has become effective as contemplated by this Section 4 continuously effective, and not subject to any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission:

(A) in the case of a Registration Statement other than a Shelf Registration Statement, until all Registrable Securities registered thereunder have been sold pursuant to such Registration Statement, but in no event later than two hundred seventy (270) days from the Effective Date of such Registration Statement; and

(B) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, until the earlier of: (x) three (3) years following the Effective Date of such Shelf Registration Statement; and (y) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement shall cease to be Registrable Securities;

provided, however, that in the event of any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission relating to any Shelf Registration Statement, if any Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement remain unsold, the period during which such Shelf Registration Statement shall be required to remain effective will be extended by the number of days during which such stop order, injunction or similar order or requirement is in

 

9


effect; provided further, however , that if any Shelf Registration Statement was initially declared effective on Form S-3 and, prior to the date determined pursuant to Section 4(e)(B) , the Company becomes ineligible to use Form S-3, the period during which such Shelf Registration Statement shall be required to remain effective will be extended by the number of days during which the Company did not have an effective Registration Statement covering unsold Registrable Securities initially registered on such Shelf Registration Statement.

(f) The Holder or Holders making a Demand Registration Request may, at any time prior to the Effective Date of the Registration Statement relating to such registration, revoke their request for the Company to effect the registration of all or part of such Holder’s or Holders’ Registrable Securities by providing a written notice to the Company. If, pursuant to the preceding sentence, the entire Demand Registration Request is revoked, then, at the option of the Holder or Holders who revoke such request, either (i) such Holder or Holders shall reimburse the Company for all of its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the preparation, filing and processing of the Registration Statement, which out-of-pocket expenses, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include overhead expenses and which requested registration shall not count as one of the permitted Demand Registration Requests hereunder or (ii) the requested registration that has been revoked will be deemed to have been effected for purposes of Section   4(a) .

(g) If a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 4 is a Shelf Registration Statement, then upon the demand of one or more Holders, the Company shall facilitate a “takedown” of Registrable Securities in the form of an Underwritten Offering, in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 5 of this Agreement, provided that either (i) the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such “takedown” shall equal at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders or (ii) the Registrable Securities requested to be sold by the Holders in such “takedown” shall have an anticipated aggregate offering price (before deducting underwriting discounts and commission) of at least $15 million.

5. Procedures for Underwritten Offerings . The following procedures shall govern Underwritten Offerings pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g) , whether in the case of an Underwritten Takedown or otherwise.

(a) (i) The Majority Holders shall select one or more investment banking firm(s) of national standing to be the managing underwriter or underwriters for any Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Demand Registration Request or an Underwritten Takedown with the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and (ii) the Company shall select one or more investment banking firms of national standing to be the managing underwriter or underwriters for any other Underwritten Offering with the consent of the Majority Holders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(b) All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through an Underwritten Offering, as a condition for inclusion of their Registrable Securities therein, shall agree to enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters; provided, however that the underwriting agreement is in customary form and reasonably acceptable to the Majority Holders and

 

10


provided , further, however that no Holder of Registrable Securities included in any Underwritten Offering shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding (i) such Holder’s ownership of its Registrable Securities to be sold or transferred, (ii) such Holder’s power and authority to effect such transfer and (iii) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities laws as may be reasonably requested).

(c) If the managing underwriter or underwriters for an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Demand Registration or an Underwritten Takedown advises the Holders that the total amount of Registrable Securities or other shares of Common Stock permitted to be registered is such as to materially adversely affect the success of such Underwritten Offering, the number of Registrable Securities or other shares of Common Stock to be registered on such Registration Statement will be reduced as follows: first , the Company shall reduce or eliminate the securities of the Company to be included by any Person other than a Holder, an Equity Holder, a Noteholder or the Company; second , the Company shall reduce or eliminate any securities of the Company to be included by the Company; third , the Company shall reduce or eliminate any securities of the Company, other than Registrable Securities, to be included by any Equity Holder and/or Noteholder entitled to participate therein on a pro rata basis based on the total amount of such securities requested by the Equity Holders and/or Noteholders to be included in the Underwritten Offering; and fourth , the Company shall reduce the number of Registrable Securities to be included by Holders on a pro rata basis based on the total number of Registrable Securities requested by the Holders to be included in the Underwritten Offering.

(d) Within ten (10) days after receiving a request for an Underwritten Offering constituting a “takedown” from a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall give written notice of such request to all other Holders, and subject to the provisions of Section 5(c) hereof, include in such Underwritten Offering all such Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within fifteen (15) days after the Company’s giving of such notice; provided, however that such Registrable Securities are covered by an existing and effective Shelf Registration Statement that may be utilized for the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered.

(e) The Company will not be required to undertake an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g) if the number of Underwritten Offerings previously made pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g) in the immediately preceding twelve (12)-month period shall exceed three (3); provided that an Underwritten Offering shall not be considered made for purposes of this clause (e) unless the offering has resulted in the disposition by the Holders of at least 75% of the amount of Registrable Securities requested to be included.

6. Grace Periods .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein—

(A) the Company shall be entitled to postpone the filing or effectiveness of, or, at any time after a Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission suspend the use of, a Registration Statement (including the Prospectus included therein) if in the good faith judgment of the Board, such registration, offering or use would

 

11


reasonably be expected to materially affect in an adverse manner or materially interfere with any bona fide material financing of the Company or any material transaction under consideration by the Company or would require the disclosure of information that has not been, and is not otherwise required to be, disclosed to the public and the premature disclosure of which would materially affect the Company in an adverse manner; provided however , that in the event such Registration Statement relates to a Demand Registration Request or an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g) , then the Holders initiating such Demand Registration Request or such Underwritten Offering shall be entitled to withdraw the Demand Registration Request or request for the Underwritten Offering and, if such request is withdrawn, it shall not count against the limits imposed pursuant to Section 4(a)(D) or Section 5(e) and the Company shall pay all registration expenses in connection with such registration; and

(B) at any time after a Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission and there is no duty to disclose under applicable law, the Company may delay the disclosure of material non-public information concerning the Company if the disclosure of such information at the time would, in the good faith judgment of the Board, adversely affect the Company (the period of a postponement or suspension as described in clause (A) and/or a delay described in this clause (B), a “ Grace Period ”).

(b) The Company shall promptly (i) notify the Holders in writing of the existence of the event or material non-public information giving rise to a Grace Period (provided that the Company shall not disclose the content of such material non-public information to any Holder, without the express consent of such Holder) or the need to file a post-effective amendment, as applicable, and the date on which such Grace Period will begin, (ii) use its reasonable efforts to terminate a Grace Period as promptly as practicable and (iii) notify the Holders in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends.

(c) The duration of any one Grace Period shall not exceed sixty (60) days, and the aggregate of all Grace Periods in total during any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period shall not exceed ninety (90) days. For purposes of determining the length of a Grace Period, the Grace Period shall be deemed to begin on and include the date the Holders receive the notice referred to in clause (i) of Section 6(b) and shall end on and include the later of the date the Holders receive the notice referred to in clause (iii) of Section 6(b) and the date referred to in such notice. In the event the Company declares a Grace Period, the period during which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of an Initial Shelf Registration Statement or a Registration Statement filed pursuant to a Demand Registration Request shall be extended by the number of days during which such Grace Period is in effect.

7. Piggyback Registration

(a) If at any time, and from time to time, the Company proposes to—

(A) file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an underwritten offering of Common Stock of the Company or any securities convertible or exercisable into Common Stock of the Company (other than with respect to a registration statement (i) on Form S-8 or any successor form thereto, (ii) on Form S-4 or any successor form thereto or (iii) another form not available for registering the Registrable Securities for sale to the public), whether or not for its own account; or

(B) conduct an underwritten offering constituting a “takedown” of a class of Common Stock or any securities convertible or exercisable into Common Stock registered under a shelf registration statement previously filed by the Company;

 

12


the Company shall give written notice (the “ Piggyback Notice ”) of such proposed filing or underwritten offering to the Holders at least twenty (20) Business Days before the anticipated filing date. Such notice shall include the number and class of securities proposed to be registered or offered, the proposed date of filing of such registration statement or the conduct of such underwritten offering, any proposed means of distribution of such securities, any proposed managing underwriter of such securities and a good faith estimate by the Company of the proposed maximum offering price of such securities as such price is proposed to appear on the front cover page of such registration statement (or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, would appear on the front cover page of a registration statement), and shall offer the Holders the opportunity to register such amount of Registrable Securities as each Holder may request on the same terms and conditions as the registration of the Company’s and/or the holders of other securities of the Company securities, as the case may be (a “ Piggyback Offering ”). Subject to Section 7(b) , the Company will include in each Piggyback Offering all Registrable Securities for which the Company has received written requests for inclusion within ten (10) Business Days after the date the Piggyback Notice is given; provided, however, that in the case of the filing of a registration statement, such Registrable Securities are not otherwise registered pursuant to an existing and effective Shelf Registration Statement under this Agreement; provided further, however that, in the case of an underwritten offering in the form of a “takedown” under a shelf registration statement, such Registrable Securities are covered by an existing and effective Shelf Registration Statement that may be utilized for the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be offered.

(b) The Company will cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of the proposed offering to permit the Holders that have requested Registrable Securities to be included in the Piggyback Offering to include all such Registrable Securities on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities, if any, of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such underwritten offering advises the Company and the selling Holders in writing that, in its view, the total amount of securities that the Company, such Holders and any other holders entitled to participate in such offering (“ Other Holders ”) propose to include in such offering is such as to materially adversely affect the success of such underwritten offering, then:

(A) if such Piggyback Offering is an underwritten primary offering by the Company for its own account, the Company will include in such Piggyback Offering: (i) first , all securities to be offered by the Company; (ii) second , up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by the Holders and the Equity Holders and the Noteholders entitled to participate in such offering, allocated pro rata among such holders on the basis of the amount of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder; and (iii) third , up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by all other Other Holders;

 

13


(B) if such Piggyback Offering is an underwritten secondary offering for the account of Other Holders exercising “demand” rights (including pursuant to a Demand Registration Request), the Company will include in such registration: (i) first , all securities of the Other Holders exercising “demand” rights (including pursuant to a Demand Registration Request) requested to be included therein; (ii) second , up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by the Holders and the Equity Holders and the Noteholders entitled to participate in such offering (except for any of the foregoing groups to the extent such group was the group exercising such “demand” right), allocated pro rata among such holders on the basis of the amount of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder; (iii) third , up to the full amount of securities proposed to be included in the registration by the Company; and (iv) fourth , up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by any other Other Holders entitled to participate therein, allocated pro rata among such other Other Holders on the basis of the amount of securities requested to be included therein by each such other Other Holder;

such that, in each case, the total amount of securities to be included in such Piggyback Offering is the full amount that, in the view of such managing underwriter, can be sold without materially adversely affecting the success of such Piggyback Offering.

(c) If at any time after giving the Piggyback Notice and prior to the time sales of securities are confirmed pursuant to the Piggyback Offering, the Company determines for any reason not to register or delay the registration of the Piggyback Offering, the Company may, at its election, give notice of its determination to all Holders, and in the case of such a determination, will be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with the abandoned or delayed Piggyback Offering, without prejudice.

(d) Any Holder of Registrable Securities requesting to be included in a Piggyback Offering may withdraw its request for inclusion by giving written notice to the Company, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the anticipated Effective Date of the Registration Statement filed in connection with such Piggyback Offering, or in the case of a Piggyback Offering constituting a “takedown” off of a shelf registration statement, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the anticipated date of the filing by the Company under Rule 424 of a supplemental prospectus (which shall be the preliminary supplemental prospectus, if one is used in the “takedown”) with respect to such offering, of its intention to withdraw from that registration; provided , however , that (i) the Holder’s request be made in writing and (ii) the withdrawal will be irrevocable and, after making the withdrawal, a Holder will no longer have any right to include its Registrable Securities in that Piggyback Offering.

8. Registration Procedures . If and when the Company is required to effect any registration under the Securities Act as provided in Sections 2(a) , 4(a) , 5 or 7 of this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to:

(a) prepare and file with the Commission the requisite Registration Statement to effect such registration and thereafter use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become and remain effective, subject to the limitations contained herein;

 

14


(b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of in accordance with the method of disposition set forth in such Registration Statement, subject to the limitations contained herein;

(c) (i) before filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, at the Company’s expense, furnish to the Holders whose securities are covered by the Registration Statement copies of all such documents, other than documents that are incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, proposed to be filed and such other documents reasonably requested by such Holders (which may be furnished by email), and afford Counsel to the Holders a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such documents; and (ii) in connection with the preparation and filing of each such Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement, (A) upon reasonable advance notice to the Company, give each of the foregoing such reasonable access to all financial and other records, corporate documents and properties of the Company as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of Counsel to the Holders and such underwriters, to conduct a reasonable due diligence investigation for purposes of the Securities Act and Exchange Act, and (B) upon reasonable advance notice to the Company and during normal business hours, provide such reasonable opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers, directors, employees and the independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of Counsel to the Holders and such underwriters, to conduct a reasonable due diligence investigation for purposes of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act;

(d) notify each selling Holder of Registrable Securities, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when such Registration Statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any Prospectus forming a part of such Registration Statement has been filed;

(e) with respect to any offering of Registrable Securities, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities, and the managing underwriters for such Underwritten Offering, if any, without charge, such number of copies of the applicable Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus, and any other Prospectus (including any Prospectus filed under Rule 424, Rule 430A or Rule 430B promulgated under the Securities Act and any “issuer free writing prospectus” as such term is defined under Rule 433 promulgated under the Securities Act), all exhibits and other documents filed therewith and such other documents as such seller or such managing underwriters may reasonably request including in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller, and upon request, a copy of any and all transmittal letters or other correspondence to or received from, the Commission or any other governmental authority relating to such offer;

 

15


(f) (i) register or qualify all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such states or other jurisdictions of the United States of America as the Holders covered by such Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing, (ii) keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such Registration Statement remains in effect and (iii) take any other action that may be necessary or reasonably advisable to enable such Holders to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the securities to be sold by such Holders, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this subsection (f) be obligated to be so qualified, to subject itself to taxation in such jurisdiction or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

(g) cause all Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other federal or state governmental agencies or authorities as necessary upon the opinion of counsel to the Company or Counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to enable such Holder or Holders thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with their intended method of distribution thereof;

(h) with respect to any Underwritten Offering, obtain and, if obtained, furnish to each Holder that is named as an underwriter in such Underwritten Offering and each other underwriter thereof, a signed

(A) opinion of outside counsel for the Company (including a customary 10b-5 statement), dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement and addressed to the underwriters, reasonably satisfactory (based on the customary form and substance of opinions of issuers’ counsel customarily given in such an offering) in form and substance to such underwriters, if any, and

(B) “comfort” letter, dated the date of the Underwriting Agreement and another dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement and addressed to the underwriters and signed by the independent public accountants who have certified the Company’s financial statements included or incorporated by reference in such registration statement, reasonably satisfactory (based on the customary form and substance of “cold comfort” letters of issuers’ independent public accountant customarily given in such an offering) in form and substance to such Holder and such underwriters, if any,

in each case, covering substantially the same matters with respect to such Registration Statement (and the Prospectus included therein) and, in the case of the accountants’ comfort letter, with respect to events subsequent to the date of such financial statements, as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ comfort letters delivered to underwriters in such types of offerings of securities;

(i) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement at any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under

 

16


the Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of which, the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made and for which the Company chooses to suspend the use of the Registration Statement and Prospectus in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, at the written request of any such Holder, promptly prepare and furnish to it a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such Prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such securities, such Prospectus, as supplemented or amended, shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made;

(j) notify the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement promptly of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of such Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information;

(k) advise the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement promptly after the Company receives notice or obtains knowledge of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement relating to the Registrable Securities at the earliest practicable moment and promptly use its reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal;

(l) otherwise comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and any other governmental agency or authority having jurisdiction over the offering of Registrable Securities, and make available to its stockholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months, but not more than eighteen (18) months, beginning with the first (1 st ) full calendar month after the Effective Date of such Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder and which requirement will be deemed satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Form 10-Q and 10-K and Current Reports on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

(m) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for the Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement no later than the Effective Date thereof;

(n) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as the Holders beneficially owning a majority of the Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement or the underwriters, if any, shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including customary indemnification; and provide reasonable cooperation, including causing at least one (1) executive officer and a

 

17


senior financial officer to attend and participate in “road shows” and other information meetings organized by the underwriters, if any, as reasonably requested; provided , however, that nothing in this Agreement shall require the Company to participate in more than two (2) “road shows” in any twelve (12)-month period and such participation shall not unreasonably interfere with the business operations of the Company;

(o) if requested by the managing underwriter(s) or the Holders beneficially owning a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection with an Underwritten Offering, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information relating to the plan of distribution for such Registrable Securities provided to the Company in writing by the managing underwriters and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold and that is required to be included therein relating to the plan of distribution with respect to such Registrable Securities, including without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being sold to such underwriters, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and with respect to any other terms of the Underwritten Offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering, and make any required filings with respect to such information relating to the plan of distribution as soon as practicable after notified of the information;

(p) cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement and the managing underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends, and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such amounts and registered in such names as the managing underwriters, or, if none, the Holders beneficially owning a majority of the Registrable Securities being offered for sale, may reasonably request at least three (3) Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities to the underwriters; and

(q) otherwise use its reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

In addition, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement for any registration under this Agreement, the Company will notify each Holder of the information the Company requires from that Holder, including any update to or confirmation of the information contained in the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire, if any, which shall be completed and delivered to the Company promptly upon request and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days prior to the applicable anticipated filing date. Each Holder further agrees that it shall not be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement or use the Prospectus for offers and resales of Registrable Securities at any time, unless such Holder has returned to the Company a completed and signed Selling Stockholder Questionnaire and a response to any requests for further information as described in the previous sentence and, if an Underwritten Offering, entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters in accordance with Section 5(b) . If a Holder of Registrable Securities returns a Selling Stockholder Questionnaire or a request for further information, in either case, after its respective deadline, the Company shall be permitted to exclude such Holder from being a selling security holder in the Registration Statement or any pre-effective or post-effective

 

18


amendment thereto. Each Holder acknowledges and agrees that the information in the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire or request for further information as described in this Section   8 will be used by the Company in the preparation of the Registration Statement and hereby consents to the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement.

9. Registration Expenses . All fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with its obligations under this Agreement (excluding any underwriting discounts, fees or selling commissions or broker or similar commissions or fees, or transfer taxes of any Holder) shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with any stock exchange on which any Registrable Securities are then listed for trading, (B) with respect to compliance with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as requested by the Holders) and (C) if not previously paid by the Company in connection with an Issuer Filing, with respect to any filing that may be required to be made by any broker through which a Holder intends to make sales of Registrable Securities with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“ FINRA ”) pursuant to the FINRA Rule 5110, so long as the broker is receiving no more than a customary brokerage commission in connection with such sale, (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) the reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with any road show for underwritten offerings, (vi) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vii) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company will pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Counsel to the Holders, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any expenses of Counsel to the Holders in connection with the filing or amendment of any Registration Statement, Prospectus or free writing prospectus hereunder. Each Holder that sells Registrable Securities pursuant to an Underwritten Offering shall bear and pay all underwriting discounts, fees and commissions applicable to the Registrable Securities sold for such Holder’s account.

10. Lockups .

(a) In connection with any Underwritten Takedown or underwritten registration pursuant to a Demand Registration Request or other underwritten public offering of equity securities by the Company, except with the written consent of the underwriters managing such offering, no Holder who participates in such offering or beneficially owns five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at such time and a number of Registrable Securities that exceeds three percent (3%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders shall effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or

 

19


exercisable for such securities, without prior written consent from the Company, during the seven (7) days prior to and the ninety (90)-day period beginning on the date of closing of such offering (the “ Lockup Period ”), except as part of such offering, provided , that such Lockup Period restrictions are applicable on substantially similar terms to the Company and all of its and its subsidiaries’ executive officers and directors; provided , that nothing herein shall prevent any Holder from making a distribution of Registrable Securities to any of its partners, members or stockholders thereof or a transfer of Registrable Securities to an Affiliate or Related Fund that is otherwise in compliance with the applicable securities laws, so long as such distributees or transferees, as applicable, agree to be bound by the restrictions set forth in this Section 10(a) ; provided, further , that nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the ability of any Holder from participating in any such offering, to the extent otherwise permitted, through the exercise of “piggyback” or similar rights that such Holder may otherwise have under the Equity Registration Rights Agreement or Notes Registration Rights Agreement. Each Holder agrees to execute a lock-up agreement in favor of the Company’s underwriters to such effect and, in any event, that the Company’s underwriters in any relevant offering shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section   10(a) . The provisions of this Section   10(a) will no longer apply to a Holder once such Holder ceases to hold Registrable Securities.

(b) In connection with any Underwritten Offering, the Company shall not effect any public sale or distribution of equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, without prior written consent from the Majority Holders, during the Lockup Period, except as part of such offering, provided, that such Lockup Period restrictions are applicable on substantially similar terms to the Majority Holders. The Company agrees to execute a lock-up agreement in favor of the Majority Holders’ underwriters to such effect and, in any event, that the Majority Holders’ underwriters in any relevant offering shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 10(b) . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may effect a public sale or distribution of securities of the type described above and during the periods described above if such sale or distribution is made pursuant to registrations on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or as part of any registration of securities or offering and sale to employees, directors or consultants of the company and its subsidiaries pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit plan arrangement.

11. Indemnification .

(a) Indemnification by the Company . The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, agents, partners, members, managers, investment managers, stockholders, Affiliates and employees of each of them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, investment managers, stockholders, agents and employees of each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of preparation and investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “ Losses ”), to which any of them may become subject, that arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any

 

20


preliminary prospectus or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (A) such untrue statements, alleged untrue statements, omissions or alleged omissions are based upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was provided by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or (B) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 8(i) , related to the use by a Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated and defined in Section 15(c) below, but only if and to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 11(c) ), shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Holders, and shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Indemnification by Holders . Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its respective directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising out of or are based solely upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (i) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein or (ii) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was provided by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (iii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 8(i) , to the extent, but only to the extent, related to the use by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 15(c) , but only if and to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and

 

21


effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 11(c) ), shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Holders, and shall be in addition to any liability which the Holder may otherwise have.

(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings . If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “ Indemnified Party ”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof; provided , that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that such failure shall have materially and adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.

An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses; (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that in the reasonable judgment of such counsel a conflict of interest exists if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party; provided , that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all Indemnified Parties. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable and documented fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section 11(c) ) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, with reasonable promptness after receipt of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party; provided , that the Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is finally judicially determined to not be entitled to indemnification hereunder. The failure to deliver written notice to the Indemnifying Party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such Indemnifying Party of any liability to the Indemnified Party under this Section 11 , except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially and adversely prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

 

22


(d) Contribution . If a claim for indemnification under Section 11(a) or (b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses, then each Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission.

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 11(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 11(d) , no Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

12. Rule   144 and Rule   144A; Other Exemptions . With a view to making available to the Holders of Registrable Securities the benefits of Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act and other rules and regulations of the Commission that may at any time permit a Holder of Registrable Securities to sell securities of the Company without registration, until such time as when no Registrable Securities remain outstanding, the Company covenants that it will (i) file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required, if any, to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder and (ii) make available information necessary to comply with Rule 144 and Rule 144A, if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, at all times, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (x) Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act (if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities), as such rules may be amended from time to time or (y) any other rules or regulations now existing or hereafter adopted by the Commission. Upon the reasonable request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such information requirements, and, if not, the specific reasons for non-compliance.

13. Transfer of Registration Rights . Any Holder may freely assign its rights hereunder on a pro rata basis in connection with any sale, transfer, assignment, or other conveyance (any of the foregoing, a “ Transfer ”) of Registrable Securities to any transferee or

 

23


assignee; provided that all of the following additional conditions are satisfied: (a) such Transfer is effected in accordance with applicable securities laws; (b) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to become subject to the terms of this Agreement; and (c) the Company is given written notice by such Holder of such Transfer, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee and identifying the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred or assigned; and further provided, that (i) any rights assigned hereunder shall apply only in respect of the Registrable Securities that are Transferred and not in respect of any other securities that the transferee or assignee may hold and (ii) any Registrable Securities that are Transferred may cease to constitute Registrable Securities following such Transfer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

14. Further Assurances . Each of the parties hereto shall execute all such further instruments and documents and take all such further action as any other party hereto may reasonably require in order to effectuate the terms and purposes of this Agreement.

15. Miscellaneous .

(a) Remedies . Any Person having rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) for specific performance and for other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

(b) Compliance . Each Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it (unless an exemption therefrom is available) in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement and shall sell the Registrable Securities only in accordance with a method of distribution described in each Registration Statement

(c) Discontinued Disposition . By its acquisition of Registrable Securities, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of a Grace Period or any event of the kind described in Section 8(i) , such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus (as it may have been supplemented or amended) may be resumed. The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to enforce the provisions of this paragraph.

(d) Preservation of Rights . Except as may otherwise be contained in the Equity Registration Rights Agreement or the Notes Registration Rights Agreement (in each case as of, and as in effect on, the date hereof), the Company shall not grant any registration rights to third parties which are more favorable than or inconsistent with the rights granted hereunder unless any such more favorable rights are concurrently added to the rights granted hereunder.

 

24


(e) No Inconsistent Agreements . The Company shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement.

(f) Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, or waived unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and Holders holding at least a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities; provided, however, that any party may give a waiver as to itself; provided further, however that no amendment, modification, supplement, or waiver that disproportionately and adversely affects, alters, or changes the interests of any Holder shall be effective against such Holder without the prior written consent of such Holder; and provided further that the waiver of any provision with respect to any Registration Statement or offering may be given by Holders holding at least a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities entitled to participate in such offering or, if such offering shall have been commenced, having elected to participate in such offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of certain Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; provided , however , that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. No waiver of any terms or conditions of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any other breach of such terms and conditions or any other term or condition, nor shall any failure to enforce any provision hereof operate as a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof. No written waiver hereunder, unless it by its own terms explicitly provides to the contrary, shall be construed to effect a continuing waiver of the provisions being waived and no such waiver in any instance shall constitute a waiver in any other instance or for any other purpose or impair the right of the party against whom such waiver is claimed in all other instances or for all other purposes to require full compliance with such provision. The failure of any party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of such provision and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

(g) Notices . Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified or regular mail, by private national courier service (return receipt requested, postage prepaid), by personal delivery, by electronic mail or by facsimile transmission. Such notice or communication shall be deemed given (i) if mailed, two days after the date of mailing, (ii) if sent by national courier service, one Business Day after being sent, (iii) if delivered personally, when so delivered, (iv) if sent by electronic mail, on the Business Day such electronic mail is transmitted, or (v) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the Business Day such facsimile is transmitted, in each case as follows:

(A) If to the Company:

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

Attn: Michael J. Killelea, Senior Vice President, General

Counsel and Corporate Secretary

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Tel: (713) 780-9494

Fax: (713) 780-9254

E-mail: Mike.Killelea@goodrichpetroleum.com

 

25


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

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Attn: Harry Perrin

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002-6760

Tel: (713) 758-2548

Fax: (713) 615-5016

E-mail: hperrin@velaw.com

and

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Attn: David S. Meyer

         Lauren R. Kanzer

666 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor

New York, New York 10103-0040

Tel: (212) 237-0058

Fax: (917) 849-5358

E-mail: dmeyer@velaw.com

             lkanzer@velaw.com

(B) If to the Holders (or to any of them), at their addresses as they appear in the records of the Company or the records of the transfer agent or registrar, if any, for the Registrable Securities.

If any time period for giving notice or taking action hereunder expires on a day which is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of New York or the jurisdiction in which the Company’s principal office is located, the time period shall automatically be extended to the Business Day immediately following such Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

(h) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any trustee in bankruptcy). In addition, and whether or not any express assignment shall have been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of the Holders of Registrable Securities (or any portion thereof) as such shall be for the benefit of and enforceable by any subsequent holder of any Registrable Securities (or of such portion thereof); provided , that such subsequent holder of Registrable Securities shall be required to execute a joinder to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company agreeing to be bound by its terms. No assignment or delegation of this Agreement by the Company, or any of the Company’s rights, interests or obligations hereunder, shall be effective against any Holder without the prior written consent of such Holder.

 

26


(i) Execution and Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

(j) Delivery by Facsimile . This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or other electronic means, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

(k) Governing Law; Venue . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) to the extent such rules or provisions would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. Each of the parties to this Agreement consents and agrees that any action to enforce this Agreement or any dispute, whether such dispute arises in law or equity, arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or any New York State Court sitting in New York City. The parties hereto consent and agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Each of the parties to this Agreement waives and agrees not to assert in any such dispute, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claim that (i) such party and such party’s property is immune from any legal process issued by such courts or (ii) any litigation or other proceeding commenced in such courts is brought in an inconvenient forum. The parties hereby agree that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding to an address provided in writing by the recipient of such mailing, or in such other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof and hereby waive any objections to service in the manner herein provided.

(l) Waiver of Jury Trial . Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby agrees to waive its respective rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out of this Agreement. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, including contract claims, tort claims and all other common law and statutory claims. Each party hereto acknowledges that this waiver is a material inducement to enter into this Agreement, that each has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each will continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings. Each party hereto further warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR

 

27


IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION   15(l) AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

(m) Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

(n) Descriptive Headings; Interpretation; No Strict Construction . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns, pronouns, and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. Reference to any agreement, document, or instrument means such agreement, document, or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and, if applicable, hereof. The words “include”, “includes” or “including” in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation”. The use of the words “or,” “either” or “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. All references to laws, rules, regulations and forms in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such laws, rules, regulations and forms, as amended from time to time or, to the extent replaced, the comparable successor thereto in effect at the time. All references to agencies, self-regulatory organizations or governmental entities in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the comparable successors thereto from time to time.

(o) Entire Agreement . This Agreement and any certificates, documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof.

(p) Termination . The obligations of the Company and of any Holder, other than those obligations contained in Section 11 and this Section  15 , shall terminate with respect to the Company and such Holder as soon as such Holder no longer beneficially owns any Registrable Securities.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

28


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Michael J. Killelea

Name:   Michael J. Killelea
Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Warrants)


EACH ENTITY LISTED ON SCHEDULE A HERETO
By:   Shenkman Capital Management, Inc., in its capacity as investment manager to each Shenkman Purchaser listed on Schedule A hereto
By:   /s/ Justin Slatky
  Name:   Justin Slatky
  Title:   Executive Vice President

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Warrants)]


FRANKLIN ADVISERS, INC. , as investment manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts
By:   /s/ Glenn Voyles
  Name: Glenn Voyles
  Title: Vice President, Director of Portfolio Management

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Warrants)]


O’CONNOR GLOBAL MULTI-STRATEGY ALPHA MASTER LIMITED
By:   UBS O’Connor LLC, its investment adviser
By:   /s/ Andrew Martin
  Name:   Andrew Martin
  Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Joseph Workman
  Name:   Joseph Workman
  Title:   Deputy General Counsel
By:   /s/ Jeff Richmond
  Name:   Jeff Richmond
  Title:   Executive Director

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Warrants)]


NINETEEN77 GLOBAL MULTI-STRATEGY ALPHA (LEVERED) MASTER LIMITED
By:   UBS O’Connor LLC, its investment adviser
By:   /s/ Andrew Martin
  Name:   Andrew Martin
  Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Joseph Workman
  Name:   Joseph Workman
  Title:   Deputy General Counsel
By:   /s/ Jeff Richmond
  Name:   Jeff Richmond
  Title:   Executive Director

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Warrants)]


J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC , with respect to only its Credit Trading group
By:   /s/ Christopher Cestaro
  Name:   Christopher Cestaro
  Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Warrants)]


CVC GLOBAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND, LP
By:   Its Investment Advisor CVC Credit Partners, LLC
By:   /s/ Scott Bynum
  Name:   Scott Bynum
  Title:   Managing Director

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of all of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

By checking this box, the Holder signing above hereby requests the inclusion of                                          of its Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, constituting less than all of its Registrable Securities.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Warrants)]


SCHEDULE A

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Pension Plan

EDS 1994 Pension Scheme

EDS Retirement Plan

P SCM Energy HY Ltd.

Shenkman Energy Opportunity Master Fund Ltd.

Four Points Multi-Strategy Master Fund Inc.

Exhibit 10.6

Execution Version

WARRANT AGREEMENT

THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 12, 2016, is by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”).

WHEREAS, on April 15, 2016, the Company (the “ Debtor ”) and Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. (the “ Debtor Affiliate ”) filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the for the Southern District of Texas (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”), case number 16-31975;

WHEREAS, on August 12, 2016, the Debtor and Debtor Affiliate filed the First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “ Plan of Reorganization ”);

WHEREAS, on September 28, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Plan of Reorganization, and the Company and Debtor Affiliate emerged from their chapter 11 cases on the date first written above (the “ Effective Date ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Company will issue or cause to be issued, on or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, 1,000,000 warrants (the “ Warrants ”) to acquire shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”), with each such Warrant being exercisable for 0.00001% of the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding at the time of exercise, to the holders of Unsecured Notes Claims and General Unsecured Claims (each as defined in the Plan of Reorganization);

WHEREAS , the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the Warrants, the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the respective rights, limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent, and the holders of the Warrants;

WHEREAS , the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, call, exercise and cancellation of the Warrants; and

WHEREAS , all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Warrants, when issued, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definition of Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following respective meanings:


(a) “ Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

(b) “ Affiliate Transaction ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.9 hereof.

(c) “ Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(d) “ Appropriate Officer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a) hereof.

(e) “ Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§101-1532.

(f) “ Bankruptcy Court ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(g) “ Beneficial Holder ” means, with respect to any Warrants represented by a Global Warrant Certificate, any person or entity that “beneficially owns” (as such term is defined under and determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) such Warrants.

(h) “ Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(i) “ Book-Entry Warrants ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(j) “ Business Day ” means any day that is not (i) a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed , (ii) in the event that the Warrants or Common Stock are listed on a national securities exchange other than the New York Stock Exchange, a day on which such national securities exchange is closed, or (iii) in the event that the Warrants or Common Stock are not listed on any national securities exchange, a day on which the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or its successor or organization is closed.

(k) “ Certificated Warrants ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(l) “ Commitment Fee Warrants ” means warrants equal to an aggregate of 20% of the New Goodrich Equity Interests (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization) issued to the New 2L Notes Purchasers (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization) pursuant to the warrant agreement, dated the date hereof, among the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, without giving effect to any amendments, modifications, restatements or supplements thereto.

(m) “ Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals, and shall include any successor security as a result of any recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification or similar transaction involving the Company.

(n) “ Common Stock Deemed Outstanding ” means, at any given time, the sum of (a) the number of shares of Common Stock actually outstanding at such time, plus (b) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options, Warrants, Initial Notes and Commitment Fee Warrants actually outstanding at such time, plus (c) without duplication for securities in the foregoing clause (b), the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon

 

2


conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities actually outstanding at such time (treating as actually outstanding any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of Options actually outstanding at such time), in each case, regardless of whether the Options or Convertible Securities are actually exercisable at such time; provided , that Common Stock Deemed Outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries.

(o) “ Convertible Securities ” means any securities (directly or indirectly) convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, but excluding Options.

(p) “ Current Sale Price ” of the Common Stock on any date of determination means:

(i) if the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or The NASDAQ Stock Market on such date, the average closing sale price per share of the Common Stock (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and closing ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date of determination, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange or The NASDAQ Stock Market, as applicable;

(ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or The NASDAQ Stock Market on such date, but is listed on another U.S. national or regional securities exchange, the average closing sale price per share of the Common Stock (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the high bid and low asked prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average high bid and low asked prices) for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date of determination, as reported in composite transactions for such securities exchange (or, if more than one, the principal securities exchange on which the Common Stock is traded);

(iii) if the Common Stock is not listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, the average last quoted sale price for the Common Stock (or, if no sale price is reported, the average of the high bid and low asked price for such date) for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date of determination, in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or other similar organization; or

(iv) in all other cases, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors acting reasonably.

The Current Sale Price shall be determined without reference to early hours, after hours or extended market trading.

If one or more Holders owning in the aggregate at least 15% of the outstanding Warrants disputes the determination of the Board of Directors pursuant to the foregoing clause (iv) with respect to the Current Sale Price, and such Holder(s) and the Board of Directors are unable to agree on the Current Sale Price within 15 Business Days of such Holder(s) giving notice of such

 

3


dispute to the Company, then the Company shall retain a nationally recognized independent accounting firm mutually acceptable to such Holder(s) and the Company which, using only the information presented to it by such Holder(s) and the Company, which information shall be shared with the other party, will choose the calculation of Current Sale Price as presented by either the Board of Directors or such Holder(s). The independent accounting firm shall be acting solely as an expert in accounting, and not as an arbitrator. The determination of the independent accounting firm shall, absent manifest error, be final and binding with respect to the calculation of Current Sale Price, and the fees and expenses of the independent accounting firm shall be borne solely by the non-prevailing party. Except as expressly set forth in the preceding sentence, each party shall bear its own fees and expenses in connection with any dispute of the calculation of the Current Sale Price. To the extent any Person challenges the Board of Directors’ determination of the Current Sale Price or its equivalent as of the applicable time and prevails, the final determination of any such challenge shall be used for the value of the Current Sale Price hereunder.

The Current Sale Price shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board of Directors in good faith if the “ex date” (as hereinafter defined) for any event (other than the issuance or distribution requiring such computation) occurs during the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the day as of which the Current Sale Price is being determined.

For these purposes the term “ex date”, when used:

(i) with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on the relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the sale price or bid and ask prices, as applicable, were obtained without the right to receive such issuance or distribution;

(ii) with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or combination becomes effective; and

(iii) with respect to any tender or exchange offer, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in such market after the expiration time of such offer.

The foregoing adjustments shall be made to the Current Sale Price in accordance with the terms hereof, as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the intent of this Agreement and to avoid unjust or inequitable results as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

(q) “ Customer Identification Program ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.16 hereof.

(r) “ Date of Issuance ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a) hereof.

(s) “ Debtor ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(t) “ Debtor Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

4


(u) “ Deemed Liquidation Event ” means, in a single or series of related transactions (i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets with an aggregate fair value of as reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors equal to or in excess of the Equity Strike Price, (ii) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company pursuant to which the Common Stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets with an aggregate fair value of as reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors equal to or in excess of the Equity Strike Price, or (iii) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, where the aggregate fair value of as reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors equal to or in excess of the Equity Strike Price.

(v) “ Depositary ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(w) “ Direct Registration Warrants ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(x) “ Distribution Date” has the meaning set forth in the Plan of Reorganization.

(y) “ Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(z) “ Equity Strike Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

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

(bb) “ Exercise Date ” means any date, on or prior to the expiration of the Exercise Period, on which the Registered Holder exercises the right to acquire the Warrant Exercise Shares, in whole or in part, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions described herein.

(cc) “ Exercise Form ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(c) hereof.

(dd) “ Exercise Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 hereof.

(ee) “ Funds ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(h) hereof.

(ff) “ Global Warrant Certificates ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(gg) “ Governmental Authority ” means any (i) government, (ii) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department, official or entity and any court or other tribunal) or (iii) body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory or taxing authority or power of any nature, in each case, whether federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, supranational or of any other jurisdiction.

 

5


(hh) “ Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

(ii) “ Initial Notes ” means the $40.0 million of 13.5% Convertible Senior Secured Second Lien Notes of the Company issued pursuant to the indenture, dated the date hereof, among the Company, the guarantors named therein, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, without giving effect to any amendments, modifications, restatements or supplements thereto.

(jj) “ Law ” means all laws, statutes, rules, regulations, codes, injunctions, decrees, orders, ordinances, registration requirements, disclosure requirements and other pronouncements having the effect of law of the United States, any foreign country or any domestic or foreign state, county, city or other political subdivision or of any Governmental Authority.

(kk) “ Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor thereto.

(ll) “ Opt-Out Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4 .9 hereof.

(mm) “ Options ” means any warrants or other rights or options to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

(nn) “ Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association, indenture trustee, organization, joint stock company, joint venture, estate, trust, governmental unit or any political subdivision thereof, or any other entity (as such term is defined in the Bankruptcy Code).

(oo) “ Plan of Reorganization ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(pp) “ Registered Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(d) hereof.

(qq) “ Requisite Holders ” means Registered Holders of Warrants exercisable for a majority of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of all Warrants then outstanding; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a Registered Holder may vote part of its holdings in favor of the matter presented for it, and part of its holdings against such matter, and such split voting shall be taken into account when determining whether the required majority threshold has been satisfied.

(rr) “ Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

(ss) “ S&P ” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

(tt) “ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

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

 

6


(vv) “ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, limited liability company or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of the partnership, limited liability company or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, limited liability company or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of partnership, limited liability company or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the general partner, the managing member or entity performing similar functions of such partnership, limited liability company or other business entity.

(ww) “ Transfer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a) hereof.

(xx) “ USA PATRIOT Act ” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

(yy) “ Warrant Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall include any successor to the Warrant Agent pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof.

(zz) “ Warrant Certificates ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(aaa) “ Warrant Exercise Shares ” means the shares of Common Stock issued upon the applicable exercise of a Warrant.

(bbb) “ Warrant Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(c) hereof.

(ccc) “ Warrant Restrictions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(ddd) “ Warrant Statements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

(eee) “ Warrants ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Section 1.2 Rules of Construction

(a) The singular form of any word used herein, including the terms defined in Section 1.1 hereof, shall include the plural, and vice versa. The use herein of a word of any gender shall include correlative words of all genders.

(b) Unless otherwise specified, references to Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of this Agreement are to the designated Articles, Sections and other subdivision of this Agreement as originally executed. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole.

 

7


(c) References to “$” are to dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

(d) The Exhibits attached hereto are an integral part of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

APPOINTMENT OF WARRANT AGENT

Section 2.1 Appointment . The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company for the Warrants in accordance with the express terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement (and no implied terms or conditions), and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the express terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

ARTICLE III

WARRANTS

Section 3.1 Issuance of Warrants .

(a) On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the terms of the Plan of Reorganization, on or as soon as practicable after the Distribution Date (such date, the “ Date of Issuance ”), the Company will issue the Warrants to the holders of Unsecured Notes Claims and General Unsecured Claims, as set forth in the Plan of Reorganization.

(b) Each Warrant shall be exercisable for 0.00001% of the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding as of the date of such Warrant’s exercise, as may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to this Agreement.

(c) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Warrants (such Warrants being referred to as “ Book-Entry Warrants ”) shall be issued through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company, as depositary (the “ Depositary ”), in the form of one or more global warrant certificates (“ Global Warrant Certificates ”), duly executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned, either by manual or facsimile signature, by the Warrant Agent, in the manner set forth in Section 3.2(b) below, which the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered to the Depositary, on or promptly after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Warrants that are not issuable through the mandatory reorganization function of the Depositary shall either be (x) represented by certificates (including the Global Warrant Certificates, “ Warrant Certificates ”; and any Warrant represented by a Warrant Certificate, other than a Global Warrant Certificate, being referred to as a “ Certificated Warrant ”) or (y) issued by electronic entry registration on the books of the Warrant Agent (“ Direct Registration Warrants ”) and shall be reflected on statements issued by the Warrant Agent from time to time to the holders thereof (the “ Warrant Statements ”); provided that any Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants that are not subject to any restriction on Transfer or exercise, or are not subject to any vesting requirements (such restrictions or requirements, “ Warrant Restrictions ”), may be exchanged at any time for a corresponding number of Book-Entry Warrants, in accordance with Section 6.1(d) and the applicable procedures of the Depositary and the Warrant Agent.

 

8


Section 3.2 Form of Warrant .

(a) Subject to Section 6.1 of this Agreement, the Global Warrant Certificates, with the forms of election to exercise and of assignment printed on the reverse thereof, shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 attached hereto. The Certificated Warrants, with the forms of election to exercise and of assignment printed on the reverse thereof, shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 attached hereto. The Warrant Certificates may bear such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Agreement, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries, or endorsements placed thereon as may be required by the Depositary (including as provided in Section 3.2(b) ) or to comply with any Law or with any rules or regulations made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, or, be determined by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer of the Company (each, an “ Appropriate Officer ”) executing such Warrant Certificates, as evidenced by their execution of the Warrant Certificates, provided any such insertions, omissions, substitutions or variations shall be reasonably acceptable to the Warrant Agent; and provided further , in each case, that they do not affect the rights, duties, obligations, responsibilities, liabilities or indemnities of the Warrant Agent.

(b) The Global Warrant Certificates shall bear a legend substantially in the form indicated therefor on Exhibit A-1 , subject to any additions or changes required by the Depositary. The Global Warrant Certificates shall be deposited on or after the Date of Issuance with the Warrant Agent and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of the Depositary. Each Global Warrant Certificate shall represent such number of the outstanding Warrants as specified therein, and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Warrants from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Warrants represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Section 3.3 Execution of Warrant Certificates .

(a) The Warrant Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Company by an Appropriate Officer. Each such signature upon the Warrant Certificates may be in the form of a facsimile signature of any such Appropriate Officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant Certificates and for that purpose the Company may adopt and use the facsimile signature of any Appropriate Officer.

(b) If any Appropriate Officer who shall have signed any of the Warrant Certificates shall cease to be such Appropriate Officer before the Warrant Certificates so signed shall have been countersigned, either by manual or facsimile signature, by the Warrant Agent or delivered or disposed of by or on behalf of the Company, such Warrant Certificates nevertheless may be countersigned and delivered or disposed of with the same force and effect as though such Appropriate Officer had not ceased to be such Appropriate Officer of the Company; and any Warrant Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual

 

9


date of the execution of such Warrant Certificate, shall be a proper Appropriate Officer of the Company to sign such Warrant Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such person was not such Appropriate Officer.

(c) A Warrant Certificate shall be, and shall remain, subject to the provisions of this Agreement until such time as all of the Warrants evidenced thereby shall have been duly exercised or shall have expired or been canceled in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 3.4 Registration and Countersignature .

(a) Upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Appropriate Officer instructing the Warrant Agent to do so, the Warrant Agent (i) shall upon receipt of Warrant Certificates, including the Global Warrant Certificates, duly executed on behalf of the Company, countersign, either by manual or facsimile signature, such Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants, and record such Warrant Certificates, including the Registered Holders thereof, in the Warrant Register, and (ii) shall register in the Warrant Register any Direct Registration Warrants in the names of the initial Registered Holders thereof. Such written order of the Company shall specifically state the number of Warrants that are to be issued as Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants and the name of the Registered Holders thereof, and the number of Warrants that are to be issued as Book-Entry Warrants, and the Warrant Agent may rely conclusively on such written order. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not instruct the Warrant Agent to register any Direct Registration Warrants unless and until the Warrant Agent shall notify the Company in writing that it has the capabilities to accommodate Direct Registration Warrants.

(b) No Warrant Certificate shall be valid for any purpose, and no Warrant evidenced thereby shall be exercisable, until such Warrant Certificate has been countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of the Warrant Agent. Such signature by the Warrant Agent upon any Warrant Certificate executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that such Warrant Certificate so countersigned has been duly issued hereunder.

(c) The Warrant Agent shall keep or cause to be kept, at an office designated for such purpose, books (the “ Warrant Register ”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it shall register the Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, and the Warrants represented by Global Warrant Certificates, and exchanges, cancellations and Transfers of outstanding Warrants in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 6.1 of this Agreement, all in a form satisfactory to the Company and the Warrant Agent. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of Transfer of the Warrants, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or other charge that may be imposed on any Registered Holder in connection with any such exchange or registration of Transfer. The Warrant Agent shall have no obligation to effect an exchange or register a Transfer unless and until it is satisfied that any payments required by the immediately preceding sentence have been made.

(d) Prior to due presentment for registration of Transfer or exchange of any Warrants in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Agreement, the Company and the

 

10


Warrant Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Warrants are registered upon the Warrant Register (the “ Registered Holder ” of such Warrants) as the absolute owner of such Warrants, for all purposes including, without limitation, for the purpose of any exercise thereof, any distribution to the holder thereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Warrant Agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary. Neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent will be liable or responsible for any registration or Transfer of any Warrants that are registered or to be registered in the name of a fiduciary or the nominee of a fiduciary.

Section 3.5 Capitalization . Upon the exercise of any Warrants, including the automatic exercise in accordance with Section 4.9 , or upon any request by a Holder, the Company shall deliver to the Warrant Agent or a requesting Holder, as applicable, a certificate of an authorized officer of the Company setting forth a true, complete and accurate listing, of all the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding as of the applicable Exercise Date or the date of such request, as applicable, and representing and warranting that such list is true, complete and accurate as of the applicable date. No Holder shall request any certificate more often than once in any thirty (30) day period.

Section 3.6 Restriction on New Equity . Until the earlier of (i) the two-year anniversary that the Equity Strike Price has been met and (ii) the date that no Warrants remain outstanding, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, issue, by dividend, distribution, sale, gift, grant or otherwise, any equity securities, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features if any such securities, grants, awards or instruments would not be included in the definition of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding.

Section 3.7 Deemed Liquidation Event . In connection with any contemplated Deemed Liquidation Event, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain a transaction price that would result in the Equity Strike Price being met.

ARTICLE IV

TERMS AND EXERCISE OF WARRANTS

Section 4.1 The Equity Strike Price . Each Warrant shall entitle (i) in the case of the Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, the Registered Holder thereof and (ii) in the case of Book-Entry Warrants, the Beneficial Holder thereof ((i) and (ii) collectively, the “ Holder ”), subject to the provisions of the Warrants and this Agreement, the right to acquire from the Company 0.00001% of the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding at the time of exercise (subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Article V hereof), at any time after the Distribution Date following the first date that the product of (x) the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding (excluding all securities or parts of securities not convertible, exercisable or otherwise able to be exchanged for vested Shares immediately prior to the time of calculation) and (y) the Current Sale Price, is equal to at least $230.0 million, as may be adjusted in accordance with the terms herein (the “ Equity Strike Price ”) or in accordance with Section 4.9 ; provided that in the event of any reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction involving the Company and the Common Stock, without limiting the application of the adjustments set forth in Article V and consistent therewith, references to the “Company,” “Common Stock,” “Common Stock Deemed Outstanding,” “Current Sale Price” and any related terms used to determine whether the Equity Strike Price has been met shall be read to apply, mutatis mutandis , to the reorganized or surviving entity and the securities or interests thereof or therein, as applicable.

 

11


Section 4.2 Exercise Period . Warrants may be exercised by the Holder thereof, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time after the Date of Issuance and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York time on October 12, 2026 (the “ Exercise Period ”). To the extent that a Warrant or portion thereof is not exercised prior to the expiration of the Exercise Period, it shall be automatically cancelled with no action by any Person, and with no further rights thereunder, upon such expiration. The Company shall deliver prompt notice to each Holder following the first date on which the Equity Strike Price is met; provided, however, that the failure of the Company to give timely notice thereof shall not in any way adversely affect the rights of Holders to exercise their Warrants hereunder. If the Company has failed to give notice in accordance with the foregoing prior to the end of the Exercise Period, the Exercise Period shall automatically be tolled until the end of the thirtieth Business Day following the date on which proper notice is delivered.

Section 4.3 Method of Exercise .

(a) In connection with the exercise of any Warrants, (i) the Holder of such Warrants shall exchange the rights to acquire Common Stock represented thereby by surrendering such Warrant (or portion thereof) to the Warrant Agent for the number of Warrant Exercise Shares being exercised, up to the aggregate number of Warrant Exercise Shares for which the Warrants are exercisable.

(b) Upon exercise of any Warrants, the Warrant Agent will (no later than three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Exercise Form) deliver written notice to the Company to confirm the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with such exercise. The Company shall calculate and transmit to the Warrant Agent in a written notice, and the Warrant Agent shall have no duty, responsibility or obligation to calculate, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with any exercise. The Warrant Agent shall be entitled to rely conclusively on any such written notice provided by the Company, and the Warrant Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with such written instructions or pursuant to this Agreement. Such written notice from the Company shall also set forth the cost basis for such shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to such exercise.

(c) Subject to the terms and conditions of the Warrants and this Agreement, the Holder of any Warrants may exercise, in whole or in part, such Holder’s right to acquire the Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of such Warrants by: (x) in the case of Certificated Warrants, properly completing and duly executing the exercise form for the election to exercise such Warrants (including the exercise forms referred to in clauses (y) and (z) below, an “ Exercise Form ”) appearing on the reverse side of the Warrant Certificates, (y) in the case of Direct Registration Warrants, providing an Exercise Form substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, properly completed and duly executed by the Registered Holder thereof, to the Warrant Agent, and (z) in the case of Book-Entry Warrants, providing an Exercise Form substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto or otherwise complying with the practices and procedures of the Depositary and its direct and indirect participants, as applicable.

 

12


(d) Any exercise of Warrants pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be irrevocable and shall constitute a binding agreement between the Holder and the Company, enforceable in accordance with the terms of the Warrants and this Agreement.

(e) In the case of Certificated Warrants, upon receipt of the Warrant Certificate with the properly completed and duly executed Exercise Form, or in the case of Direct Registration Warrants, upon receipt of an Exercise Form, in each case pursuant to Section 4.3(c) , the Warrant Agent shall:

(i) examine the Exercise Form and all other documents delivered to it by or on behalf of Holders as contemplated hereunder to ascertain whether or not, on their face, such Exercise Form and any such other documents have been executed and completed in accordance with their terms and the terms hereof;

(ii) if an Exercise Form or other document appears, on its face, to have been improperly completed or executed or some other irregularity in connection with the exercise of the Warrants exists, endeavor to inform the appropriate parties (including the person submitting such instrument) of the need for fulfillment of all requirements, specifying those requirements which appear to be unfulfilled;

(iii) inform the Company of and cooperate with and assist the Company in resolving any reconciliation problems between the information provided on any Exercise Form received and the information on the Warrant Register;

(iv) advise the Company no later than three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Exercise Form, of (A) the receipt of such Exercise Form and the number of Warrant Exercise Shares in respect of which the Warrants are requested to be exercised in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (B) the instructions with respect to delivery of the Common Stock deliverable upon such exercise, subject to timely receipt of such information by the Warrant Agent, and (C) such other information as the Company shall reasonably request; and

(v) subject to Common Stock being made available to the Warrant Agent by or on behalf of the Company, and written instructions from the Company, liaise with the transfer agent for the Common Stock for the issuance and registration (in electronic entry form, in the case of Direct Registration Warrants) of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with the Exercise Form.

The Company reserves the right to reject any and all Exercise Forms that it determines are not in proper form. Any such determination by the Company shall be final and binding on the Holders of the Warrants, absent manifest error. Moreover, the Company reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions to any particular exercise of Warrants or any defects in the Exercise Form(s) with regard to any particular exercise of Warrants. The Company shall provide prompt written notice to the Warrant Agent of any such rejection or waiver. In the event the Company

 

13


rejects a purported exercise of Warrants in accordance with the forgoing on or after the Exercise Date, the Exercise Date with respect to such Warrants shall automatically toll until the earlier of (x) the acceptance of final Exercise Forms by the Company giving effect to the purported exercise or (y) 30 Business Days following the delivery of notice by the Company or the Warrant Agent to the exercising Holder of the Company’s rejection of the initial Exercise Forms.

(f) In the case of Book-Entry Warrants, the Company and the Warrant Agent shall cooperate with the Depositary and its direct and indirect participants in order to effectuate the exercise of such Warrants, in accordance with the applicable practices and procedures of the Depositary and such participants, including the manner of delivery of notice of exercise by the Beneficial Holders thereof, which may be substantially in the form of Exhibit C or in such other form as shall be prescribed by such participants, as applicable.

(g) The Warrant Agent shall not be under any duty to give notice to the Holders of the Warrants of any irregularities in any exercise of Warrants, nor shall it incur any liability for the failure to give such notice.

(h) All funds received by the Warrant Agent under this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by the Warrant Agent in the performance of services (the “ Funds ”) shall be held by the Warrant Agent as agent for the Company and deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by the Warrant Agent in its name as agent for the Company. Until paid pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Warrant Agent will hold the Funds through such accounts in: deposit accounts of commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion or with an average rating above investment grade by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating) (each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.). The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Funds that may result from any deposit made by the Warrant Agent in accordance with this paragraph, including any losses resulting from a default by any bank, financial institution or other third party.

Section 4.4 Issuance of Common Stock .

(a) Upon the effectiveness of any exercise of any Warrants pursuant to Section 4.3 , the Company shall, subject to Section 4.6 , promptly at its expense, and in no event later than five (5) Business Days after the Exercise Date, cause to be issued as directed by the Holder of such Warrants the total number of whole shares of Common Stock for which such Warrants are being exercised (as the same may be hereafter adjusted pursuant to Article V ) in such denominations as are requested by the Holder as set forth below:

(i) in the case of the exercise of any Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants by the Registered Holder thereof, by electronic entry on the books of the Company’s transfer agent, registered as directed by the Holder, and

(ii) in the case of the exercise of any Book-Entry Warrants by the Beneficial Holder thereof, by same-day or next-day credit to the Depositary in accordance with the practices and procedures of the Depositary and its respective participants, delivered to such account as directed by the Holder.

 

 

14


(b) Notwithstanding the five (5) Business Day period set forth in Section 4.4(a) , the Warrant Exercise Shares shall be deemed to have been issued at the time at which all of the conditions to such exercise have been fulfilled, and the Holder, or other person to whom the Holder shall direct the issuance thereof, shall be deemed for all purposes to have become the holder of such Warrant Exercise Shares at such time.

Section 4.5 Reservation of Shares .

(a) The Company agrees that it shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of issuance upon the exercise of the Warrants, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all such actions as may be necessary to assure that all such shares of Common Stock may be so issued without violating the Company’s governing documents, any agreements to which the Company is a party on the date thereof, any requirements of any national securities exchange upon which shares of Common Stock may be listed or any applicable Laws. The Company shall not take any action which would cause the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to be less than the number of such shares required to be reserved hereunder for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants.

(b) The Company covenants that it will take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that all Warrant Exercise Shares issued upon exercise of the Warrants will, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, be fully paid and non-assessable and free from any and all (i) security interests created by or imposed upon the Company and (ii) taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof. If at any time prior to the expiration of the Exercise Period the number and kind of authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s capital stock shall not be sufficient to permit exercise in full of the Warrants, the Company will promptly take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be reasonably necessary (including seeking stockholder approval, if required) to increase its authorized but unissued shares to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes. The Company agrees that its issuance of Warrants shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the issuance of Warrant Exercise Shares to issue Warrant Exercise Shares upon the exercise of Warrants.

(c) The Company represents and warrants to the Holders that the issuance of the Warrants and the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof will not constitute a breach of, or a default under, its governing documents and any other material agreements to which the Company is a party on the date hereof.

Section 4.6 Fractional Shares . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to issue any fraction of a share of its capital stock in connection with the exercise of any Warrants, and in any case where a Registered Holder of Warrants would, except for the provisions of this Section 4.6 , be entitled under the terms thereof to receive a fraction of a share upon the exercise of such Warrants, the Company shall, upon the exercise of such Warrants, issue or cause to be issued only the largest whole number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon such exercise (and such fraction of a share will be disregarded, and the Holder shall not have any rights or be entitled to any payment with

 

15


respect to such fraction of a share); provided that the number of whole Warrant Exercise Shares which shall be issuable upon the contemporaneous exercise of any Warrants shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of all such Warrants.

Section 4.7 Close of Books; Par Value . The Company shall not close its books against the Transfer of any Warrants or any Warrant Exercise Shares in any manner which interferes with the timely exercise of such Warrants.

Section 4.8 Payment of Taxes . In connection with the exercise of any Warrants, the Company shall not be required to pay any tax or other charge imposed in respect of any transfer involved in the Company’s issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock (including certificates therefor) (or any payment of cash or other property in lieu of such shares) to any recipient other than the Holder of the Warrants being exercised, and in case of any such tax or other charge, the Warrant Agent and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any such shares (or cash or other property in lieu of such shares) until (x) such tax or charge has been paid or an amount sufficient for the payment thereof has been delivered to the Warrant Agent or the Company or (y) it has been established to the Company’s and the Warrant Agent’s satisfaction that any such tax or other charge that is or may become due has been paid. The Company shall pay any and all documentary, stamp or similar issue taxes that may be payable upon the issuance of Common Shares to the Holder of the Warrant upon the exercise of the Warrants hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, the Warrant Agent shall not have any duty or obligation to take any action under any section of this Agreement that requires the payment of taxes or charges, unless and until the Warrant Agent is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges have been paid.

Section 4.9 Automatic Exercise .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except with respect to the Warrants held by a Holder delivering an Opt-Out Notice (as defined below), in the case of a Deemed Liquidation Event all Warrants outstanding as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the effectiveness of the Deemed Liquidation Event shall be deemed exercised (even if not surrendered) immediately prior to the consummation of the Deemed Liquidation Event and the Equity Strike Price condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied in full. For the avoidance of doubt, each Person in whose name any shares of Common Stock are issued as a result of this Section 4.9 shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares as of immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Deemed Liquidation Event.

(b) At least 20 Business Days prior to the effectiveness of a Deemed Liquidation Event, the Company shall notify each Holder of such Deemed Liquidation Event and the number of shares of Common Stock, if any, issuable to such Holder as a result of automatic exercise pursuant to this Section 4.9 . The Holder shall thereafter have 10 Business Days to deliver notice to the Company of its intent to opt out of the automatic exercise pursuant to this Section 4.9 (an “ Opt-Out Notice ”) with respect to all or a portion of its Warrants, as a result of which any such Warrants for which an Opt-Out-Notice has been timely delivered shall remain outstanding, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms set forth herein.

 

16


(c) In the event the Company fails to give proper notice of a Deemed Liquidation Event such that Holders are not afforded at least 10 Business Days to deliver an Opt-Out Notice, the Company shall make such arrangements (and shall not consummate any Deemed Liquidation Event as a result of which the Company is not the surviving entity unless the succeeding entity has agreed to be bound by the terms of this Agreement) to re-issue replacement Warrants in exchange for the Common Stock issued upon automatic exercise as a result of this Section 4.9 (or for the consideration received in respect of such Common Stock) to any Holder delivering an Opt-Out Notice prior to the later of (i) 10 Business Days following such Holders’ receipt of notice of the effectiveness of the Deemed Liquidation Event and (ii) 30 Business Days following the effectiveness of the Deemed Liquidation Event. In the event a Holder delivers a post-closing Opt-Out Notice, the automatic exercise shall be deemed to have been void ab initio with respect to the applicable Warrants.

ARTICLE V

ADJUSTMENT OF NUMBER OF WARRANT EXERCISE SHARES

In order to prevent dilution of the acquisition rights granted under the Warrants, the securities issuable upon exercise of each Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Article V (in each case, after taking into consideration any prior adjustments pursuant to this Article V ).

Section 5.1 Adjustment to Number of Warrant Exercise Shares Upon Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation or Merger . Subject to Section 4.9 , in the event of any (i) capital reorganization of the Company, (ii) reclassification of the stock of the Company (other than a change in par value or from par value to no par value or from no par value to par value or as a result of a stock dividend or subdivision, split-up or combination of shares), (iii) consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another Person, (iv) sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets to another Person or (v) other similar transaction, in each case which entitles the holders of Common Stock to receive (either directly or upon subsequent liquidation) stock, securities or assets with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock, the Warrants shall, immediately after such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction, remain outstanding and shall thereafter, in lieu of or in addition to (as the case may be) the number of Warrant Exercise Shares then exercisable under the Warrants, be exercisable upon satisfaction of the Equity Strike Price for the kind and number of shares of stock or other securities or assets of the Company or of the successor Person resulting from such transaction to which the Holders would have been entitled upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction if the Holders had exercised the Warrants in full immediately prior to the time of such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction and acquired the applicable number of Warrant Exercise Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Warrants as a result of such exercise (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the exercisability of the Warrants); and, in such case, appropriate adjustment (in form and substance satisfactory to the Holders) shall be made with respect to the Holders’ rights under the Warrants to insure that the provisions of this Article V shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as possible, to the Warrants in relation to any

 

17


shares of stock, securities or assets thereafter acquirable upon exercise of the Warrants. The provisions of this Section 5.1 shall similarly apply to successive reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers, sales or similar transactions. The Company shall not effect any such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction unless, prior to the consummation thereof, the successor Person (if other than the Company) resulting from such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction, shall assume, by written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Agreement and satisfactory to the Holders, the obligation to deliver to the Holders such shares of stock, securities or assets which, in accordance with the foregoing provisions and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the adjustments set forth in this Article V , such Holders shall be entitled to receive upon exercise of the Warrants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, with respect to any corporate event or other transaction contemplated by the provisions of this Section 5.1 , the Holders shall have the right to elect prior to the consummation of such event or transaction, to give effect to the exercise rights contained in Section 4.2 instead of giving effect to the provisions contained in this Section 5.1 with respect to the Warrants.

Section 5.2 Other Dividends and Distributions . If the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date, make or declare, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or any other distribution payable in securities of the Company (other than a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities in respect of outstanding shares of Common Stock), cash or other property (including as a result of any equity repurchases), then the Equity Strike Price shall be reduced by the aggregate fair value of such dividend or distribution as reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors; provided that the Holders shall have the right to dispute such calculation using the same dispute resolution mechanics set forth in the definition of “Current Sale Price”; provided , further, that no such provision shall be made if the Holders receive, simultaneously with the distribution to the holders of Common Stock, a dividend or other distribution of such securities, cash or other property in an amount equal to the amount of such securities, cash or other property as the Holders would have received if the Warrants had been exercised in full into Warrant Exercise Shares on the date of such event.

Section 5.3 Certain Events . If any event of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Article V but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features) occurs, then the Board of Directors shall make an appropriate adjustment in the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants or the Equity Strike Price so as to protect the rights of the Holders in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Article V ; provided , that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall decrease the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable or increase the Equity Strike Price as otherwise determined pursuant to this Article V .

Section 5.4 Notices . Whenever the number and/or kind of Warrant Exercise Shares is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall (i) prepare and deliver, or cause to be prepared and delivered, forthwith to the Warrant Agent a written statement setting forth the adjusted number and/or kind of shares issuable upon the exercise of Warrants after such adjustment, the

 

18


facts requiring such adjustment and the computation by which adjustment was made, and (ii) cause the Warrant Agent to give written notice to each Registered Holder in the manner provided in Section 9.2 below, of the record date or the effective date of the event. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such event. The Warrant Agent shall be fully protected in relying upon any such written notice delivered in accordance with this Section 5.4 , and on any adjustment therein contained, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment unless and until it shall have received such written notice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Warrant Agent shall have no duty or obligation to investigate or confirm whether the information contained in any such written notice complies with the terms of this Agreement or any other document, including the Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Agent shall have no duty to determine when an adjustment under this Article V should be made, how any such adjustment should be calculated, or the amount of any such adjustment.

Section 5.5 Form of Warrant After Adjustments . The form of the Warrant Certificate need not be changed because of any adjustments in the number and/or kind of shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and Warrant Certificates theretofore or thereafter issued may continue to express the same number and kind of shares as are stated therein, as initially issued. The Company, however, may at any time in its sole discretion make any change in the form of Warrant Certificate that it may deem appropriate to give effect to such adjustments and that does not affect the substance of the Warrant Certificate (including the rights, duties, liabilities or obligations of the Warrant Agent), and any Warrant Certificate thereafter issued, whether in exchange or substitution for an outstanding Warrant Certificate, may be in the form so changed.

ARTICLE VI

TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF WARRANTS

Section 6.1 Registration of Transfers and Exchanges .

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Book-Entry Warrants . The Transfer (as defined below) and exchange of Book-Entry Warrants shall be effected through the Depositary and its direct and indirect participants, in accordance with the practices and procedures therefor of the Depositary and such participants. As used herein, “ Transfer ” means any transfer, sale, assignment or other disposition of the Warrants.

(b) Exchange of Book-Entry Warrants for Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants . If at any time:

(i) the Depositary for the Global Warrant Certificates notifies the Company that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Warrant Certificates and a successor Depositary for the Global Warrant Certificates is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after delivery of such notice; or

 

19


(ii) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Warrant Agent in writing that it elects to exclusively cause the issuance of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants under this Agreement, then upon written instructions signed by an Appropriate Officer of the Company, the Warrant Agent shall register and issue Certificated Warrants, or shall register Direct Registration Warrants, in an aggregate number equal to the number of Book-Entry Warrants represented by the Global Warrant Certificates, in accordance with such written instructions. Such written instructions provided by the Company shall state that the Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants issued in exchange for Book-Entry Warrants pursuant to this Section 6.1(a) shall be registered in such names and in such amounts as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Warrant Agent.

(c) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants . When Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants are presented to the Warrant Agent with a written request:

(i) to register the Transfer of such Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants; or

(ii) to exchange such Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants for an equal number of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, respectively, of other authorized denominations,

the Warrant Agent shall register the Transfer or make the exchange, and in the case of Certificated Warrants shall issue such new Warrant Certificates, as requested if its customary requirements for such transactions are met, provided , that (A) the Warrant Agent shall have received (x) a written instruction of Transfer in form satisfactory to the Warrant Agent, duly executed by the Registered Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, (y) a written order of the Company signed by an Appropriate Officer authorizing such exchange and (z) in the case of Certificated Warrants, surrender of the Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates representing same duly endorsed for Transfer or exchange.

(d) Exchange of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants for Book-Entry Warrants . Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants that are not subject to any Warrant Restrictions or subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.4 , may be exchanged for Book-Entry Warrants upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below and any additional applicable requirements of the Depositary. Upon receipt by the Warrant Agent of appropriate written instruments of transfer with respect to such Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, in form satisfactory to the Warrant Agent, and in the case of Certificated Warrants, surrender of the Warrant Certificate or Certificate(s) representing same duly endorsed for Transfer or exchange, together with written instructions directing the Warrant Agent to make, or to direct the Depositary to make, an endorsement on the Global Warrant Certificate to reflect an increase in the number of Warrants represented by the Global Warrant Certificate equal to the number of Warrants represented by such Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, then the Warrant Agent shall cancel such Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants

 

20


on the Warrant Register and cause, or direct the Depositary to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Warrant Agent, the number of Book-Entry Warrants represented by the Global Warrant Certificate to be increased accordingly. If no Global Warrant Certificates are then outstanding, or if the Global Warrant Certificates then outstanding cannot be used for such purposes, the Company shall issue and the Warrant Agent shall countersign, by either manual or facsimile signature, a new Global Warrant Certificate representing the appropriate number of Book-Entry Warrants. Any exchange pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) shall be subject to the Company’s prior written approval.

(e) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Warrant Certificates . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement (other than the provisions set forth in Section 6.1(f) ), unless and until it is exchanged in whole for Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, a Global Warrant Certificate may not be transferred as a whole except 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.

(f) Restrictions on Transfer . No Warrants or Warrant Exercise Shares shall be sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred in violation of the Securities Act or state securities Laws.

(g) Exchange of Global Warrant Certificate . A Global Warrant Certificate may be exchanged for another Global Warrant Certificate of like or similar tenor for purposes of complying with the practices and procedures of the Depositary.

(h) Cancellation of Global Warrant Certificate . At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Warrant Certificates have either been exchanged for Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, the Global Warrant Certificate shall be returned to, or retained and cancelled pursuant to applicable Law by, the Warrant Agent, upon written instructions from the Company satisfactory to the Warrant Agent.

Section 6.2 Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Warrants .

(a) All Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants issued upon any registration of Transfer or exchange of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, respectively, shall be the valid obligations of the Company, entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants surrendered upon such registration of Transfer or exchange. No service charge shall be made to a Registered Holder for any registration, Transfer or exchange of any Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, but the Company or the Warrant Agent may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or other charge that may be imposed on the Registered Holder in connection with any such exchange or registration of Transfer. The Warrant Agent shall forward any such sum collected by it to the Company or to such persons as the Company shall specify by written notice. The Warrant Agent shall have no obligation to effect an exchange or register a Transfer unless and until it is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges have been paid.

 

21


(b) So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a Global Warrant Certificate, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, shall be considered by the Company, the Warrant Agent, and any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent as the sole owner or holder of the Warrants represented by such Global Warrant Certificate for all purposes under this Agreement. Neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent, in its capacity as registrar for such Warrants, will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to beneficial interests in a Global Warrant Certificate or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Warrant Agent, or any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy, or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant Certificate.

(c) Subject to Section 6.1(c) and this Section 6.2 , the Warrant Agent shall,

(i) in the case of Certificated Warrants, upon receipt of all information required to be delivered hereunder, from time to time register the Transfer of any outstanding Certificated Warrants in the Warrant Register, upon delivery by the Registered Holder thereof, at the Warrant Agent’s office designated for such purpose, of the Warrant Certificate representing such Certificated Warrants, properly completed and duly endorsed for Transfer, by the Registered Holder thereof or by the duly appointed legal representative thereof or by a duly authorized attorney, and upon any such registration of Transfer, a new Warrant Certificate shall be issued to the transferee; and

(ii) in the case of Direct Registration Warrants, upon receipt of all information required to be delivered hereunder, from time to time register the Transfer of any outstanding Direct Registration Warrants in the Warrant Register, upon delivery by the Registered Holder thereof, at the Warrant Agent’s office designated for such purpose, of a form of assignment substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, properly completed and duly executed by the Registered Holder thereof or by the duly appointed legal representative thereof or by a duly authorized attorney, and upon any such registration of Transfer, new Direct Registration Warrants shall be issued to the transferee.

Section 6.3 RESERVED .

OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF WARRANTS

Section 7.1 No Rights or Liability as Stockholder . Nothing contained in the Warrants shall be construed as conferring upon the Holder or his, her or its transferees the right to vote or, except as set forth in Section 5.2 , to receive dividends or, to consent or to receive notice as a stockholder in respect of any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of the Company or of any other matter, or any rights whatsoever as stockholders of the Company. The vote or consent of any Holder shall not be required with respect to any stockholder action of the Company and no Holder shall have any right not expressly conferred hereunder or under, or by applicable Law with respect to, the Warrants or any Warrant Certificates held by such Holder. Except as otherwise provided herein (including Section 5.2 ), no Holder, by reason of the

 

22


ownership or possession of a Warrant or Warrant Certificate, shall have any right to receive any cash dividends, stock dividends, allotments or rights or other distributions paid, allotted or distributed or distributable to the holders of Common Stock prior to, or for which the relevant record date preceded, the date of the exercise of such Warrant. No provision thereof and no mere enumeration therein of the rights or privileges of the Holder shall give rise to any liability of such Holder as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

Section 7.2 Notice to Registered Holders . The Company shall give notice to Registered Holders by regular mail, and prompt written notice thereof to the Warrant Agent, if at any time prior to the expiration or exercise in full of the Warrants, any of the following events shall occur:

(a) the payment of any dividend (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend) payable in any securities upon shares of Common Stock or the making of any distribution (including as a result of any equity repurchase) to any holders of Common Stock;

(b) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of any additional shares of Common Stock or of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock or of any other subscription rights, options or warrants;

(c) the issuance of any additional Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities that would result in an adjustment to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants;

(d) a capital reorganization of the Company, reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company, consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another Person, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to another Person;

(e) a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company;

(f) the occurrence of any other event that would result in an adjustment to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under Article V or to the Equity Strike Price; or

(g) the occurrence of a Deemed Liquidation Event.

Such giving of notice shall be initiated at least ten (10) days prior to the date fixed as the record date or the date of closing of the Company’s stock transfer books for the determination of the stockholders entitled to such dividend, distribution or subscription rights, or of the stockholders entitled to vote on such capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up or the proposed effective date of a capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, issuance of Additional Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities or any other event that would result in an adjustment to the number of Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under Article V . Such notice shall specify such record date or the date of closing the stock transfer books or proposed effective date, as the case may be. Failure to provide such notice shall not affect the validity of any action taken. For the avoidance of doubt, no such notice (or failure to provide it to any Holder) shall supersede or limit any adjustment called for by Article V by reason of any event as to which notice is required by this Section 7.2 .

 

23


Section 7.3 Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Warrant Certificates . If any Warrant Certificate is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Company may issue, and upon written request by the Company, the Warrant Agent shall countersign, either by manual or facsimile signature, and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Warrant Certificate, or in lieu of and substitution for the Warrant Certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor in accordance with written instructions from the Company and subject to the terms of this Section 7.3 . In the case of Warrant Certificates other than Global Warrant Certificates, the Company or the Warrant Agent may in its discretion require evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft or destruction of such Warrant Certificate, and an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and holding it and the Company harmless and absent notice to the Warrant Agent that such replacement certificates have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. Applicants for such substitute Warrant Certificates shall also comply with such other regulations and pay such other charges as the Company or the Warrant Agent may require.

Section 7.4 Cancellation of Warrants . If the Company shall purchase or otherwise acquire Warrants, such Warrants shall be cancelled and retired, in the case of Certificated Warrants or Direct Registration Warrants, by appropriate notation on the Warrant Register, and, in the case of Book-Entry Warrants, in accordance with the practices and procedures of the Depositary, including if required by such practices and procedures by appropriate notation on the applicable Global Warrant Certificate.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE WARRANT AGENT AND OTHER MATTERS

Section 8.1 Resignation, Removal, Consolidation or Merger of Warrant Agent .

(a) Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent . The Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving sixty (60) days’ notice in writing to the Company. In the event of any such resignation of the Warrant Agent or successor thereto, the Company shall promptly give notice of such resignation to Registered Holders by regular mail. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint in writing a successor Warrant Agent in place of the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of sixty (60) days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Warrant Agent or by the Registered Holder of a Warrant, then the Registered Holder of any Warrant may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent at the Company’s cost. The Company may, at any time and for any reason at no cost to the Holders, remove the Warrant Agent and appoint a successor Warrant Agent by written instrument signed by the Company and specifying such removal and the date when it is intended to become effective, one copy of which shall be delivered to the Warrant Agent being removed and one copy to the successor Warrant Agent. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed

 

24


by the Company or by such court, shall be a Person organized and existing under the Laws of the United States of America, or any state thereunder, in good standing. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations of its predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations of such predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Warrant Agent, the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations.

(b) Notice of Successor Warrant Agent . In the event a successor Warrant Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall (i) give notice thereof to the predecessor Warrant Agent and the transfer agent for the Common Stock not later than the effective date of any such appointment, and (ii) cause written notice thereof to be delivered to each Registered Holder at such Holder’s address appearing on the Warrant Register. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 8.1(b) or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of the removal of the Warrant Agent or the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent, as the case may be.

(c) Merger, Consolidation or Name Change of Warrant Agent.

(i) Any Person into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement, without any further act or deed, if such person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Warrant Agent under the provisions of Section 8.1(a) . If any of the Warrant Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered at the time such successor to the Warrant Agent succeeds under this Agreement, any such successor to the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature of any previous Warrant Agent; and if at that time any of the Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor to the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Warrant Agent or in the name of the successor Warrant Agent; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.

(ii) If at any time the name of the Warrant Agent is changed and at such time any of the Warrant Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered, the Warrant Agent whose name has changed may adopt the countersignature under its prior name; and if at that time any of the Warrant Certificates have not been countersigned, the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.

 

25


Section 8.2 Fees and Expenses of Warrant Agent .

(a) Remuneration . The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as Warrant Agent and will reimburse the Warrant Agent upon demand for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses), taxes and governmental charges and other charges of any kind and nature incurred by the Warrant Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, delivery, administration, execution, modification, waiver, delivery, enforcement or amendment of this of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder.

(b) Further Assurances . The Company agrees to perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments, and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 8.3 Duties of Warrant Agent .

(a) Covered Persons . References to the Warrant Agent in this Section 8.3 shall include the Warrant Agent and its affiliates, principles, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, attorneys, accountants, advisors and other professionals.

(b) Liability .

(i) The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement, the Warrant Statements or in the Warrant Certificates (except, in each case, its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof or in respect of the validity or execution of any Warrant Certificate (except, in each case, its countersignature thereof); nor shall the Warrant Agent be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant Certificate to be complied with by the Company; nor shall the Warrant Agent be responsible for the making of any adjustment in the number and/or kind of shares issuable upon the exercise of a Warrants required under the provisions of Article V or be responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such change or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change; nor shall the Warrant Agent by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Warrant Exercise Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any Warrant Exercise Shares will, when issued, be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable. The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable or under any duty or responsibility for the use by the Company of any Warrant Certificate authenticated by the Warrant Agent and delivered by it to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or for the application by the Company of the proceeds of the issue and sale, or exercise, of the Warrants.

 

26


(ii) The Warrant Agent shall have no liability under, and no duty to inquire as to, the provisions of any agreement, instrument or document other than this Agreement, including any Warrant Certificate.

(iii) The Warrant Agent may rely on and shall incur no liability or responsibility to the Company, any Holder, or any other Person for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it upon any notice, instruction, request, resolution, waiver, consent, order, certificate, affidavit, statement, or other paper, document or instrument furnished to the Warrant Agent hereunder and reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties. The Warrant Agent shall be under no duty to inquire into or investigate the validity, accuracy or content of any such notice, instruction, request, resolution, waiver, consent, order, certificate, affidavit, statement, or other paper, document or instrument. The Warrant Agent shall not take any instructions or directions except those given in accordance with this Agreement.

(iv) The Warrant Agent shall act hereunder solely as agent for the Company and in a ministerial capacity and does not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any of the Holders, and its duties shall be determined solely by the provisions hereof. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken in connection with this Agreement except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines that its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (as each is determined by a final, nonappealable judgment) was the primary cause of any loss.

(v) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, absent fraud or willful misconduct, in no event shall the Warrant Agent be liable for any special, incidental, punitive, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Warrant Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, any liability of the Warrant Agent under this Agreement shall be limited in the aggregate to an amount equal to the annual fees paid by the Company to the Warrant Agent hereunder.

(vi) All rights and obligations contained in this Section 8.3 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the resignation, replacement, incapacity or removal of the Warrant Agent. All fees and expenses incurred by the Warrant Agent prior to the resignation, replacement, incapacity or removal of the Warrant Agent shall be paid by the Company in accordance with this Section 8.3 of this Agreement notwithstanding such resignation, replacement, incapacity or removal of the Warrant Agent.

(vii) The Warrant Agent shall not be under any liability for interest on any monies at any time received by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

(viii) In no event shall the Warrant Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including

 

27


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 or hardware) services.

(ix) In the event the Warrant Agent believes any ambiguity or uncertainty exists hereunder or in any notice, instruction, direction, request or other communication, paper or document received by the Warrant Agent hereunder, the Warrant Agent, may, in its sole discretion, refrain from taking any action, and shall be fully protected and shall not be liable in any way to the Company or any Holder or other person or entity for refraining from taking such action, unless the Warrant Agent receives written instructions signed by the Company which eliminates such ambiguity or uncertainty to the satisfaction of Warrant Agent.

(c) Reliance on Company Statement . Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by an Appropriate Officer of the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or suffered by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. The Company will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Warrant Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

(d) Indemnity . The Company agrees to indemnify, defend, protect and save the Warrant Agent and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, claims, liabilities, penalties, judgments, settlements, actions, suits, proceedings, litigation, investigations, costs or expenses, including without limitation reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against such Person, at any time, and in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with, directly or indirectly, the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the enforcement of any rights or remedies under or in connection with this Agreement, or as may arise by reason of any act, omission or error of such Person; provided , however , that no such Person shall be entitled to be so indemnified, defended, protected, saved and kept harmless to the extent such loss was caused by its own gross negligence, intentional breach of this Agreement, bad faith or willful misconduct, each as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be responsible for any settlement made without its written consent, which written consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed.

(e) Exclusions . The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Warrant (except, in each case, its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant; nor shall it be responsible to make any adjustments required under the provisions of Article V hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of

 

28


the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any Common Stock will, when issued, be valid and fully paid and non-assessable. The Warrant Agent will not be under any duty or responsibility to ensure compliance with any applicable federal or state securities laws in connection with the issuance, Transfer or exchange of Warrants.

(f) The Warrant Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys, agents or employees, and the Warrant Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys, agents or employees or for any loss to the Company resulting from such neglect or misconduct, provided that the Warrant Agent acts without gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (each as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) in connection with the selection of such attorneys, agents or employees.

(g) The Warrant Agent may consult at any time with legal counsel satisfactory to it (who may be legal counsel for the Company) and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent as to any action taken or omitted by such parties in accordance with such advice.

(h) The Warrant Agent may buy, sell, or deal in any of the Warrants or other securities of the Company freely as though it was not Warrant Agent under this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall preclude the Warrant Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person.

(i) The Warrant Agent shall not be required to use or risk its own funds in the performance of any of its obligations or duties or the exercise of any of its rights or powers, and shall not be required to take any action which, in the Warrant Agent’s sole and absolute judgment, could involve it in expense or liability unless furnished with security and indemnity satisfactory to it.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 9.1 Binding Effects; Benefits . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall confer on any person other than the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders, or their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors or assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 9.2 Notices . Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified or regular mail (return receipt requested, postage prepaid), by private national courier service, by personal delivery or by

 

29


facsimile transmission. Such notice or communication shall be deemed given (i) if mailed, two (2) days after the date of mailing, (ii) if sent by national courier service, one (1) Business Day after being sent, (iii) if delivered personally, when so delivered, or (iv) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the Business Day after such facsimile is transmitted, in each case as follows:

if to the Warrant Agent, to:

Kathy O’Kane

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

16633 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 600

Addison, Texas 75001

Facsimile: (972) 588-1890

if to the Company, to:

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile: (713) 780-9254

Attention: General Counsel

if to Registered Holders, at their addresses as they appear in the Warrant Register and, if different, at the addresses appearing in the records of the transfer agent or registrar for the Common Stock.

Section 9.3 Persons Having Rights under this Agreement . Nothing in this Agreement expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the Holders, any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, their successors and assigns and the Holders.

Section 9.4 Examination of this Agreement . A copy of this Agreement, and of the Warrant Register relating to such Holder’s Warrants, shall be available at all reasonable times at an office designated for such purpose by the Warrant Agent, for examination by the Registered Holder of any Warrant.

Section 9.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile or electronic PDF counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 9.6 Effect of Headings . The section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation hereof.

 

30


Section 9.7 Amendments .

(a) Subject to Section 9.7(b) below, this agreement may not be amended except in writing signed by the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Requisite Holders.

(b) The consent of each Holder adversely affected thereby shall be required for any amendment that (i) reduces the term of the Warrants (or otherwise modifies any provisions pursuant to which the Warrants may be terminated or cancelled), (ii) decreases the number of Warrant Exercise Shares (or, as applicable, the amount of such other securities and/or assets) deliverable upon exercise of the Warrants, other than such decreases that are made pursuant to Article V , (iii) increases the Equity Strike Price or (iv) modifies, in a manner adverse to the Holders generally, the material anti-dilution provisions set forth in Article V .

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, upon the delivery of a certificate from an Appropriate Officer which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 9.7 , the Warrant Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment; provided that the Warrant Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any amendment or supplement that affects Warrant Agent’s rights, duties, immunities, liabilities or obligations hereunder. Any amendment, modification or waiver effected pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.7 shall be binding upon all Holders and upon each future Holder, the Company and the Warrant Agent. In the event of any amendment, modification or waiver, the Company shall give prompt notice thereof to all Registered Holders and, if appropriate, notation thereof shall be made on all Warrant Certificates thereafter surrendered for registration of Transfer or exchange. Any failure of the Company to give such notice or any defect therein shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment.

Section 9.8 No Inconsistent Agreements; No Impairment . The Company shall not, on or after the date hereof, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which conflicts with the rights granted to the Holders in the Warrants or the provisions hereof. The Company represents and warrants to the Holders that the rights granted hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights granted to holders of the Company’s securities under any other agreements. The Company shall not, by amendment of its articles of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Company, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of the Warrants and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary in order to preserve the exercise rights of the Holders against impairment.

Section 9.9 Affiliate Transactions . Until the earlier of (i) the two-year anniversary that the Equity Strike Price has been met and (ii) the date that no Warrants remain outstanding, without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its securities, properties or assets to, or purchase any securities, property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend (including by waiver) any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of

 

31


the Company (each, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless: (i) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable in the aggregate to the Company or the relevant Subsidiary than those that could be obtained by the Company or such Subsidiary from a person that is not an Affiliate, and (ii) the Company delivers to the Warrant Agent an officers’ certificate signed by at least two of the Company’s executive officers certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above. Solely for the purposes of this Section 9.9, the defined term “Requisite Holders” shall not take into account any Warrants held by Affiliates that have an interest in the applicable Affiliate Transaction. For purposes of this Section 9.9, the Current Sale Price alone shall not be dispositive in determining whether the terms of any security transaction or similar financing complies with clause (i) above.

Section 9.10 Integration/Entire Agreement . This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein, with respect to the Warrants. This Agreement and the Warrants supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

Section 9.11 Governing Law, Etc . This Agreement and each Warrant issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the Laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of such State. Each party hereto consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in New York County and of the U.S. federal courts located in the Southern District of New York in connection with any action or proceeding brought against it that arises out of or in connection with, that is based upon, or that relates to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. In connection with any such action or proceeding in any such court, each party hereto hereby waives personal service of any summons, complaint or other process and hereby agrees that service thereof may be made in accordance with the procedures for giving notice set forth in Section 9.2 hereof. Each party hereto hereby waives any objection to jurisdiction or venue in any such court in any such action or proceeding and agrees not to assert any defense based on forum non conveniens or lack of jurisdiction or venue in any such court in any such action or proceeding.

Section 9.12 Termination . This Agreement will terminate on the earlier of (i) such date when all Warrants have been exercised with respect to all shares subject thereto, or (ii) the expiration of the Exercise Period. The provisions of Section 8.3 and this Article IX shall survive such termination and the resignation, replacement or removal of the Warrant Agent.

Section 9.13 Waiver of Trial by Jury . Each party hereto, including each Holder by its receipt of a Warrant, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to a trial by jury in any action, suit, counterclaim or other proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 9.14 Remedies . The Company hereby agrees that, in the event that the Company violates any provisions of the Warrants (including the obligation to deliver shares of

 

32


Common Stock upon the exercise thereof), the remedies at law available to the Holder of such Warrant may be inadequate. In such event, the Requisite Holders and, other than in the event the Company fails to deliver Warrant Exercise Shares upon a Holder’s exercise of its Warrants (which shall not require the consent of the Requisite Holders), with the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders, the holder of such Warrants, shall have the right, in addition to all other rights and remedies any of them may have, to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief to enforce the provisions of this Agreement and the Warrants.

Section 9.15 Severability . In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in the Warrants, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provisions in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not be affected or impaired thereby; provided , however , that if any such excluded provision shall adversely affect the rights, immunities, duties or obligations of the Warrant Agent, the Warrant Agent shall be entitled to immediately resign.

Section 9.16 Customer Identification Program . The Company acknowledges that the Warrant Agent is subject to the customer identification program ( “Customer Identification Program” ) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, and that the Warrant Agent must obtain, verify and record information that allows the Warrant Agent to identify the Company. Accordingly, prior to accepting an appointment hereunder, the Warrant Agent may request information from the Company that will help the Warrant Agent to identify the Company, including without limitation the Company’s physical address, tax identification number, organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or any other information that the Warrant Agent deems necessary. The Company agrees that the Warrant Agent cannot accept an appointment hereunder unless and until the Warrant Agent verifies the Company’s identity in accordance with the Customer Identification Program requirements.

Section 9.17 Confidentiality . The Warrant Agent and the Company agree that the Warrant Register and personal, non-public warrant holder information, which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or carrying out of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except as may be required by law, including, without limitation, pursuant to subpoenas from state or federal government authorities (e.g., in divorce and criminal actions) or pursuant to the requirements of the SEC.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

33


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the undersigned parties hereto as of the date first above written.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Michael J. Killelea
Name:   Michael J. Killelea
Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Warrant Agent
By:   /s/ Michael A. Nespoli
Name:   Michael A. Nespoli
Title:   Executive Director

Signature Page to Warrant Agreement


EXHIBIT A-1

FACE OF GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE

VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON OCTOBER 12, 2026

This Global Warrant Certificate is held by The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) 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) this Global Warrant Certificate may be exchanged in whole but not in part pursuant to Section 6.1(g) of the Warrant Agreement, (ii) this Global Warrant Certificate may be delivered to the Warrant Agent for cancellation pursuant to Section 6.1(h) of the Warrant Agreement and (iii) this Global Warrant Certificate may be transferred to a successor Depositary with the prior written consent of the Company.

Unless this Global Warrant Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of the Depositary to the Company or the Warrant Agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary (and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary), any transfer, pledge or other use hereof for value or otherwise by or to any person is wrongful because the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

Transfers of this Global Warrant Certificate shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to nominees of the Depositary or to a successor thereof or such successor’s nominee.

No registration or transfer of the securities issuable pursuant to the Warrant will be recorded on the books of the Company until such provisions have been complied with.


THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE (INCLUDING THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANT) ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 12, 2016, BY AND BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE WARRANT AGENT (THE “ WARRANT AGREEMENT ”).

THIS WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.,

NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON OCTOBER 12, 2026

1,250,000 WARRANTS TO ACQUIRE

COMMON STOCK OF

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

CUSIP # 382410 132

ISSUE DATE: October 12, 2016

No. W-1

This certifies that, for value received, Cede & Co. and its registered assigns (collectively, the “Registered Holder”), is entitled to acquire from Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York time, on October 12, 2026, for each Warrant a number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of the Company equal to 0.00001% of the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding as of the applicable Exercise Date (each as defined in the Warrant Agreement). The number and kind of shares to be acquired hereunder are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in the Warrant Agreement.

This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Warrant has been duly executed by the Company under its corporate seal as of the      day of October, 2016.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:  

 

Print Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Attest:  

 

 

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC,

as Warrant Agent

By:  

 

 
Name:  
Title:  

Address of Registered Holder for Notices (until changed in accordance with this Warrant):

Cede & Co.

55 Water Street

New York, New York 10041

REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF. SUCH FURTHER PROVISIONS SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS THOUGH FULLY SET FORTH AT THIS PLACE.


REVERSE OF GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of 1,000,000 Warrants, with each such Warrant being exercisable for 0.00001% of the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding as of the applicable Exercise Date (each as defined in the Warrant Agreement), pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, as dated October 12, 2016 (the “ Warrant Agreement ”), by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”). A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be inspected at the office of the Warrant Agent designated for such purpose. The Warrant Agreement hereby is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the Registered Holders of the Warrants. All capitalized terms used in this Global Warrant Certificate that are not defined herein but are defined in the Warrant Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Stock or any certificates that evidence fractional Common Stock.

No Warrants may be sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred in violation of the Securities Act or state securities laws.

Subject to Section 5.2 of the Warrant Agreement, this Warrant does not entitle the Registered Holder to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company.

The Company and Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone) for the purpose of any exercise hereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.


EXHIBIT A-2

FACE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE

VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON OCTOBER 12, 2026

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE (INCLUDING THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANT) ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 12, 2016, BY AND BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE WARRANT AGENT (THE “WARRANT AGREEMENT”).

 

Certificate Number                                         Warrants                                     
   CUSIP    382410 132        
This certifies that   
is the holder of   

WARRANTS TO ACQUIRE COMMON STOCK OF

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of the certificate properly endorsed. Each Warrant entitles the holder and its registered assigns (collectively, the “Registered Holder”) to acquire from Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York time, on October 12, 2026, for each Warrant a number of fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock of the Company at the Equity Strike Price (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) equal to 0.00001% of the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding as of the applicable Exercise Date (each as defined in the Warrant Agreement). The number and kind of shares purchasable hereunder are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in the Warrant Agreement.

This certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Warrant Agent.

WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

      DATED

 

       
Authorized Officer        

Attest:

 

 

 

   [Corporate seal]   

COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, WARRANT AGENT

Secretary        
      By  

 

        AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE


REVERSE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are a part of a duly authorized issue of 1,000,000 Warrants, with each such Warrant exercisable for 0.00001% of the Common Stock Deemed Outstanding as of the applicable Exercise Date (each as defined in the Warrant Agreement), issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, as dated October 12, 2016 (the “ Warrant Agreement ”), by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”). A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be inspected at the office of the Warrant Agent designated for such purpose. The Warrant Agreement is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the Registered Holders of the Warrants. All capitalized terms used in this Warrant Certificate that are not defined herein but are defined in the Warrant Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Stock or any certificates that evidence fractional Common Stock. No Warrants may be sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred in violation of the Securities Act or state securities laws. Subject to Section 5.2 of the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate do not entitle the Registered Holder to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company. The Company and Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone) for the purpose of any exercise hereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations.
   
Ten COM –   as tenants in common   UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -     Custodian
                                               (Cust)    (Minor)                             
TEN ENT –   as tenants by the entireties       under Uniform Gifts to Minor Act        
                (State)                      
JT TEN –   as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common  

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -

           
              Custodian (until age)
                    (Cust)          
                       
              under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act         
          (Minor)           (State)
                               

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

For value received,                                                                               hereby sells, assigns and transfers the Warrants to acquire shares of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation                                                              Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number

represented by this Warrant Certificate to:

 

 

Print name and address

and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                                                   attorney, to transfer said Warrants on the Warrant Register maintained for the purpose of registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises:

 

Dated:               , 20     

  

        Signature:                                                              

  

        Name:                                                                    

Note: The above signature and name should correspond exactly with the name of the holder as it appears on the face of the certificate, in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.


EXERCISE FORM

The undersigned Registered Holder of this Warrant Certificate hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the number of Warrants indicated below:

 

Number of Warrants:   

 

  
Number of Warrants Exercised:   

 

  
   (Total number of Warrants being exercised – may be expressed as a percentage)   

The undersigned requests that the Warrant Exercise Shares be issued in the name of the undersigned Holder or as otherwise indicated below:

 

Name

  

                                                  

      Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number
Address   

                                                  

       
  

                                                  

     

If such Warrants shall not constitute all of the Warrants represented hereby, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor and date for the balance of the Warrants represented hereby be issued and delivered in the name of the undersigned Holder or as otherwise indicated as follows:

 

Name

  

                                                  

      Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number
Address   

                                                  

       
  

                                                  

     

 

Dated:                  , 20                  Signature:  

                                          

 
    Name:  

                                          

 
       

Note: The above signature and name should correspond exactly with the name of the holder as it appears on the face of the certificate, in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.


EXHIBIT B

EXERCISE FORM FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS

OF DIRECT REGISTRATION WARRANTS

(To be executed upon exercise of Warrants)

NOTE: THIS EXERCISE NOTICE MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE WARRANT AGENT, PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON OCTOBER 12, 2026.

The undersigned Registered Holder, being the holder of Direct Registration Warrants of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, as dated October 12, 2016 (the “ Warrant Agreement ”), by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”), hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the number of Direct Registration Warrants indicated below, to acquire the number of shares of Common Stock indicated below. All capitalized terms used in this Exercise Form that are not defined herein but are defined in the Warrant Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

 

Number of Warrants:   

 

  
Number of Warrants Exercised:   

 

  
   (Total number Direct Registration Warrant being exercised – may be expressed as a percentage)   

The undersigned requests that the Warrant Exercise Shares be issued in the name of the undersigned Holder or as otherwise indicated below:

 

Name

  

                                                  

     Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number
Address   

                                                  

      
  

                                                  

    

If said number of Warrant Exercise Shares shall not be all the Warrant Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant representing the balance of such Warrant shall be issued in the name of the undersigned Holder or as otherwise indicated below and that a Warrant Statement reflecting such balance be delivered to the address indicated below:

 

Name

  

                                                  

     Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number
Address   

                                                  

      
  

                                                  

    

 

Dated:                  , 20                  Signature:  

                                          

 
    Name:  

                                          

 
       


EXHIBIT C

EXERCISE FORM FOR BENEFICIAL HOLDERS

HOLDING WARRANTS THROUGH THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY

TO BE COMPLETED BY DIRECT PARTICIPANT

IN THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY

(To be executed upon exercise of Warrants)

NOTE: THIS EXERCISE NOTICE MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE WARRANT AGENT, PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON OCTOBER 12, 2026.

The undersigned, being the beneficial holder of Book-Entry Warrants issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, as dated October 12, 2016 (the “ Warrant Agreement ”), by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”) and held for its benefit through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company (the “ Depositary ”), hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the number of Book-Entry Warrants indicated below, to acquire the number of shares of Common Stock indicated below, pursuant to the exercise provisions of Section 4.3 of the Warrant Agreement. All capitalized terms used in this Exercise Form that are not defined herein but are defined in the Warrant Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

 

Number of Warrants:     

                                          

  
Number of Warrants Exercised:     

                     

  
     (Total number of shares of Book-Entry Warrants
being exercised – may be expressed as a percentage)

The undersigned requests that the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants be delivered to the account at the Depositary specified below.

THE WARRANT AGENT SHALL NOTIFY YOU (THROUGH THE CLEARING SYSTEM) OF (1) THE WARRANT AGENT’S ACCOUNT AT THE DEPOSITARY TO WHICH YOU MUST DELIVER YOUR WARRANTS, AND PAYMENT, IF ANY, ON THE EXERCISE DATE AND (2) THE ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND FACSIMILE NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN CONTACT THE WARRANT AGENT.

 

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:

 

                                                                               

 

  

NAME:

 

                                                                               

 

  

CAPACITY IN WHICH SIGNING:

 

                                                                               

 

  

DATED:

 

                                                                               

 

  

NAME OF PARTICIPANT:

 

                                                                               

 

  

ADDRESS:

 

                                                                               

 

  

CONTACT NAME (if different than above):

 

                                                                               

 

  

TELEPHONE (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):  

 

                                                                               

 

  

FAX (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CODE):  

 

                                                                               

 

  

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

 

                                                                               

 

  

DEPOSITARY ACCOUNT NO.:

 

                                                                               

 

  


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS

HOLDING DIRECT REGISTRATION WARRANTS

(To be executed only upon assignment of Warrants)

For value received, the undersigned Registered Holder of Direct Registration Warrants issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, as dated October 12, 2016, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Warrant Agent ”), hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto the Assignee(s) named below the number of Direct Registration Warrants listed opposite the respective name(s) of the Assignee(s) named below, and all other rights of the Registered Holder under said Direct Registration Warrants, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint              attorney, to transfer said Direct Registration Warrants, as and to the extent set forth below, on the Warrant Register maintained for the purpose of registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises:

 

Name(s) of Assignee(s)   Address of Assignee(s)   Number of Warrants

         

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:                  , 20                  Signature:  

                                          

 
    Name:  

                                          

 

Note: The above signature and name should correspond exactly with the name of the Holder of the Direct Registration Warrants as it appears on the Warrant Register.

Exhibit 10.7

EXECUTION VERSION

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of October 12, 2016, by and between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and certain stockholders of the Company who were issued shares of Company Common Stock in the Plan (each such party as identified on Schedule   I hereto (“ Initial Holders ”), together with any person or entity that hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section   8(g) of this Agreement, a “ Holder ” and collectively, the “ Holders ”). The Company and the Holders are referred to collectively herein as the “ Parties .”

IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by each Party, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section   1 :

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person as of the date on which, or at any time during the period for which, the determination of affiliation is being made (including any investment fund the primary investment advisor to which is such Person or an Affiliate thereof); provided , that for purposes of this Agreement, no Holder shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including the correlative meanings of the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise (it being understood that a director, officer or manager of any Person shall not be deemed to control such Person solely as a result of serving as one of multiple directors, officers or managers of such Person). With respect to any Holder, any investment fund or managed account that is managed on a discretionary basis by the same investment manager as such Holder or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates will be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Holder.

Affiliated Holder ” means any Initial Holder or any Holder that acquires Registrable Securities from any Initial Holder, Affiliated Holder or their respective Affiliates pursuant to Section 8(g) of this Agreement.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Alternative Transaction ” means the sale of Registrable Securities constituting more than 1% of Company Common Stock then outstanding to one or more purchasers in a registered transaction without a prior marketing process by means of (i) a bought deal, (ii) a block trade, (iii) a sale by the Hedging Counterparty or by an Initiating Holder to a Hedging Counterparty in connection with a Hedging Transaction, (iv) a direct sale or (v) any other transaction that is registered pursuant to a Shelf Registration that is not a firm commitment underwritten offering.

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement ” means an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined in Rule 405.


beneficially owned ”, “ beneficial ownership ” and similar phrases have the same meanings as such terms have under Rule 13d-3 (or any successor rule then in effect) under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any Holder, such Holder shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Holder has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable upon the occurrence of a subsequent event. For the avoidance of doubt, each Holder shall be deemed to beneficially own all of the shares of Company Common Stock held by any of its Affiliates.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in New York, New York.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency then administering the Securities Act or Exchange Act.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Company Common Stock ” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01, of the Company.

Common Stock Equivalents ” means all options, warrants and other securities that at such time are convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of Company Common Stock (including, without limitation, any note or debt security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Company Common Stock).

Company Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(a)(iii) .

Demand Eligible Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(b)(i) .

Demand Eligible Holder Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(b)(i) .

Demand Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(b)(i) .

Demand Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(b)(i) .

Demand Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(b)(i) .

Determination Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(a)(vii) .

Effective Date ” means the effective date under the Plan.

Effectiveness Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(b)(iv) .

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Family Member ” shall mean, with respect to any natural Person, such Person’s parents, spouse (but not including a former spouse or a spouse from whom such Person is legally separated) and descendants (whether or not adopted) and any trust, family limited partnership or limited liability company that is and remains solely for the benefit of such Person’s spouse (but not including a former spouse or a spouse from whom such Person is legally separated) and/or descendants.

 

2


FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Form S-1 Shelf ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(a)(i) .

Form S-3 Shelf ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(a)(i) .

Hedging Counterparty ” means broker-dealer registered under Section 15(b) of the Exchange Act or an Affiliate thereof.

Hedging Transaction ” means any transaction involving a security linked to the Registrable Securities or any security that would be deemed to be a “derivative security” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(c) promulgated under the Exchange Act) with respect to the Registrable Securities or a transaction (even if not a security) which would (were it a security) be considered such a derivative security, or which transfers some or all of the economic risk of ownership of the Registrable Securities, including any forward contract, equity swap, put or call, put or call equivalent position, collar, non-recourse loan, sale of exchangeable security or similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt the following transactions shall be deemed to be Hedging Transactions

(i) transactions by an Initiating Holder in which a Hedging Counterparty engages in short sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Prospectus and may use Registrable Securities to close out its short position;

(ii) transactions pursuant to an Initiating Holder sells short Registrable Securities pursuant to a Prospectus and delivers Registrable Securities to close out its short position;

(iii) transactions by an Initiating Holder in which the Initiating Holder delivers, in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act, Registrable Securities to the Hedging Counterparty who will then publicly resell or otherwise transfer such Registrable Securities pursuant to a Prospectus or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act; and

(iv) a loan or pledge of Registrable Securities to a Hedging Counterparty who may then become a selling stockholder and sell the loaned shares or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged shares, in each case, in a public transaction pursuant to a Prospectus.

Holder ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble. A Person shall cease to be a Holder hereunder at such time as it ceases to hold any Registrable Securities.

Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities ” means Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement or public offering.

Indemnified Persons ” has the meaning set forth in Section   6(a) .

 

3


Initial Holders ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Initial Public Offering ” means the initial public underwritten offering of Common Stock of the Company or any corporate successor to the Company by way of conversion, or parent of the Company, or any of their respective Subsidiaries, pursuant to a registration statement effective under the Securities Act after the Effective Date.

Initiating Holders ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(b)(i) .

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 promulgated under the Securities Act, relating to an offer of the Registrable Securities.

Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section   6(a) .

Maximum Offering Size ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(iv) .

Notes ” means the $40 million of 13.5% Convertible Senior Secured Second Lien Notes of the Company issued pursuant to the indenture, dated the date hereof, among the Company, the guarantors named therein, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.

Notes Holders ” means, collectively, each person that is a “Holder” (as defined in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement) as of the relevant determination date.

Notes Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain registration rights agreement (including all exhibits thereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof), made and entered into as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the persons to whom the Notes are issued on the date hereof.

Other Registrable Securities ” means (i) Company Common Stock (including those held as a result of, or issuable upon, the conversion or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents), (ii) any securities issued or issuable with respect to, on account of or in exchange for Company Common Stock, whether by stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization, charter amendment or otherwise and (iii) any options, warrants or other rights to acquire, and any securities received as a dividend or distribution in respect of, any of the securities described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, in each case held by any other Person who has rights to participate in any offering of securities by the Company pursuant to a registration rights agreement or other similar arrangement with the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company relating to the Company Common Stock (which shall not include this Agreement).

Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Permitted Assignee ” shall mean any (a) Affiliate of any Holder that acquires Registrable Securities from such Holder or its Affiliates, or (b) other Person who acquires any Registrable Securities (in a transaction other than a public offering) of any Holder or Holders pursuant to Section 8(g) and who is designated as a Permitted Assignee by such Holder in a written notice to Company; provided , however , that the rights of any Person designated as a Permitted Assignee referred to in the foregoing clause (b) shall be limited if, and to the extent, provided in such written notice to the Company.

 

4


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

Piggyback Eligible Holders ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(c)(i) .

Piggyback Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(c)(i) .

Piggyback Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(c)(i) .

Piggyback Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(c)(i) .

Piggyback Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(c)(i) .

Plan ” means the First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of the Company and its debtor subsidiary under chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code.

Pro Rata Share ” of a Holder means a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder and the denominator of which is the total amount of outstanding Registrable Securities held by the Holders.

Proceeding ” means any action, claim, suit, proceeding or investigation (including a preliminary investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition) pending or known to the Company to be threatened.

Prospectus ” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A), all amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

Registrable Securities ” means (i) any Company Common Stock (including those held as a result of, or issuable upon, the conversion or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents), (ii) any securities issued or issuable, directly or indirectly, with respect to, on account of or in exchange for Company Common Stock, whether by stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization, charter amendment or otherwise and (iii) any options, warrants or other rights to acquire, and any securities received as a dividend or distribution in respect of, any of the securities described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, in each case that are held by the Holders and their Affiliates or any transferee or assignee of any Holder or its Affiliates after giving effect to a transfer made in compliance with Section   8(g) , all of which securities are subject to the rights provided herein until such rights terminate pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall not be Registrable Securities when (i) a Registration Statement registering such Registrable Securities under the Securities Act has been declared effective and such Registrable Securities have been sold,

 

5


transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Holder thereof pursuant to such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Registrable Securities are sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of pursuant to Rule 144, (iii) such securities are otherwise transferred and thereafter such securities may be resold without subsequent registration under the Securities Act or (iv) such securities cease to be outstanding.

Registration Expenses ” has the meaning set forth in Section   5 .

Registration Statement ” means a registration statement of the Company filed with or to be filed with the Commission under the Securities Act and other applicable law, including an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, and including any Prospectus, amendments and supplements to each such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

Representatives ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s directors, officers, members, partners, limited partners, general partners, shareholders, subsidiaries, managed accounts or funds, managers, management company, investment manager, affiliates, principals, employees, agents, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, advisors, consultants, fund advisors, financial advisor and other professionals of such Person, in each case, in such capacity, serving on or after the date of this Agreement.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 158 ” means Rule 158 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 405 ” means Rule 405 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 415 ” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 424 ” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 430A ” means Rule 430A promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Seasoned Issuer ” means an issuer eligible to use a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act and who is not an “ineligible issuer” as defined in Rule 405.

 

6


Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Selling Expenses ” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities not included within the definition of Registration Expenses.

Shelf Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(a)(i) .

Shelf Public Offering Requesting Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) .

Shelf Registration ” means the registration of an offering of Registrable Securities on a Form S-1 Shelf or a Form S-3 Shelf, as applicable, on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415, pursuant to Section   2(a)(i) .

Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(a)(i) .

Shelf Takedown Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(a)(iii) .

Subsidiary ” means, when used with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated, (a) of which such Person or any other Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner (excluding partnerships, the general partnership interests of which held by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person do not have a majority of the voting interests in such partnership) or (b) at least a majority of the securities or other interests of which having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other entity is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

Suspension Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(e) .

Ten Percent Holder ” means a holder, who together with its Affiliates, beneficially owns 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock as of the date of determination. Any rights provided to a Ten Percent Holder under this Agreement shall apply and be available to a Ten Percent Holder only for so long as such holder is a Ten Percent Holder as of the date of determination.

Trading Market ” means the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which Registrable Securities are (or are to be) listed.

Transaction Documents ” means, collectively, this Agreement and any and all other agreements or instruments provided for in this Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

Underwritten Shelf Takedown ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(a)(ii) .

Warrant Holders ” means, collectively, each person that is a “Holder” (as defined in the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement) as of the relevant determination date.

 

7


Warrant Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain registration rights agreement (including all exhibits thereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, made and entered into as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the persons to whom certain warrants were issued by the Company on the date hereof in connection with the sale of the Notes.

WKSI ” means a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined under Rule 405 and which (i) is a “well-known seasoned issuer” under paragraph (1)(i)(A) of such definition or (ii) is a “well-known seasoned issuer” under paragraph (1)(i)(B) of such definition and is also a Seasoned Issuer.

WKSI Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section   2(a)(vii) .

Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms; (b) references to Sections, paragraphs and clauses refer to Sections, paragraphs and clauses of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (d) the terms “hereof,” “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (e) unless the context otherwise requires, the term “or” is not exclusive and shall have the inclusive meaning of “and/or”; (f) defined terms herein will apply equally to both the singular and plural forms and derivative forms of defined terms will have correlative meanings; (g) references to any law or statute shall be deemed to refer to such law or statute as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include all rules and regulations and forms promulgated thereunder, and references to any law, rule, form or statute shall be construed as including any legal and statutory provisions, rules or forms consolidating, amending, succeeding or replacing the applicable law, rule, form or statute; (h) references to any Person include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns; and (i) references to “days” are to calendar days unless otherwise indicated.

 

2. Registration .

(a) Shelf Registration .

(i) Filing of Shelf Registration Statement . As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date, and in any event not later than sixty (60) days after the Effective Date, the Company shall file a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities held by the Initial Holders (and any additional Holder that the Company has received notice of) on a delayed or continuous basis (the “ Form S-3 Shelf ”). If the Company is not a Seasoned Issuer or WKSI at the time of filing, the Company shall file such Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-1 (the “ Form S-1 Shelf ” and, together with the Form S-3 Shelf, the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”). In the event that the Company files such Shelf Registration Statement on a Form S-1 Shelf and thereafter becomes eligible to file such Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert the Form S-1 Shelf to a Form S-3 Shelf (which shall be an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement if the Company is a WKSI) as soon as practicable after the Company becomes so eligible. Subject to the terms of this

 

8


Agreement, including any applicable Suspension Period, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as possible after the filing thereof, but in any event (x) no later than the fifteenth (15 th ) calendar day following the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement in the event of no “review” by the Commission, (y) no later than the forty-fifth (45 th ) calendar day following the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement in the event of “limited review” by the Commission, or (z) in the event of a “review” by the Commission, no later than the sixtieth (60 th ) calendar day following the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are no longer Registrable Securities, including, to the extent a Form S-1 Shelf was converted to a Form S-3 Shelf and the Company thereafter became ineligible to use Form S-3, by filing a Form S-1 Shelf not later than twenty (20) Business Days after the date of such ineligibility and using its commercially reasonable efforts to have such Registration Statement declared effective as promptly as practicable (but in no event more than thirty (30) days after the date of such filing) (the period during which the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act in accordance with this clause (i), the “ Shelf Period ”). The Company shall notify the Holders named in the Shelf Registration Statement via facsimile or by e-mail of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement on the same Business Day that the Company telephonically confirms effectiveness with the Commission. The Company shall file a final Prospectus with the Commission to the extent required by Rule 424. The “Plan of Distribution” section of such Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for all permitted means of disposition of Registrable Securities, including firm-commitment underwritten public offerings, Alternative Transactions, agented transactions, sales directly into the market, purchases or sales by brokers and sales not involving a public offering and shall be substantially in the form provided on Exhibit A hereto.

(ii) Underwritten Shelf Takedown . At any time during the Shelf Period (subject to any Suspension Period), any one or more Initial Holders or Affiliated Holders of Registrable Securities (such Holder, a “ Shelf Public Offering Requesting Holder ”) may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (each, an “ Underwritten Shelf Takedown ” which term shall not include an Alternative Transaction); provided , that, and subject to Section 2(a)(v) below, the Company shall not be obligated to effect (x) more than three (3) underwritten Shelf Takedowns in any 12-month period for all Initial Holders and (y) any Underwritten Shelf Takedown if the aggregate proceeds expected to be received from the sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be sold in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, in the good faith judgment of the managing underwriter(s) therefor, is less than $20 million.

(iii) Notice of Underwritten Shelf Takedown . All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to the Company (the “ Shelf Takedown Notice ”). Each Shelf Takedown Notice shall specify the class or series and the approximate number of Registrable Securities to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf

 

9


Takedown and the expected price range (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Subject to Section 3  below, within three (3) days after receipt of any Shelf Takedown Notice, the Company shall give written notice of such requested Underwritten Shelf Takedown (which notice shall state the material terms of such proposed Underwritten Shelf Takedown, to the extent known, as well as the identity of the Shelf Public Offering Requesting Holder) to all other Holders of Registrable Securities (the “ Company Notice ”) and, subject to the provisions of Section   2(a)(iv)  and Section   3  below, shall include in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown all Registrable Securities of the same class or series as the Registrable Securities originally requested to be sold by the Shelf Public Offering Requesting Holder with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within five (5) Business Days after giving the Company Notice; provided , that any such Registrable Securities shall be sold subject to the same terms as are applicable to the Registrable Securities the Shelf Public Offering Requesting Holder is requesting to sell.

(iv) Priority of Registrable Shares . If the managing underwriters for such Underwritten Shelf Takedown advise the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown that in their reasonable view the number of Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown exceeds the number of Registrable Securities which can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities requested to be included in the underwritten offering (the “ Maximum Offering Size ”), then the Company shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and shall include in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown the number of Registrable Securities which can be so sold in the following order of priority, up to the Maximum Offering Size: (A)  first , the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the Shelf Public Offering Requesting Holders, (B) second , and only if all the securities referred to in clause (A) have been included in such registration, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the remaining Holders of such Registrable Securities and Other Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering by any Notes Holder and/or Warrant Holder entitled to participate in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities and Other Registrable Securities requested to be included therein by each such Holder, Notes Holder and/or Warrant Holder, (C)  third , and only if all securities referred to in clauses (A) and (B) have been included in such registration, any securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the Company, and (D)  fourth , and only if all securities referred to in clauses (A), (B) and (C) have been included in such registration, any Other Registrable Securities held by Persons other than Notes Holders and/or Warrant Holders requested to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown to the extent permitted hereunder, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata among the respective holders of such Other Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder.

 

10


(v) Selection of Bankers and Counsel . The Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities requested to be included in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering (which shall consist of one (1) or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks) and one (1) firm of legal counsel to represent all of the Holders (along with any reasonably necessary local counsel), in connection with such Underwritten Shelf Takedown; provided , that the Company shall select such investment banker(s), manager(s) and counsel (including local counsel) if such Holders of such Majority of Registrable Securities cannot so agree on the same within a reasonable time period.

(vi) Withdrawal from Registration . Any Holder whose Registrable Securities were to be included in any such registration pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii)  may elect to withdraw any or all of its Registrable Securities therefrom, without prejudice to the rights of any such Holder or Holders to include Registrable Securities in any future registration (or registrations), by written notice to the Company delivered on or prior to the effective date of the relevant Underwritten Shelf Takedown.

(vii) WKSI Filing . Upon the Company first becoming a WKSI (the “ WKSI Date ”), (A) the Company shall give written notice to all of the Holders who hold Registrable Securities as promptly as practicable but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days thereafter, and such notice shall describe, in reasonable detail, the basis on which the Company has become a WKSI, and (B) the Company shall, in accordance with the following sentence, register, under an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, the sale of all outstanding Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than twenty (20) days after the WKSI Date, and to cause such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement to remain effective thereafter until there are no longer any Registrable Securities; provided , that , the failure of the Company to remain a WKSI after the filing of such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement shall not be deemed to be a breach of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall give written notice of filing such Registration Statement to all of the Holders who hold Registrable Securities as promptly as practicable thereafter. At any time after the filing of an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement by the Company, if it is reasonably likely that the Company will no longer be a WKSI (the “ Determination Date ”), as promptly as practicable but in no event later than ten (10) days after such Determination Date, the Company shall give written notice thereof to all of the Holders and as promptly as practicable but in no event later than ten (10) days after such Determination Date file a Form S-3 Shelf, unless the Company is not then eligible to use Form S-3, in which case it shall use Form S-1 Shelf (or a post-effective amendment converting the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement to an appropriate form), covering all Registrable Securities, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such Registration Statement declared effective as promptly as practicable (but in no event more than (x) the fifteenth (15th) calendar day following the filing of the Registration Statement in the event of no “review” by the Commission, (y) the forty-fifth (45th) calendar day following the filing of the Registration Statement in the event of “limited review” by the Commission, or (z) in the event of a “review” by the Commission, the seventy-fifth (75th) calendar day following filing of the Registration

 

11


Statement) after the date the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is no longer useable by the Holders to sell their Registrable Securities, and keep such Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until there are no longer any Registrable Securities.

(viii) Adding Holders to Registration Statement . After the Registration Statement with respect to a Shelf Registration is declared effective but subject to the Suspension Period, upon written request by one or more Holders (which written request shall specify the amount of such Holders’ Registrable Securities to be registered), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, (i) if it is a Seasoned Issuer or a WKSI, or if such Registration Statement is an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, file a prospectus supplement to include such Holders as selling stockholders in such Registration Statement or (ii) if it is not a Seasoned Issuer or a WKSI, file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to include such Holders in such Shelf Registration and use commercially reasonable efforts to have such post-effective amendment declared effective.

(b) Demand Registration .

(i) Demand Registration Statement . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Section   2(b)(iii) ), at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, upon written notice to the Company (a “ Demand Notice ”) delivered by a Holder that is an Initial Holder or Affiliated Holder or is at the time a Ten Percent Holder (such Person or Persons, the “ Initiating Holder ”) at any time requesting that the Company effect the registration (including an Initial Public Offering) (a “ Demand Registration ”) under the Securities Act (other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any similar or successor form under the Securities Act) of any or all of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder, the Company shall promptly (but in any event, not later than five (5) Business Days following the Company’s receipt of such Demand Notice) give written notice of the receipt of such Demand Notice to all other Holders that, to its knowledge, hold Registrable Securities (each, a “ Demand Eligible Holder ”). The Company shall promptly file the appropriate Registration Statement (the “ Demand Registration Statement ”) and use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect, at the earliest practicable date, the registration under the Securities Act and under the applicable state securities laws of (1) the Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Initiating Holders in the Demand Notice, (2) all other Registrable Securities of the same class or series as those requested to be registered by the Initiating Holder which the Company has been requested to register by the Demand Eligible Holders by written request (the “ Demand Eligible Holder Request ”) given to the Company within ten (10) Business Days after the giving of such written notice by the Company, and (3) any Registrable Securities to be offered and sold by the Company, in each case subject to Section   2(b)(v) , all to the extent required to permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods of disposition) of the Registrable Securities to be so registered. The Holders’ rights to request a Demand Registration set forth in this Section 2(b) shall not be exercisable at any time if the Company (i) (x) is not in violation of its obligations to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or (y) has a currently effective Shelf Registration Statement covering all Registrable Securities in accordance with Section 2(a), and (ii) has otherwise complied with its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

 

12


(ii) Demand Registration Using Form S-3 . The Company shall effect any requested Demand Registration using a registration statement on Form S-3 whenever the Company is a Seasoned Issuer or a WKSI, and shall use an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement if it is a WKSI. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Section   2(b)(iii) ), for so long as the Company remains a Seasoned Issuer or a WKSI, each Initial Holder and Affiliated Holder shall have the right to two (2) Demand Registrations using Form S-3, which shall not constitute a Demand Registration for purposes of determining the number of Demand Registrations limited under Section   2(b)(iii) below.

(iii) Other Demand Registrations . The Company shall only be required to (1) effect three (3) Demand Registrations in any six-month period, and (2) comply with a request for a Demand Registration if the aggregate gross proceeds expected to be received from the sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Demand Registration exceeds $20 million.

(iv) Effectiveness of Demand Registration Statement . The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Demand Registration Statement declared effective by the Commission and keep the Demand Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act for the period of time necessary for the underwriters or Holders to sell all the Registrable Securities covered by such Demand Registration Statement or such shorter period which will terminate when all Registrable Securities covered by such Demand Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto (including, if necessary, by filing with the Commission a post-effective amendment or a supplement to the Demand Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or by filing any other required document or otherwise supplementing or amending the Demand Registration Statement, if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Demand Registration Statement or by the Securities Act, any state securities or “blue sky” laws, or any other rules and regulations thereunder) (the “ Effectiveness Period ”). A Demand Registration requested pursuant to this Section   2(b) shall not be deemed to have been effected (A) if the Registration Statement is withdrawn without becoming effective, (B) if the Registration Statement does not remain effective in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act and the laws of any state or other jurisdiction applicable to the disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement for the Effectiveness Period, (C) if, after it has become effective, such Registration Statement is subject to any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or other governmental or regulatory agency or court for any reason other than a violation of applicable law solely by any selling Holder and has not thereafter become effective, (D) in the event of an underwritten offering, if the conditions to closing specified in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with such registration are not satisfied or waived, (E) if the Company does not include in the applicable Registration Statement any Registrable Securities held by a Holder that is required by the terms hereof to be included in such Registration Statement, (F) if the

 

13


Initiating Holders and Demand Eligible Holders have not been able to sell at least 75% of the Registrable Securities that they have requested to sell in the Demand Notice or Demand Eligible Holder Request or (G) if the number of Registrable Securities included on the applicable Registration Statement is reduced in accordance with Section 2(b)(v) such that less than 66 2 / 3 % of the Registrable Securities of the Initiating Holders sought to be included in such registration are included.

(v) Priority of Registration . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section   2(b) , if (A) the Initiating Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by a Demand Registration by means of an underwritten offering and (B) the managing underwriters advise the Company and the Initiating Holders that in their reasonable view, the number of Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such offering (including Registrable Securities requested by Holders to be included in such offering and any securities that the Company or any other Person proposes to be included that are not Registrable Securities) exceeds the Maximum Offering Size, then the Company shall so advise all Initiating Holders and Demand Eligible Holders with Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such underwritten offering, and shall include in such offering the number of Registrable Securities which can be so sold in the following order of priority, up to the Maximum Offering Size: (1)  first , the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering by the Initiating Holders, (2) second , and only if all the securities referred to in clause (1) have been included in such registration, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering by the Demand Eligible Holders and Other Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering by any Notes Holder and/or Warrant Holder entitled to participate in such underwritten offering, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities and Other Registrable Securities requested to be included therein by each such Demand Eligible Holder, Notes Holder and/or Warrant Holder, (3)  third , and only if all the securities referred to in clauses (1) and (2) have been included in such registration, any securities proposed to be registered by the Company, and (4)  fourth , and only if all the securities referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) have been included in such registration, any Other Registrable Securities held by Persons other than Notes Holders and/or Warrant Holders requested to be included in such underwritten offering to the extent permitted hereunder, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata among the respective holders of such Other Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder.

(vi) Underwritten Demand Registration . The determination of whether any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration will be an underwritten offering shall be made in the sole discretion of the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities included in such underwritten offering, and such Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities included in such underwritten offering shall also have the right to (A) determine the plan of distribution, including the price at which the Registrable Securities are to be sold and the underwriting commissions, discounts and fees, and (B) select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering (which shall consist of one (1) or more reputable nationally recognized

 

14


investment banks and one (1) firm of legal counsel to represent all of the Holders (along with any reasonably necessary local counsel), in connection with such Demand Registration; provided , that the Company shall select such investment banker(s), manager(s) and counsel (including local counsel) if the Holders of such Majority of Registrable Securities cannot so agree on the same within a reasonable time period.

(vii) Withdrawal of Registrable Securities . Any Holder whose Registrable Securities were to be included in any such registration pursuant to Section   2(b) may elect to withdraw any or all of its Registrable Securities therefrom, without prejudice to the rights of any such Holder or Holders to include Registrable Securities in any future registration (or registrations), by written notice to the Company delivered on or prior to the effective date of the relevant Demand Registration Statement.

(c) Piggyback Registration .

(i) Registration Statement on behalf of the Company . If at any time the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement, other than pursuant to a Shelf Registration under Section   2(a) or any Demand Registration under Section   2(b) , to register any of its equity securities or Common Stock Equivalents (whether in connection with a public offering of Company Common Stock by the Company, a public offering of Company Common Stock by stockholders other than Holders, or both, but excluding an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan, an offering relating to a transaction on Form S-4, a rights offering or an offering on any form of Registration Statement that does not permit secondary sales) (a “ Piggyback Registration Statement ”), the Company shall give prompt written notice (the “ Piggyback Notice ”) to all Holders that, to its knowledge, hold Registrable Securities (collectively, the “ Piggyback Eligible Holders ”) of the Company’s intention to file a Piggyback Registration Statement reasonably in advance of (and in any event at least ten (10) Business Days before) the anticipated filing date of such Piggyback Registration Statement. The Piggyback Notice shall offer the Piggyback Eligible Holders the opportunity to include for registration in such Piggyback Registration Statement the number of Registrable Securities of the same class and series as those proposed to be registered as they may request, subject to Section 2(c)(ii)  (a “ Piggyback Registration ”). Subject to Section   2(c)(ii) , the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include in each such Piggyback Registration such Registrable Securities for which the Company has received written requests (each, a “ Piggyback Request ”) from Piggyback Eligible Holders within five (5) Business Days after giving the Piggyback Notice. If a Piggyback Eligible Holder decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities in any Piggyback Registration Statement thereafter filed by the Company, such Piggyback Eligible Holder shall nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any subsequent Piggyback Registration Statements or Registration Statements as may be filed by the Company with respect to offerings of Registrable Securities, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register pursuant to the Piggyback Requests, to the extent required to permit the disposition of the Registrable Securities so requested to be registered.

 

15


(ii) Priority of Registration . If the Piggyback Registration under which the Company gives notice pursuant to Section 2(c)(i) is an underwritten offering, and the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering advise the Company and the Piggyback Eligible Holders that, in their reasonable view, the amount of securities requested to be included in such registration (including Registrable Securities requested by the Piggyback Eligible Holders to be included in such offering and any securities that the Company or any other Person proposes to be included that are not Registrable Securities) exceeds the Maximum Offering Size (which, for the purposes of a Piggyback Registration shall be within a price range acceptable to the Company), then the Company shall so advise all Piggyback Eligible Holders with Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such Piggyback Registration, and shall include in such offering the number which can be so sold in the following order of priority, up to the Maximum Offering Size: (A) in the case of a Company initiated registration, (1)  first , the securities that the Company proposes to sell, (2) second , and only if all the securities referred to in clause (1) have been included in such registration, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration and any Other Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration by Notes Holders and/or Warrant Holders entitled to participate therein, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata among the Piggyback Eligible Holders, Notes Holders and Warrant Holders on the basis of the number of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder, (3)  third , and only if all the securities referred to in clauses (1) and (2) have been included in such registration, any Other Registrable Securities held by Persons other than the Notes Holders and/or Warrant Holders requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata among the holders thereof on the basis of the number of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder and (B) in the case of a non-Company initiated registration, (1)  first , the securities requested to be included in such offering by the holders of the Company’s securities initiating such registration, up to the Maximum Offering Size, (2)  second , and only if all the securities referred to in clause (1) have been included in such registration, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration and any Other Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration by Notes Holders and/or Warrant Holders entitled to participate therein, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata among such holders on the basis of the number of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder, (3)  third , and only if all the securities referred to in clauses (1) and (2) have been included in such registration, any securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration by the Company, and (4) fourth , and only if all the securities referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) have been included in such registration, any Other Registrable Securities held by Persons other than Notes Holders and/or Warrant Holders requested to be included in such offering to the extent permitted hereunder, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata among the respective holders of such Other Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder. All Piggyback Eligible Holders requesting to be included in the Piggyback Registration must sell their Registrable Securities to the underwriters selected as provided in Section   2(c)(iv)  on the

 

16


same terms and conditions as apply to the Company or the holder that initiated such registration. Promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day) following receipt of notification by the Company from the managing underwriter of a range of prices at which such Registrable Securities are likely to be sold, the Company shall so advise each Piggyback Eligible Holder requesting registration in such offering of such price. If any Piggyback Eligible Holder disapproves of the terms of any such underwritten offering (including the price offered by the underwriter(s) in such offering), such Piggyback Eligible Holder may elect to withdraw any or all of its Registrable Securities therefrom, without prejudice to the rights of any such Holder or Holders to include Registrable Securities in any future Piggyback Registration or other registration statement, by written notice to the Company and the managing underwriter(s) delivered on or prior to the effective date of such Piggyback Registration Statement. Any Registrable Securities withdrawn from such underwritten offering shall be excluded and withdrawn from the registration. For any Piggyback Eligible Holder that is a partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other entity, the partners, members, stockholders, Subsidiaries, parents and Affiliates of such Piggyback Eligible Holder, or the estates and Family Members of any such partners/members and retired partners/members and any trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing Persons, shall be deemed to be a single “Piggyback Eligible Holder,” and any pro rata reduction with respect to such “Piggyback Eligible Holder” shall be based upon the aggregate amount of securities carrying registration rights owned by all entities and individuals included in such “Piggyback Eligible Holder,” as defined in this sentence.

(iii) Withdrawal from Registration . The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section   2(c) prior to the effective date of such Registration Statement, whether or not any Piggyback Eligible Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement, without prejudice, however, to the right of the Holders immediately to request that such registration be effected as a registration under Section   2(b) to the extent permitted thereunder and subject to the terms set forth therein. The Registration Expenses of such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with Section   4 hereof.

(iv) Selection of Bankers and Counsel . If a Piggyback Registration pursuant to this Section   2(c) involves an underwritten offering, the Company shall have the right, in consultation with the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities included in such underwritten offering, to (A) determine the plan of distribution, including the price at which the Registrable Securities are to be sold and the underwriting commissions, discounts and fees and (B) select the investment banker or bankers and managers to administer the offering, including the lead managing underwriter or underwriters. Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities included in such underwritten offering shall have the right to select one (1) firm of legal counsel to represent all of the Holders (along with any reasonably necessary local counsel), in connection with such Piggyback Registration; provided , that the Company shall select such counsel (including local counsel) if the Holders of such Majority of Registrable Securities cannot so agree on the same within a reasonable time period.

(v) Effect of Piggyback Registration . No registration effected under this Section   2(c) shall relieve the Company of its obligations to effect any registration of the offer and sale of Registrable Securities upon request under Section   2(a) or Section   2(b) hereof and no registration effected pursuant to this Section   2(c) shall be deemed to have been effected pursuant to Section   2(a) or Section   2(b) hereof.

 

17


(d) Notice Requirements . Any Demand Notice, Demand Eligible Holder Request, Piggyback Request or Shelf Takedown Notice shall (i) specify the maximum number or class or series of Registrable Securities intended to be offered and sold by the Holder making the request, (ii) express such Holder’s bona fide intent to offer up to such maximum number of Registrable Securities for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Registrable Securities (to the extent applicable), and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Holder to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may reasonably be required in order to permit the Company to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Registrable Securities.

(e) Suspension Period.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section   2 , the Company shall have the right but not the obligation to defer the filing of (but not the preparation of), or suspend the use by the Holders of, any Demand Registration or Shelf Registration for a period of up to forty-five (45) days (i) if an event occurs as a result of which the Registration Statement and any related Prospectus as then supplemented 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 at such time not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement, file a new registration statement or supplement any related Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder; (ii) if the Company is subject to any of its customary suspension or blackout periods, for all or part of such period; (iii) upon issuance by the Commission of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement with respect to Registrable Securities or the initiation of Proceedings with respect to such Registration Statement under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act; (iv) if the Company believes that any such registration or offering (x) should not be undertaken because it would reasonably be expected to materially interfere with any material corporate development or plan or (y) would require the Company, under applicable securities laws and other laws, to make disclosure of material nonpublic information that would not otherwise be required to be disclosed at that time and the Company believes in good faith that such disclosures at that time would not be in the Company’s best interests; provided that this exception (y) shall continue to apply only during the time that such material nonpublic information has not been disclosed and remains material; (v) if the Company elects at such time to offer Company Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company to (x) fund a merger, third-party tender offer or other business combination, acquisition of assets or similar transaction or (y) meet rating agency and other capital funding requirements; (vi) if the Company is pursuing a primary underwritten offering of Company Common Stock pursuant to a registration statement; provided that the Holders shall have Piggyback Registration rights with respect to such primary underwritten offering in accordance with and subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2(c) ; or (vii) if any other material

 

18


development would materially and adversely interfere with any such Demand Registration or Shelf Registration (any such period, a “ Suspension Period ”); provided , however , that in such event, the Initiating Holders will be entitled to withdraw any request for a Demand Registration and, if such request is withdrawn, such Demand Registration will not count as a Demand Registration as the Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with such registration, regardless of whether such registration is effected; and provided further , that in no event shall the Company declare a Suspension Period more than once in any twelve (12) month period or for more than an aggregate of forty five (45) days in any twelve (12) month period. The Company shall give written notice to the Holders of its declaration of a Suspension Period and of the expiration of the relevant Suspension Period. If the filing of any Demand Registration or Shelf Registration is suspended pursuant to this Section   2(e) , once the Suspension Period ends, the Initiating Holder may request a new Demand Registration or a new Shelf Registration (neither such request shall be counted as an additional Demand Registration for purposes of subclause (1) of Section   2(b)(iii) ).

(f) Required Information.  The Company may require each Holder of Registrable Securities as to which any Registration Statement is being filed or sale is being effected to furnish to the Company such information regarding the distribution of such securities and such other information relating to such Holder and its ownership of Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing ( provided that such information shall be used only in connection with such registration) and the Company may exclude from such registration or sale the Registrable Securities of any such Holder who fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. Each Holder agrees to furnish such information to the Company and to cooperate with the Company as reasonably necessary to enable the Company to comply with the provisions of this Agreement.

(g) Other Registration Rights Agreements.  Except as may otherwise by contained in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement or the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement (in each case as of, and as in effect on, the date hereof), the Company has not entered into and, unless agreed in writing by each Holder on or after the date of this Agreement, will not enter into, any agreement that (i) is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders with respect to Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof in any material respect or (ii) other than as set forth in this Agreement, would allow any holder of Company Common Stock to include Company Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents in any Registration Statement filed by the Company on a basis that is more favorable in any respect to the rights granted to the Holders hereunder.

(h) Cessation of Registration Rights.  All registration rights granted under this Section   2 shall continue to be applicable with respect to any Holder until such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities.

 

3.

Alternative Transactions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (A) no Holder shall be entitled to any piggyback right or to participate as a Demand Eligible Holder under Section   2 in the event of an Alternative Transaction (including

 

19


  Alternative Transactions off of a Shelf Registration Statement or an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, or in connection with the registration of Registrable Securities under an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement for purposes of effectuating an Alternative Transaction; provided , that, any registration with respect to an Alternative Transaction shall not constitute a Demand Registration for purposes of determining the number of Demand Registrations effected by the Company under Section 2(b)(ii) and (iii)  above), (B) no Holder, other than an Affiliated Holder, shall be permitted to request or participate in an underwritten offering (including an Underwritten Shelf Takedown) that is an Alternative Transaction, (C) an Affiliated Holder effecting an underwritten offering (including an Underwritten Shelf Takedown) that is an Alternative Transaction shall provide prompt notice (but in no event later than twenty-four (24) hours consisting of Business Days prior to such Alternative Transaction) to the Company and any other Affiliated Holder setting forth the proposed timeline for such offering to permit participation by such other Affiliated Holder in such offering, and such other Affiliated Holder shall be entitled to participate in such offering so long as the participation of such other Affiliated Holder does not materially delay the proposed timeline of such Alternative Transaction specified in the notice.

 

4. Registration Procedures.  The procedures to be followed by the Company and each participating Holder to register the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement in accordance with this Agreement, and the respective rights and obligations of the Company and such Holders with respect to the preparation, filing and effectiveness of such Registration Statement, are as follows:

(a) The Company will (i) prepare and file a Registration Statement or a prospectus supplement, as applicable, with the Commission (within the time period specified in Section   2(a) or Section   2(b) , as applicable, in the case of a Shelf Registration, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or a Demand Registration) which Registration Statement (A) shall be on a form selected by the Company for which the Company qualifies, (B) shall be available for the sale or exchange of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution, and (C) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include and/or incorporate by reference all financial statements required by the Commission to be filed therewith, (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for the periods provided under Section   2(a) or Section   2(b) , as applicable, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement or a Demand Registration Statement, (iii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the occurrence of any event that would cause a Registration Statement to contain a material misstatement or omission or to be not effective and usable for resale of the Registrable Securities registered pursuant thereto (during the period that such Registration Statement is required to be effective as provided under Section   2(a) or Section   2(b) ), and (iv) cause each Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the effective date of such Registration Statement, amendment or supplement (x) to comply in all material respects with any requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission and (y) not to contain any 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.

 

20


The Company will, (1) at least five (5) Business Days prior to the anticipated filing of a Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (including any documents incorporated by reference therein), or before using any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, furnish to such Holders, the Holders’ counsel and the managing underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if applicable, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, (2) use its commercially reasonable efforts to address in each such document prior to being so filed with the Commission such comments as such Holder, its counsel or underwriter reasonably shall propose within three (3) Business Days of receipt of such copies by the Holders and (3) not file any Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto containing information regarding a participating Holder to which a participating Holder objects.

(b) The Company will as promptly as reasonably practicable (i) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to each Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as (A) may be reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement necessary to permit such Holder to sell in accordance with its intended method of distribution or (B) may be necessary under applicable law to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered thereby for the periods provided under Section   2(a) or Section   2(b) , as applicable, in accordance with the intended method of distribution and, subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, prepare and file with the Commission such additional Registration Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities Act all of the Registrable Securities held by the Holders, (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented or amended, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424, (iii) respond to any comments received from the Commission with respect to each Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereto, and (iv) as promptly as reasonably practicable, provide such Holders true and complete copies of all correspondence from and to the Commission relating to such Registration Statement or Prospectus other than any comments that the Company determines in good faith would result in the disclosure to such Holders of material non-public information concerning the Company that is not already in the possession of such Holder.

(c) The Company will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (including Regulation M under the Exchange Act) with respect to each Registration Statement and the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement.

(d) The Company will notify such Holders that, to its knowledge, hold Registrable Securities and the managing underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if applicable, as promptly as reasonably practicable: (i)(A) when a Registration Statement, any pre-effective amendment, any Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or any free writing prospectus is proposed to be filed; (B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of such Registration Statement and whenever the

 

21


Commission comments on such Registration Statement (in which case the Company shall provide true and complete copies thereof and all written responses thereto to each Holder, its counsel and each underwriter, if applicable, other than information which the Company determines in good faith would constitute material non-public information that is not already in the possession of such Holder); and (C) with respect to each Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has been declared effective; (ii) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental or regulatory authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information (whether before or after the effective date of the Registration Statement) or any other correspondence with the Commission or any such authority relating to, or which may affect, the Registration Statement; (iii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other governmental or regulatory authority of any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such purpose; (v) if, at any time, the representations and warranties of the Company in any applicable underwriting agreement or similar agreement cease to be true and correct in all material respects; or (vi) of the occurrence of any event that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or if, as a result of such event or the passage of time, such Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents requires revisions so that, in the case of such Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not contain any 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 the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or when any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus includes information that may conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or if, for any other reason, it shall be necessary during such time period to amend or supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act, which shall correct such misstatement or omission or effect such compliance.

(e) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment, or if any such order or suspension is made effective during any Suspension Period, at the earliest practicable moment after the Suspension Period is over.

(f) During the Effectiveness Period or the Shelf Period, as applicable, the Company will furnish to each selling Holder and the managing underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if applicable, upon their request, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and each amendment

 

22


thereto and all exhibits to the extent requested by such selling Holder or underwriter (including those incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission.

(g) The Company will promptly deliver to each selling Holder and the managing underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if applicable, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto as such selling Holder or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities by such selling Holder or underwriter. The Company consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and any applicable underwriter in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.

(h) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, no later than the time such Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission, under all applicable securities laws (including the “blue sky” laws) of such jurisdictions each underwriter, if any, or any selling Holder shall reasonably request; (ii) keep each such registration or qualification effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective under the terms of this Agreement and (iii) do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such underwriter, if any, and each selling Holder to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement; provided , however , that the Company will not be required to (x) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subparagraph, (y) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (z) consent to general service of process (other than service of process in connection with such registration or qualification or any sale of Registrable Securities in connection therewith) in any such jurisdiction.

(i) The Company will cooperate with the Holders and the managing underwriter, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or book-entry statements representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates or book-entry statements shall be free of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holders or managing underwriter, as applicable, may reasonably request and instruct any transfer agent and registrar of Registrable Securities to release any stop transfer orders in respect thereof. At the request of any Holder or the managing underwriter, if any, the Company will promptly deliver or cause to be delivered an opinion or instructions to the transfer agent in order to allow the Registrable Securities to be sold from time to time free of all restrictive legends.

(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 2(e)(i) or Section   4(d)(vi) , as promptly as reasonably practicable, the Company will prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, if required by

 

23


applicable law, to the affected Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference or to the applicable Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered, no Registration Statement nor any Prospectus will 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 (in the case of a Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading and no Issuer Free Writing Prospectus will include information that conflicts with information contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, such that each selling Holder can resume disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus.

(k) Selling Holders may distribute the Registrable Securities by means of an underwritten offering; provided that (i) such Holders provide to the Company a Shelf Takedown Notice or Demand Notice of their intention to distribute Registrable Securities by means of an underwritten offering, (ii) the right of any Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein, (iii) each Holder participating in such underwritten offering agrees to enter into customary agreements, including an underwriting agreement in customary form, and sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Holders entitled to select the managing underwriter or managing underwriters hereunder (provided that any such Holder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties, agreements and indemnities regarding such Holder, such Holder’s title to the Registrable Securities, such Holder’s intended method of distribution, the accuracy of information concerning such Holder as provided by or on behalf of such Holder, and any other representations required to be made by the Holder under applicable law, and the aggregate amount of the liability of such Holder in connection with such offering shall not exceed such Holder’s net proceeds from the disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such offering) and (iv) each Holder participating in such underwritten offering completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, custody agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. The Company hereby agrees with each Holder that, in connection with any underwritten offering in accordance with the terms hereof, it will negotiate in good faith and execute all indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements, and will procure auditor “comfort” letters addressed to the underwriters in the offering from the Company’s independent certified public accountants or independent auditors (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants or independent auditors of any Subsidiary of the Company or any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement) in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as the underwriters reasonably request, dated the date of execution of the underwriting agreement and brought down to the closing under the underwriting agreement.

 

24


(l) The Company will obtain for delivery to the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities an opinion or opinions from counsel for the Company (including any local counsel reasonably requested by the underwriters) dated the most recent effective date of the Registration Statement or, in the event of an underwritten offering, the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, in customary form, scope and substance, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in sales of securities or underwritten offerings, which opinions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters and their counsel.

(m) For a reasonable period prior to the filing of any Registration Statement and throughout the Effectiveness Period or the Shelf Period, as applicable, the Company will make available upon reasonable notice at the Company’s principal place of business or such other reasonable place for inspection by a representative appointed by the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement, by any managing underwriter or managing underwriters selected in accordance with this Agreement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such Holders or underwriter, such financial and other information and books and records of the Company, and cause the officers, employees, counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company to respond to such inquiries, as shall be reasonably necessary (and in the case of counsel, not violate an attorney-client privilege in such counsel’s reasonable belief) to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act.

(n) The Company will (i) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement and provide and enter into any reasonable agreements with a custodian for the Registrable Securities and (ii) not later than the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities.

(o) The Company will cooperate with each Holder of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA and in performance of any due diligence investigations by any underwriter.

(p) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, the Trading Market, FINRA and any state securities authority, and make available to each Holder, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement, an earnings statement covering at least twelve (12) months which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158.

(q) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus utilized in connection with any Prospectus complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby and, when taken together with the related Prospectus, will not contain

 

25


any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(r) In connection with any registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will take all commercially reasonable actions as are necessary or advisable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities by such Holders, including using commercially reasonable efforts to cause appropriate officers and employees to be available, on a customary basis and upon reasonable advance notice, to meet with prospective investors in presentations, meetings and road shows; provided, however that nothing in this Agreement shall require the Company to participate in any marketing effort that is longer than three business days or requires face to face meeting with investors more than once every ninety (90) days or more than three times in a twelve-month period.

(s) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to list the Company Common Stock and any other Registrable Securities of any class or series covered by a Registration Statement on the New York Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq Global Market or any successor national securities exchange. Following the listing of the Company Common Stock and any other Registrable Securities on the New York Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq Global Market or any successor national securities exchange, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain such listing until each Holder has sold all of its Registrable Securities.

(t) The Company shall, if such registration for an underwritten offering is pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration, include in such Registration Statement such additional information for marketing purposes as the managing underwriter(s) reasonably request(s).

(u) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in a timely manner with any reasonable and customary request of the Holders in respect of any Alternative Transaction, including entering into customary agreements with respect to such Alternative Transactions (and providing customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities in such agreements) as well as providing other reasonable assistance in respect of such Alternative Transactions of the type applicable to a public offering subject to this Section 4 , to the extent customary for such transactions.

 

5. Registration Expenses.  The Company shall bear all reasonable Registration Expenses incident to the Parties’ performance of or compliance with their respective obligations under this Agreement or otherwise in connection with any Demand Registration, Shelf Registration, Shelf Takedown Notice or Piggyback Registration (excluding any Selling Expenses), whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement.

Registration Expenses ” shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration, qualification and filing fees and expenses (including fees and expenses (A) of the Commission or FINRA, (B) incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on the

 

26


Trading Market, and (C) in compliance with applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities)); (ii) printing expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for the Company’s shares and of printing prospectuses); (iii) analyst or investor presentation or road show expenses of the Company and the underwriters, if any; (iv) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses; (v) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including any local counsel), auditors and accountants for the Company (including the expenses incurred in connection with “comfort letters” required by or incident to such performance and compliance); (vi) the reasonable fees and disbursements of underwriters to the extent customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities (including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” (and its counsel) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA; (vii) fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company; (viii) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance; (ix) reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel (along with any reasonably necessary local counsel) representing all Holders mutually agreed by Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities participating in the related registration; provided that if Initial Holders and Affiliated Holders have Registrable Securities included in any registration, reasonable fees and disbursements of up to two counsel and (x) fees and expenses payable in connection with any ratings of the Registrable Securities, including expenses relating to any presentations to rating agencies. In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including expenses payable to third parties and including all salaries and expenses of the Company’s officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and any underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes and related legal and other fees applicable to securities sold by the Company and in respect of which proceeds are received by the Company. Each Holder shall pay any Selling Expenses applicable to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to any Demand Registration Statement or Piggyback Registration Statement, or pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement under which such selling Holder’s Registrable Securities were sold, in proportion to the amount of such selling Holder’s shares of Registrable Securities sold in any offering under such Demand Registration Statement, Piggyback Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement.

 

6. Indemnification .

(a) If requested by a participating Holder, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each underwriter, if any, engaged in connection with any registration referred to in Section 2 and provide representations, covenants, opinions and other assurances to such underwriter in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriter and the Company. Further, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its partners, stockholders, equityholders, general partners, limited partners, managers, members and Affiliates and each of their respective officers and directors and any Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any employee, attorney or Representative thereof (collectively, “ Indemnified Persons ”), to the

 

27


fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, costs (including reasonable costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’, accountants’ and experts’ fees) and expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all Proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (collectively, “ Losses ”), as incurred, arising out of, based upon, resulting from or relating to (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which any Registrable Securities were registered, Prospectus (including in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior to the effective date of such Registration Statement)), or in any summary or final prospectus or free writing prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any documents incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation relating to action or inaction in connection with any Company provided information in such registration, disclosure document or related document or report, and the Company will reimburse such Indemnified Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such Proceeding; provided , however , that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such Losses arise out of, are based upon or results from an untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or free writing prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

(b) In connection with any Registration Statement filed by the Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof in which a Holder has registered for sale its Registrable Securities, each such selling Holder agrees (severally and not jointly) to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, its directors and officers, Affiliates, employees, agents and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) from and against any Losses resulting from (i) any untrue statement of a material fact in any Registration Statement under which such Registrable Securities were registered or sold under the Securities Act (including any final, preliminary or summary Prospectus contained therein or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any documents incorporated by reference therein) or (ii) any omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information furnished in writing by or on behalf of such selling Holder to the Company specifically for inclusion in such Registration Statement or Prospectus and has not been corrected in a subsequent writing prior to the sale of the Registrable Securities to the Indemnified Person asserting the claim. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder under the sale of Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation less any amounts

 

28


paid by such Holder in connection with such sale and any amounts paid by such Holder as a result of liabilities incurred under the underwriting agreement, if any, related to such sale.

(c) Any indemnified person shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification ( provided that any delay or failure to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations hereunder except to the extent, if at all, that it is actually and materially prejudiced by reason of such delay or failure) and (ii) permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; provided , however , that any indemnified person shall have the right to select and employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified person unless (A) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees or expenses, (B) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such claim within a reasonable time after receipt of notice of such claim from the indemnified person and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified person, (C) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based upon advice of its counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified persons that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, or (D) in the reasonable judgment of any such indemnified person (based upon advice of its counsel) a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified person and the indemnifying party with respect to such claims (in which case, if the indemnified person notifies the indemnifying party in writing that such indemnified person elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such claim on behalf of such indemnified person). No action may be settled without the consent of the indemnifying party, provided that the consent of the indemnified party shall not be required if (A) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party in form and substance satisfactory to such indemnified party from all liability on the claims that are the subject matter of such settlement; (B) such settlement provides for the payment by the indemnifying party of money as the sole relief for such action and (C) such settlement does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. It is understood that the indemnifying party or parties shall not, except as specifically set forth in this Section 6(c) , in connection with any Proceeding or related Proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees, disbursements or other charges of more than one separate firm admitted to practice in such jurisdiction at any one time. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(c) , no selling Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the net proceeds (after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions) received by such selling Holder in the offering. 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. Each selling Holder’s obligation to contribute pursuant to this Section 6(c) is several in the proportion that the proceeds of the offering received by such selling Holder bears to the total proceeds of the offering received by all such selling Holders and not joint.

 

29


The remedies provided for in this Section   6 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.

 

7. Facilitation of Sales Pursuant to Rule 144 . The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act and the rules adopted by the Commission thereunder (including the reports under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144), and shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable the Holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144. Upon the written request of any Holder in connection with that Holder’s sale pursuant to Rule 144, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

8. Miscellaneous .

(a) Remedies . In the event of a breach by the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement, each Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate and shall waive any requirement for the posting of a bond.

(b) Discontinued Disposition . Each Holder agrees by its acquisition of Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in clauses (ii) through (iv) and (vi) of Section 4(d) or the occurrence of a Suspension Period, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemental Prospectus or amended Registration Statement or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or Registration Statement. The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to enforce the provisions of this Section 8(b) . In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the period during which the applicable Registration Statement is required to be maintained effective shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement either receives the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus or is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed.

(c) Amendments . No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company unless such modification, amendment

 

30


or waiver is approved in writing by the Company. The Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if the Company shall have obtained the written consent to such amendment, action or omission to act of each of the Holders.

(d) Waivers . No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any Party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.

(e) Termination and Effect of Termination . This Agreement shall terminate with respect to each Holder when such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities and will terminate in full when no Holder holds any Registrable Securities, except for the provisions of Sections 6 , which shall survive any such termination. No termination under this Agreement shall relieve any Person of liability for breach or Registration Expenses incurred prior to termination. In the event this Agreement is terminated, each Person entitled to indemnification rights pursuant to Section 6 shall retain such indemnification rights with respect to any matter that (i) may be an indemnified liability thereunder and (ii) occurred prior to such termination.

(f) Notices . Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile or electronic mail as specified in this Section   8(f) prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on a Business Day, (ii) the Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile or electronic mail as specified in this Agreement later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on any date and earlier than 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on such date, (iii) the Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) upon actual receipt by the Party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as follows (or at such other address as shall be given in writing by any Party to the other Parties):

If to the Company:

 

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

  Attention:    Michael J. Killelea, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
  Facsimile:    (713) 780-9254
  Email:    Mike.Killelea@goodrichpetroleum.com

If to any other Person who is then a Holder, to the address of such Holder as it appears on the signature pages hereto or such other address as may be designated in writing hereafter by such Person.

 

31


(g) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and Permitted Assignees, provided , that , all of the following additional conditions are satisfied: (i) the transfer was made in accordance with applicable securities laws; (ii) such Permitted Assignee agrees in writing to become subject to the terms of this Agreement; (iii) the Company is given written notice by such Holder of such transfer, stating the name and address of the Permitted Assignee. Nothing in this Section   8(g) shall affect any restrictions on transfer contained in any other contract by and among the Company and any of the Holders, or by and among any of the Holders. The Company may not assign its respective rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Holder.

(h) Governing Law . This Agreement and all claims arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

(i) Submission to Jurisdiction . Each of the Parties, by its execution of this Agreement, (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the state courts sitting in the State of New York, County of New York for the purpose of any Proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof, (ii) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert, and agrees not to allow any of its Subsidiaries to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such Proceeding brought in one of the above-named courts is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof or thereof may not be enforced in or by such court and (iii) hereby agrees not to commence or maintain any Proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof other than before one of the above-named courts nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such Proceeding to any court other than one of the above-named courts whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any party hereto is or becomes a party in any litigation in connection with which it may assert indemnification rights set forth in this Agreement, the court in which such litigation is being heard shall be deemed to be included in clause (i) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party to this Agreement may commence and maintain an action to enforce a judgment of any of the above-named courts in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party hereto hereby consents to service of process in any such Proceeding in any manner permitted by New York law, and agrees that service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section   8(f) hereof is reasonably calculated to give actual notice.

(j) Waiver of Venue . The Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, (i) any objection that they may now or

 

32


hereafter have to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in Section   8(i) and (ii) the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Proceeding in any such court.

(k) Cumulative Remedies . The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

(l) Severability . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the Parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

(m) Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with each of the other Transaction Documents, constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior contracts or agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous discussions, agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, that may have been made or entered into by or among any of the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.

(n) Execution of Agreement . This Agreement may be executed and delivered (by facsimile, by electronic mail in portable document format (.pdf) or otherwise) in any number of counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same agreement.

(o) Determination of Ownership . In determining ownership of Company Common Stock hereunder for any purpose, the Company may rely solely on the records of the transfer agent for the Company Common Stock from time to time, or, if no such transfer agent exists, the Company’s stock ledger.

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

(q) No Recourse . Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, and notwithstanding the fact that certain of the Holders may be partnerships or limited liability companies, each Holder covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be had against any of the Company’s or the Holder’s former, current or future direct or indirect equity holders, controlling persons, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, Affiliates, members, financing sources, managers, general or limited partners or assignees (each, a “ Related Party ” and collectively, the

 

33


Related Parties ”), in each case other than the Company, the Holders or any of their respective assignees under this Agreement, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable Proceeding, or by virtue of any applicable law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any of the Related Parties, as such, for any obligation or liability of the Company or the Holders under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or liabilities or their creation; provided, however, nothing in this Section   8(q) shall relieve or otherwise limit the liability of the Company or any Holder, as such, for any breach or violation of its obligations under this Agreement or such agreements, documents or instruments.

(r) Recapitalizations, Exchanges, etc.  The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to (a) the Company Common Stock, (b) any and all securities into which shares of Company Common Stock are converted, exchanged or substituted in any recapitalization or other capital reorganization by the Company and (c) any and all equity securities of the Company or any successor or assign of the Company (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in conversion of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the Company Common Stock and shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividends, splits, reverse splits, combinations, recapitalizations and the like occurring after the date hereof. The Company shall cause any successor or assign (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) to assume the obligations of the Company under this Agreement or enter into a new registration rights agreement with the Holders on terms substantially the same as this Agreement as a condition of any such transaction.

(s) Governing Documents . In the event of any conflict between the terms and provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement and those contained in the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or other similar governing documents of the Company, the terms and provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement shall govern and control to the maximum extent permitted by DGCL.

 

34


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Michael J. Killelea

Name:   Michael J. Killelea
Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK,

SIGNATURE PAGES OF HOLDERS TO FOLLOW]

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Franklin)


FRANKLIN ADVISERS, INC. as Investment Manager on behalf of the certain funds and accounts listed on Schedule I

 

By:  

/s/ Glenn Voyles

  Name:   Glenn Voyles
  Title:   VP/Director of Portfolio Management

 

Address:   Franklin Advisers Inc.
  c/o Chris Chen
  1 Franklin Pkwy
  San Mateo, CA 94403

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement (Franklin)


SCHEDULE I

 

    FTIF-Templeton Global High Yield Fund

 

    Franklin Institutional Global High Yield

 

    FT Opportunistic Distressed Fund, Ltd.

 

    CIGNA Pension Plan

 

    Franklin Templeton SinoAm Global High Yield Bond Fund

 

    Cigna Health & Life Insurance Company

 

    Connecticut General Life

 

    Life Insurance Company of North America

 

    FTIF-Franklin Global High Income Bond Fund

 

    Mercer Multi Asset Growth Fund

 

    FTIF-Franklin Global Corporate High Yield Fund

 

    Mercer Opportunistic Fixed Income Fund

 

    CIGNA Pension Plan for Certain Former Employees

 

    Menard, Inc.

 

    Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)

 

    Franklin Universal Trust

 

    FHIT-Franklin High Income Fund

 

    FCF-Franklin Income Fund

 

    FTIF-Franklin High Yield Fund

 

    Franklin High Income Fund

 

    FTVIPT-Franklin High Income VIP Fund


EXHIBIT A

Form of Plan of Distribution

The Shares being registered are currently owned or, with respect to certain Selling Stockholders, may be acquired by the Selling Stockholder upon exercise of warrants to purchase our common stock. The selling stockholders, which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock received after the date of this prospectus from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer, or acquires common stock upon exercise of warrants received from a Selling Stockholder may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.

The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:

 

    ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

    block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

    purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

    an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

    privately negotiated transactions;

 

    short sales effected after the date the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC;

 

    through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

    broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; and

 

    a combination of any such methods of sale.

The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more


derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

The aggregate proceeds to the selling stockholders from the sale of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the selling stockholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering. Upon any exercise of the warrants by payment of cash, however, we will receive the exercise price of the warrants.

The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule.

The selling stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Selling stockholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the selling stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

We have advised the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the selling stockholders and their affiliates. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and state securities laws, relating to the registration of the shares offered by this prospectus.

Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS from    

LOGO

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

Phone (713) 780-9494

Fax (713) 780-9254

Contact:

Robert C. Turnham, President

Robert T. Barker, Interim-CFO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GOODRICH PETROLEUM ANNOUNCES EMERGENCE FROM BANKRUPTCY

HOUSTON, October 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “Company”) today announced that it has satisfied the conditions precedent to the effectiveness of its First Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan of Reorganization”), which was confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on September 28, 2016, and has emerged from bankruptcy.

By working constructively with its creditors and other stakeholders, the Company emerged from bankruptcy with the same assets and having substantially reduced its total long-term debt and cost structure, which provides the post-emergence Company with a significantly improved capital structure to maximize the value of its asset portfolio.

In conjunction with its emergence from bankruptcy and pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Company received $40.0 million in new capital through the issuance of Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019. $20 million of the new capital was used to pay down the Company’s outstanding borrowings under its previous senior credit facility to $20 million, which is now the outstanding principal amount of the Company’s new senior secured credit facility led by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent. The Company also has $20 million in cash from the new capital to fund initial development of its Haynesville Shale drilling program.

Furthermore, effective today, the Company’s Board of Directors will be comprised of Walter G. Goodrich and Robert C. Turnham, Jr., who are existing directors of the Company, together with new directors Ronald F. Coleman, Eugene I. Davis, K. Adam Leight, Timothy D. Leuliette and Thomas M. Souers.

In accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, the Company’s existing common stock has been cancelled, and its new common stock will be issued to the second lien notes claim holders, unsecured notes claim holders, general unsecured claim holders and management. The Company anticipates that its common stock will be traded on the OTC Markets marketplace within 2-3 weeks, with plans to list on a major exchange at a later date.

Additional information about the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy, including copies of documents related to the exit financing, will be provided in a Form 8-K, which can be viewed on the Company’s website: www.goodrichpetroleum.com, or the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov. Court filings and other information related to the Plan of Reorganization are available at a website administered by the claims agent, BMC, at www.bmcgroup.com/goodrich .


Lazard acted as financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. acted as legal counsel to the Company in connection with the bankruptcy process.

About Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

Goodrich Petroleum is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company. Goodrich Petroleum is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.goodrichpetroleum.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release regarding future expectations and plans for future activities may be regarded as “forward looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, such as financial market conditions, changes in commodities prices and costs of drilling and completion, operating hazards, drilling risks, and the inherent uncertainties in interpreting engineering data relating to underground accumulations of oil and gas, as well as other risks discussed in detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and other subsequent filings with the SEC. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Goodrich Petroleum Corporation

Robert C. Turnham, Jr., President, +1-713-780-9494