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): January 26, 2018

 

 

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

001-35471

(Commission file number)

27-4867100

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1160 Dairy Ashford Rd., Suite 160, Houston, Texas 77079

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(281) 258-4400

(Company’s telephone number, including area code)

(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 14(d)-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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company    

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On January 29, 2018, the Company completed its previously announced exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) and consent solicitation related to the Company’s 10.000% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2019 (the “Existing Notes”) and the Company’s 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Stub Notes” and, together with the Existing Notes, the “Notes”).

Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, in exchange for $78,037,389 in aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest from and including January 15, 2018 thereon, representing approximately 91.8% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes, validly tendered and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, and $7,000 in aggregate principal amount of Stub Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest from and including January 15, 2018 thereon, representing less than 1% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Stub Notes, validly tendered and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, the Company issued (i) 812,321 newly issued shares (the “New Common Shares”) of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”), (ii) 31,669 newly issued shares of the Company’s Series A perpetual convertible preferred stock (the “Series A Preferred Shares”), (iii) 855,195 newly issued shares of the Company’s Series B convertible preferred stock (the “Series B Preferred Shares”), which is mandatorily convertible, subject to certain conditions, and (iv) 8,286,061 newly issued warrants (the “Series C Warrants”) to purchase 8,286,061 shares of Common Stock.

Concurrently with the Exchange Offer, the Company solicited consents related to the adoption of proposed amendments to each of the indenture governing the Existing Notes and the indenture governing the Stub Notes, in each case, together with the related security and collateral agreements relating to the Notes, each as described in the Memorandum. Holders of approximately 91.8% of the principal amount of Existing Notes delivered their consents for the Company to adopt the proposed amendments to the indenture governing the Existing Notes, and to effect the proposed collateral release.

Following the irrevocable receipt of the requisite consents, on January 26, 2018, the Company entered into a first supplemental indenture to the indenture governing the Existing Notes and a first amendment to the security agreement relating to the Existing Notes to effect the proposed amendments and collateral release.

Supplemental Indenture

Upon receipt of the requisite consents in the consent solicitation, the Company, the guarantors under the Existing Indenture (as defined below) and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee and Noteholder Collateral Agent, executed a first supplemental indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture”) to the indenture governing the Existing Notes (the “Existing Indenture”). The Supplemental Indenture removes substantially all restrictive covenants and certain event of default provisions under the Existing Indenture. In addition, the Security Documents (as defined in the Existing Indenture) were amended to effectuate the release of the collateral securing the obligations under the Existing Notes of the Company and the guarantors of the Existing Notes. The description of the Supplemental Indenture contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Supplemental Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Security Agreement Amendment

Upon receipt of the requisite consents in the consent solicitation, the Company, the guarantors under the Existing Indenture and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Noteholder Collateral Agent, executed an amendment to the security agreement (the “Security Agreement Amendment”) governing the liens securing the Existing Notes. The Security Agreement Amendment effectuates the release of the collateral securing the obligations of the Company and the guarantors of the Existing Notes. The description of the Security Agreement Amendment contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Security Agreement Amendment filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement

On January 29, 2018, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with certain Holders who tendered Existing Notes in the Exchange Offer (the “RRA Holders”). The Registration Rights Agreement requires that the Company use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file a shelf registration statement registering the offering and sale on a delayed or continuous basis of all Common Stock, including Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Preferred Shares or exercise of the Series C Warrants issued in connection with the Exchange Offer to holders of 2.5% or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock (the “Registrable Securities”), and to keep such shelf registration statement effective until the earliest of (i) the date as of which all Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to the shelf registration statement, (ii) the date on which the Registration Rights Agreement terminates and (iii) such shorter period as the RRA Holders of at least 75% of Registrable Securities outstanding with respect to the shelf registration shall agree.


Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the RRA Holders have customary underwritten offering and piggyback registration rights, subject to the limitations set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. Pursuant to such rights, individual RRA Holders have the right to demand the Company to effectuate the distribution of any or all of their Registrable Securities by means of an underwritten offering pursuant to the shelf registration statement if the gross proceeds to such holder are expected to be at least $25 million and to include a specified number of their Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering by the Company. These rights are subject to certain conditions and limitations, including certain rights to limit the number of shares to be included in an underwritten offering and the Company’s right to delay or withdraw a registration statement or an offer and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement (including underwritten offerings) under certain circumstances. The registration rights granted in the Registration Rights Agreement are subject to customary indemnification and contribution provisions.

The summary of the Registration Rights Agreement set forth in this Item 1.01 does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is being filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Warrant Agreement

On January 29, 2018, the Company entered into a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) with Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as warrant agent. In connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offer and pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, the Company issued 8,286,061 Series C Warrants. The Series C Warrants give the holder the right to purchase up to an aggregate of 8,286,061 shares of Common Stock at an initial exercise price of $0.0001 per share (the “Exercise Price”), subject to adjustment pursuant to customary anti-dilution provisions. Following receipt of shareholder approval, the Series C Warrants may generally be exercised at any time and from time to time.

Until such time as the Series C Warrants and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Series C Warrants are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, they will be subject to restrictions on transfer.

The summary of the Warrant Agreement set forth in this Item 1.01 does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Warrant Agreement, a copy of which is being filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information in Item 1.01 regarding the New Common Shares, Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Warrants is incorporated into this Item 3.02 by reference.

New Common Shares

On January 29, 2018 (the “Settlement Date), the Company issued 812,321 New Common Shares in connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offer in a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Series A Preferred Shares

On the Settlement Date, the Company issued 31,669 Series A Preferred Shares in connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offer in a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

Pursuant to the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Preferred Shares, each Series A Preferred Share gives the holder thereof the right to convert Series A Preferred Shares into shares of Common Stock at any time after the third anniversary of the Settlement Date, subject to certain exceptions, including receipt of shareholder approval and a limitation on the ability of certain holders to convert Series A Preferred Shares if it would cause such holder to beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the outstanding Common Stock. The Series A Preferred Shares have an initial conversion rate (the “Series A Conversion Rate”) of 3,271.4653 shares of Common Stock per Series A Preferred Share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. Based on the initial Series A Conversion Rate, approximately 103,702,178 shares of Common Stock would be issuable upon conversion of all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares.


The annual dividend on each Series A Preferred Share is 8.0% and is payable quarterly, in arrears, on each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on April 1, 2018. No dividends will accrue or accumulate prior to January 29, 2018. If the Company’s free cash flow for the twelve-month period ending on the fifteenth day prior to each dividend period is $15 million or less, then the Company will pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares by increasing the amount of Series A Preferred Shares held in book entry form or, in the case of certificated Series A Preferred Shares, issuing new certificated Series A Preferred Shares, in each case, in an amount equal to such dividend. Except as provided in the previous sentence, the Company will pay dividends in cash.

Except as required by law or the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, holders of the Series A Preferred Shares will have no voting rights, except for the right to consent to the Company’s creation, authorization or issuance of any class or series of stock senior to the Series A Preferred Shares (or any security convertible into stock senior to the Series A Preferred Shares) or stock on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares (or any security convertible into stock on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares), and amendments to the Company’s constituent documents that would adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares.

Upon a change of control and subject to certain exceptions, the Company may cause all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares to be converted into Common Stock at the then-prevailing Series A Conversion Rate, subject to certain exceptions, including receipt of shareholder approval, and limitations, including a limitation on the ability of the Company to convert a Series A Preferred Share if it would cause a holder thereof to beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the outstanding Common Stock.

At any time following the Settlement Date, the Company may redeem each Series A Preferred Share at a price equal to $1,000 per Series A Preferred Share, subject to certain adjustments, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends on such share to, but excluding the redemption date.

Series B Preferred Shares

On the Settlement Date, the Company issued 855,195 Series B Preferred Shares in connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offer in a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

Pursuant to the Certificate of Designations for the Series B Preferred Shares, each Series B Preferred Share is mandatorily convertible by the Company at any time after the third anniversary of the Settlement Date, subject to certain exceptions, including receipt of shareholder approval. The Series B Preferred Shares have an initial conversion rate (the “Series B Conversion Rate”) of 21.7378 shares of Common Stock per Series B Preferred Share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. Holders of Series B Preferred Shares have the right to elect to receive Series C Warrants in lieu of shares of Common Stock upon the mandatory conversion of the Series B Preferred Shares to the extent such conversion would cause such holder to hold 10% or more of the Company’s Common Stock. Based on the initial Series B Conversion Rate, approximately 18,590,057 shares of Common Stock would be issuable upon conversion of all of the outstanding Series B Preferred Shares.

Except as required by law or the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, holders of the Series B Preferred Shares will have no voting rights, except for the right to consent to the Company’s creation, authorization or issuance of any class or series of stock senior to the Series B Preferred Shares, other than the Series A Preferred Shares, (or any security convertible into stock senior to the Series B Preferred Shares, other than the Series A Preferred Shares) or stock on parity with the Series B Preferred Shares (or any security convertible into stock on parity with the Series B Preferred Shares), and amendments to the Company’s constituent documents that would adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares.

If the Company declares a dividend or distribution of any cash or other assets or property to all holders of Common Stock while any Series B Preferred Shares are outstanding, subject to certain exceptions, the Holders shall be entitled to receive, upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred Shares into shares of Common Stock, the cash or other assets or property to which they would have been entitled had the Series B Preferred Shares been converted on the record date for such dividend or distribution.

Series C Warrants

On the Settlement Date, the Company issued 8,286,061 Series C Warrants in connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offer in a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities Act.


Pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, each Series C Warrant gives the holder thereof the right to purchase one share of Common Stock, subject to certain exceptions, including receipt of shareholder approval and a limitation on the ability of certain holders to exercise a Series C Warrant if it would cause such holder to beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the outstanding Common Stock. The Series C Warrants have an initial exercise price of $0.0001 per share of Common Stock, subject to customary anti-dilution provisions. Upon a change of control or redemption of all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares by the Company, the Company may cause each Series C Warrant to be exercised, subject to certain exceptions (including receipt of shareholder approval), and limitations (including a limitation on the ability of the Company to cause each Series C Warrant to be exercised if it would cause the holder thereof to beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the outstanding Common Stock).

Each beneficial owner of a Series C Warrant shall be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, in kind or other property, that would be distributed to such beneficial owner if such beneficial owner’s Series C Warrants had been converted in full into shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the close of business on the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to receive such dividend.

The New Common Shares, Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Warrants collectively represent 92.76% of the currently outstanding shares (approximately 131,292,475 shares) of Common Stock, on a fully diluted basis as of the Settlement Date.

The New Common Shares, Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Warrants were issued only to holders (1) who are (x) “qualified institutional buyers,” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or (y) “accredited investors” as defined in Regulation D (“Regulation D”) of the Securities Act, in each case, in a private transaction in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) and/or Regulation D and (2) outside the United States, who are not “U.S. persons,” as defined in Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the Securities Act, in offshore transactions in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Regulation S. The Company will not receive any cash proceeds in the Exchange Offer or from the issuance of the New Common Shares, Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares or Series C Warrants.

This report shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The New Common Shares, Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Warrants have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

 

Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information in Item 1.01 regarding the Supplemental Indenture and Security Agreement Amendment is incorporated into this Item 3.03 by reference.

 

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

Employment Agreements

On the Settlement Date, the Company entered into amendments to the existing employment agreements with Jeff Hastings, Brian Beatty, Brent Whiteley, Mike Scott, Darin Silvernagle, and Ryan Abney.

Each amended employment agreement extends the term of such respective employment agreement until December 31, 2020, with subsequent automatic annual renewals for one year terms unless notice to terminate is provided at least 90 days prior to the expiration of any such term (the “Term”).

The amended employment agreements provide for initial base salaries as follows: Mr. Hastings ($552,780), Mr. Beatty ($552,780), Mr. Whiteley ($403,410), Mr. Scott ($300,600), Mr. Silvernagle ($262,800) and Mr. Abney ($193,500). For any calendar year during the Term in which the prior calendar year’s Free Cash Flow (as defined in the amended employment agreements) equals or exceeds $15 million, the amended employment agreements provide for base salaries as follows: Mr. Hastings ($664,198), Mr. Beatty ($664,198), Mr. Whiteley ($448,231), Mr. Scott ($333,716), Mr. Silvernagle ($291,818) and Mr. Abney ($215,000).


The amended employment agreements provide for participation in the Company’s management incentive programs or arrangements, including (i) an annual cash performance bonus with (1) an annual target amount of 35% of base salary and a guaranteed annual cash performance bonus of at least 17.5% and as much as 52.5% of base salary for Messrs. Hastings and Beatty, and (2) an annual target amount of 30% of base salary and a guaranteed annual cash performance bonus of at least 15% and as much as 45% of base salary for Messrs. Whiteley, Scott, Silvernagle and Abney, in each case, if certain executive goals are achieved, applied to twelve (12) times such executive’s highest paid monthly base salary within the applicable calendar year, and (ii) participation in (a) the Company’s 2018 Long Term Incentive Plan and (b) the Company’s Management Incentive Program, in each case (a) and (b) as described in the Key Revisions to Management Compensation Arrangements term sheet (the “Executive Compensation Term Sheet”) attached to the Restructuring Support Agreement dated as of December 19, 2017, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 20, 2017.

Notwithstanding the paragraph above, for any calendar year during the Term in which the prior calendar year’s Free Cash Flow (as defined in the Amended Employment Agreements) exceeds or equals $15 million, the amended employment agreements provide for (i) an annual cash performance bonus with (1) an annual target amount of 100% of base salary and a guaranteed annual cash performance bonus of at least 50% and as much as 150% of base salary for Messrs. Hastings and Beatty, (2) an annual target amount of 80% of base salary and a guaranteed annual cash performance bonus of at least 40% and as much as 120% of base salary for Mr. Whiteley, (3) an annual target amount of 50% of base salary and a guaranteed annual cash performance bonus of at least 25% and as much as 75% of base salary for Mr. Scott, (4) an annual target amount of 40% of base salary and a guaranteed annual cash performance bonus of at least 20% and as much as 60% of base salary for Mr. Silvernagle and (5) an annual target amount of 35% of base salary and a guaranteed annual cash performance bonus of at least 17.5% and as much as 52.5% of base salary for Mr. Abney, in each case, if certain executive goals are achieved, applied to twelve times such executive’s highest paid monthly base salary within the applicable calendar year.

The amended employment agreements provide that the annual cash performance bonus for the Company’s 2017 fiscal year will be as follows: Mr. Hastings ($555,000), Mr. Beatty ($555,000), Mr. Whiteley ($300,000), Mr. Scott ($140,000), Mr. Silvernagle ($95,000) and Mr. Abney ($63,000).

Each amended employment agreements eliminates certain non-competition obligations of the executive party thereto if the Company elects not to renew the Term at the expiration of the then current Term.

Except as specifically modified by the amended employment agreements, the underlying employment agreements remain in full force and effect in accordance with all of the terms and conditions thereof.

Additionally, each executive is eligible for awards under the 2018 Plan (as defined below). The Executive Compensation Term Sheet provides that the target aggregate value of the awards under the 2018 Plan (as a percentage of the executive’s annual base salary) to be granted to each executive for any calendar year are as follows: Mr. Hastings (60%), Mr. Beatty (60%), Mr. Whiteley (40%), Mr. Scott (35%), Mr. Silvernagle (14%) and Mr. Abney (12%). For any calendar year during the Term in which the prior calendar year’s Free Cash Flow (as defined in the 2018 Plan) equals or exceeds $15 million, the Executive Compensation Term Sheet provides that the target aggregate value of the awards under the 2018 Plan (as a percentage of the executive’s annual base salary) to be granted to each executive for such calendar year are as follows: Mr. Hastings (20%), Mr. Beatty (20%), Mr. Whiteley (13%), Mr. Scott (11%), Mr. Silvernagle (4.6%) and Mr. Abney (3.9%).

The summary of the amended employment agreements set forth in this Item 5.02 does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Form of Employment Agreement Amendment, a copy of which is being filed as Exhibit 10.4 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

2018 Long Term Incentive Plan

On January 26, 2018 the Board of Directors of the Company approved and adopted, subject to effectiveness, the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”), the administration of which has been delegated by the Board of Directors to the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). On January 26, 2018, the Company received written consents from the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding (the “Consenting Stockholders”) approving and adopting, subject to effectiveness, the 2018 Plan. The 2018 Plan was approved by stockholder written consent pursuant to Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and Section 2.12 of the Company’s bylaws, which permit any action that may be taken at a meeting of the stockholders to be taken by written consent by the holders of the number of shares of stock required to approve the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote were present and voted. Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), an Information Statement on Schedule 14C has been filed with the Commission and will be sent to stockholders who did not execute the written consent approving the 2018 Plan. The 2018 Plan will become effective twenty calendar days following the date that the definitive Information Statement is sent.

Purpose

The purpose of the 2018 Plan is to provide a means through which the Company and its subsidiaries may attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means whereby directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation.

Eligibility

The Company’s directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors and those of the Company’s subsidiaries, will be eligible for awards, provided that incentive stock options may be granted only to employees. A written agreement between the Company and each participant will evidence the terms of each award granted under the 2018 Plan other than any cash-based award.


Shares Subject to the 2018 Plan; Award Limitations

Subject to adjustment to reflect certain corporate transactions or changes in the Company’s capital structure, the shares that may be issued pursuant to awards will be the Company’s Common Stock subject to the following limitations: an aggregate of 19,500,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued under the 2018 Plan, which includes 17,261,500 shares of Common Stock that may be issued in respect of MIP Awards (as defined below), which is equal to ten percent (10%) of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis after giving effect to dilution from full conversion of the Preferred Shares and full exercise of the Series C Warrants (the “MIP Reserve”). No more than 100,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted in respect of incentive stock options under the 2018 Plan to any single participant during any single calendar year; and no more than 50,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted in respect of MIP Awards to any single participant who is a non-employee director for a single calendar year.

Administration

The Compensation Committee will administer the 2018 Plan. Among other responsibilities, the Compensation Committee will select participants and determine the type of awards to be granted to participants, the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by awards and the terms and conditions of awards (including exercise price, methods of payment and vesting schedules), may accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, or the lapse of restrictions on, awards, and may make any other determination and take any other action that it deems necessary or desirable to administer the 2018 Plan.

Amendment or Termination

The 2018 Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the earlier of its adoption by the Board of Directors of the Company or approval by the Company’s stockholders, unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors of the Company. No awards will be granted under the 2018 Plan after that date, but awards granted prior to that date may continue beyond such date, subject to the terms and conditions of the 2018 Plan. The Board of Directors of the Company may amend or terminate the 2018 Plan (or any portion thereof) at any time. Subject to the terms of the award agreement, the Compensation Committee may amend or terminate any award granted under the 2018 Plan. Amendments will not be effective without stockholder approval if stockholder approval is required by applicable law or stock exchange requirements. If any amendment or termination of the 2018 Plan or award would materially and adversely affect the rights of any participant, such amendment or termination will not become effective unless the affected participant consents.

Options

The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, grant incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options to participants. All options granted under the 2018 Plan will be nonqualified stock options unless the award agreement states that the option is an incentive stock option. Directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors may be granted nonqualified stock options, but only employees may be granted incentive stock options. The Compensation Committee will determine the exercise price of options granted under the 2018 Plan. Subject to certain exceptions, the exercise price of an incentive or nonqualified stock option shall be at least 100% (and in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a more than 10% stockholder, 110%) of the fair market value of the Common Stock subject to the option on the date the option is granted. The Compensation Committee will determine, in its sole discretion, the terms of each option. Options may not be exercisable for more than ten years from the date they are granted (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a more than 10% stockholder).

Acceptable consideration for the purchase of the Company’s Common Stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will include cash, check, cash equivalent and/or shares of the Company’s Common Stock (or attestation thereof), and the Compensation Committee may permit other forms of consideration, including (1) a broker-assisted cashless exercise or (2) a reduction of the number of shares deliverable upon exercise. Any fractional amounts will be settled in cash.

Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee in the award agreement or otherwise, unvested options will terminate upon the termination of employment or service of a participant and vested options will remain exercisable for one year following the participant’s termination of employment or service by reason of the participant’s death or disability and ninety days after the participant’s termination for any other reason other than for cause (as defined in the 2018 Plan). Vested options also will terminate upon the participant’s termination for cause.


Stock Appreciation Rights/SARs

The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, grant SARs to participants. Generally, SARs permit a participant to exercise the right and receive a payment equal to the value of the Company’s Common Stock’s appreciation over a period of time in excess of the fair market value of a share of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant of the SAR. SARs may be granted alone or in tandem with options and may be settled in cash, stock or a combination thereof. If a SAR is granted in tandem with an option, the SAR will become exercisable and will expire according to the same vesting schedule and expiration provisions as such option. A SAR granted independent of an option will become exercisable and will expire in such manner and on such date(s) as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will determine, in its sole discretion, the terms of each SAR.

Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee in the award agreement or otherwise, unvested SARs will terminate upon the termination of employment or service of a participant and vested SARs will remain exercisable for one year following the participant’s termination of employment or service by reason of the participant’s death or disability and ninety days after the participant’s termination for any other reason other than for cause. Vested SARs also will terminate upon the participant’s termination for cause.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards

The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, grant restricted stock and/or restricted stock units (a hypothetical account that is paid in the form of shares of Common Stock or cash or a combination of both) to participants. The Compensation Committee will determine, in its sole discretion, the terms of each restricted stock and restricted stock unit award. Subject to the terms of the award, the recipients of restricted stock generally will have the rights and privileges of a stockholder with respect to the restricted stock, including the right to vote the stock. Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Compensation Committee and attributable to any particular share of restricted stock will be distributed to the participant in cash or shares of Common Stock upon the release of the restrictions applicable to such award. If a restricted stock award is forfeited, the participant will have no right to such dividends unless otherwise provided in the award agreement.

Upon the grant of a restricted stock award, the shares underlying the award will be registered in the name of the participant. Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee in an award agreement or otherwise, restricted stock units will generally be settled in shares of Common Stock. However, the Compensation Committee will have discretion to pay restricted stock units, upon settlement, in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof.

Other Stock-Based Awards

The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may award unrestricted shares of Common Stock, or other awards denominated in Common Stock, to participants either alone or in tandem with other awards. The Compensation Committee will determine, in its sole discretion, the terms of each other stock-based award.

Cash-Based Awards

The Compensation Committee may award cash-based awards that are denominated or payable in cash to participants, either alone or in tandem with other awards. The Compensation Committee will determine, in its sole discretion, the terms of each other cash-based award.

MIP Awards

The Compensation Committee shall make grants of restricted stock units consistent with the relevant terms of the Restructuring Support Agreement covering shares of Common Stock subject to the MIP Reserve and to the following terms (“MIP Awards”):

Sixty percent (60%) of the MIP Reserve shall be granted pursuant to MIP Awards to members of the Company’s senior management promptly following the consummation of the Exchange Offer (“Initial MIP Awards”). The remaining 40% of the MIP Reserve shall be allocated to MIP Awards based on the recommendation of the Company’s chief executive officer, subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee (the “Reserved MIP Awards”).

Subject to a participant’s continuing employment on the applicable vesting date, the Initial MIP Awards shall vest as follows: (i) 25% of each Initial MIP Award shall vest on the 18-month anniversary of the consummation of the Exchange Offer, (ii) 25% of each Initial MIP Award shall vest on the second anniversary of the consummation of the Exchange Offer and (iii) the remaining 50% of each Initial MIP Award shall vest on the third anniversary of the consummation of the Exchange Offer.


Subject to a participant’s continuing employment on the applicable vesting date, the Reserved MIP Awards shall become vested in accordance with vesting criteria established by the Compensation Committee; provided, that, the Reserved MIP Awards shall become fully vested no later than December 31, 2021.

In addition to the time-based vesting of MIP Awards, and subject to a participant’s continuing employment on the applicable vesting event, 100% of a participant’s MIP Awards will vest in full on the earliest to occur of: (i) the participant’s attainment of age 64, (ii) December 31, 2020, if the participant’s Employment Agreement is not renewed, and (iii) the termination of the participant’s employment for any reason other than (A) a termination for Cause (as defined in the applicable executive’s Employment Agreement) or (B) a termination by such Executive without Good Reason (as defined in the applicable executive’s Employment Agreement).

MIP Awards shall be settled in shares of Common Stock promptly upon the applicable vesting date(s) and/or vesting events by issuing one share of Common Stock in settlement for each restricted stock unit, notwithstanding the foregoing, Reserved MIP Awards shall be settled on the payroll date following January 1 of a given year with respect to Reserved MIP Awards that became vested in the prior calendar year to the extent vested within 30 days after each year end during the vesting period.

In the event of the termination of a participant’s employment for cause, all MIP Awards not previously settled, shall terminate and be forfeited. In the event of the termination of a participant’s employment by a participant without Good Reason all unvested MIP Awards shall terminate and vested MIP Awards shall be settled in accordance with the applicable settlement provisions.

Adjustments in Capitalization

In general, in the event of (1) any dividend (other than regular cash dividends) or other distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, combination, or other similar corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a “change in control” (as defined in the 2018 Plan)) that affects the shares of the Company’s Common Stock, (2) unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, a “change in control”) affecting the Company, any of the Company’s subsidiaries, or the Company’s or any of the Company’s subsidiaries’ financial statements, or (3) changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system, accounting principles or law, necessary or appropriate equitable adjustments (as determined by the Compensation Committee) will be made, including to the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock or other of the Company’s securities (or number and kind of other securities or other property) that may be delivered in respect of awards or with respect to which awards may be granted under the 2018 Plan or any other limit applicable under the 2018 Plan with respect to the number of awards which may be granted under the 2018 Plan, and the terms of any outstanding award, including the number of shares of Common Stock or other of the Company’s securities (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding awards or to which outstanding awards relate, the exercise or strike price with respect to any award or any applicable performance measures. In addition, the Compensation Committee may provide for a substitution or assumption of awards, the acceleration of the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, awards or provide for a period of time for exercise prior to the occurrence of such event or cancel any award and cause a payment (in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other property or any combination thereof) to be made to the award holders equal to the value of such awards, if any, as determined by the Compensation Committee.

Change in Control

In the event of a “change in control,” the Compensation Committee may (1) provide that all options and SARs will become immediately exercisable as of a time prior to the “change in control,” (2) provide that any restricted period imposed upon awards will expire as of a time prior to the “change in control,” (3) provide that any performance periods in effect on the date of the “change in control” shall end, the extent to which performance goals have been met with respect to each such performance period will be determined, and participants will receive payment of awards for such performance periods, based upon the determination of the degree of attainment of the performance goals, the assumption that the applicable “target” levels of performance have been attained or on such other basis determined by the Compensation Committee, and (4) cause any deferred awards to be settled as soon as practicable.


Section 409A

The 2018 Plan and the awards that may be granted thereunder are intended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and shall be administered, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent; provided, that, neither the Company, any affiliates, the Board of Directors of the Company, the Compensation Committee nor any other party guarantees such compliance or exemption and no such party shall have any liability to any participant if an award intended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code does not comply or is not exempt from Section 409A of the Code as intended.

Transferability

Awards will generally not be transferable, but all awards will be transferable upon the participant’s death by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Compensation Committee may permit awards, other than incentive stock options, to be transferred to the participant’s family members, a trust solely for the benefit of the participant or his or her family members, a partnership or limited liability company whose only partners or stockholders are the participant or his or her family members, or any other transferee as may be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Compensation Committee. Designating a beneficiary will not be considered a transfer.

Clawback/Repayment

All awards are subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with (1) any clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Compensation Committee and as in effect from time to time, and (2) applicable law.

Award Agreements

The terms and conditions of awards under the 2018 Plan will be outlined in a written award agreement between the Company and the participant.

Effect on the 2016 Plan

No further awards will be made under the Company’s 2016 Amended & Restated Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) upon the effectiveness of the 2018 Plan, and the remaining shares available for future awards under the 2016 Plan will be cancelled. Awards already granted under the 2016 Plan shall continue to be administered under the 2016 Plan until such time as those awards are exercised, expired or become unexercisable for any reason.

Other than as set forth above, it is not presently possible to determine the benefits or amounts that will be received by the Company’s named executive officers or its other employees pursuant to the 2018 Plan in the future, nor is it possible to determine the dollar value of the awards.

The summary of the 2018 Plan set forth in this Item 5.02 does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the 2018 Plan, a form of which is being filed as Exhibit 10.5 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

The description of the Series A Certificate of Designations and Series B Certificate of Designations set forth above under Item 3.02 is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of the Series A Certificate of Designations and Series B Certificate of Designations are summaries only and are qualified in their entirety by the complete text of the Series A Certificate of Designations and Series B Certificate of Designations, copies of which are filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.

The Company has filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware the Series A Certificate of Designations to designate 35,000 shares of its preferred stock as the 8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock, effective January 29, 2018. The Company has filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware the Series B Certificate of Designations to designate 945,000 shares of its preferred stock as the Mandatorily Convertible Series B Preferred Stock, effective January 29, 2018


Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

On January 26, 2018, the Consenting Stockholders adopted resolutions by written consent, in lieu of a meeting of stockholders, to (1) amend the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) to increase the amount of authorized shares of Common Stock from 55,000,000 to 200,000,000 (the “Share Increase”), (2) authorize the issuance of a number of shares of Common Stock in an amount up to 92.76% of the currently outstanding shares of Common Stock, on a fully diluted basis as of the closing of the Exchange Offer (approximately 131,292,475 shares) on January 29, 2018 to eligible holders of the Existing Notes and eligible holders of the Stub Notes who tendered their Existing Notes and Stub Notes in the Exchange Offer (the “Share Issuance”), (3) amend the Company’s Charter to include each of Whitebox Advisors LLC, BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC, and Highbridge Capital Management, LLC as a Principal Stockholder (as defined in the Charter) and provide that each Principal Stockholder shall have the right to designate one director nominee for the Board of Directors of the Company for so long as such Principal Stockholder holds more than 9% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock (the “Principal Stockholder Provision”), (4) amend the Company’s Second Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “Bylaws”) to include each of Whitebox Advisors LLC, BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC, and Highbridge Capital Management, LLC as a Principal Stockholder (as defined in the Bylaws) and update instances in the Bylaws that required a Principal Stockholder to own 10% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock to now require a Principal Stockholder to own 9% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock (the “Bylaws Update”) and (5) approve the 2018 Plan.

The amendment to the Charter reflecting the Share Increase and Principal Stockholder Provision (the “Charter Amendment”), the amendment to the Bylaws reflecting the Bylaws Update (the “Bylaws Amendment”), the Share Issuance and the 2018 Plan were approved by stockholder written consent pursuant to Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and Section 2.12 of the Bylaws, which permit any action that may be taken at a meeting of the stockholders to be taken by written consent by the holders of the number of shares of stock required to approve the action. All necessary corporate approvals in connection with the adoption of the Charter Amendment, the Bylaws Amendment, the Share Issuance and the 2018 Plan have been obtained.

Pursuant to rules adopted by the Commission, an Information Statement on Schedule 14C has been filed with the Commission and will be sent to stockholders who did not execute the written consent approving the Charter Amendment, the Bylaws Amendment and the 2018 Plan. The Bylaws Amendment and the 2018 Plan will become effective twenty calendar days following the date that the definitive Information Statement is sent, and the Charter Amendment will be filed and become effective twenty calendar days following the date that the definitive Information Statement is sent, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable.

The 2018 Plan is described under Item 5.02 and a description of the Charter Amendment and the Bylaws Amendment will be filed on a subsequent Current Report on Form 8-K, upon their effectiveness.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On January 30, 2018, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the Exchange Offer. The press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

The information in this Item 8.01, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information in this Item 8.01 shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws, with respect to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and business, and expectations or beliefs concerning future events. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by phrases such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans to,” “ought,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “appears,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “outlook” or other similar words or phrases. There are inherent risks and uncertainties in any forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements to reflect events, new information or otherwise. Some of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations are discussed below. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.


You should refer to the Company’s periodic and current reports filed with the SEC and the risk factors from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017 for specific risks which would cause actual results to be significantly different from those expressed or implied by any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. It is not possible to identify all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect future results. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers of this report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   

Description

3.1    Certificate of Designations of 8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock.
3.2    Certificate of Designations of Mandatorily Convertible Series B Preferred Stock.
4.1    First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 26, 2018, to Indenture, dated July  27, 2016, by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee and noteholder collateral agent.
10.1    Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 29, 2018, by and among the Company and the holders named therein.
10.2    Warrant Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2018 between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent.
10.3    Amendment No. 1, dated January 26, 2018, to Security Agreement, dated July  27, 2016, by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as noteholder collateral agent.
10.4    Form of Employment Agreement Amendment.
10.5    Form of SAExploration Holdings, Inc. 2018 Long Term Incentive Plan, adopted by the Board of Directors on January 26, 2018.
99.1    Press Release dated January 30, 2018.


SIGNATURE

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

 

    SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
Date: February 1, 2018     By:   /s/ Brent Whiteley
    Name:   Brent Whiteley
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

OF

8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK

OF

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.

Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), certifies that pursuant to the resolutions of the Board of Directors adopted on January 26, 2018, the creation of 8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Series A Preferred Stock ”), of the Company was authorized and the designation, preferences, privileges, voting rights, and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Series A Preferred Stock, in addition to those set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws, are fixed as follows:

1. Designation and Amount; Ranking.

(a) There shall be created from the 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company authorized to be issued pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of preferred stock, designated as the “8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock,” par value $0.0001 per share, and the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall initially be 35,000, which number shall be increased by the number of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued as PIK Dividends. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company, or that are converted into shares of Common Stock, shall be cancelled and shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

(b) The Series A Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, ranks: (i) senior to all Junior Stock; (ii) on a parity, in all respects, with all Parity Stock; and (iii) junior to all Senior Stock, in each case, as provided more fully herein.

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) “ Accumulated Dividends ” shall mean, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date, the aggregate accumulated and unpaid dividends on such share from the Issue Date until such date. There shall be no Accumulated Dividends with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock prior to the Issue Date.

(b) “ Adjusted EBITDA ” for any period shall mean net income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, plus interest expense, plus income taxes, plus share-based compensation, plus loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment, plus costs incurred on debt restructuring, plus foreign exchange loss (gain) and plus nonrecurring one-time expenses, in each case for such period.

(c) “ Adjusting Issuance ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8(e) .


(d) “ Affiliate ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it, on the date hereof, under Rule 144.

(e) “ Agent Members ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  14(a)(ii) .

(f) “ Alaska Tax Credits ” shall mean any tax credit, refund or refund claim relating to Alaska oil and gas production tax credits.

(g) “ Alaska Tax Credits Redemption ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  5(a) .

(h) “ Board of Directors ” or “ Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company or, with respect to any action to be taken by the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors duly authorized to take such action.

(i) “ Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

(j) “ By -Laws ” shall mean the Second Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, as may be amended, amended and restated, or otherwise modified from time to time.

(k) “ Capital Stock ” shall mean, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity.

(l) “ Cash Dividends ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  4(a) .

(m) “ Certificate of Incorporation ” shall mean the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated as of September 6, 2016, as may be amended, amended and restated, or otherwise modified from time to time.

(n) “ Change of Control ” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the direct or indirect 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 properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) other than a Permitted Holder; (ii) the adoption or the approval by the holders of Capital Stock of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (iii) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any person, other than a Permitted Holder, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or (iv) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Voting Stock

 

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of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance).

(o) “ close of business ” shall mean 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).

(p) “ Common Stock ” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, subject to Section  10(e) .

(q) “ Company ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble.

(r) “ Company Redemption ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  5(b) .

(s) “ Covered Preferred Conversion ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8(e) .

(t) “ Conversion Blocker ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8(c) .

(u) “ Conversion Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8(g) .

(v) “ Conversion Rate ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8(d) .

(w) “ Credit Facility ” shall mean the First Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2017, by and among SAExploration, Inc., the Company, SAExploration Sub, Inc., SAExploration Seismic Services (US), LLC, and NES, LLC, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Cantor Fitzgerald Securities, as agent, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to First Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2017, as in effect on the Settlement Date or as may thereafter be further amended, restated, modified, supplemented, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time that extend the maturity of, refinance, replace or otherwise restructure all or any portion of the indebtedness under such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

(x) “ Credit Facility Applicable Amount ” shall mean, at any time, (i) the lesser of (x) the aggregate principal amount outstanding at such time under the Credit Facility (together with interest and fees due thereon but disregarding any borrowings outstanding thereunder that were made within 5 days of such time) and (y) $20,000,000.00 (together with any applicable interest, fees and other obligations), less (ii) the cumulative amount of repayments of indebtedness under the Credit Facility directly or indirectly using the proceeds of any monetizations of Alaska Tax Credits.

(y) “ Daily VWAP ” shall mean, for any Trading Day, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on the Bloomberg page for the Company’s Common Stock (or any successor thereto) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading on the principal trading market

 

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for the Common Stock to the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (including any extensions thereof) (or if such volume-weighted average price is not available, the market value of one share of Common Stock on such Trading Days, as the Board of Directors reasonably determines in good faith using a volume-weighted average method). The “ Daily VWAP ” will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours (including any extensions thereof).

(z) “ Determination Date ” shall mean, with respect to each Dividend Period, the 15th calendar day immediately prior to the first day of such Dividend Period.

(aa) “ Diluted Basis ” shall mean, with respect to any calculation, such calculation made assuming the exercise of all of the Series C Warrants and the conversion or exercise of all other outstanding securities or instruments of the Company that is convertible or exercisable into Common Stock, other than any unconverted Series A Preferred Stock.

(bb) “ Disqualified Stock ” shall mean any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Existing Notes mature, except to the extent that such Capital Stock is solely redeemable with, or solely exchangeable for, any capital stock of such Person that is not Disqualified Stock. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 of the Existing Notes Indenture and Section 4.07 of the Stub Notes Indenture. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of the Existing Notes Indenture shall be the maximum amount that the Company and its restricted Subsidiaries would become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Existing Notes mature.

(cc) “ Distributed Property ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  10(a)(iii) .

(dd) “ Dividend Payment Date ” shall mean January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, of each year, commencing on April 1, 2018.

(ee) “ Dividend Period ” shall mean the period commencing on and including a dividend payment date and ending on but excluding the next succeeding dividend payment date, with the exception that the first Dividend Period shall commence on and include the Settlement Date and end on but exclude the first scheduled dividend payment date.

 

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(ff) “ Dividend Rate ” shall mean the rate per annum of 8.0% per share of Series A Preferred Stock on the Liquidation Preference.

(gg) “ Dividend Record Date ” shall mean, with respect to any Dividend Payment Date, December 15, March 15, June 15 and September 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding such Dividend Payment Date.

(hh) “ DTC ” or “ Depository ” shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any successor depository.

(ii) “ Effective Date ,” when used with respect to any issuance, dividend or distribution on the Common Stock, shall mean the first date on which the shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.

(jj) “ Ex-Date ,” when used with respect to any issuance, dividend or distribution on the Common Stock, shall mean the first date on which the Common Stock trades on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such issuance, dividend or distribution from the Company or, if applicable, from the seller of the Common Stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market.

(kk) “ Excess Alaska Tax Credits Proceeds Amount ” shall mean, as of any time, the excess (if positive) of (i) the cumulative amount of proceeds from any monetizations of Alaska Tax Credits that have been received as of such time by the Company and its Subsidiaries over (ii) the Secured Facilities Threshold Amount as of such time.

(ll) “ Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(mm) “ Exchange Offer ” shall mean the Company’s offer to exchange any and all of its Existing Notes and any and all of its Stub Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest from and including January 15, 2018 thereon, for up to (i) 1,883,964 newly issued shares of Common Stock, (ii) 35,000 newly issued shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, (iii) 945,000 newly issued shares of the Series B Preferred Stock (which is mandatorily convertible into 20,542,196 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain conditions), and (iv) 8,169,822 Series C Warrants to purchase 8,169,822 shares of Common Stock, pursuant to that certain Exchange Offer Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement dated December 22, 2017.

(nn) “ Existing Notes ” shall mean the 10.000% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2019 of the Company, as governed by the Existing Notes Indenture.

 

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(oo) “ Existing Notes Indenture ” shall mean that certain indenture, dated as of July 27, 2016, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto from time to time and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee and noteholder collateral agent.

(pp) “ Free Cash Flow ” shall mean, with respect to any Determination Date, Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve-month period prior to such Determination Date for which internal consolidated financial statements for the Company and its subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP are available, less capital expenditures for such twelve-month period.

(qq) “ GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time. Any accounting terms used but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them under GAAP.

(rr) “ Global Series A Preferred Stock ” shall have the meaning specified in Section (i) .

(ss) “ Governmental Authority ” means (a) any national, supranational, federal, state, provincial, county, municipal or local government or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, quasi-judicial, arbitral, regulatory, taxing or administrative functions of or pertaining to government and (b) any agency, commission, division, bureau, department, court, tribunal, instrumentality, authority, quasi-governmental authority or other political subdivision of any government, entity or organization described in the foregoing clause (a), in each case, whether U.S. or non-U.S.

(tt) “ Holder ” shall mean a holder of record of the Series A Preferred Stock.

(uu) “ Issue Date ” shall mean January 29, 2018, the original date of issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock.

(vv) “ Junior Stock ” shall mean the Common Stock, all other classes of the Company’s common stock and each other class of Capital Stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date, the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to or on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

(ww) “ Law ” means any Order, law, statute, regulation, code, ordinance, policy, rule, consent decree, consent order or other requirement of any Governmental Authority.

(xx) “ Liquidation Preference ” shall mean, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, $1,000.00, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section  10 .

(yy) “ Mandatory Conversion Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  11(b) .

(zz) “ Market Disruption Event ” means the occurrence or existence on any Trading Day of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the stock exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to the Common Stock, and such suspension or limitation occurs or exists at any time within the 30 minutes prior to the scheduled close of trading on such Trading Day.

 

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(aaa) “ Market Value ” shall mean the average of the per share volume-weighted average prices of the Common Stock for each day during a 15 consecutive Trading Day period ending immediately prior to the date of determination, as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “[SAEX] <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on each such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable on any such Trading Day, the closing sale price shall be used for such Trading Day). The per share volume-weighted average price on each such Trading Day shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.

(bbb) “ MIP ” shall mean the management incentive plan entered into by certain members of senior management of the Company in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

(ccc) “ New Common Shares ” shall mean the 1,883,964 shares of Common Stock issued in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

(ddd) “ Non -Conversion Period ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8(b) .

(eee) “ Officer ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person; provided that, in the case of a limited or general partnership, limited liability company or other Person that is not a corporation, the term “Officer” shall also include any of the foregoing officers of a direct or indirect general partner, managing member or other similar Person.

(fff) “ Officers’ Certificate ” shall mean a certificate signed by two Officers.

(ggg) “ open of business ” shall mean 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).

(hhh) “ Order ” means any award, injunction, judgment, decree, order, ruling, subpoena or verdict or other decision issued, promulgated or entered by or with a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction.

(iii) “ Parity Stock ” shall mean any class of Capital Stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

 

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(jjj) “ Permitted Holders ” shall mean (i) any holder of Existing Notes that executes that certain Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2017, by and among the Company, SAExploration, Inc., SAExploration Sub, Inc., SAExploration Seismic Services (US), LLC, NES, LLC and the Supporting Holdings identified thereon, including pursuant to a joinder thereto and any Related Party thereof, (ii) any Person acting in the capacity of an underwriter or initial purchaser in connection with a public or private offering of the Capital Stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent entity or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such Capital Stock, (iii) any immediate family member (in the case of an individual) of a Person described in clause (i) above, (iv) any trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, of whose Voting Stock more than 50% is beneficially owned by one or more Permitted Holders and (v) any co-investor in any Person described in clause (iv) above.

(kkk) “ Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

(lll) “ PIK Dividends ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  4(b) .

(mmm) “ Qualified Investment ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8(e) .

(nnn) “ Record Date ” shall mean, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of the Common Stock (or other applicable security) have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock (or such other security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Common Stock (or such other security) entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of Directors, statute, contract or otherwise).

(ooo) “ Redemption ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  5(b) .

(ppp) “ Reference Property ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  10(e) .

(qqq) “ Registration Rights Agreement ” shall mean that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Settlement Date, by and between the Company and certain holders of Common Stock, entered into in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

(rrr) “ Related Party ” of a Person shall mean (i) any fund manager of such Person or any fund or account under common management with such Person, (ii) any controlling equityholder of such Person and (iii) any Person of whose Voting Stock more than 50% is beneficially owned by such Person.

(sss) “ Reorganization Event ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  10(e) .

 

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(ttt) “ Restricted Ownership Percentage ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8(c) .

(uuu) “ Rule 144 ” shall mean Rule 144 as promulgated under the Securities Act.

(vvv) “ SEC ” or “ Commission ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(www) “ Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(xxx) “ Secured Facilities Threshold Amount ” shall mean, as of any time, the sum of (i) the Credit Facility Applicable Amount as of such time (if positive), plus (ii) the Senior Loan Facility Applicable Amount (if positive).

(yyy) “ Senior Loan Facility ” shall mean the Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2016, by and among the Company, SAExploration, Inc., SAExploration Sub, Inc., SAExploration Seismic Services (US), LLC, and NES, LLC, Delaware Trust Company, as collateral agent and administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, as further amended by Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2017, as in effect on the Settlement Date or as may thereafter be further amended, restated, modified, supplemented, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time that extend the maturity of, refinance, replace or otherwise restructure all or any portion of the indebtedness under such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

(zzz) “ Senior Loan Facility Applicable Amount ” shall mean, as of any time, (i) $29,000,000.00 (together with any interest, fees and other obligations), minus (ii) the cumulative amount at such time of all permanent repayments of indebtedness under the Senior Loan Facility (other than any permanent repayments made to refinance or replace such indebtedness) that have been made since the Settlement Date.

(aaaa) “ Senior Stock ” shall mean any class of the Company’s Capital Stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

(bbbb) “ Series A Preferred Stock ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble.

(cccc) “ Series B Preferred Stock ” shall mean the series of preferred stock of the Company, designated as the “Mandatorily Convertible Series B Preferred Stock,” par value $0.0001 per share, which was issued in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

 

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(dddd) “ Series C Warrants ” shall mean the 8,169,822 warrants to purchase 8,169,822 shares of Common Stock, which warrants were issued in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

(eeee) “ Settlement Date ” shall mean January 29, 2018.

(ffff) “ Shareholder Approval ” shall mean the approval by holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of (i) the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock authorized for issuance in an amount to provide a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of New Common Shares and for the issuance of the shares upon conversion of all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, and upon exercise of the Series C Warrants, and (ii) such approval as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of NASDAQ (or any successor entity) from the shareholders of the Company with respect to the issuance of New Common Shares and the issuance of the shares upon conversion of all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock and upon exercise of the Series C Warrants in excess of 19.99% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock on the Settlement Date.

(gggg) “ Spin-Off ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  10(a)(iii) .

(hhhh) “ Strategic Investor ” shall mean (i) any Person that is a competitor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (ii) a vendor, supplier or customer of the primary business products and services of the Company or its Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, vendors, suppliers and customers in the seismic data acquisition and logistical support service sector of the oil and natural gas industry, (iii) any Person which, in connection with the issuance of shares to such Person, enters into a significant commercial transaction with the Company which is directly related to the Company’s business, or otherwise is of strategic value to the Company, and (iv) any Subsidiary of such Person, strategic investor, vendor, supplier or customer specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) as reasonably determined, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), by the Board of Directors.

(iiii) “ Strategic Investor Preferred Conversion Adjustment ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8(e) .

(jjjj) “ Stub Notes ” shall mean the 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 of the Company, as governed by the Stub Notes Indenture.

(kkkk) “ Stub Notes Indenture ” shall mean that certain indenture, dated as of June 29, 2014, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto from time to time and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as successor trustee and noteholder collateral agent to U.S. Bank National Association, as amended by that certain First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2016, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto from time to time and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as successor trustee and noteholder collateral agent to U.S. Bank National Association.

 

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(llll) “ Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

(mmmm) “ Trading Day ” shall mean a day during which (i) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on the NASDAQ Capital Market or, if the Common Stock is not listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, on the principal other national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not listed on a national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading and (ii) there is no Market Disruption Event. If the Common Stock is not so listed or traded, “ Trading Day ” shall mean a Business Day.

(nnnn) “ Transfer Agent ” shall mean Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as the Company’s duly appointed transfer agent, registrar, conversion agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Series A Preferred Stock. The Company may, in its sole discretion, remove the Transfer Agent with 10 days’ prior notice to the Transfer Agent and Holders; provided that the Company shall appoint a successor Transfer Agent who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal.

(oooo) “ Transfer Restricted Securities ” shall mean (i) each share of Series A Preferred Stock or Common Stock into which such share of Series A Preferred Stock is converted required to bear the legend set forth in Section  14(c)(vi) , and (ii) any shares of Common Stock issued as a dividend on any Transfer Restricted Security.

(pppp) “ Voting Stock ” of a Person, as of any time, shall mean the equity securities of such Person that at such time are entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such Person.

(qqqq) “ Warrant Election Option ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  11(a) .

3. Dividends.

(a) Holders shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds of the Company legally available for payment, cumulative dividends at the Dividend Rate. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall be payable quarterly in arrears at the Dividend Rate, and shall accumulate, whether or not earned or declared, from the most recent date to which dividends have been paid, or, if no dividends have been paid, from the Issue Date (whether or not in any dividend period or periods there shall be funds of the Company legally available for the payment of such dividends), and shall be paid in cash or, subject to certain conditions, in additional shares

 

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of Series A Preferred Stock, in each case as provided pursuant to Section  4 . Dividends shall be payable in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date (commencing on April 1, 2018) to the holders of record of Series A Preferred Stock as they appear on the Company’s stock register at the close of business on the relevant Dividend Record Date. Accumulations of dividends on shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not bear interest. Dividends payable for any period less than a full dividend period (based upon the number of days elapsed during the period) shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

(b) No dividend shall be declared or paid upon, or any sum set apart for the payment of dividends upon, any outstanding share of the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to any dividend period unless all dividends for all preceding dividend periods have been declared and paid, or declared and a sufficient sum has been set apart for the payment of such dividend, upon all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

(c) No dividends or other distributions (other than a dividend or distribution payable solely in shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock (in the case of Parity Stock) or Junior Stock (in the case of Junior Stock) and cash, which shall not exceed $1,000.00 per fractional share, in lieu of fractional shares) may be declared, made or paid, or set apart for payment upon, any Parity Stock or Junior Stock, nor may any Parity Stock or Junior Stock be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration or retired for value (or any money paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any Parity Stock or Junior Stock) by the Company or on behalf of the Company (except by (i) conversion into or exchange for shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock (in the case of Parity Stock) or Junior Stock (in the case of Junior Stock) and cash, which shall not exceed $1,000.00 per fractional share, solely in lieu of fractional shares of any such shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock and (ii) payments in connection with the satisfaction of employees’ tax withholding obligations pursuant to employee benefit plans or outstanding awards (and payment of any corresponding requisite amounts to the appropriate governmental authority)), unless, in either case of clause (i) or (ii), above, all Accumulated Dividends shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid, or are declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for such payment, on the Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock for all dividend payment periods ending on or prior to the date of such declaration, payment, redemption, purchase or acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if full dividends have not been paid on the Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock, dividends may be declared and paid on the Series A Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock so long as the dividends are declared and paid pro rata so that the amounts of dividends declared per share on the Series A Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock bear to each other.

(d) Holders shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends.

 

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4. Method of Payment of Dividends.

(a) Except as provided in Section  4(b) , dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall be payable entirely in cash (“ Cash Dividends ”).

(b) For any Dividend Period, if the Company’s Free Cash Flow as determined on the Determination Date for such Dividend Period is $15,000,000.00 or less, then the Company shall pay dividends on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock by increasing the amount of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held in book entry form or, in the case of certificated Series A Preferred Stock, issuing new shares of certificated Series A Preferred Stock, in each case, in an amount equal to such dividend (“ PIK Dividends ”). Whenever the Company pays a PIK Dividend, each share of Series A Preferred Stock paid in connection therewith shall have a deemed value for such purpose equal to the Liquidation Preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock, and the number of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock issuable to Holders in connection with the payment of a PIK Dividend will be, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, the number (or fraction) obtained from the quotient of (x) the amount of the applicable PIK Dividend per share of Series A Preferred Stock, divided by (y) the Liquidation Preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock.

(c) The insufficiency or lack of funds available to the Company to pay Cash Dividends as required by Section  4(a) shall not permit the Company to pay PIK Dividends in respect of any Dividend Period and the sole circumstances in which the Company shall pay PIK Dividends shall be as (and to the extent) provided in Section  4(b) .

(d) If the Company shall be required to pay PIK Dividends for any Dividend Period, then the Company shall issue a press release not less than five Business Days prior to the commencement of such Dividend Period, which press release shall state the total amount of dividends to be paid on the Dividend Payment Date on which such Dividend Period ends and the amount of such dividends to be paid as PIK Dividends on such Dividend Payment Date.

(e) All shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued as PIK Dividends will be governed by, and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of, the Certificate of Incorporation and will have the same rights and benefits as the shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued on the Settlement Date.

(f) If a Dividend Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the dividend to be made on such Dividend Payment Date will be made, without penalty, on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Dividend Payment Date.

 

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5. Redemption.

(a) If, at any time, the Excess Alaska Tax Credits Proceeds Amount that has not previously been applied towards an Alaska Tax Credit Redemption exceeds $2,000,000.00, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be required to use such unapplied Excess Alaska Tax Credits Proceeds Amount to redeem, on a pro rata basis, the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock for cash on a redemption date to occur within 30 days after receipt by the Company or such Subsidiary of funds from the monetization of Alaska Tax Credits (the “ Alaska Tax Credit Redemption ”), provided that any such redemption shall not be required to be made at such time, to the extent such redemption is not at the time permitted by the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ credit facilities and indentures, including the Credit Facility, Senior Loan Facility, the Existing Notes Indenture and the Stub Notes Indenture (in each case, a “ Delayed Alaska Tax Credit Redemption ”). To the extent all such prohibitions are no longer applicable and all the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ credit facilities and indentures permits such Delayed Alaska Tax Credit Redemption, the Company shall make such Delayed Alaska Tax Credit Redemption.

(b) The Company, at its option, may redeem all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock for cash at any time after the Settlement Date (the “ Company Redemption ” and, together with the Alaska Tax Credit Redemption, a “ Redemption ”).

(c) In the case of a Redemption, the Company shall provide not less than 30 nor more than 60 calendar days’ notice, which notice may be subject to one or more conditions, before the redemption date (in any manner permitted by DTC) to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock. The redemption price for each share of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed will be equal to the sum of (i) the Liquidation Preference for such share, plus (ii) accumulated and unpaid dividends on such share to, but excluding, the redemption date. The redemption date must be a Business Day.

(d) No “sinking fund” is provided for the Series A Preferred Stock.

6. Voting.

(a) The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise required by Delaware law from time to time:

(i) So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, unless a greater percentage shall then be required by Law, the Company shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock voting or consenting, as the case may be, separately as one class,

(A) create, authorize or issue any class or series of Senior Stock (or any security convertible into Senior Stock) or Parity Stock (or any security convertible into Parity Stock), or

(B) amend the Company’s constituent documents by merger or otherwise in a manner that would affect adversely the rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of Holders, including, without limitation, provisions relating to dividends, liquidation preference, redemption and conversion rights, ranking, anti-layering and consent rights with respect to the granting of liens on the Alaska Tax Credits (other than the liens granted to secure obligations under the Credit Facility and the Senior Loan Facility).

 

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(ii) In all cases in which Holders shall be entitled to vote, each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote.

(b) The Company may authorize, increase the authorized amount of, or issue any class or series of, Junior Stock without the consent of the Holders, and in taking such actions the Company shall not be deemed to have affected, and any amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company that effects such actions shall not be deemed to affect, adversely the rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of Holders specified herein.

7. Liquidation Rights.

(a) In the event of any liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, each Holder shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders (x) the Liquidation Preference, plus (y) Accumulated Dividends to the date fixed for liquidation, winding-up or dissolution in preference to the holders of, and before any payment or distribution is made on, any Junior Stock, including, without limitation, the Common Stock and Series B Preferred Stock.

(b) Neither the sale (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all the assets or business of the Company (other than in connection with the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company) nor the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other Person shall be deemed to be a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this Section  7 .

(c) After the payment in full to the Holders of the preferential amounts provided for in this Section  7 , the Holders as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company.

(d) In the event the assets of the Company available for distribution to the Holders and holders of shares of Parity Stock upon any liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such Holders are entitled pursuant to this Section  7 and all amounts to which such holders of Parity Stock are entitled, no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of Parity Stock upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up unless proportionate distributable amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, equally and ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all Series A Preferred Stock and of any Parity Stock are entitled upon such liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.

 

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8. Optional Conversion.

(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Series A Preferred Stock will not be convertible prior to receipt of Shareholder Approval. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the Shareholder Approval as promptly as practicable after the Settlement Date.

(b) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (i) the Company may cause all (but not less than all) of the Series A Preferred Stock to be converted, and (ii) each Holder may cause some or all of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted. Otherwise, the Series A Preferred Stock will not be convertible from the Settlement Date to the third anniversary of the Settlement Date (the “ Non -Conversion Period ”); provided that, with the consent of Holders of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Company may cause the conversion of all (but not less than all) of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock prior to the end of the Non-Conversion Period.

(c) Following the Non-Conversion Period and receipt of Shareholder Approval, Holders may convert their shares of Series A Preferred Stock at any time; provided that a Holder that beneficially owns less than 10% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding and is not otherwise an Affiliate of the Company will not have the right to exercise such Holder’s right to convert such Series A Preferred Stock for so long as the Common Stock is registered under the Exchange Act if and to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s Affiliates) or any “group” (within the meaning of Section 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) that includes such person would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% (the “ Restricted Ownership Percentage ”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise (the “ Conversion Blocker ”); provided , further that the Conversion Blocker shall continue to apply to Blue Mountain Capital Management, LLC and its affiliates (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the Company and its other affiliates) that are Holders at any time when Blue Mountain Capital Management, LLC and its affiliates are Affiliates of the Company. Each Holder shall have the right at any time and from time to time to reduce the Restricted Ownership Percentage applicable to such Holder immediately upon prior written notice to the Company or increase the Restricted Ownership Percentage applicable to such Holder upon 61 days’ prior written notice to the Company.

(d) The initial conversion rate for the Series A Preferred Stock is 3,271.4653 fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock per share of Series A Preferred Stock (subject to adjustment as described in Section  10 , the “ Conversion Rate ”).

(e) If a Strategic Investor has made an investment (a “ Qualified Investment ”) of 10% or more and less than 50% of the outstanding Common Stock on a Diluted Basis as of the time of such investment prior to the conversion of any Series A Preferred Stock, then immediately following any conversion of any Series A Preferred Stock (a “ Covered Preferred Conversion ”), the Company shall issue to such Strategic Investor, at no cost, a number of additional shares of Common Stock (an “ Adjusting Issuance ”) such that the shares of Common Stock held by such Strategic Investor represent a percentage of the

 

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outstanding shares of Common Stock on a Diluted Basis (after giving effect to such Covered Preferred Conversion and such Adjusting Issuance) that is equal to the percentage of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on a Diluted Basis represented by the shares of Common Stock held by such Strategic Investor prior to such Covered Conversion and Adjusting Issuance (the “ Strategic Investor Preferred Conversion Adjustment ”).

(f) Upon conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Company shall deliver to the converting Holder a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock being converted by such Holder multiplied by the then-applicable Conversion Rate, with shares of Common Stock issued in whole integral multiples, rounded down in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section  12 , on the third Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date.

(g) Before any Holder shall be entitled to convert a share of Series A Preferred Stock as set forth above, such Holder shall (i) in the case of Certificated Series A Preferred Stock, (A) complete, manually sign and deliver an irrevocable notice to the office of the Conversion Agent as set forth in the Form of Notice of Conversion (or a facsimile thereof) in the form of Exhibit  B hereto (a “ Notice of Conversion ”) and state in writing therein the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted and the name or names (with addresses) in which such Holder wishes the certificate or certificates for any shares of Common Stock to be delivered to be registered, (B) surrender such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, at the office of the Conversion Agent, and (C) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, or (ii) in the case of a beneficial interest in Global Series A Preferred Stock, comply with the procedures of the Depository in effect at that time. The Conversion Agent shall notify the Company of any conversion pursuant to this Section  8(g) on the Conversion Date for such conversion. The date on which a Holder complies with the procedures in this Section  8(g) is the “ Conversion Date .” If more than one share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered upon conversion of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock so surrendered.

(h) A conversion will be deemed to have been effected as to any shares of Series A Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion on the corresponding Conversion Date. Immediately prior to the close of business on such Conversion Date, a converting Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Holder’s Series A Preferred Stock notwithstanding that the share register of the Company shall then be closed or that certificates representing such Common Stock shall not then actually be delivered to such Holder. On the date of any conversion, all rights with respect to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock so converted, including the rights, if any, to receive notices, will terminate, except only the rights of Holders thereof to (i) receive certificates for the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Preferred Stock have been converted (with such adjustment or cash payment for fractional shares as the Company may elect pursuant to Section  12 ); and (ii) exercise the rights to which they are thereafter entitled as holders of Common Stock.

 

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9. Dividends Upon Conversion.

(a) If dividends are required to be paid in cash with respect to the Dividend Period during which a Conversion Date occurs:

(i) if such Conversion Date occurs before the Dividend Record Date for such Dividend Period, any accrued and unpaid dividends (to, but not including, such Conversion Date) on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock subject to such conversion shall be paid in cash on such Conversion Date; and

(ii) if such Conversion Date occurs on or after the Dividend Record Date for such Dividend Period but on or before the Dividend Payment Date for such Dividend Period, any such dividends (to, but not including, such Conversion Date) shall be paid in cash on the relevant Dividend Payment Date.

(b) If dividends are required to be paid in additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to the Dividend Period during which a Conversion Date occurs:

(i) if such Conversion Date occurs before the Dividend Record Date for such Dividend Period, any accrued and unpaid dividends on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock subject to such conversion shall be paid in the form of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had (A) such dividends been paid in the form of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock on such Conversion Date and (B) such shares of Series A Preferred Stock been converted on the Conversion Date; and

(ii) if such Conversion Date occurs on or after the Dividend Record Date for such Dividend Period but on or before the Dividend Payment Date for such Dividend Period, any such dividends shall be paid on the relevant Dividend Payment Date in the form of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock, which shall automatically convert on the date of issuance into shares of Common Stock.

(c) It is understood that for purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b) above, with respect to a Conversion Date occurring during a Dividend Period prior to a Dividend Record Date, dividends shall be “required to be paid in cash” if such dividends would be required to be paid in cash for such Dividend Period if the Conversion Date were the Dividend Record Date for such Dividend Period, and dividends shall be deemed to be “required to be paid in additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock” if such dividends would be required to be paid in additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock for such Dividend Period if the Conversion Date were the Dividend Record Date for such Dividend Period.

 

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10. Conversion Rate Adjustments.

(a) The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted, without duplication, upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) If the Company exclusively issues shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on all shares of Common Stock, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

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where,

 

CR 0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as the case may be;
CR 1    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as the case may be;
OS 0    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as the case may be; and
OS 1    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend or distribution, or such share split or share combination, as the case may be.

Any adjustment made under this Section  10(a)( i ) shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date for such share split or share combination, as the case may be. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section  10(a )( i ) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

 

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(ii) If the Company distributes to any Person (other than pursuant to the MIP or pursuant to a Qualified Investment) any shares of Common Stock or rights, options or warrants entitling such Person to purchase or subscribe for shares of Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Date of such distribution, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution;
CR 1    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution;
OS 0    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution;
X    =    the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and
Y    =    the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Date of such distribution.

Any increase made under this Section  10(a)(ii) shall be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are distributed and shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution. To the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date of such expiration, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the distribution of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to make such distribution, to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Record Date for such distribution had not occurred. If such rights, options or warrants are only exercisable upon the occurrence of certain triggering events, then the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted until the triggering events occur.

 

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For purposes of this Section  10(a)(ii) , in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than the average of the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Date of such distribution, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

(iii) If the Company distributes shares of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness or other assets, securities or property of the Company or rights, options or warrants to acquire its Capital Stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock, excluding (A) dividends, distributions or issuances as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to Section  10(a)( i ) or Section  10(a)(ii) , (B) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to (or a cash amount paid pursuant to the last paragraph of) Section  10(a)(iv) , and (C) Spin-Offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this Section  10(a)(iii) shall apply (any of such shares of Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness, other assets, securities or property or rights, options or warrants to acquire Capital Stock or other securities, the “ Distributed Property ”), then the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

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where,

 

CR 0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution;
CR 1    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution;
SP 0    =    the average of the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Date for such distribution; and
FMV    =    the fair market value as of the Record Date for such distribution (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the Distributed Property with respect to each outstanding share of the Common Stock.

Any increase made under the portion of this Section  10(a)(iii) above shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay the distribution, to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP 0 ” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder shall receive, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock, the amount and kind of Distributed Property that such Holder would have received as if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Record Date for the distribution.

With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this Section  10(a)(iii) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock consisting solely of shares of Capital Stock of any class or series, or similar equity interests, of or relating to a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company where such Capital Stock or similar equity interest is, or will be when issued, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange (a “ Spin -Off ”), the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

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where,

 

CR 0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Ex-Date for the Spin-Off;
CR 1    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Ex-Date for the Spin-Off;
FMV    =    the average of the Daily VWAP of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of the Common Stock applicable to one share of Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period immediately following, and including, the Ex-Date for the Spin-Off; and
MP 0    =    the average of the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period immediately following, and including, the Ex-Date for the Spin-Off.

The adjustment to the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall become effective at the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Ex-Date for the Spin-Off; provided that, for purposes of determining the Conversion Rate, in respect of any

 

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conversion during the 10 Trading Days following, and including, the Ex-Date of any Spin-Off, references within the portion of this Section  10(a)(iii) related to Spin-Offs to 10 consecutive Trading Days shall be deemed to be replaced with such lesser number of consecutive Trading Days as have elapsed between the Ex-Date of such Spin-Off and the relevant Conversion Date.

(iv) If the Company makes any cash dividend or distribution to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, excluding any consideration payable in connection with a tender or exchange offer made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution;
CR 1    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution;
SP 0    =    the average of the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution; and
C    =    the amount in cash per share of Common Stock the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock.

Any increase pursuant to this Section  10(a)(iv) shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay or make such dividend or distribution, to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP 0 ” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder shall receive, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received as if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Record Date for such cash dividend or distribution.

 

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(v) If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries makes a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer for the Common Stock and the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of the Common Stock exceeds the average of the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the last Trading Day of the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires;
CR 1    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the last Trading Day of the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires;
AC    =    the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the Board of Directors) paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased in such tender or exchange offer;
OS 0    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer);
OS 1    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and
SP 1    =    the average of the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires.

The increase to the Conversion Rate under this Section  10(a)(v) shall occur at the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that, for purposes of determining the Conversion Rate, in

 

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respect of any conversion during the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date that any such tender or exchange offer expires, references within this Section  10(a)(v) to 10 consecutive Trading Days shall be deemed to be replaced with such lesser number of consecutive Trading Days as have elapsed between the date such tender or exchange offer expires and the relevant Conversion Date.

In the event that the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Company or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to be such Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made.

(vi) All calculations and other determinations under this Section  10(a) shall be made by the Company and shall be made to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000th) of a share. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment under this Section  10(a) shall be made to the Conversion Rate unless such adjustment would result in a change of at least 0.5% in the Conversion Rate then in effect. Any lesser adjustment shall be carried forward and shall be made at the time of and together with the next subsequent adjustment, if any, which, together with any adjustment or adjustments so carried forward, shall amount to a change of at least 0.5% in such Conversion Rate; provided , however , that the Company shall make such carried-forward adjustments, regardless of whether the aggregate adjustment is less than 0.5%, (A) on December 31 of each calendar year, and (B) on the Conversion Date for any conversions of Series A Preferred Stock. No adjustment to the Conversion Rate shall be made if it results in a conversion price that is less than the par value (if any) of the Common Stock.

(vii) In addition to those adjustments required by clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of this Section  10(a) , and to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of the NASDAQ Capital Market, the Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for a period of at least 20 Business Days or any longer period permitted or required by law if the increase is irrevocable during that period and the Board of Directors determines that such increase would be in the Company’s best interest. In addition, the Company may (but is not required to) increase the Conversion Rate to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares (or rights to acquire shares) or similar event. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to any of the preceding two sentences, the Company shall provide to the Holder of each share of Series A Preferred Stock at its last address appearing on the stock register of the Company a notice of the increase at least 15 days prior to the date the increased Conversion Rate takes effect, and such notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.

 

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(viii) For purposes of this Section  10(a) , the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company so long as the Company does not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock.

(ix) If any applicable law requires the deduction or withholding of any tax from any payment or deemed dividend to a Holder on its Series A Preferred Stock, the Company or an applicable withholding agent may withhold on cash dividends, shares of Common Stock or sale proceeds paid, subsequently paid or credited with respect to such Holder or his successors and assigns.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  10 , no adjustment to the Conversion Rate shall be made with respect to (i) any issuances of Common Stock or rights, options or warrants pursuant to the MIP, (ii) any issuances of Common Stock pursuant to the Strategic Investor Preferred Conversion Adjustment, (iii) any issuances of Common Stock in respect of the Series A Preferred Stock, (iv) any issuances of Common Stock in respect of the Series C Warrants, or (v) any transaction described in Section  10(a)(ii) through Section  10(a)(iv) (other than for share splits or share combinations) if the Company makes provision for each Holder of the Series A Preferred Stock to participate in such transaction, at the same time as holders of the Common Stock, without conversion, as if such Holder held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Record Date or Effective Date, as the case may be, for such transaction, multiplied by the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder.

(c) If the Company shall take a record of the holders of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or other distribution, and shall thereafter (and before the dividend or distribution has been paid or delivered to stockholders) legally abandon its plan to pay or deliver such dividend or distribution, then thereafter no adjustment in the Conversion Rate then in effect shall be required by reason of the taking of such record.

(d) Upon any increase in the Conversion Rate, the Company promptly shall deliver to each Holder a certificate signed by an authorized officer of the Company, setting forth in reasonable detail the event requiring the adjustment and the method by which such adjustment was calculated and specifying the increased Conversion Rate then in effect following such adjustment.

(e) In the case of:

(i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination),

(ii) any consolidation, merger or combination involving the Company,

 

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(iii) any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety, or

(iv) any statutory share exchange,

in each case, as a result of which the Common Stock is converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such transaction or event, a “ Reorganization Event ”), then, at and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event, the right to convert each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be changed into a right to convert such share into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such Reorganization Event would have owned or been entitled to receive upon such Reorganization Event (such stock, securities or other property or assets, the “ Reference Property ”). If the Reorganization Event causes the Common Stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), then the Reference Property into which the Series A Preferred Stock will be convertible shall 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 shall notify Holders of such weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not become a party to any Reorganization Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section  10(e) . None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a Holder to convert its Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock as set forth in Section  8 prior to the effective time of such Reorganization Event. Notwithstanding Section  10(a) , no adjustment to the Conversion Rate shall be made for any Reorganization Event to the extent stock, securities or other property or assets become the Reference Property receivable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock.

The Company shall provide, by amendment hereto effective upon any such Reorganization Event, for anti-dilution and other adjustments that shall be as nearly equivalent as is possible to the adjustments provided for in this Section  10 . The provisions of this Section  10 shall apply to successive Reorganization Events.

In this Certificate of Designations, if the Common Stock has been replaced by Reference Property as a result of any such Reorganization Event, references to the Common Stock are intended to refer to such Reference Property.

(f) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available for issuance upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock such maximum number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock as will from time to time be sufficient to permit the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and shall take all action required to increase the authorized number of shares of Common Stock if at any time there shall be insufficient unissued shares of Common Stock to permit such reservation or to permit the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock or the payment or partial payment of dividends declared on Series A Preferred Stock that are payable in Common Stock.

 

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(g) The issuance or delivery of certificates for Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock or the payment or partial payment of a dividend on Series A Preferred Stock in Common Stock, shall be made without charge to the converting Holder or recipient of shares of Series A Preferred Stock for such certificates or for any tax in respect of the issuance or delivery of such certificates or the securities represented thereby, and such certificates shall be issued or delivered in the respective names of, or in such names as may be directed by, the holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock converted; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such certificate in a name other than that of the holder of the shares of the relevant Series A Preferred Stock and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver such certificate unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance or delivery thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

(h) The Company’s adoption of a rights plan (including the distribution of rights pursuant thereto to all holders of the Common Stock) shall not result in an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section  10 , and upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock the Holder will receive, in addition to the shares of Common Stock that are otherwise issuable upon conversion, a corresponding number of rights in accordance with the rights plan unless, prior to any conversion, such rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock, in which case, and only in such case, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Company had distributed to all holders of Common Stock Distributed Property as described in Section  10(a)(iii) above, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

11. Mandatory Conversion.

(a) Following the Non-Conversion Period, the Company may elect to cause all (but not less than all) of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be mandatorily converted into shares of Common Stock, in which case each Holder will receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock of such Holder being converted multiplied by the Conversion Rate; provided that such mandatory conversion is subject to the Conversion Blocker. To the extent that the Company exercises its right to cause the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock in any circumstance other than a Change of Control, if any Holder, but for the Conversion Blocker, would have been issued additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to the conversion, such holder may elect (the “ Warrant Election Option ”) instead to receive, on a one-for-one basis in lieu of such additional shares of Common Stock, warrants of the Company with terms identical to those of the Series C Warrants.

 

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(b) Prior to a mandatory conversion, the Company shall issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones News Service or Bloomberg Business News (or if either such service is not available, another broadly disseminated news or press release service selected by the Company) announcing such a mandatory conversion. The conversion date will be a date selected by the Company (the “ Mandatory Conversion Date ”) that will be no earlier than 20 Business Days and no later than 40 Business Days after the date on which the Company issues such press release.

(c) Any holder electing the Warrant Election Option must deliver to the Company by 5:00 p.m. on the second Business Day before the Mandatory Conversion Date, a warrant election notice (the “ Warrant Election Notice ”), which Warrant Election Notice certifies that such Holder is subject to the Conversion Blocker and includes the number of warrants that such Holder elects to receive pursuant to the Warrant Election Option.

(d) In addition to any information required by applicable law or regulation, the press release and notice of a mandatory conversion described in Section  11(b) shall state, as appropriate: (i) the Mandatory Conversion Date; (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of each share of Series A Preferred Stock; and (iii) that dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock to be converted will cease to accrue on the Mandatory Conversion Date.

(e) On and after the Mandatory Conversion Date, dividends will cease to accrue on the Series A Preferred Stock subject to a mandatory conversion, and all rights of Holders of such Series A Preferred Stock will terminate except for the right to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any mandatory conversion pursuant to this Section 11 shall be subject to Section 9, using the Mandatory Conversion Date as the “Conversion Date” for purposes of Section 9.

(f) The Company may not authorize, issue a press release or give notice of any mandatory conversion pursuant to Section 11 unless, prior to giving the conversion notice, all Accumulated Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock (whether or not declared) for periods ended prior to the date of such conversion notice shall have been paid.

12. No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock or securities representing fractional shares of Common Stock shall be delivered upon conversion, whether voluntary or mandatory, or in respect of dividend payments on the Series A Preferred Stock made in preferred stock, of the Series A Preferred Stock. If, upon the payment of PIK Dividends, a Holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Series A Preferred Stock, the Company will round up to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be issued to such Holder. If, upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, a Holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company will round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to such Holder.

 

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13. Rights as Stockholders. The Series A Preferred Stock will not entitle their Holders to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, except as expressly provided in this Certificate of Designations. Upon conversion, any Holder who receives Common Stock comprising at least an aggregate of 2.5% of the then-outstanding Common Stock will be entitled to execute joinders to the Registration Rights Agreement.

14. Certificates.

(a) Form and Dating . The Series A Preferred Stock and the Transfer Agent’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit  A , which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Certificate of Designations. The Series A Preferred Stock certificate may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law or stock exchange rules; provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company. Each Series A Preferred Stock certificate shall be dated the date of its authentication.

(i) Global Series A Preferred Stock . The Series A Preferred Stock shall be issued initially in the form of one or more fully registered global certificates with the global securities legend and restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit  A hereto (the “ Global Series A Preferred Stock ”), which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers represented thereby with the Transfer Agent, as custodian for DTC (or with such other custodian as DTC may direct), and registered in the name of Cede & Co. or other nominee of DTC, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Transfer Agent as hereinafter provided. The number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by Global Series A Preferred Stock may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Transfer Agent and DTC or its nominee as hereinafter provided. With respect to shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are not Transfer Restricted Securities on a Conversion Date or Dividend Payment Date, all shares of Common Stock issued in respect thereof on such Conversion Date or paid as a dividend on such Dividend Payment Date shall not bear the legend required pursuant to Section  14(c)(vi) below and shall be freely transferable without restriction under the Securities Act (other than by the Company’s Affiliates), and such shares shall be eligible for receipt in global form through the facilities of DTC.

(ii) Book-Entry Provisions . In the event Global Series A Preferred Stock is deposited with or on behalf of DTC, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Series A Preferred Stock certificates that shall (A) be registered in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC as depository for such Global Series A Preferred Stock or the nominee of DTC and (B) be delivered by the Transfer Agent to DTC or pursuant to DTC’s instructions or held by the Transfer Agent as custodian for DTC. Members of, or participants in, DTC (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Certificate of Designations with respect to any Global Series A Preferred Stock held on their behalf by DTC or by the Transfer Agent as the custodian of DTC or under such Global Series A Preferred Stock, and DTC may

 

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be treated by the Company, the Transfer Agent and any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent as the absolute owner of such Global Series A Preferred Stock for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Transfer Agent or any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or impair, as between DTC and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of DTC governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Series A Preferred Stock.

(iii) Certificated Series A Preferred Stock . Except as provided in this Section  14(a) or in Section  14(c) , owners of beneficial interests in Global Series A Preferred Stock will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Preferred Stock in fully registered certificated form (“ Certificated Series A Preferred Stock ”). With respect to shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are Transfer Restricted Securities on a Conversion Date, all shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of such shares on such Conversion Date shall bear the legend required pursuant to Section  14(c)(vi) below and shall be in global form if issued in respect of a Global Series A Preferred Stock.

(b) Execution and Authentication .

(i) Two Officers shall sign the Series A Preferred Stock certificate for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

(ii) If an Officer whose signature is on a Series A Preferred Stock certificate no longer holds that office at the time the Transfer Agent authenticates the Series A Preferred Stock certificate, the Series A Preferred Stock certificate shall be valid nevertheless.

(iii) A Series A Preferred Stock certificate shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Transfer Agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Series A Preferred Stock certificate. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Series A Preferred Stock certificate has been authenticated under this Certificate of Designations.

(iv) The Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver certificates for up to 35,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for original issue upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Such order shall specify the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of the Series A Preferred Stock is to be authenticated.

(v) The Transfer Agent may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the certificates for the Series A Preferred Stock. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate certificates for the Series A Preferred Stock

 

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whenever the Transfer Agent may do so. Each reference in this Certificate of Designations to authentication by the Transfer Agent includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as the Transfer Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

(c) Transfer and Exchange .

(i) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Series A Preferred Stock . When Certificated Series A Preferred Stock is presented to the Transfer Agent with a request to register the transfer of such Certificated Series A Preferred Stock or to exchange such Certificated Series A Preferred Stock for an equal number of shares of Certificated Series A Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided , however , that the Certificated Series A Preferred Stock surrendered for transfer or exchange:

(A) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and

(B) if such Certificated Series A Preferred Stock is a Transfer Restricted Security, is being transferred or exchanged in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the legend pursuant to Section  14(c)(vi) below, and is accompanied by, if such Certificated Series A Preferred Stock is being transferred to the Company or to a “qualified institutional buyer” in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act, (1) a certification to that effect and (2) if the Company so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section  14(c)(vi) .

(ii) Restrictions on Transfer of Certificated Series A Preferred Stock for a Beneficial Interest in Global Series A Preferred Stock . Certificated Series A Preferred Stock may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in Global Series A Preferred Stock except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of Certificated Series A Preferred Stock, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent, together with written instructions directing the Transfer Agent to make, or to direct DTC to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Series A Preferred Stock to reflect an increase in the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series A Preferred Stock, then the Transfer Agent shall cancel such Certificated Series A Preferred Stock and cause, or direct DTC to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between DTC and the Transfer Agent, the number of shares

 

32


of Series A Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series A Preferred Stock to be increased accordingly. If no Global Series A Preferred Stock is then outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, a new Global Series A Preferred Stock representing the appropriate number of shares.

(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Global Series A Preferred Stock . The transfer and exchange of Global Series A Preferred Stock or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through DTC, in accordance with this Certificate of Designations (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of DTC therefor.

(iv) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in Global Series A Preferred Stock for Certificated Series A Preferred Stock .

(A) If at any time:

(1) DTC notifies the Company that DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the Global Series A Preferred Stock and a successor depository for the Global Series A Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after delivery of such notice; or

(2) DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depository for the Global Series A Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Company within 90 days,

then the Company shall execute, and the Transfer Agent, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer of the Company requesting the authentication and delivery of Certificated Series A Preferred Stock to the Persons designated by the Company, shall authenticate and deliver Certificated Series A Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series A Preferred Stock, in exchange for such Global Series A Preferred Stock. Subject to the foregoing, the beneficial interests in a Global Series A Preferred Stock shall not be exchangeable for Certificated Series A Preferred Stock.

(B) Certificated Series A Preferred Stock issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Global Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section  14(c)(iv) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as DTC, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall deliver such Certificated Series A Preferred Stock to the Persons in whose names such Series A Preferred Stock are so registered in accordance with the instructions of DTC.

 

33


(v) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Series A Preferred Stock .

(A) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of Designations (other than the provisions set forth in Section  14(c)(iv) ), Global Series A Preferred Stock may not be transferred as a whole except by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any such nominee to a successor depository or a nominee of such successor depository.

(B) In the event that the Global Series A Preferred Stock is exchanged for Series A Preferred Stock in definitive registered form pursuant to Section  14(c)(iv) , such Series A Preferred Stock may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section  14(c) (including the certification requirements set forth in the Exhibits to this Certificate of Designations intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or such other applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

(vi) Legend .

(A) Except as permitted by Section  14(c)(vi)(C) , each certificate evidencing the Global Series A Preferred Stock and the Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SHARE OF 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK, THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SHARE OF 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK AND THE SHARES OF 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK ISSUABLE AS A DIVIDEND ON THE 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK, IF ANY, HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SHARE OF 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN OR THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

1. REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS [A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT] [IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR”)][ IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT)], AND

 

34


2. AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF INITIAL ISSUANCE HEREOF OR SUCH OTHER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO, AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) 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.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(B) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE THREE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MONTHS MAY PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THIS SHARE OF 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(B) Except as permitted by Section  14(c)(vi)(C) , each certificate evidencing Common Stock in certificated form shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

35


“THIS SHARE OF COMMON STOCK HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SHARE OF COMMON STOCK NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

1. REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS [A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT] [IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR”)][ IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT)], AND

2. AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF INITIAL ISSUANCE HEREOF OR SUCH OTHER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO, AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) 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.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(B) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

36


NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE THREE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MONTHS MAY PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THIS SHARE OF COMMON STOCK OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(C) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by Global Series A Preferred Stock) pursuant to Rule 144 or another similar exemption from registration under the Securities Act or an effective registration statement under the Securities Act:

(1) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is Certificated Series A Preferred Stock or Common Stock in certificated form, the Transfer Agent shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for Certificated Series A Preferred Stock or Common Stock in certificated form that does not bear a restrictive legend and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security; and

(2) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is in global form, the Transfer Agent, shall decrease the amount of shares represented by such global security and increase the amount of shares represented by such global security not otherwise bearing the legend required above, and shall, in accordance with DTC procedures, deliver beneficial interests in such global security not bearing such legend.

Any share of Series A Preferred Stock (or security issued in exchange or substitution therefor) as to which the restrictions on transfer set forth above shall have expired in accordance with their terms may, upon surrender of such share of Series A Preferred Stock for exchange to the Transfer Agent, be exchanged for a new share of Series A Preferred Stock, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required above and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number, if any. The Company shall be entitled to instruct the Transfer Agent in writing to so surrender any Global Series A Preferred Stock as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms for exchange, and, upon such instruction, the Transfer Agent shall so surrender such Global Series A Preferred Stock for exchange; and any new Global Series A Preferred Stock so exchanged therefor shall not bear the restrictive legend specified above and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number.

 

37


(vii) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Series A Preferred Stock . At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Series A Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Series A Preferred Stock, converted or canceled, such Global Series A Preferred Stock shall be returned to DTC for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Transfer Agent. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in Global Series A Preferred Stock is exchanged for Certificated Series A Preferred Stock, converted or canceled, the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by such Global Series A Preferred Stock shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Transfer Agent with respect to such Global Series A Preferred Stock, by the Transfer Agent or DTC, to reflect such reduction.

(viii) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Series A Preferred Stock .

(A) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate Certificated Series A Preferred Stock and Global Series A Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the provisions of this Section  14(c) .

(B) All Certificated Series A Preferred Stock and Global Series A Preferred Stock issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Certificated Series A Preferred Stock or Global Series A Preferred Stock shall be the valid Capital Stock of the Company, entitled to the same benefits under this Certificate of Designations as the Certificated Series A Preferred Stock or Global Series A Preferred Stock surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(C) Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name such shares of Series A Preferred Stock are registered as the absolute owner of such Series A Preferred Stock and neither the Transfer Agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(D) No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange upon surrender of any Series A Preferred Stock certificate or Common Stock certificate at the office of the Transfer Agent maintained for that purpose. However, the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Series A Preferred Stock certificates or Common Stock certificates.

 

38


(ix) No Obligation of the Transfer Agent .

(A) The Transfer Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of Global Series A Preferred Stock, a member of or a participant in, DTC or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Series A Preferred Stock or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than DTC) of any notice or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Global Series A Preferred Stock. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Series A Preferred Stock shall be given or made only to the Holders (which shall be DTC or its nominee in the case of the Global Series A Preferred Stock). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Series A Preferred Stock shall be exercised only through DTC subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC. The Transfer Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by DTC with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

(B) The Transfer Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Certificate of Designations or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Series A Preferred Stock (including any transfers between or among DTC participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Series A Preferred Stock) 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 Certificate of Designations, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(d) Replacement Certificates . If any of the Series A Preferred Stock certificates shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue, in exchange and in substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Series A Preferred Stock certificate, or in lieu of and substitution for the Series A Preferred Stock certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a new Series A Preferred Stock certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such Convertible Series A Preferred Stock certificate and indemnity, if requested, satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent.

(e) Temporary Certificates . Until definitive Series A Preferred Stock certificates are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate temporary Series A Preferred Stock certificates. Any temporary Series A Preferred Stock certificates shall be substantially in the form of definitive Series A Preferred Stock certificates but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Series A Preferred Stock certificates. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate definitive Series A Preferred Stock certificates and deliver them in exchange for temporary Series A Preferred Stock certificates.

 

39


(f) Cancellation . In the event the Company shall purchase or otherwise acquire Certificated Series A Preferred Stock, the same shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancellation.

(i) At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Series A Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Series A Preferred Stock, converted, repurchased or canceled, such Global Series A Preferred Stock shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancellation.

(ii) The Transfer Agent and no one else shall cancel and destroy all Series A Preferred Stock certificates surrendered for transfer, exchange, replacement or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company unless the Company directs the Transfer Agent to deliver canceled Series A Preferred Stock certificates to the Company. The Company may not issue new Series A Preferred Stock certificates to replace Series A Preferred Stock certificates to the extent they evidence Series A Preferred Stock which the Company has purchased or otherwise acquired.

15. Miscellaneous Provisions .

(a) With respect to any notice to a Holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock required to be provided hereunder, neither failure to mail such notice, nor any defect therein or in the mailing thereof, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of the notice or the validity of the proceedings referred to in such notice with respect to the other Holders or affect the legality or validity of any distribution, rights, warrant, reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, or the vote upon any such action. Any notice which was mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

(b) Shares of Series A Preferred Stock that have been issued and reacquired in any manner, including shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are purchased or exchanged or converted, shall (upon compliance with any applicable provisions of the laws of Delaware) have the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock of the Company undesignated as to series and may be designated or redesignated and issued or reissued, as the case may be, as part of any series of preferred stock of the Company; provided that any issuance of such shares as Series A Preferred Stock must be in compliance with the terms hereof.

(c) The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be issuable only in whole shares.

(d) All notice periods referred to herein shall commence on the date of the mailing of the applicable notice. Notice to any Holder shall be given to the registered address set forth in the Company’s records for such Holder, or for Global Series A Preferred Stock, to the Depository in accordance with its procedures.

 

40


(e) Any payment required to be made hereunder on any day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest or dividends on such payment will accrue or accumulate, as the case may be, in respect of such delay.

(f) Holders shall not be entitled to any preemptive rights to acquire additional Capital Stock of the Company.

(g) The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not incur any lien on any Alaska Tax Credit (or proceeds or products therefrom) securing any indebtedness, except for liens securing obligations under the Credit Facility, the Senior Loan Facility or the Stub Notes Indenture.

[Remainder of page intentionally blank]

 

41


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this certificate to be signed and attested this 29 th day of January, 2018.

 

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.
By:   /s/ Jeff Hastings
Name:   Jeff Hastings
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Attest:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:   Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

Signature Page to

Certificate of Designations of

8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF PREFERRED STOCK

FACE OF SECURITY

[[THIS SHARE OF 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK, THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SHARE OF 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK AND THE SHARES OF 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK ISSUABLE AS A DIVIDEND ON THE 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK, IF ANY, HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SHARE OF 8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN OR THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.] 1

[THIS SHARE OF COMMON STOCK HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SHARE OF COMMON STOCK NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.] 2

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

1. REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS [A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT] [IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR”)][ IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT)], AND

2. AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF INITIAL ISSUANCE HEREOF OR SUCH OTHER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO, AND (Y)

 

 

1   Include for Global Series A Preferred Stock.
2  

Include for Common Stock.

 

Exhibit A – 1


SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) 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.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(B) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE THREE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MONTHS MAY PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THIS SHARE OF [8.0% CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL SERIES A PREFERRED] 3 [COMMON] 4 STOCK OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.”] 5

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH

 

 

3   Include for Series A Preferred Stock.
4   Include for Common Stock.
5  

Subject to removal upon registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or otherwise when the security shall no longer be a Transfer Restricted Security.

 

Exhibit A – 2


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 SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS REFERRED TO BELOW.] 6

 

 

6   Subject to removal if not a global security.

 

Exhibit A – 3


Certificate Number    Number of Shares of
[        ]    Series A Preferred Stock
   CUSIP NO.: [•]

8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock

of

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby certifies that [                    ] (the “ Holder ”) is the registered owner of [                    ] fully paid and non-assessable shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company designated as the 8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Series A Preferred Stock ”). The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are transferable on the books and records of the Transfer Agent, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock represented hereby are as specified in, and the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of, the Certificate of Designations dated January 29, 2018, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “ Certificate of Designations ”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Certificate of Designations. The Company will provide a copy of the Certificate of Designations to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Company at its principal place of business.

Reference is hereby made to the Certificate of Designations, which shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Certificate of Designations and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

Unless the Transfer Agent’s Certificate of Authentication hereon has been properly executed, these shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Certificate of Designations or be valid for any purpose.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this certificate this              day of January, 2018.

 

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: [    ]
  Title: [    ]

 

Exhibit A – 4


By:  

 

  Name: [    ]
  Title: [    ]

 

Exhibit A – 5


TRANSFER AGENT’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

These are shares of the Series A Preferred Stock referred to in the within-mentioned Certificate of Designations.

Dated:                       

 

CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Transfer Agent,

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

Exhibit A – 6


REVERSE OF SECURITY

The Company will furnish without charge to each Holder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

Exhibit A – 7


ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the shares of Series A Preferred Stock evidenced hereby to:

 

  

 

  

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

 

  

(Insert address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoints:

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

agent to transfer the shares of Series A Preferred Stock evidenced hereby on the books of the Transfer Agent. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:                                     

Signature:                                         

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Series A Preferred Stock Certificate)

Signature Guarantee:                                                   7

 

 

7   (Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Transfer Agent, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Transfer Agent in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

Exhibit A – 8


EXHIBIT B

NOTICE OF CONVERSION

(To be Executed by the Holder in order to Convert the Series A Preferred Stock)

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to convert (the “ Conversion ”) shares of 8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Series A Preferred Stock ”) of SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (the “ Company ”), represented by stock certificate No(s)                      (the “ Series A Preferred Stock Certificates ”), into shares of common stock (“ Common Stock ”) of the Company according to the conditions of the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Certificate of Designations ”). The Company will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax on the issuance of the shares of our Common Stock upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, unless the tax is due because the Holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the Holder’s name, in which case the Holder will pay the tax. A copy of each Series A Preferred Stock Certificate is attached hereto (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof).

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in or pursuant to the Certificate of Designations.

Number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted:

Name or Names (with addresses) in which the certificate or certificate for any shares of Common Stock to be issued are to be registered: 8

Signature:

Name of registered Holder:

Fax No.:

Telephone No.:

 

 

8   The Company is not required to issue shares of Common Stock until you (a) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and (b) if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next Dividend Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled.

 

Exhibit B

Exhibit 3.2

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

OF

MANDATORILY CONVERTIBLE SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK

OF

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.

Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), certifies that pursuant to the resolutions of the Board of Directors adopted on January 26, 2018, the creation of Mandatorily Convertible Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Series B Preferred Stock ”), of the Company was authorized and the designation, preferences, privileges, voting rights, and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Series B Preferred Stock, in addition to those set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws, are fixed as follows:

1. Designation and Amount; Ranking. (a) There shall be created from the 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company authorized to be issued pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of preferred stock, designated as the “Mandatorily Convertible Series B Preferred Stock,” par value $0.0001 per share, and the authorized number of shares for issuance of Series B Preferred Stock shall be 945,000. Shares of Series B Preferred Stock that are purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company, or that are converted into shares of Common Stock, shall be cancelled and shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

(b) The Series B Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, ranks: (i) senior to all Junior Stock; (ii) on a parity, in all respects, with all Parity Stock; and (iii) junior to all Senior Stock, in each case, as provided more fully herein.

2. Definitions . As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) “ Affiliate ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it, on the date hereof, under Rule 144.

(b) “ Agent Members ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7(a)(ii) .

(c) “ Board of Directors ” or “ Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company or, with respect to any action to be taken by the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors duly authorized to take such action.

(d) “ Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

(e) “ By -Laws ” shall mean the Second Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, as may be amended, amended and restated, or otherwise modified from time to time.


(f) “ Capital Stock ” shall mean, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity.

(g) “ Certificate of Incorporation ” shall mean the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated as of September 6, 2016, as may be amended, amended and restated, or otherwise modified from time to time.

(h) “ Certificated Series B Preferred Stock ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7(a)(iii) .

(i) “ close of business ” shall mean 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).

(j) “ Common Stock ” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, subject to Section  4.(h) .

(k) “ Company ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble.

(l) “ Conversion Rate ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  4.(a) .

(m) “ DTC ” or “ Depository ” shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any successor depository.

(n) “ Effective Date ” shall mean the first date on which the shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.

(o) “ Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(p) “ Exchange Offer ” shall mean the Company’s offer to exchange any and all of its Existing Notes and any and all of its Stub Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest from and including January 15, 2018 thereon, for up to (i) 1,883,964 newly issued shares of Common Stock, (ii) 35,000 newly issued shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, (iii) 945,000 newly issued shares of the Series B Preferred Stock (which is mandatorily convertible into 20,542,196 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain conditions), and (iv) 8,169,822 Series C Warrants to purchase 8,169,822 shares of Common Stock, pursuant to that certain Exchange Offer Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement dated December 22, 2017.

(q) “ Existing Notes ” shall mean the 10.000% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2019 of the Company, as governed by the Existing Notes Indenture.

(r) “ Existing Notes Indenture ” shall mean that certain indenture, dated as of July 27, 2016, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto from time to time and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee and noteholder collateral agent.

(s) “ Global Series B Preferred Stock ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7(a)(i) .

 

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(t) “ Governmental Authority ” means (a) any national, supranational, federal, state, provincial, county, municipal or local government or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, quasi-judicial, arbitral, regulatory, taxing or administrative functions of or pertaining to government and (b) any agency, commission, division, bureau, department, court, tribunal, instrumentality, authority, quasi-governmental authority or other political subdivision of any government, entity or organization described in the foregoing clause (a), in each case, whether U.S. or non-U.S.

(u) “ Holder ” shall mean a holder of record of the Series B Preferred Stock.

(v) “ Issue Date ” shall mean January 29, 2018, the original date of issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock.

(w) “ Junior Stock ” shall mean the Common Stock, all other classes of the Company’s common stock and each other class of Capital Stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to or on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

(x) “ Law ” means any Order, law, statute, regulation, code, ordinance, policy, rule, consent decree, consent order or other requirement of any Governmental Authority.

(y) “ Mandatory Conversion Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  4.(b) .

(z) “ New Common Shares ” shall mean the 1,883,964 shares of Common Stock issued in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

(aa) “ Officer ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person; provided that, in the case of a limited or general partnership, limited liability company or other Person that is not a corporation, the term “Officer” shall also include any of the foregoing officers of a direct or indirect general partner, managing member or other similar Person.

(bb) “ Officers’ Certificate ” shall mean a certificate signed by two Officers.

(cc) “ open of business ” shall mean 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).

(dd) “ Order ” means any award, injunction, judgment, decree, order, ruling, subpoena or verdict or other decision issued, promulgated or entered by or with a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction.

(ee) “ Parity Stock ” shall mean any class of Capital Stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

 

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(ff) “ Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

(gg) “ Record Date ” shall mean, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of the Common Stock (or other applicable security) have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock (or such other security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Common Stock (or such other security) entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of Directors, statute, contract or otherwise).

(hh) “ Reference Property ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  4.(h) .

(ii) “ Registration Rights Agreement ” shall mean that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Settlement Date, by and between the Company and certain holders of Common Stock, entered into in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

(jj) “ Reorganization Event ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  4.(h) .

(kk) “ Rule 144 ” shall mean Rule 144 as promulgated under the Securities Act

(ll) “ SEC ” or “ Commission ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(mm) “ Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(nn) “ Senior Stock ” shall mean the Series A Preferred Stock and any class of the Company’s Capital Stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior to the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

(oo) “ Series A Preferred Stock ” shall mean the series of preferred stock of the Company, designated as the “8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock,” par value $0.0001 per share, which was issued in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

(pp) “ Series B Preferred Stock ” hall have the meaning specified in the preamble.

(qq) “ Series C Warrants ” shall mean the 8,169,822 warrants to purchase 8,169,822 shares of Common Stock, which warrants were issued in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

(rr) “ Settlement Date ” shall mean January 29, 2018.

(ss) “ Shareholder Approval ” shall mean the approval by holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of (i) the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock authorized for

 

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issuance in an amount to provide a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of New Common Shares and for the issuance of the shares upon conversion of all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, and upon exercise of the Series C Warrants and (ii) such approval as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of NASDAQ (or any successor entity) from the shareholders of the Company with respect to the issuance of New Common Shares and the issuance of the shares upon conversion of all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock and upon exercise of the Series C Warrants in excess of 19.99% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock on the Settlement Date.

(tt) “ Stub Notes ” shall mean the 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 of the Company, as governed by the Stub Notes Indenture.

(uu) “ Stub Notes Indenture ” shall mean that certain indenture, dated as of June 29, 2014, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto from time to time and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as successor trustee and noteholder collateral agent to U.S. Bank National Association, as amended by that certain First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2016, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto from time to time and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as successor trustee and noteholder collateral agent to U.S. Bank National Association.

(vv) “ Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

(ww) “ Transfer Agent ” shall mean Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as the Company’s duly appointed transfer agent, registrar, conversion agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Series B Preferred Stock. The Company may, in its sole discretion, remove the Transfer Agent with 10 days’ prior notice to the Transfer Agent and Holders; provided that the Company shall appoint a successor Transfer Agent who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal.

(xx) “ Transfer Restricted Securities ” shall mean (i) each share of Series B Preferred Stock or Common Stock into which such share of Series B Preferred Stock is converted required to bear the legend set forth in Section  7(c)(vi) , and (ii) any shares of Common Stock issued as a dividend on any Transfer Restricted Security.

3. Voting. (a) The shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise required by Delaware law from time to time:

(i) So long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding, unless a greater percentage shall then be required by Law, the Company shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the

 

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outstanding Series B Preferred Stock voting or consenting, as the case may be, separately as one class, (A) create, authorize or issue any class or series of Senior Stock, other than the Series A Preferred Stock, or Parity Stock (or any security convertible into Senior Stock, other than the Series A Preferred Stock, or Parity Stock) or (B) amend the Company’s constituent documents by merger or otherwise so as to affect adversely the rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of Holders, including, without limitation, provisions relating to conversion rights and ranking.

(ii) In all cases in which Holders shall be entitled to vote, each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote.

(b) The Company may authorize, increase the authorized amount of, or issue any class or series of Junior Stock, without the consent of the Holders, and in taking such actions the Company shall not be deemed to have affected, and any amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company that effects such actions shall not be deemed to affect, adversely the rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of Holders specified herein.

4. Mandatory Conversion. (a) Within 20 Business Days of receipt of Shareholder Approval, the Company shall convert all outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock and warrants of the Company with terms identical to those of the Series C Warrants (the “ Conversion Warrants ”), in which case each Holder will receive, for each share of Series B Preferred Stock being converted, a number of shares of Common Stock and/or a number of Conversion Warrants, in aggregate equal to the Conversion Rate. The initial conversion rate for the Series B Preferred Stock is 21.7378 shares of Common Stock per share of Series B Preferred Stock (the “ Conversion Rate ”).

(b) To exercise the mandatory conversion right described in this Section  4 , the Company must issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones News Service or Bloomberg Business News (or if either such service is not available, another broadly disseminated news or press release service selected by the Company) announcing such a mandatory conversion. The Company shall also give notice by mail or by publication to the Holders (not later than two Business Days after the date of the press release) of the mandatory conversion announcing the Company’s intention to convert the Series B Preferred Stock. The conversion date will be a date selected by the Company (the “ Mandatory Conversion Date ”) and will be no earlier than five Business Days and no later than 20 Business Days after the date on which the Company issues the press release described in this Section  4 .( b) .

(c) Any Holder that would beneficially own 10% or greater of the shares of Common Stock outstanding following the exercise of the mandatory conversion right described in this Section  4 may elect (the “ Warrant Election Option ”) instead to receive, on a one-for-one basis in lieu of additional shares of Common Stock, Conversion Warrants.

(d) Any Holder electing the Warrant Election Option must deliver to the Company by 5:00 p.m. on the second Business Day before the Mandatory Conversion Date, a warrant election notice (the “ Warrant Election Notice ”), which Warrant Election Notice includes the number of warrants that such Holder elects to receive pursuant to the Warrant Election Option.

 

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(e) In addition to any information required by applicable law or regulation, the press release and notice of a mandatory conversion described in Section  4.(b) shall state, as appropriate: (i) the Mandatory Conversion Date; and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of each share of Series B Preferred Stock.

(f) On and after the Mandatory Conversion Date, all rights of Holders of such Series B Preferred Stock shall terminate except for the right to receive the whole shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof with such adjustment or cash payment for fractional shares as the Company may elect pursuant to Section  5 . Upon conversion, the Company will deliver to each Holder a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock being converted by such Holder multiplied by the then applicable Conversion Rate (with shares of Common Stock issued in whole integral multiples, rounded down in lieu of any fractional shares that a Holder would be entitled to receive) on the third Business Day immediately following the relevant conversion date.

(g) The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted, without duplication, if the Company issues shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on all shares of Common Stock, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as the case may be;
CR 1    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as the case may be;
OS 0    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as the case may be; and
OS 1    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend or distribution, or such share split or share combination, as the case may be.
     

Any adjustment made however shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date for such share split or share combination, as the case may be. If any dividend or distribution of the type described herein is declared but

 

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not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

(h) If the Company shall take a record of the holders of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or other distribution, and shall thereafter (and before the dividend or distribution has been paid or delivered to stockholders) legally abandon its plan to pay or deliver such dividend or distribution, then thereafter no adjustment in the Conversion Rate then in effect shall be required by reason of the taking of such record.

(i) Upon any increase in the Conversion Rate, the Company promptly shall deliver to each Holder a certificate signed by an authorized officer of the Company, setting forth in reasonable detail the event requiring the adjustment and the method by which such adjustment was calculated and specifying the increased Conversion Rate then in effect following such adjustment.

(j) In the case of:

(i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination),

(ii) any consolidation, merger or combination involving the Company,

(iii) any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety, or

(iv) any statutory share exchange,

in each case, as a result of which the Common Stock is converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such transaction or event, a “ Reorganization Event ”), then, at and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event, the right to convert each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be changed into a right to convert such share into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such Reorganization Event would have owned or been entitled to receive upon such Reorganization Event (such stock, securities or other property or assets, the “ Reference Property ”). If the Reorganization Event causes the Common Stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), then the Reference Property into which the Series B Preferred Stock will be convertible shall 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 shall notify Holders of such weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not become a party to any Reorganization Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section  4.(h) . Notwithstanding Section  4.(b) , no adjustment to the Conversion Rate shall be made for any Reorganization Event to the extent stock, securities or other property or assets become the Reference Property receivable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock.

 

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The Company shall provide, by amendment hereto effective upon any such Reorganization Event, for anti-dilution and other adjustments that shall be as nearly equivalent as is possible to the adjustments provided for in this Section  4.(a) . The provisions of this Section  4.(a) shall apply to successive Reorganization Events.

In this Certificate of Designations, if the Common Stock has been replaced by Reference Property as a result of any such Reorganization Event, references to the Common Stock are intended to refer to such Reference Property.

(k) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available for issuance upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock such maximum number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock as will from time to time be sufficient to permit the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and shall take all action required to increase the authorized number of shares of Common Stock if at any time there shall be insufficient unissued shares of Common Stock to permit such reservation or to permit the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock or the payment or partial payment of dividends declared on Series B Preferred Stock that are payable in Common Stock.

(l) The issuance or delivery of certificates for Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock or the payment or partial payment of a dividend on Series B Preferred Stock in Common Stock, shall be made without charge to the converting Holder or recipient of shares of Series B Preferred Stock for such certificates or for any tax in respect of the issuance or delivery of such certificates or the securities represented thereby, and such certificates shall be issued or delivered in the respective names of, or in such names as may be directed by, the holders of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such certificate in a name other than that of the holder of the shares of the relevant Series B Preferred Stock and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver such certificate unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance or delivery thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

5. No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock or securities representing fractional shares of Common Stock shall be delivered upon conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock. If, upon conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock, a Holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company will round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to such Holder.

6. Rights as Stockholders .

(a) The Series B Preferred Stock will not entitle their Holders to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, except as expressly provided in this Certificate of Designations. Upon conversion, any Holder who receives Common Stock in excess of 2.5% of the then-outstanding Common Stock will be entitled to execute joinders to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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(b) If the Company declares a dividend or distribution of any cash or other assets or property to all holders of Common Stock while any shares of Series B Preferred Stock are outstanding (except for dividends for which an adjustment is required to be made pursuant Section  4.(g) ), the Holders shall be entitled to receive, upon the conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock, the cash or other assets or property to which they would have been entitled had the shares of Series B Preferred Stock been converted on the record date for such dividend or distribution.

7. Certificates. (a)  Form and Dating. The Series B Preferred Stock and the Transfer Agent’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Certificate of Designations. The Series B Preferred Stock certificate may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law or stock exchange rules; provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company. Each Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall be dated the date of its authentication.

(i) Global Series B Preferred Stock . The Series B Preferred Stock shall be issued initially in the form of one or more fully registered global certificates with the global securities legend and restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the “ Global Series B Preferred Stock ”), which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers represented thereby with the Transfer Agent, as custodian for DTC (or with such other custodian as DTC may direct), and registered in the name of Cede & Co. or other nominee of DTC, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Transfer Agent as hereinafter provided. The number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Transfer Agent and DTC or its nominee as hereinafter provided. With respect to shares of Series B Preferred Stock that are not Transfer Restricted Securities on a Mandatory Conversion Date, all shares of Common Stock issued in respect thereof on such Mandatory Conversion Date shall not bear the legend required pursuant to Section  7(c )( vi) below and shall be freely transferable without restriction under the Securities Act (other than by the Company’s Affiliates), and such shares shall be eligible for receipt in global form through the facilities of DTC.

(ii) Book-Entry Provisions . In the event Global Series B Preferred Stock is deposited with or on behalf of DTC, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Series B Preferred Stock certificates that shall (A) be registered in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC as depository for such Global Series B Preferred Stock or the nominee of DTC and (B) be delivered by the Transfer Agent to DTC or pursuant to DTC’s instructions or held by the Transfer Agent as custodian for DTC. Members of, or participants in, DTC (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no

 

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rights under this Certificate of Designations with respect to any Global Series B Preferred Stock held on their behalf by DTC or by the Transfer Agent as the custodian of DTC or under such Global Series B Preferred Stock, and DTC may be treated by the Company, the Transfer Agent and any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent as the absolute owner of such Global Series B Preferred Stock for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Transfer Agent or any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or impair, as between DTC and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of DTC governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Series B Preferred Stock.

(iii) Certificated Series B Preferred Stock . Except as provided in this Section  7(a) or in Section  7(c) , owners of beneficial interests in Global Series B Preferred Stock will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Series B Preferred Stock in fully registered certificated form (“ Certificated Series B Preferred Stock ”). With respect to shares of Series B Preferred Stock that are Transfer Restricted Securities on a Mandatory Conversion Date, all shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of such shares on such Mandatory Conversion Date shall bear the legend required pursuant to Section  7(c )( vi) below and shall be in global form if issued in respect of a Global Series B Preferred Stock.

(b) Execution and Authentication.

(i) Two Officers shall sign the Series B Preferred Stock certificate for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

(ii) If an Officer whose signature is on a Series B Preferred Stock certificate no longer holds that office at the time the Transfer Agent authenticates the Series B Preferred Stock certificate, the Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall be valid nevertheless.

(iii) A Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Transfer Agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Series B Preferred Stock certificate. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Series B Preferred Stock certificate has been authenticated under this Certificate of Designations.

(iv) The Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver certificates for up to 945,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for original issue upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Such order shall specify the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of the Series B Preferred Stock is to be authenticated.

 

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(v) The Transfer Agent may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the certificates for the Series B Preferred Stock. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate certificates for the Series B Preferred Stock whenever the Transfer Agent may do so. Each reference in this Certificate of Designations to authentication by the Transfer Agent includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as the Transfer Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

(c) Transfer and Exchange .

(i) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock . When Certificated Series B Preferred Stock is presented to the Transfer Agent with a request to register the transfer of such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or to exchange such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock for an equal number of shares of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided , however , that the Certificated Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for transfer or exchange:

(A) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and

(B) if such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock is a Transfer Restricted Security, is being transferred or exchanged in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the legend pursuant to Section  7(c)(vi) below, and is accompanied by, if such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock is being transferred to the Company or to a “ qualified institutional buyer ” in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act, (1) a certification to that effect and (2) if the Company so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section  7(c)(vi) .

(ii) Restrictions on Transfer of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock for a Beneficial Interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock . Certificated Series B Preferred Stock may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent, together with written instructions directing the Transfer Agent to make, or to direct DTC to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Series B Preferred Stock to reflect an increase in the number of shares of Series B

 

12


Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series B Preferred Stock, then the Transfer Agent shall cancel such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock and cause, or direct DTC to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between DTC and the Transfer Agent, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series B Preferred Stock to be increased accordingly. If no Global Series B Preferred Stock is then outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, a new Global Series B Preferred Stock representing the appropriate number of shares.

(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Global Series B Preferred Stock . The transfer and exchange of Global Series B Preferred Stock or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through DTC, in accordance with this Certificate of Designations (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of DTC therefor.

(iv) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock .

(A) If at any time:

(1) DTC notifies the Company that DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the Global Series B Preferred Stock and a successor depository for the Global Series B Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after delivery of such notice; or

(2) DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depository for the Global Series B Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Company within 90 days,

then the Company shall execute, and the Transfer Agent, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer of the Company requesting the authentication and delivery of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock to the Persons designated by the Company, shall authenticate and deliver Certificated Series B Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series B Preferred Stock, in exchange for such Global Series B Preferred Stock. Subject to the foregoing, the beneficial interests in a Global Series B Preferred Stock shall not be exchangeable for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock.

(B) Certificated Series B Preferred Stock issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Global Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section  7(c)(iv) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as DTC, pursuant to instructions from its

 

13


direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall deliver such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock to the Persons in whose names such Series B Preferred Stock are so registered in accordance with the instructions of DTC.

(v) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Series B Preferred Stock .

(A) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of Designations (other than the provisions set forth in Section  7(c)(iv) ), Global Series B Preferred Stock may not be transferred as a whole except by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any such nominee to a successor depository or a nominee of such successor depository.

(B) In the event that the Global Series B Preferred Stock is exchanged for Series B Preferred Stock in definitive registered form pursuant to Section  7(c)(iv) , such Series B Preferred Stock may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section  7(c) (including the certification requirements set forth in the Exhibits to this Certificate of Designations intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or such other applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

(vi) Legend .

(A) Except as permitted by Section  7(c)(vi)(C) , each certificate evidencing the Global Series B Preferred Stock and the Certificated Series B Preferred Stock shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SHARE OF MANDATORILY CONVERTIBLE SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SHARE OF MANDATORILY CONVERTIBLE SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SHARE OF MANDATORILY CONVERTIBLE SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN OR THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

1. REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS [A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT

 

14


DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT] [IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR”)][ IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT)], AND

2. AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC., (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF INITIAL ISSUANCE HEREOF OR SUCH OTHER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO, AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) 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.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(B) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE THREE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MONTHS MAY PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THIS SHARE OF MANDATORILY CONVERTIBLE SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

15


(B) Except as permitted by Section  7(c)(vi)(C) , each certificate evidencing Common Stock in certificated form shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SHARE OF COMMON STOCK HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SHARE OF COMMON STOCK NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

1. REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS [A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT] [IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR”)][ IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT)], AND

2. AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF INITIAL ISSUANCE HEREOF OR SUCH OTHER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO, AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) 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.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(B) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO

 

16


DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE THREE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MONTHS MAY PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THIS SHARE OF COMMON STOCK OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(C) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock) pursuant to Rule 144 or another similar exemption from registration under the Securities Act or an effective registration statement under the Securities Act:

(1) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or Common Stock in certificated form, the Transfer Agent shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or Common Stock in certificated form that does not bear a restrictive legend and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security; and

(2) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is in global form, the Transfer Agent, shall decrease the amount of shares represented by such global security and increase the amount of shares represented by such global security not otherwise bearing the legend required above, and shall, in accordance with DTC procedures, deliver beneficial interests in such global security not bearing such legend.

Any share of Series B Preferred Stock (or security issued in exchange or substitution therefor) as to which the restrictions on transfer set forth above shall have expired in accordance with their terms may, upon surrender of such share of Series B Preferred Stock for exchange to the Transfer Agent, be exchanged for a new share of Series B Preferred Stock, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required above and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number, if any. The Company shall be entitled to instruct the Transfer Agent in writing to so surrender any Global Series B Preferred Stock as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms for exchange,

 

17


and, upon such instruction, the Transfer Agent shall so surrender such Global Series B Preferred Stock for exchange; and any new Global Series B Preferred Stock so exchanged therefor shall not bear the restrictive legend specified above and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number.

(vii) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Series B Preferred Stock . At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Series B Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, converted or canceled, such Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be returned to DTC for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Transfer Agent. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock is exchanged for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, converted or canceled, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by such Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Transfer Agent with respect to such Global Series B Preferred Stock, by the Transfer Agent or DTC, to reflect such reduction.

(viii) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Series B Preferred Stock .

(A) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate Certificated Series B Preferred Stock and Global Series B Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the provisions of this Section  7(c) .

(B) All Certificated Series B Preferred Stock and Global Series B Preferred Stock issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be the valid Capital Stock of the Company, entitled to the same benefits under this Certificate of Designations as the Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or Global Series B Preferred Stock surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(C) Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name such shares of Series B Preferred Stock are registered as the absolute owner of such Series B Preferred Stock and neither the Transfer Agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(D) No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange upon surrender of any Series B Preferred Stock certificate or Common Stock certificate at the office of the Transfer Agent maintained for that purpose. However, the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Series B Preferred Stock certificates or Common Stock certificates.

 

18


(ix) No Obligation of the Transfer Agent .

(A) The Transfer Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of Global Series B Preferred Stock, a member of or a participant in, DTC or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Series B Preferred Stock or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than DTC) of any notice or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Global Series B Preferred Stock. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Series B Preferred Stock shall be given or made only to the Holders (which shall be DTC or its nominee in the case of the Global Series B Preferred Stock). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be exercised only through DTC subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC. The Transfer Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by DTC with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

(B) The Transfer Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Certificate of Designations or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Series B Preferred Stock (including any transfers between or among DTC participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Series B Preferred Stock) 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 Certificate of Designations, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(d) Replacement Certificates. If any of the Series B Preferred Stock certificates shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue, in exchange and in substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Series B Preferred Stock certificate, or in lieu of and substitution for the Series B Preferred Stock certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a new Series B Preferred Stock certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such Convertible Series B Preferred Stock certificate and indemnity, if requested, satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent.

(e) Temporary Certificates. Until definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates. Any temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates shall be

 

19


substantially in the form of definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates and deliver them in exchange for temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates.

(f) Cancellation. In the event the Company shall purchase or otherwise acquire Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, the same shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancellation.

(i) At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Series B Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, converted, repurchased or canceled, such Global Series B Preferred Stock shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancellation.

(ii) The Transfer Agent and no one else shall cancel and destroy all Series B Preferred Stock certificates surrendered for transfer, exchange, replacement or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company unless the Company directs the Transfer Agent to deliver canceled Series B Preferred Stock certificates to the Company. The Company may not issue new Series B Preferred Stock certificates to replace Series B Preferred Stock certificates to the extent they evidence Series B Preferred Stock which the Company has purchased or otherwise acquired.

8. Miscellaneous Provisions . (a) With respect to any notice to a Holder required to be provided hereunder, neither failure to mail such notice, nor any defect therein or in the mailing thereof, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of the notice or the validity of the proceedings referred to in such notice with respect to the other Holders or affect the legality or validity of any distribution, rights, warrant, reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, or the vote upon any such action. Any notice which was mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

(b) Shares of Series B Preferred Stock that have been issued and reacquired in any manner, including shares of Series B Preferred Stock that are purchased or exchanged or converted, shall (upon compliance with any applicable provisions of the laws of Delaware) have the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock of the Company undesignated as to series and may be designated or redesignated and issued or reissued, as the case may be, as part of any series of preferred stock of the Company; provided that any issuance of such shares as Series B Preferred Stock must be in compliance with the terms hereof.

(c) The shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be issuable only in whole shares.

(d) All notice periods referred to herein shall commence on the date of the mailing of the applicable notice. Notice to any Holder shall be given to the registered address set forth in the Company’s records for such Holder, or for Global Series B Preferred Stock, to the Depository in accordance with its procedures.

 

20


(e) Any payment required to be made hereunder on any day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest or dividends on such payment will accrue or accumulate, as the case may be, in respect of such delay.

(f) Holders shall not be entitled to any preemptive rights to acquire additional Capital Stock of the Company.

[Remainder of page intentionally blank]

 

21


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this certificate to be signed and attested this 29 th day of January, 2018.

 

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Jeff Hastings

Name:   Jeff Hastings
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Attest:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:   Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

Signature Page to

Certificate of Designations of

Mandatorily Convertible Series B Preferred Stock


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF PREFERRED STOCK

FACE OF SECURITY

[[THIS SHARE OF MANDATORILY CONVERTIBLE SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SHARE OF MANDATORILY CONVERTIBLE SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SHARE OF MANDATORILY CONVERTIBLE SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN OR THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.] 1

[THIS SHARE OF COMMON STOCK HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SHARE OF COMMON STOCK NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.] 2

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

1. REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS [A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT] [IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR”)][ IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT)], AND

2. AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF INITIAL ISSUANCE HEREOF OR SUCH OTHER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO, AND (Y)

 

1   Include for Global Series B Preferred Stock.
2  

Include for Common Stock.

 

Exhibit A - 1


SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) 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.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(B) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE THREE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MONTHS MAY PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THIS SHARE OF [MANDATORILY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED] 3 [COMMON] 4 STOCK OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.”] 5

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“ DTC ”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH

 

 

 

 

3   Include for Series B Preferred Stock.
4   Include for Common Stock.
5  

Subject to removal upon registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or otherwise when the security shall no longer be a Transfer Restricted Security.

 

Exhibit A - 2


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 SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS REFERRED TO BELOW.] 6

 

 

6   Subject to removal if not a global security.

 

Exhibit A - 3


Certificate Number

  

Number of Shares of            

[                ]

  

Series B Preferred Stock            

CUSIP NO.: [●]

Mandatorily Convertible Series B Preferred Stock

of

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby certifies that [                ] (the “ Holder ”) is the registered owner of [                ] fully paid and non-assessable shares of Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company designated as the Mandatorily Convertible Series B Preferred Stock (the “ Series B Preferred Stock ”). The shares of Series B Preferred Stock are transferable on the books and records of the Transfer Agent, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock represented hereby are as specified in, and the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of, the Certificate of Designations dated January 29, 2018, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “ Certificate of Designations ”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Certificate of Designations. The Company will provide a copy of the Certificate of Designations to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Company at its principal place of business.

Reference is hereby made to the Certificate of Designations, which shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Certificate of Designations and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

Unless the Transfer Agent’s Certificate of Authentication hereon has been properly executed, these shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Certificate of Designations or be valid for any purpose.

 

Exhibit A - 4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this certificate this              day of January, 2018.

 

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: [    ]
  Title: [    ]

 

By:  

 

  Name: [    ]
  Title: [    ]

 

Exhibit A - 5


TRANSFER AGENT’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

These are shares of the Series B Preferred Stock referred to in the within-mentioned Certificate of Designations.

Dated:                                     

 

CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Transfer Agent,

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

Exhibit A - 6


REVERSE OF SECURITY

The Company will furnish without charge to each Holder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

Exhibit A - 7


ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the shares of Series B Preferred Stock evidenced hereby to:

 

                                                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                                                       

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

                                                                                                                                                       

(Insert address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoints:

 

                                                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                                                       

agent to transfer the shares of Series B Preferred Stock evidenced hereby on the books of the Transfer Agent. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:                                                              

Signature:                                                      

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Series B Preferred Stock Certificate)

Signature Guarantee:                                                       7

 

 

7   (Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Transfer Agent, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Transfer Agent in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

Exhibit A - 8

Exhibit 4.1

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

dated as of January 26, 2018

among

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.,

The Guarantors Party Hereto

and

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB,

as Trustee and Noteholder Collateral Agent

 

 

10.000% Senior Notes due 2019


FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of January 26, 2018 (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), is among SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Company ”), each of the Guarantors appearing on the signature pages hereto (the “ Guarantors ”), and WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”) and as Noteholder Collateral Agent (the “ Noteholder Collateral Agent ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Noteholder Collateral Agent have previously entered into the Indenture, dated as of July 27, 2016 (the “ Indenture ”), relating to the Company’s 10.000% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2019 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantees the prompt payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture (the “ Note Guarantees ”);

WHEREAS, the Company has offered to exchange any and all of its outstanding Notes (the “ Exchange Offer ”) for (i) shares of the Company’s common stock, (ii) shares of the Company’s Series A preferred stock, (iii) shares of the Company’s Series B preferred stock, and (iv) warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, in each case, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated December 22, 2017 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Memorandum ”);

WHEREAS, concurrently with the Exchange Offer, and pursuant to the Memorandum and the related letter of transmittal (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified), the Company has requested that holders of the Notes deliver consents to (i) the adoption of certain proposed amendments (the “ Proposed Amendments ”) to the Indenture to permit certain restructuring transactions described in the Memorandum and (ii) the release of the collateral securing the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under the Indenture (the “ Collateral Release ”);

WHEREAS, Section 9.02 of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Noteholder Collateral Agent may amend or supplement the Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding (the “ Proposed Amendment Requisite Consents ”);

WHEREAS, Sections 9.02 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Noteholder Collateral Agent may amend or waive the provisions of the Indenture or any Security Documents with the effect of releasing all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes Obligations under the Notes Documents with the consent of the Holders of at least 66 2 / 3 % in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding (the “ Collateral Release Requisite Consents ”);

 

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WHEREAS, Holders of the Notes have delivered the Proposed Amendment Requisite Consents and thereby have duly consented to the Proposed Amendments set forth in this Supplemental Indenture in accordance with Section 9.02 of the Indenture;

WHEREAS, Holders of the Notes have delivered the Collateral Release Requisite Consents and thereby have duly consented to the Collateral Release set forth in this Supplemental Indenture in accordance with Sections 9.02 and 12.07 of the Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Trustee and the Noteholder Collateral Agent has received, in accordance with Section 9.06 of the Indenture, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate stating that the execution of this Supplemental Indenture is permitted by the Indenture;

WHEREAS, all other conditions precedent provided under the Indenture have been satisfied to permit the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Noteholder Collateral Agent to enter into this Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, upon the Proposed Amendments becoming operative in accordance herewith, the Notes shall thenceforth be known as the “10.000% Senior Notes due 2019”.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and intending to be legally bound, the parties to this Supplemental Indenture hereby mutually covenant and agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

SECTION 2. Amendments . The Indenture is hereby amended as follows:

 

  a. Amendment to Section  1.01 . Section 1.01 is hereby amended by deleting from such section the following defined terms: “Acquired Debt”, “Beneficial Owner”, “Change of Control”, “Consent Solicitation”, “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets”, “Exchange Offer”, “Existing Indebtedness”, “Existing Indenture”, “Existing Noteholder Collateral Agent”, “Existing Notes Documents”, “Existing Notes Obligations”, “Existing Notes Security Documents”, “Existing Revolving Credit Facility Documents”, “Existing Revolving Credit Facility Security Documents”, “Existing Trustee”, “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”, “Foreign Subsidiary Reorganization”, “Investments”, “New Senior Loan Shares”, “Permitted Business”, “Permitted Holders”, “Permitted Investments”, “Related Party”, “Restricted Investment”, “Transactions”, and any other defined terms that, by virtue of the Proposed Amendments and Collateral Release effected by this Supplemental Indenture, are no longer used in the Indenture or the Notes as amended hereby. In addition to the amendments in the preceding sentence, the following definitions are hereby amended as follows:

 

  (i) Definition of Asset Sale . Clause (8) of the sentence beginning with the words “Notwithstanding the preceding,” in the definition of “Asset Sale” is hereby deleted in its entirety and is replaced with the following: “(8) [Reserved]”.

 

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  (ii) Definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness . Clause (4) of the proviso in the definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” is hereby deleted in its entirety and is replaced with the following:

“(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged and is initially guaranteed only by Persons who were obligors on or guarantors of the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.”

 

  (iii) Definition of Secured Leverage Coverage Ratio . The phrase “in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.” located in the last sentence of the definition of “Secured Leverage Coverage Ratio” is hereby deleted in its entirety and is replaced with the following:

“below:

In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Secured Leverage Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Secured Leverage Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Secured Leverage Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Secured Leverage Coverage Ratio:

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

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

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

 

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

(5) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date shall be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and

(6) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).”

 

  b. Amendment to Section  1.02 . Section 1.02 is hereby amended by deleting from list of defined terms and section references in such section the following defined terms and their respective section references: “Affiliate Transactions”, “Asset Sale Offer”, “Change of Control Offer”, “Change of Control Payment”, “Change of Control Payment Date”, “Control Agreement”, “Excess Proceeds”, “incur”, “Notes Obligations”, “Offer Amount”, “Offer Period”, “Payment Default”, “Permitted Debt”, “Premises”, “Purchase Date”, and “Restricted Payments”.

 

  c. Amendment to Section  3.09 . The heading and text of Section 3.09 (Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

  “Section 3.09 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  d. Amendment to Section  4.03 . The heading of Section 4.03 (Corporate Existence; Insurance; Maintenance of Properties) of the Indenture is deleted in its entirety and is replaced with the following: “Corporate Existence.” The text of clause (b) of Section 4.03 (Corporate Existence; Insurance; Maintenance of Properties) of the Indenture is deleted in its entirety and is replaced with the following: “[Reserved]”.

 

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  e. Amendment to Section  4.07 . The heading and text of Section 4.07 (Restricted Payments) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.07 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  f. Amendment to Section  4.08 . The heading and text of Section 4.08 (Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.08 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  g. Amendment to Section  4.09 . The heading and text of Section 4.09 (Liens) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.09 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  h. Amendment to Section  4.11 . The heading and text of Section 4.11 (Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.11 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  i. Amendment to Section  4.12 . The heading and text of Section 4.12 (Transactions with Affiliates) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.12 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  j. Amendment to Section  4.14 . The heading and text of Section 4.14 (Business Activities) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.14 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  k. Amendment to Section  4.15 . The heading and text of Section 4.15 (Additional Note Guarantees) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.15 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  l. Amendment to Section  4.16 . The heading and text of Section 4.16 (Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.16 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  m. Amendment to Section  4.17 . The heading and text of Section 4.17 (Payments for Consent) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.17 [Reserved]. ”.

 

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  n. Amendment to Section  4.18 . The heading and text of Section 4.18 (Reports) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.18 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  o. Amendment to Section  4.19 . The heading and text of Section 4.19 (Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.19 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  p. Amendment to Section  4.20 . The heading and text of Section 4.20 (Asset Sales) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 4.20 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  q. Amendment to Section  5.01(a) . The text of clause (a) of Section 5.01 (Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

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

(1) either: (A) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture, delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel required by this Indenture, including an opinion as to the enforceability of the supplemental indenture;

(3) [Reserved] ;

(4) [Reserved] ; and

(5) the Company has 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; provided that in giving an Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate as to any matters of fact.”.

 

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  r. Amendment to Section  6.01 . The text of Section 6.01 (Events of Default) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

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

(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest, if any, with respect to the Notes;

(2) default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes;”

(3) [Reserved];

(4) [Reserved];

(5) [Reserved];

(6) [Reserved];

(7) [Reserved];

(8) [Reserved];

(9) [Reserved];

(10) [Reserved]; and

(11) [Reserved].”.

 

  s. Amendment to Section  12.01 . The heading and text of Section 12.01 (Grant of Security Interests; Intercreditor Agreement) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 12.01 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  t. Amendment to Section  12.02 . The heading and text of Section 12.02 (Recording and Opinions) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 12.02 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  u. Amendment to Section  12.03 . The heading and text of Section 12.03 (Mortgages and Filings) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 12.03 [Reserved]. ”.

 

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  v. Amendment to Section  12.04 . The heading and text of Section 12.04 (Advances to Subsidiaries) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 12.04 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  w. Amendment to Section  12.05 . The heading and text of Section 12.05 (Additional Collateral) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 12.05 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  x. Amendment to Section  12.06 . The heading and text of Section 12.06 (Further Assurances) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 12.06 [Reserved] ”.

 

  y. Amendment to Section  12.09 . The heading and text of Section 12.09 (Authorization of Actions to be Taken by the Noteholder Collateral Agent Under the Security Documents) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 12.09 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  z. Amendment to Section  12.11 . The heading and text of Section 12.11 (Replacement of Noteholder Collateral Agent) of the Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 12.11 [Reserved]. ”.

 

  aa. Amendment to Title of Notes . Each reference to “10.000% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2019” in the Indenture, the Notes or any Security Document is hereby changed to “10.000% Senior Notes due 2019”.

 

  bb. Effect of Deletion of Certain Definitions . All definitions in the Indenture to which all references are being eliminated as a result of the amendments specified in this Section 2 of this Supplemental Indenture are hereby deleted in their entirety.

SECTION 3. Effect and Operation of Supplemental Indenture . This Supplemental Indenture shall be effective and binding immediately upon its execution and delivery by the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Noteholder Collateral Agent, and thereupon this Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Note and Note Guarantee heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be bound hereby. Except as modified and amended by this Supplemental Indenture, all provisions of the Indenture shall remain in full force and effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Section 2 hereof shall not become operative until the time immediately prior to the delivery by the Company of the Exchange Consideration (as defined in the Memorandum) to the Exchange Agent (as defined in the Memorandum) on the Settlement Date (as defined in the Memorandum).

 

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SECTION 4. Indenture and Supplemental Indenture Construed Together . This Supplemental Indenture is an amendment supplemental to the Indenture, and the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture will henceforth be read and construed together.

SECTION 5. No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Security Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

SECTION 6. New York Law to Govern . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 7. Counterparts . This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts, which when taken together, shall constitute one instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

SECTION 8. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 9. The Trustee and the Noteholder Collateral Agent . The Trustee and the Noteholder Collateral Agent accept the amendments of the Indenture effected by this Supplemental Indenture. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee and the Noteholder Collateral Agent shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to any of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company, or for or with respect to (i) the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or any of the terms or provisions hereof, (ii) the proper authorization hereof by the Company by action or otherwise, (iii) the due execution hereof by the Company or (iv) the consequences of any amendment herein provided for, and the Trustee and the Noteholder Collateral Agent makes no representation with respect to any such matters.

SECTION 10. Separability . In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

[Signature page follows]

 

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

 

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.,

as Issuer

By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:  

Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel

and Secretary

 

SAEXPLORATION SUB, INC.,

as a Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:  

Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel

and Secretary

 

SAEXPLORATION, INC.,

as a Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:  

Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel

and Secretary

 

SAEXPLORATION SEISMIC SERVICES (US), LLC,

as a Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:  

Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel

and Secretary

 

NES, LLC,

as a Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:  

Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel

and Secretary

 

[Signature Page to First Supplemental Indenture]


WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB,

as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Geoffrey J. Lewis

Name:   Geoffrey J. Lewis
Title:   Vice President

 

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB,

as Noteholder Collateral Agent

By:  

/s/ Geoffrey J. Lewis

Name:   Geoffrey J. Lewis
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to First Supplemental Indenture]

Exhibit 10.1

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of January 29, 2018, by and among SAExploration Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and each of the Holders (as defined below) listed on the signature pages hereto on behalf of themselves and the other Holders.

WHEREAS, the Company, certain former holders of the Company’s 10.000% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2019 (the “ Existing Notes ”) and certain former holders of the Company’s 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “ Stub Notes ”) entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement dated as of December 19, 2017 (the “ RSA ”), which contemplated, among other things, an offer to exchange (the “ Exchange Offer ”) any and all of the Company’s Existing Notes and any and all of the Company’s Stub Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest from and including January 15, 2018 thereon, for up to (1) 1,883,964 newly issued shares (the “ New Common Shares ”) of common stock of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), (2) 35,000 newly issued shares (the “ Series A Preferred Shares ”) of the Company’s Series A perpetual convertible preferred stock, (3) 945,000 newly issued shares (the “ Series B Preferred Shares ” and, together with the Series A Preferred Shares, the “ Preferred Shares ”) of the Company’s Series B convertible preferred stock (which is mandatorily convertible into 20,542,196 shares of Common Stock upon receipt of Shareholder Approval (as hereinafter defined)) and (4) 8,169,822 warrants (the “ Series C Warrants ”) to purchase 8,169,822 shares of Common Stock.

WHEREAS, the Company is issuing the New Common Shares, the Preferred Shares and the Series C Warrants in exchange for the Existing Notes and Stub Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer on January 29, 2018 (the “ Closing Date ”); and

WHEREAS, in connection with, and in consideration of, the transactions contemplated by the RSA and Exchange Offer, the Company has agreed to provide resale registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as hereinafter defined) as set forth in this Agreement to any Holder (as defined below).

NOW THEREFORE, 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 hereto, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other person which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.


Blackout Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3(p) .

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required to be closed.

Charter ” means the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended.

Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency then administering the Securities Act or Exchange Act.

Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Company Securities ” means any equity interest of any class or series in the Company.

Effective Date ” means the time and date that a Registration Statement is first declared effective by the Commission or otherwise becomes effective.

Effectiveness Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(a)(ii) .

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

Exchange Offer ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Existing Notes ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Governmental Authority ” means any United States federal, state, local (including county or municipal) or foreign governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency, division, instrumentality, commission, court, judicial or arbitral body or any securities exchange or similar self-regulatory organization.

Holder ” means (i) beneficial owners of Shares listed on the signature pages hereto, (ii) beneficial owners of Shares comprising at least an aggregate of 2.5% of the outstanding Common Stock entitled to registration rights hereunder upon entering into a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto or (iii) any direct or indirect transferee of a Holder who has acquired beneficial ownership of Registrable Securities comprising at least an aggregate of 2.5% of the outstanding Common Stock from a Holder and who has entered into a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. A Person shall cease to be a Holder hereunder at such time as it ceases to beneficially own any Registrable Securities comprising at least an aggregate of 2.5% of the outstanding Common Stock at any time. For purposes of the calculation of the percentage of beneficial ownership in this definition, such calculation shall be made as if all Series B Preferred Shares have been converted and all Series C Warrants and Substitute Warrants have been exercised.

 

2


Holder Indemnified Persons ” has the meaning set forth in Section  6(a) .

Initiating Shelf Take-Down Holders ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(b)(i) .

Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section  6(a) .

Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(b)(ii) .

Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(b)(ii) .

New Common Shares ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Person ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, estate, trust, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Piggyback Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(c)(i) .

Piggyback Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(c)(i) .

Preferred Shares ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Proceeding ” means any action, claim, suit, proceeding or investigation (including a preliminary investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition) pending or, to the knowledge of 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, Rule 430B or Rule 430C promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to such 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, (i) the Shares received by the Holders, (ii) any additional shares of Common Stock paid, issued or distributed in respect of any such Shares by way of a stock dividend or distribution, or in connection with a split or combination of the Common Stock, and any security into which such Shares shall have been converted or exchanged in connection with a recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, exchange, distribution or otherwise, (iii) any Shares that a Holder entitled to registration rights under this Agreement may acquire upon exercise or conversion of the

 

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Preferred Shares, the Series C Warrants, or the Substitute Warrants; provided , however , that Registrable Securities shall not include: (i) any shares of Common Stock that have been registered under the Securities Act and disposed of pursuant to an effective Registration Statement or otherwise transferred to a Person who is not entitled to the registration and other rights hereunder; (ii) any shares of Common Stock that have been sold or transferred by the Holder thereof pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act) and the transferee thereof does not receive “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144; and (iii) any shares of Common Stock that cease to be outstanding (whether as a result of repurchase and cancellation, conversion or otherwise).

Registration ” means a registration with the Commission of securities of the Company under a Registration Statement. The term “ Register ” shall have a correlative meaning.

Registration Expenses ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5 .

Registration Statement ” means a registration statement of the Company in the form required to register the resale of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act and other applicable law, 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.

Representative ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3(g)(i) .

RSA ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time.

Rule 405 ” means Rule 405 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time.

Rule 415 ” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time.

Rule 424 ” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time.

Rule 430A ” means Rule 430A promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time.

Rule 430B ” means Rule 430B promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time.

Rule 430C ” means Rule 430C promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time.

 

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SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any similar agency having jurisdiction to enforce the Securities Act.

SEC Guidance ” means (i) any publicly available written or oral interpretations, questions and answers, guidance and forms of the SEC, (ii) any oral or written comments, requirements or requests of the SEC or its staff, (iii) the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act and (iv) any other rules, bulletins, releases, manuals and regulations of the SEC.

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

Securities Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Selling Expenses ” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder.

Series A Preferred Shares ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Series B Preferred Shares ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Series C Warrants ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Shares ” means the Common Shares.

Shareholder Approval ” means the approval by holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of (1) the amendment to the Charter to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance in an amount to provide a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of the New Common Shares and for the issuance of the shares upon conversion of all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares, and upon exercise of the Series C Warrants and (2) such approval as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Capital Market (or any successor entity) from the shareholders of the Company with respect to the issuance of New Common Shares and the issuance of the shares upon conversion of all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares and upon exercise of the Series C Warrants in excess of 19.99% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock on the Closing Date.

Shelf Take-Down ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(b)(i) .

Shelf Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(a)(i) .

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a Registration Statement of the Company filed with the Commission on Form S-3 (or any successor form or other appropriate and permissible form under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, Form S-1) for an offering to be made on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to Rule 415 (or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission) covering the Registrable Securities.

 

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Stub Notes ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Substitute Warrants ” means Series C Warrants issued in lieu of Common Shares.

Supporting Holders ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Suspension Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3(q) .

Trading Market ” means the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, if any.

Underwritten Offering ” means an underwritten offering of Common Stock for cash (whether in connection with a Shelf Take-Down or in connection with a public offering of Common Stock by the Company, a public offering of Common Stock by stockholders or both).

Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(b)(i) .

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 refer to Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” and 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 include all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and references to any law or statute shall be construed as including any legal and statutory provisions consolidating, amending, succeeding or replacing the applicable law 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 Statement .

(i) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the Commission a Shelf Registration Statement within 60 days after the Closing Date registering the offering and sale on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of all of the Registrable Securities. The Shelf Registration Statement described in this Section  2(a)(i) shall relate to the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement and Rule 415 under the Securities Act (such Registration Statement, together with any Registration Statement to replace such Registration Statement upon expiration thereof, if any, is referred to hereinafter as the “ Shelf Registration ”). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall have no obligation to register a Holder’s Registrable Securities if the Company has, at least 10 Business Days in advance of effectiveness, requested from the Holder of such Registrable Securities information regarding such Holder that is required

 

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under the Securities Act to be included in the Shelf Registration and has not been provided with such information within 5 Business Days. The “Plan of Distribution” section of such Shelf Registration shall permit all lawful means of disposition of Registrable Securities, including firm-commitment underwritten public offerings, block trades, agented transactions, sales directly into the market, purchases or sales by brokers, derivative transactions, short sales, stock loan or stock pledge transactions and sales not involving a public offering. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof, with a target effectiveness date within 90 days after the Closing Date. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to address any comments from the Commission regarding the Shelf Registration and to advocate with the Commission for the Registration of all Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable Commission rules and regulations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Commission prevents the Company from including any or all of the Registrable Securities on the Shelf Registration due to limitations on the use of Rule 415 of the Securities Act for the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders or otherwise, the Shelf Registration shall Register the resale of a number of Registrable Securities which is equal to the maximum number of shares as is permitted by the Commission, and, subject to the provisions of this Section  2 , the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly Register all remaining Registrable Securities as set forth in this Section  2(a)(i) , whether by way of amending the Shelf Registration or filing a new Registration Statement (it being understood that the Company is under no obligation to take any action with respect to any Registrable Securities that the Commission has informed the Company may not be registered). In such event, the number of Registrable Securities to be Registered for each Holder in the Shelf Registration shall be reduced pro rata among all then-applicable Holders. The Company shall bear all Registration Expenses in connection with the Shelf Registration pursuant to this Section  2(a)(i) , whether or not such Shelf Registration becomes effective.

(ii) Except as provided herein, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration filed pursuant to Section  2(a)(i) continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earliest of (i) the date as of which all Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration, (ii) the date on which this Agreement terminates under Section  8(k) with respect to all Holders and (iii) such shorter period as the Holders holding at least 75% of the Registrable Securities outstanding with respect to the Shelf Registration shall agree in writing, if no Holder’s Registrable Securities constitute “restricted securities” for purposes of Rule 144 (such period of effectiveness, the “ Effectiveness Period ”). Subject to Section  3(p) , the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration effective during the Effectiveness Period for purposes of this Section  2(a)(ii) and shall not voluntarily and intentionally take any action or omit to take any action that would result in Holders not being able to offer and sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration during the Effectiveness Period in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, unless such action or omission is (x) in connection with a Blackout Period permitted pursuant to Section  3(p) or (y) required by applicable law, rule or regulation.

 

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(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall cause (i) the Shelf Registration (as of the effective date of such Shelf Registration), any amendment thereof (as of the effective date thereof) or supplement thereto (as of its date), (A) to comply in all material respects with applicable Commission form requirements and Commission rules and regulations and (B) not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and (ii) any related Prospectus (including any preliminary Prospectus) or free writing prospectus and any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, as of its date, (A) to comply in all material respects with applicable Commission rules and regulations and (B) not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , the Company shall have no such obligations or liabilities with respect to any information pertaining to any Holder furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion therein.

(iv) After the Shelf Registration Statement with respect to a Shelf Registration is declared effective, 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 permitted by SEC Guidance, as promptly as practicable after the date the Registrable Securities requested to be registered pursuant to this Section 2(a)(iv) that have not already been so registered represent more than 1.5% of the outstanding Registrable Securities, file a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement to include such Holders in such Shelf Registration and use commercially reasonable efforts to have such post-effective amendment declared effective.

(b) Shelf Take-Downs .

(i) An offering or sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration (each, a “ Shelf Take-Down ”) may be initiated by Holders of Registrable Securities outstanding to be included in such Shelf Take-Down whose gross proceeds (as estimated in good faith by the managing underwriter for such proposed Shelf Take-Down) are expected to be at least $25.0 million (the “ Initiating Shelf Take-Down Holders ”) by written notice (an “ Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice ”), which Shelf Take-Down shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to amend or supplement the applicable Shelf Registration, if necessary, for such purpose as soon as practicable; provided , however , that in no event shall the Company be required to effect more than one Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down during any consecutive 90 day period. Subject to Section  2(b)(ii) below, such Initiating Shelf Take-Down Holders shall have the right to select the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer such offering, as specified in Section  2(b)(ii) below, which managing underwriter or underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

 

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(ii) If the Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice provides that the offering will include a customary “road show” (including an “electronic road show”) or other substantial marketing effort by the Company and the underwriters over a period expected to exceed 48 hours (a “ Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down ”), promptly upon delivery of such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice (but in no event more than 3 Business Days thereafter), the Company shall promptly deliver a written notice (a “ Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice ”) of such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down to all Holders (other than the Initiating Shelf Take-Down Holders), and the Company shall include in such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down all such Registrable Securities of such Holders that are Registered on the Shelf Registration for which the Company has received written requests, which requests must specify the aggregate amount of such Registrable Securities of such Holder to be offered and sold pursuant to such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, for inclusion therein within 5 Business Days after the date that such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice has been delivered; provided , that if the managing underwriter or underwriters of any proposed Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down informs the Holders that have requested to participate in such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down in writing that, in its or their good-faith opinion, the number of Registrable Securities which such Holders intend to include in such offering exceeds the number of Registrable Securities which can be sold in such offering without being likely to have a significant adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the securities offered or the market for the securities offered, then the Registrable Securities to be included in such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down shall be the number of Registrable Securities that, in the opinion of such managing underwriter or underwriters, can be sold without having such adverse effect in such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, which number shall be allocated (i)  first , to the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down by the Initiating Shelf Take-Down Holders and (ii)  second , to the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down by any Holder who is not one of the Initiating Shelf Take-Down Holders on a pro rata basis. The Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be included in any Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down shall have the right to select the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer such offering, which managing underwriter or underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

No holder of securities of the Company shall be permitted to include such holder’s securities in any Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down except for Holders who wish to include Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section  (2)(b)(ii) . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if an Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice does not expressly specify that the plan of distribution for a Shelf Take-Down shall include a customary road show or other substantial marketing efforts over a period expected to exceed 48 hours, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice to Holders.

 

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(c) Company Cooperation . The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in a timely manner with any request of any Holders holding Registrable Securities registered on a Shelf Registration Statement in respect of any block trade, hedging transaction or other transaction that is registered pursuant to a Shelf Registration that is not a firm commitment Underwritten Offering (each, an “ Alternative Transaction ”), including entering into customary agreements with respect to such Alternative Transactions as well as providing other reasonable assistance in respect of such Alternative Transactions of the type applicable to an Underwritten Offering subject to Section 3, to the extent customary for such transactions.

(d) Piggyback Registration .

(i) If the Company shall at any time propose to conduct an Underwritten Offering of Common Stock for its own account or for the account of any other Persons (excluding an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan, an offering relating to a transaction on Form S-4 or S-8, an offering on any registration statement form that does not permit secondary sales and any offering governed by Section 2(b) hereof), the Company shall promptly notify all Holders of such proposal reasonably in advance of (and in any event at least 10 Business Days before) the commencement of the offering, which notice will set forth the principal terms and conditions of the issuance, including the proposed offering price (or range of offering prices), if known, the anticipated filing date of the Registration Statement (if applicable) and the number of shares of Common Stock that are proposed to be registered (the “ Piggyback Notice ”); provided , however , notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of an Underwritten Offering (other than a Shelf Take-Down) advise the Company that in their reasonable opinion the inclusion of any of a Holder’s Registrable Securities requested for inclusion in the subject Underwritten Offering (and any related registration or offering, if applicable) would likely have an adverse effect in any material respect on the price, timing or distribution of Common Stock proposed to be included in such Underwritten Offering, the Company shall have no obligation to provide a Piggyback Notice to such Holder and such Holder shall have no right to include any Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering (and any related registration or offering, if applicable). The Piggyback Notice shall offer the Holders the opportunity to include for registration in such Underwritten Offering (and any related registration or offering, if applicable) the number of Registrable Securities as they may request (a “ Piggyback Registration ”); provided , however , that only Registrable Securities of Holders which are subject to an effective Shelf Registration may be included in such Piggyback Registration. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to include in each such Piggyback Registration such Registrable Securities for which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within five Business Days after sending the Piggyback Notice. If a Holder decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities in any Registration Statement thereafter filed by the Company, such Holder shall nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any subsequent Registration Statement or Registration Statements as may be filed by the Company with respect to offerings of Common Stock, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

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(ii) If the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of an Underwritten Offering advise the Company and the Holders who have requested their Registrable Securities be included in such offering following a Piggyback Notice that in its or their opinion the inclusion of all of such Holders’ Registrable Securities requested for inclusion in the subject Underwritten Offering (and any other Common Stock proposed to be included in such offering) would likely have an adverse effect in any material respect on the price, timing or distribution of Common Stock proposed to be included in such offering by the Company, the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering only that number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such Underwritten Offering that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not have such adverse effect, with such number to be allocated as follows: (A)  first , to the Company and (B)  second , if there remains availability for additional shares of Common Stock to be included in such Underwritten Offering, on a pro-rata basis among all Holders desiring to register Registrable Securities based on the number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder and, if applicable, to any other holders on whose behalf the Company filed such Registration Statement. If any Holder disapproves of the terms of any such Underwritten Offering, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the managing underwriter(s) delivered on or prior to the time of the commencement of such offering. Any Registrable Securities withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn from the registration.

(iii) The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section  2(c) at any time in its sole discretion whether or not any Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement. The Registration Expenses of such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with Section  5 hereof.

(iv) Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw all or part of its request for inclusion of its Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Registration by giving written notice to the Company of its request to withdraw; provided , that (i) such request must be made in writing prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement and (ii) such withdrawal shall be irrevocable and, after making such withdrawal, a Holder shall no longer have any right to include Registrable Securities in the Piggyback Registration as to which such withdrawal was made.

(v) No Registration of Registrable Securities effected pursuant to a request under this Section  2(c) shall be deemed to have been effected pursuant to Section  2(a) or Section  2(b) or shall relieve the Company of its obligations under Section  2(a) or Section  2(b) .

3. Registration and Underwritten Offering Procedures . The procedures to be followed by the Company and each Holder electing to sell Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement pursuant to 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 and the effectuation of any Underwritten Offering, are as follows:

(a) Preparation of the Registration Statement . The Company will prepare the required Registration Statement, and, before filing a Registration Statement, Prospectus or any free writing prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, (x) furnish to the

 

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underwriters, if any, and the Holders participating in the Registration or a Shelf Take-Down, as applicable, copies of all documents prepared to be filed, and provide such underwriters and such Holders and their respective counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such documents prior to their filing and (y) not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus to which any underwriters participating in the Registration or the Shelf Take-Down, as applicable, shall reasonably object, provided that any such objection is delivered to the Company reasonably in advance of any such filing.

(b) Holder Comments . In connection with any Registration Statement, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to address in each such document when so filed with the Commission such comments relating to such Holder or its intended manner of distribution as such Holders shall reasonably propose at least 3 Business Days prior to the filing thereof.

(c) Maintain Effectiveness . The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to 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 may be necessary under applicable law to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered thereby 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; and (iii) respond to any comments received from the Commission with respect to each Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and, 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 that pertains to such Holders as selling stockholders but not any comments that would result in the disclosure to such Holders of material and non-public information (within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws) concerning the Company, unless requested by such Holders.

(d) Notice . The Company will notify such Holders who are included in a Registration Statement as promptly as reasonably practicable: (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement in which such Holder is included has been filed; (B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of the applicable Registration Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing on such Registration Statement (in which case the Company shall provide true and complete copies thereof and all written responses thereto to each of such Holders that pertain to such Holders as selling stockholders, but not any comments that would result in the disclosure to such Holders of material and non-public information (within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws) concerning the Company, unless requested by such Holders); and (C) with respect to each applicable 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 Authority for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information that pertains to such Holders as sellers of Registrable Securities;

 

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(iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such 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; and (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time 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 that requires any amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading ( provided , however , that no notice by the Company shall be required pursuant to this clause (v) in the event that the Company either promptly files an amendment to the applicable Registration Statement, a prospectus supplement to supplement or update the Prospectus or a Form 8-K or other appropriate Exchange Act report that is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, which in either case, contains the requisite information that results in such Registration Statement no longer containing any untrue statement of material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading).

(e) Avoidance of Stop Orders and Suspension of Qualification . The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the issuance of or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, as promptly as reasonably practicable, or if any such order or suspension is made effective during any Blackout Period or Suspension Period, as promptly as reasonably practicable after such Blackout Period or Suspension Period is over.

(f) Compliance with Laws; FINRA; Blue Sky . The Company will:

(i) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the Registration Statement(s) and the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by thereby;

(ii) other than as provided in clause (iv), use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other Governmental Authority as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter or underwriters (or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(iii) cooperate with each Holder and each underwriter or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction, if any, participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA;

 

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(iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Holders, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel, in connection with the registration or qualification of Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of each state and other jurisdiction of the United States as any Holder or managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or their respective counsel reasonably request in writing, provided that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or to take any action which would subject it to taxation or general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(v) use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable securities laws.

(g) Underwriters; Due Diligence . In the case of an Underwritten Offering or Alternative Transaction, the Company will:

(i) (a) make such customary representations and warranties to the applicable Holders and the underwriters, agents or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction, if any, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers in secondary underwritten public offerings or Alternative Transactions, (b) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements) and take all such other actions as any Holder or the managing underwriter or underwriters (or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction), if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the Registration and disposition of such Registrable Securities, (c) obtain for delivery to the representative counsel or another representative designated to act on behalf of the Holders (the “ Representative ”) and to the underwriter or underwriters (or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction), if any, an opinion or opinions from counsel for the Company dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement or the agreement governing the Alternative Transaction, in customary form, scope and substance, which opinions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Representative or underwriters (or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction), as the case may be, and (d) obtain for delivery to the Company and the managing underwriter or underwriters (or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction), with copies to the Representative, a cold comfort letter from the Company’s independent certified public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters as the managing underwriter or underwriters (or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction) reasonably request, dated the date of execution of the underwriting agreement or the agreement governing the Alternative Transaction and brought down to the date of the closing of the Underwritten Offering or Alternative Transaction, as specified in such agreement.

 

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(ii) subject to the execution of any confidentiality agreements as reasonably requested by the Company, make available upon reasonable notice at reasonable times and for reasonable periods for inspection by the Representative, by any underwriter participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such Registration Statement, by any counterparty in an Alternative Transaction and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such Holder(s) or any such underwriter or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction, all customarily provided, pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause all of the Company’s officers, directors and employees and the independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements to make themselves reasonably available to discuss the business of the Company and to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Person in connection with such Registration Statement as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility.

(h) Transfer Agent; Exchange Listing . 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

(ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which any of the Company Securities are then listed or quoted and on each inter-dealer quotation system on which any of the Company Securities are then quoted.

(i) Delivery of Registration Statement . During the period in which any Registration Statement is effective, the Company will furnish to each Holder, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and each amendment thereto and all exhibits to the extent requested by such Holder (including those incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission; provided , that the Company will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this clause that is available on the Commission’s EDGAR system.

(j) Delivery of Prospectus . The Company will promptly deliver to each Holder, any underwriter and any counterparty in an Alternative Transaction, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) authorized by the Company for use and each amendment or supplement thereto as such Holder may reasonably request during the period in which any Registration Statement is effective; provided , that the Company will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this clause that is available on the Commission’s EDGAR system. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, including Sections  3(m) , 3(p) and 3(q) , the Company consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.

(k) Certificates . The Company will cooperate with such Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a sale under a Registration Statement, which certificates shall be free of all restrictive legends indicating that the Registrable Securities are unregistered or unqualified for resale under the Securities Act, Exchange Act or other

 

15


applicable securities laws, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holder may reasonably request in writing. In connection therewith, if required by the Company’s transfer agent, the Company will promptly, after the Effective Date of the Registration Statement, cause an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such transfer agent to be delivered to and maintained with its transfer agent, together with any other authorizations, certificates and directions required by the transfer agent which authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Registrable Securities without any such legend upon sale by the Holder of such Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement.

(l) Required Supplements and Amendments . Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section  3(d)(v) , as promptly as reasonably practicable, the Company will prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, if required by applicable law, to the applicable Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(m) Duties of Holders in Underwritten Offerings and Alternative Transactions . With respect to Underwritten Offerings and Alternative Transactions, (i) the right of any Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering or Alternative Transaction shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in the process and required delivery of information for such underwriting or Alternative Transaction and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting or Alternative Transaction to the extent provided herein, (ii) each Holder participating in such Underwritten Offering or Alternative Transaction agrees to enter into an underwriting agreement or agreement governing the Alternative Transaction in customary form and sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled to select the managing underwriter or managing underwriters hereunder and (iii) each Holder participating in such Underwritten Offering or Alternative Transaction agrees to complete and execute all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements or agreements governing the Alternative Transaction. The Company hereby agrees with each Holder that, in connection with any Underwritten Offering or Alternative Transaction 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, including using all commercially reasonable efforts to procure customary legal opinions and auditor “comfort” letters. In the event such Holders seek to complete an Underwritten Offering or Alternative Transaction, for a commercially reasonable period prior to the filing of any Registration Statement and throughout the effective period of such registration statement, the Company will make available upon commercially reasonable notice at the Company’s principal place of business or such other commercially reasonable place for inspection during normal business hours by the managing underwriter or managing underwriters (or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction) selected in accordance with this Section  3(m) such financial and

 

16


other information and books and records of the Company, and cause the appropriate 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) Holder Provision of Information . Each Holder agrees to timely furnish to the Company any information regarding the Holder and the distribution of such securities as the Company reasonably determines is required to be included in any Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement relating to any offering or sale of Registrable Securities contemplated by this Agreement, and to update or correct any previously delivered information as needed, and if any Holder does not do so after reasonably prompt written request by the Company, then the Company will not be required to register any shares of Common Stock of the Holder in a Registration Statement, or permit the continued use of a Prospectus.

(o) Availability of Officers and Employees . In connection with any Shelf Take-Down, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause appropriate officers and employees to be reasonably available, on a customary basis and upon commercially reasonable notice, to meet with prospective investors in presentations, meetings and road shows and otherwise to facilitate, cooperate with, and participate in each such proposed Underwritten Offering or Alternative Transaction to the extent reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters (or counterparty in an Alternative Transaction).

(p) Suspension and Postponement . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, upon delivery to the Holders of a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Company shall not be required to file a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or if the Company has filed a Shelf Registration Statement and has included Registrable Securities therein, the Company shall be entitled to suspend the offer and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement (including pursuant to a Shelf Takedown), for a period of up to 30 days, (i) if the Board determines that a postponement is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders generally due to a pending transaction involving the Company, (ii) if the Board determines such registration would render the Company unable to comply with applicable securities laws, (iii) if the Board determines such registration would require disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential, (iv) upon issuance by the Commission of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act, (v) if the Company elects at such time to offer Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company to (A) fund a merger, third-party tender offer or other business combination, acquisition of assets or similar transaction or (B) meet rating agency and other capital funding requirements or (vi) if any other material development would materially and adversely interfere with any such registration (any such period, a “ Blackout Period ”); provided , however , that in no event shall any Blackout Period together with any Suspension Period collectively exceed an aggregate of 90 days in any 12-month period. The Company shall promptly notify the Holders upon the termination of any Blackout Period, amend or supplement the applicable Registration Statement, Prospectus and any free writing

 

17


prospectus, if necessary, so it does not contain a material misstatement of fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and furnish to the Holders such numbers of copies of the Prospectus and any free writing prospectus as so amended or supplemented as the Holders may reasonably request. The Company agrees, if necessary, to supplement or make amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement if required by the registration form used by the Company for the Registration or by Commission rules and regulations, or as may reasonably be requested by any Holder.

(q) Discontinued Disposition . Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in clauses (ii) through (v) of Section  3(d) or (i) through (vi) of Section  3(p) , 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 as contemplated by Section  3(l) 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 (a “ Suspension Period ”). The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to their transfer agent to enforce the provisions of this Section  3(q) .

(r) Exchange Act Filings . For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to furnish to Holders copies of any Exchange Act filings prior to the filing thereof with the Commission not related to information included in the Registration Statement relating to the Holders or the intended manner of distribution of Registrable Securities.

4. No Inconsistent Agreements; Additional Rights . The Company shall not hereafter enter into, and is not currently a party to, any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent in any material respect with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities by this Agreement.

5. Registration Expenses . Except as specifically provided otherwise elsewhere in this Agreement, all expenses incident to the Parties’ performance of or compliance with their respective obligations under this Agreement or otherwise in connection with any Shelf Registration, Shelf Take-Down, Piggyback Registration or Alternative Transaction (in each case, excluding any Selling Expenses) (“ Registration Expenses ”) shall be borne by the Company, whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. Registration Expenses shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with the Trading Market, the Commission or FINRA and (B) in compliance with applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws), (ii) printing, word processing, messenger, telephone and facsimile expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for Company Securities and of printing Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is reasonably requested by a Holder of Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel, auditors and accountants for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, (vi) fees and expenses of all other

 

18


Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (vii) all expenses relating to marketing the sale of the Registrable Securities, including expenses related to conducting a “road show.” 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 the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on the Trading Market.

6. Indemnification .

(a) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, advisors and employees thereof and each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act) (collectively, “ Holder Indemnified Persons ”), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, costs (including commercially reasonable costs of preparation and commercially reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (collectively, “ Claims ”), which any Holder 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 or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference into any Registration Statement under which any Registrable Securities were registered, in any preliminary prospectus or in any summary or final prospectus or free writing prospectus (if such free writing prospectus was authorized for use by the Company) or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Company is required to keep the Registration Statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable to any Holder Indemnified Person to the extent that any such Claim arises out of, is 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 Holder Indemnified Person or any underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof. The Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any Claim of which the Company is aware in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the Company may otherwise have. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Holder or any indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Holder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Section  6 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement indefinitely.

 

19


(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder participates, such Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, advisors and employees thereof to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all Losses as incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such Registration Statement, 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 (if used during the period the Company is required to keep the Registration Statement current), or arising out , based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading, but only to the extent that the same are made in reliance and in conformity with information relating to the Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder for use therein. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability such Holder may otherwise have. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any indemnified party. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such Holder under the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

(c) If any proceeding (including any investigation by any Governmental Authority) shall be instituted involving any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(b), such Person (an “ Indemnified Party ”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) in writing and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and shall assume the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses; provided , that the failure of any Indemnified Party so to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure to notify. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) in the reasonable judgment of such Indemnified Party (A) representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them or (B) there would be rights or defenses that would be available to such Indemnified Party that are not available to the Indemnifying Party. It is understood that, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for all such Indemnified Parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed promptly after receipt of an invoice setting forth such fees and expenses in reasonable detail. In the case of any such separate firm for the Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Indemnified Parties. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any Losses (to the extent obligated herein) by reason of such settlement or

 

20


judgment. Without the prior written consent of each affected Indemnified Party, no Indemnifying Party shall effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which such Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such proceeding.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section  6 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any Losses referred to herein, the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall to the extent permitted by applicable law 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, on the one hand, and of the indemnified party, on the other, in connection with the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided , that in no event shall any contribution by a Holder hereunder exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder.

7. Facilitation of Sales Pursuant to Rule 144 . To the extent it shall be required to do so under the Exchange Act, the Company shall timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (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 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.

(b) Amendments and Waivers . No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended except in a written instrument signed by the Company and the Holders holding at least a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities. The Company shall provide prior notice to all Holders of any proposed waiver or amendment. No waiver of any default

 

21


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.

(c) 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(c) prior to 5:00 p.m. Central 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. Central Time on any date and earlier than 11:59 p.m. Central 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:

 

If to the Company:   

SAExploration Holdings, Inc.

Attention: Brent Whiteley, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel

1160 Dairy Ashford, Suite 160

Houston, Texas 77079

Electronic mail: bwhiteley@saexploration.com

 

With copy to:

 

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Attention: Sarah Link Schultz

1700 Pacific Avenue

Suite 4100

Dallas, TX 75201-4624

Electronic mail: sschultz@akingump.com

If to any Person who

is then the registered

Holder:

   To the address of such Holder as it appears in the applicable register for the Registrable Securities or such other address as may be designated in writing by such Holder.

(d) 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 assigns, provided that (i) except as provided in this Section  8(d) , this Agreement, and any rights or obligations hereunder, may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Company and the Holders, (ii) the registration rights of a Holder pursuant to this Agreement with respect to all or any portion of its Registrable Securities may be transferred or assigned without such consent (but only with all related obligations) with respect to such Registrable Securities by such Holder to one or more transferees or assignees of such Registrable Securities; provided (A) the Company is,

 

22


within a commercially reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the Registrable Securities with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned and (B) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms set forth in this Agreement and executes a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, and (iii) the Company shall have no obligation to file a Registration Statement or a post-effective amendment to any Registration Statement to add a transferee or an assignee as a selling security holder thereunder unless such person holds not less than 2.5% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Holders.

(e) No Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, shall be construed to give any Person, other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assigns, any legal or equitable right, remedy, claim or benefit under or in respect of this Agreement.

(f) Execution and Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile or electronic mail transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding obligation of the Party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such signature delivered by facsimile or electronic mail transmission were the original thereof.

(g) Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York. Each of the Parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on each Party anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of notices under this Agreement. Each of the Parties irrevocably waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such courts and irrevocably waives any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the Parties hereby waives any right to request a trial by jury in any litigation with respect to this Agreement and represents that counsel has been consulted specifically as to this waiver.

(h) Cumulative Remedies . The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

(i) 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

 

23


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.

(j) Entire Agreement . This Agreement 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 the matters addressed or governed hereby, whether oral or written.

(k) Termination . The rights and obligations of the Company and of any Holder under this Agreement, other than those obligations contained in Section 6, shall terminate with respect to the Company and such Holder on the first date upon which such Holder no longer beneficially owns any Registrable Securities comprising at least an aggregate of 2.5% of the outstanding Common Stock at any time.

[THIS SPACE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]

 

24


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Supporting Holders on behalf of themselves and the other Holders have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


SUPPORTING HOLDERS:
Whitebox Asymetric Partners, LP
By:   /s/ Mark Strefling

Name:

Title:

 

Mark Strefling

CEO

 

Whitebox Credit Partners, LP
By:   /s/ Mark Strefling

Name:

Title:

 

Mark Strefling

CEO

 

Whitebox Multi-Strategy Partners, LP
By:   /s/ Mark Strefling

Name:

Title:

 

Mark Strefling

CEO

 

Whitebox Institutional Partners, LP
By:   /s/ Mark Strefling

Name:

Title:

 

Mark Strefling

CEO

 

Address for Notice:

3033 Excelsior Blvd, Suite 300,

Minneapolis, MN 55416

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


Blue Mountain Credit Alternatives Master Fund L.P.
By:   /s/ David M. O’Mara

Name:

Title:

 

David M. O’Mara

Deputy General Counsel

 

BlueMountain Guadalupe Peak Fund L.P.
By:   /s/ David M. O’Mara

Name:

Title:

 

David M. O’Mara

Deputy General Counsel

 

BlueMountain Montenvers Master Fund SCA
By:   /s/ David M. O’Mara

Name:

Title:

 

David M. O’Mara

Deputy General Counsel

 

BlueMountain Summit Trading L.P.
By:   /s/ David M. O’Mara

Name:

Title:

 

David M. O’Mara

Deputy General Counsel

 

BlueMountain Kicking Horse Fund L.P.
By:   /s/ David M. O’Mara

Name:

Title:

 

David M. O’Mara

Deputy General Counsel

 

BlueMountain Timberline Ltd.
By:   /s/ David M. O’Mara

Name:

Title:

 

David M. O’Mara

Deputy General Counsel

 

Address for Notice:
BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC, 280 Park Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10017

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


1992 MSF INTERNATIONAL LTD.

By: Highbridge Capital Management, LLC,

as Trading Manager

By:   /s/ Jonathan Segal

Name:

Title:

 

Jonathan Segal

Managing Director

 

1992 TACTICAL CREDIT MASTER FUND,

L.P.

By: Highbridge Capital Management, LLC,

as Trading Manager

By:   /s/ Jonathan Segal

Name:

Title:

 

Jonathan Segal

Managing Director

 

Address for Notice:

c/o Highbridge Capital Management, LLC,

40 West 57th Street, 32nd Floor, New York, NY

10019

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC., as investment manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts
By:   /s/ Kim Cross
Name:   Kim Cross
Title:   Managing Director
Address for notice:

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Attention: Global Fixed Income Team

522 Fifth Avenue, 6 th Floor

New York, NY 10036

with a copy to :

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Attention: General Counsel’s Office

522 Fifth Avenue, 19 th Floor

New York, NY 10036

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


SUPPORTING HOLDERS:
By:   /s/ Ming Shao

Name:

Title:

 

Ming Shao

Director of Fixed Income Investments

 

Address for Notice:

DuPont Capital Management

Delaware Corporate Center

One Righter Parkway, Suite 3200

Wilmington, DE 19803

ming.shao@dupont.com

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


SUPPORTING HOLDERS:
By:   /s/ Samuel Barker

Name:

Title:

 

Samuel Barker

Senior Analyst

 

Address for Notice:

Amzak Capital Management LLC

980 N Federal Highway

Suite 315

Boca Raton, FL 33432

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


Exhibit A

JOINDER AGREEMENT

Reference is made to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2018 (as amended from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and among SAExploration Holdings, Inc. and the other parties thereto. The undersigned agrees, by execution hereof, to become a party to, and to be subject to the rights and obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

[NAME]

By:

 

 

Name:

Title:

Date:

Address:

 

Acknowledged by:

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.

By:

 

 

Name:

Title

Exhibit 10.2

WARRANT AGREEMENT

dated as of January 29, 2018

between

SAExploration Holdings, Inc.

and

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company,

as Warrant Agent

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

Article 1 Definitions

     1  

Section 1.01 Certain Definitions

     1  

Article 2 Issuance, Execution and Transfer of Warrants

     10  

Section 2.01 Issuance and Delivery of Warrants

     10  

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication of Warrants

     10  

Section 2.03 Registration, Transfer, Exchange and Substitution

     11  

Section 2.04 Form of Warrant Certificates

     12  

Section 2.05 Cancellation of the Warrants

     12  

Section 2.06 Limitations on Transfer

     12  

Article 3 Exercise and Settlement of Warrants

     13  

Section 3.01 Exercise of Warrants

     13  

Section 3.02 Procedure for Exercise by Beneficial Owner

     13  

Section 3.03 Procedure for Mandatory Exercise

     14  

Section 3.04 Settlement of Warrants

     15  

Section 3.05 Delivery of Common Shares

     15  

Section 3.06 No Fractional Common Shares to Be Issued

     17  

Section 3.07 Acquisition of Warrants by Company

     18  

Section 3.08 Validity of Exercise

     18  

Section 3.09 Certain Calculations

     18  

Section 3.10 Limitation on Exercise

     18  

Article 4 Adjustments

     19  

Section 4.01 Adjustments to Number of Common Shares

     19  

Section 4.02 Adjustments to Number of Warrants

     22  

Section 4.03 Certain Distributions of Rights and Warrants

     22  

Section 4.04 Stockholder Rights Plans

     23  

Section 4.05 Restrictions on Adjustments

     23  

Section 4.06 Successor upon Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

     24  

Section 4.07 Adjustment upon Reorganization Event

     25  

Section 4.08 Reserved

     27  

Section 4.09 Common Shares Outstanding; Common Shares Reserved for Issuance on Exercise

     27  

Section 4.10 Calculations; Instructions to Warrant Agent

     27  

Section 4.11 Notice of Adjustments

     27  

Section 4.12 Warrant Agent Not Responsible for Adjustments or Validity

     28  

Section 4.13 Statements on Warrants

     28  

Section 4.14 Effect of Adjustment

     28  

Article 5 Other Provisions Relating to the Rights of Warrant Holders

     29  

Section 5.01 No Rights as Stockholders

     29  

Section 5.02 Mutilated or Missing Warrant Certificates

     29  

Section 5.03 Modification, Waiver and Meetings

     29  

Section 5.04 Notices of Date, etc.

     30  

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(Continued)

 

Page  

Section 5.05 Rights as Warrant Holders

     30  

Section 5.06 Tax Consequences

     30  

Section 5.07 Dividends

     30  

Article 6 Representations of the Company

     31  

Section 6.01 Representations

     31  

Article 7 Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters

     32  

Section 7.01 Payment of Certain Taxes

     32  

Section 7.02 Reserved

     32  

Section 7.03 Change of Warrant Agent

     32  

Section 7.04 Compensation; Further Assurances

     33  

Section 7.05 Reliance on Counsel

     34  

Section 7.06 Proof of Actions Taken

     34  

Section 7.07 Correctness of Statements

     34  

Section 7.08 Validity of Agreement

     34  

Section 7.09 Use of Agents

     35  

Section 7.10 Liability of Warrant Agent

     35  

Section 7.11 Legal Proceedings

     35  

Section 7.12 Actions as Agent

     35  

Section 7.13 Appointment and Acceptance of Agency

     36  

Section 7.14 Successors and Assigns

     36  

Section 7.15 Notices

     36  

Section 7.16 Applicable Law; Jurisdiction

     37  

Section 7.17 Waiver of Jury Trial

     37  

Section 7.18 Benefit of this Warrant Agreement

     37  

Section 7.19 Registered Warrant Holder

     37  

Section 7.20 Headings

     38  

Section 7.21 Counterparts

     38  

Section 7.22 Entire Agreement

     38  

Section 7.23 Severability

     38  

Section 7.24 Termination

     38  

Section 7.25 Confidentiality

     38  

 

SCHEDULE A    SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN WARRANTS
EXHIBIT A    FORM OF GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT B    FORM OF EXERCISE NOTICE
EXHIBIT C    WARRANT AGENT FEE SCHEDULE

 

 

ii


WARRANT AGREEMENT

Warrant Agreement (as it may be amended from time to time, this “ Warrant Agreement ”), dated as of January 29, 2018, between SAExploration Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (the “ Warrant Agent ”).

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS, the Company is issuing Series C Warrants (the “ Warrants ”) to purchase shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“ Common Shares ”) to certain eligible holders of record of the Company’s 10.000% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2019 (the “ Existing Notes ”) and eligible holders of record of the Company’s 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “ Stub Notes ”) pursuant to the Company’s exchange offer and consent solicitation (the “ Exchange Offer ”) related to the Existing Notes and the Stub Notes;

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, exchange, Transfer (as defined below), substitution and exercise of the Warrants;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the terms upon which the Warrants 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 Warrants have the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto); and

WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Warrants, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on behalf of the Warrant Agent as provided herein, 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 Company and the Warrant Agent agree as follows:

Article 1

Definitions

Section 1.01 Certain Definitions . As used in this Warrant Agreement, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:

Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first 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.


Affiliated Buyer ” means, with respect to an Asset Sale or tender offer, any Person (i) who is an Affiliate of the Company, (ii) who is an officer, director, employee or member of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or (iii) a majority of which Person’s total outstanding equity, upon consummation of such transaction, is held by Persons who are equity holders in the Company immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction.

Appropriate Officer ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.02(a) .

Asset Sale ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.06(c) .

Authentication Order ” means a Company Order for authentication and delivery of the Warrants.

Beneficial Owner ” means any Person beneficially owning an interest in the Warrant Certificates, which, in the case of the Global Warrant Certificates, interest is credited to the account of a direct participant in the Depository for the benefit of such Person through the book-entry system maintained by the Depositary (or its agent)). For the avoidance of doubt, a Participant may also be a Beneficial Owner.

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of such board duly authorized to exercise the power of the board of directors with respect to the matters provided for in this Warrant Agreement as to which the board of directors is authorized or required to act.

Business Day ” means any day other than (x) a Saturday or Sunday or (y) any day which is a legal holiday in the State of New York or a day on which banking institutions and trust companies in the state in which the Warrant Agent is located are authorized or obligated by Law, regulation or executive order to close.

Cash ” means such coin or currency of the United States as at any time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the direct or indirect 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 properties or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) other than a Permitted Holder; (ii) the adoption or the approval by the holders of capital stock of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (iii) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any person, other than a Permitted Holder, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or (iv) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding voting stock of the Company or such other person is converted into or

 

2


exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock (as defined in the Existing Indenture)) of the surviving or transferee person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance). For the avoidance of doubt, a Change of Control will not be deemed to have occurred if a Permitted Holder has the ability to appoint a majority of the Board of the Company, and none of the transactions contemplated by the RSA shall be deemed a Change of Control.

Close of Business ” means 5:00 p.m., New York City time.

Closing Date ” means January 29, 2018.

Common Shares ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Common Shares Deemed Outstanding ” means, at any given time, the sum of (a) the number of Common Shares actually outstanding at such time, plus (b) the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities actually outstanding at such time, regardless of whether the Convertible Securities are actually exercisable at such time, plus (c) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance at such time under the Management Plan or any other equity incentive plan of the Company, regardless of whether the Common Shares are actually subject to outstanding options at such time or whether any outstanding options are actually exercisable at such time; provided, that Common Shares 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.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Company Order ” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by any Appropriate Officer or other duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent.

Conversion Blocker ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.10(a) .

Convertible Securities ” means options, rights, warrants or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Shares (including the Warrants).

Depository ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and their respective successors.

Domestic Restricted Warrant ” means a Warrant issued in reliance on Regulation D or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

Equity Incentive Plans ” means any equity incentive plans for officers, employees or directors of the Company, including the Management Plan.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the related rules and regulations promulgated there under.

 

3


Exchange Offer ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Exercise Date ” has the meaning, (i) with respect to exercise by a Beneficial Owner, set forth in Section  3.02(b) , and (ii) with respect to exercise by the Company, set forth in Section  3.03(b) .

Ex-Date ” means with respect to a dividend or distribution to holders of the Common Shares, the first date on which the Common Shares can be traded without the right to receive such dividend or distribution.

Exercise Notice ” means, for any Warrant, an exercise notice substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

Exercise Price ” means $0.0001 per share.

Existing Notes ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Existing Indenture ” means the Indenture dated as of July 27, 2016, among the Company, its domestic subsidiaries party thereto and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee and noteholder collateral agent.

Fair Value ,” as of a specified date, means the price per Common Share, other Securities or other distributed property determined as follows:

(i) in the case of Common Shares or other Securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market, the VWAP of a Common Share or a single unit of such other Security for the 20 Trading Days ending on, but excluding, the specified date (or if the Common Shares or other Security has been listed for less than 20 Trading Days, the VWAP for such lesser period of time);

(ii) in the case of Common Shares or other Securities not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market, the VWAP of a Common Share or a single unit of such other Security in composite trading for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which such securities are then listed for the 20 Trading Days ending on, but excluding, the specified date (or if the Common Shares or other Security has been listed for less than 20 Trading Days, the VWAP for such lesser period of time); or

(iii) in all other cases, the fair value per Common Share, other Securities or other distributed property as of a date not earlier than 10 Business Days preceding the specified date as determined in good faith by the Board and, if the Board elects to engage the same, upon the advice of an independent investment banking, financial advisory or valuation firm or appraiser selected by the Board (a “ Representative ”); provided , however , that

(iv) notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board determines in good faith that the application of clauses (i) or (ii) of this definition would result in a VWAP based on the trading prices of a thinly-traded Security such that the price resulting therefrom may not represent an accurate measurement of the fair value of such Security, the Board at its election may apply the provisions of clause (iii) of this definition in lieu of the applicable clause (i) or (ii) with respect to the determination of the fair value of such Security.

 

4


Full Physical Settlement ” means the settlement method pursuant to which an exercising Beneficial Owner shall be entitled to receive from the Company, for each Warrant exercised, a number of Common Shares equal to the Full Physical Share Amount in exchange for payment by the Beneficial Owner of the applicable Exercise Price.

Full Physical Share Amount ” means, for each Warrant exercised as to which Full Physical Settlement is applicable, one Common Share.

Fully Diluted Basis ” means the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company, assuming the exercise or conversion of all outstanding Convertible Securities for cash, but excluding any Common Shares or Convertible Securities issued or issuable pursuant to (i) an Equity Incentive Plan, (ii) the Company’s outstanding Series A Warrants or (iii) the Company’s outstanding Series B Warrants.

Fundamental Equity Change ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.06(a) .

Funds ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.02(d) .

Funds Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.02(d) .

Global Warrants ” means a Warrant in the form of a Global Warrant Certificate.

Global Warrant Certificate ” means any certificate representing the Global Warrants satisfying the requirements set forth in Section  2.04 .

Global Warrant Holde r” means the Person acting as the Depository or nominee of the Depository in whose name the applicable Warrants are registered in the Warrant Register. The initial Global Warrant Holder shall be Cede & Co., as the Depository’s nominee.

Governmental Authority ” means (a) any national, supranational, federal, state, provincial, county, municipal or local government or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, quasi-judicial, arbitral, regulatory, taxing or administrative functions of or pertaining to government and (b) any agency, commission, division, bureau, department, court, tribunal, instrumentality, authority, quasi-governmental authority or other political subdivision of any government, entity or organization described in the foregoing clause (a), in each case, whether U.S. or non-U.S.

Law ” means any Order, law, statute, regulation, code, ordinance, policy, rule, consent decree, consent order or other requirement of any Governmental Authority.

New Common Shares ” means the 812,321 Common Shares issued in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

 

5


Management Plan ” means the management incentive plan to be adopted by the Company which shall reserve 10%, on a Fully Diluted Basis, of the total outstanding Common Shares for distribution to covered employees.

Net Share Amount ” means for each Warrant exercised as to which Net Share Settlement is applicable, a fraction of a Common Share equal to (i) the Fair Value (as of the Exercise Date for such Warrant) of one Common Share minus the Exercise Price therefor divided by (ii) such Fair Value. The number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise, on the same Exercise Date, of Warrants as to which Net Share Settlement is applicable shall be aggregated, with any fractional Common Share rounded down to the nearest whole share as provided in Section  3.06 . In no event shall the Company deliver a fractional Common Share in connection with an exercise of Warrants as to which Net Share Settlement is applicable.

Net Share Settlement ” means the settlement method pursuant to which an exercising Beneficial Owner shall be entitled to receive from the Company, for each Warrant exercised, a number of Common Shares equal to the Net Share Amount without any payment of Cash therefor.

Number of Warrants ” means the “Number of Warrants” specified on the face of the Warrant Certificates, subject to adjustment pursuant to Article  4 .

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by any Appropriate Officer or other duly authorized officer of the Company.

Open of Business ” means 9:00 a.m., New York City time.

Order ” means any award, injunction, judgment, decree, order, ruling, subpoena or verdict or other decision issued, promulgated or entered by or with a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction.

Participant ” means any direct participant of the Depository, the account of which is credited with a beneficial interest in the Global Warrant for the benefit of a Beneficial Owner through the book-entry system maintained by the Depositary (or its agent).

Permitted Holders ” means (a) Whitebox Advisors LLC, BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC, Highbridge Capital Management, LLC, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., DuPont Capital Management, Amzak Capital Management, LLC, Minerva Advisors, Steven Roth, and any Related Party of any of the foregoing, (b) any Person acting in the capacity of an underwriter or initial purchaser in connection with a public or private offering of the capital stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent entity or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such capital stock, (c) any immediate family member of a Person (in the case of an individual) described in clause (a) above, (d) any trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, of whose Voting Stock more than 50% is beneficially owned by one or more of the Persons described in clauses (a), (b), and (c) and (e) any co-investor in any person described in clause (d) above.

 

6


Person ” means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.

Preferred Stock Redemption ” means redemption of all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock by the Company.

Record Date ” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of Common Shares have the right to receive any Cash, Securities or other property or in which Common Shares (or another applicable Security) are exchanged for or converted into, or any combination of, Cash, Securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of Common Shares entitled to receive such Cash, Securities or other property or participate in such exchange or conversion (whether such date is fixed by the Board or by statute, contract or otherwise).

Reference Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.07(a) .

Registration Rights Agreement ” shall mean that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Company and certain holders of the Company’s Securities, entered into in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

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

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

Regulation S Warrant ” means a Warrant issued pursuant to Regulation S.

Related Party ” of a Person means (1) any fund manager of such Person or any fund or account under common management with such Person, (2) any controlling equityholder of such Person and (3) any Person or entity of whose Voting Stock more than 50% is beneficially owned by such Person.

Reorganization Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.07(a) .

Representative ” has the meaning set forth in clause (iii) of the definition of Fair Value.

Restricted Ownership Percentage ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.10(a) .

RSA ” means the Restructuring Support Agreement dated as of December 19, 2017 among the Company and the Supporting Holders identified therein, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whichever is the relevant statute for the particular purpose.

Securities ” means (i) any capital stock (whether Common Shares or preferred stock, voting or non-voting), partnership, membership or limited liability company interest or other

 

7


equity or voting interest, (ii) any right, option, warrant or other security or evidence of indebtedness convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, directly or indirectly, any interest described in clause (i), (iii) any notes, bonds, debentures, trust receipts and other obligations, instruments or evidences of indebtedness, and (iv) any other “securities,” as such term is defined or determined under the Securities Act.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the related rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Series A Preferred Stock ” means the Company’s 8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock.

Series B Preferred Stock ” means the Company’s Mandatorily Convertible Series B Preferred Stock.

Settlement Date ” means, in respect of a Warrant that is exercised hereunder, the second Business Day immediately following the Exercise Date for such Warrant.

Shareholder Approval ” means the approval by holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of (i) the amendment to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of Common Shares authorized for issuance in an amount to provide a sufficient number of authorized Common Shares for the issuance of New Common Shares and for the issuance of the shares upon conversion of all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, and upon exercise of the Warrants, and (ii) such approval as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of NASDAQ (or any successor entity) from the shareholders of the Company with respect to the issuance of New Common Shares and the issuance of the shares upon conversion of all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock and upon exercise of the Warrants in excess of 19.99% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on the Closing Date.

Stub Notes ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Subsidiary ” means, as to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or other interests having by their terms voting power to elect a majority of the Board or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly beneficially owned or controlled by such party or by any one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such party and one or more of its subsidiaries.

Trading Day ” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, other than any day on which Securities are not traded on the applicable securities exchange.

Transfer ” means, with respect to any Warrant, to directly or indirectly (whether by act, omission or operation of law), sell, exchange, transfer, hypothecate, negotiate, gift, convey in trust, pledge, assign, encumber, or otherwise dispose of, or by adjudication of a Person as bankrupt, by assignment for the benefit of creditors, by attachment, levy or other seizure by any creditor (whether or not pursuant to judicial process), or by passage or distribution of Warrants under judicial order or legal process, carry out or permit the transfer or other disposition of, all or any portion of such Warrant.

 

8


Transfer Agent ” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company or its successors.

Transferee ” means a Person to whom any Warrant (or interest in the Global Warrant) is Transferred.

Unit of Reference Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.07(a) .

Voting Stock ” of a person, as of any time, means the equity securities of such person that at such time is entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such person.

VWAP ” means, for any Trading Day, the price for Securities (including Common Shares) determined by the daily volume weighted average price per unit of such Securities for such Trading Day on the trading market on which such Securities are then listed or quoted, in each case, for the regular trading session (including any extensions thereof, without regard to pre-open or after hours trading outside of such regular trading session) as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Stock Market, or if such Securities are not listed or quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Stock Market, as reported by the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which such Securities are then listed or quoted, whichever is applicable, as published by Bloomberg at 4:15 P.M., New York City time (or 15 minutes following the end of any extension of the regular trading session), on such Trading Day, or if such volume weighted average price is unavailable or in manifest error, the price per unit of such Securities using a volume weighted average price method selected by an independent nationally recognized investment bank or other qualified financial institution selected by the Board.

Warrant ” or “ Warrants ” means the warrants of the Company, each of which is exercisable for a single Common Share as provided herein, issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement with the terms, conditions and rights set forth herein.

Warrant Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Warrant Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Warrant Certificates ” means any certificate representing the Warrants satisfying the requirements set forth in Section  2.04 .

Warrant Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.19 .

“Warrant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.03(a) .

 

9


Article 2

Issuance, Execution and Transfer of Warrants

Section 2.01 Issuance and Delivery of Warrants .

(a) On the Closing Date, the Company shall initially issue and execute an aggregate of 8,286,061 Warrants and shall issue and execute Global Warrants (in accordance with Section  2.02 ) evidencing an initial aggregate Number of Warrants to be held in global form equal to 8,286,061 Warrants (such Number of Warrants to be subject to adjustment from time to time as described herein) in accordance with the terms of this Warrant Agreement and deliver such Warrants to the Warrant Agent, for authentication, along with duly executed Authentication Orders. The Warrant Agent shall then Transfer the Global Warrants to the Global Warrant Holder for crediting to the accounts of the applicable Participants for the benefit of the applicable Beneficial Holders pursuant to the procedures of the Depository on or after the Closing Date. The Global Warrant shall each evidence one or more Warrants. Each Warrant (including those evidenced by Global Warrants) shall be exercisable (upon payment of the Exercise Price and compliance with the procedures set forth in this Warrant Agreement) for one Common Share. On the Closing Date, the Warrant Agent shall, upon receipt of such Warrants and Authentication Orders, authenticate such Warrants in accordance with Section  2.02 and register such Warrants in the Warrant Register. The Warrants evidenced by the Global Warrant Certificates shall be dated as of the Closing Date and, subject to the terms hereof, shall evidence the only Warrants issued or outstanding under this Warrant Agreement. The Global Warrant Certificates shall be deposited on or after the date hereof with the Warrant Agent.

(b) All Warrants issued under this Warrant Agreement shall in all respects be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits hereof, without preference, priority, or distinction on account of the actual time of the issuance and authentication or any other terms thereof. Each Warrant shall be, and shall remain, subject to the provisions of this Warrant Agreement until such time as all of the Warrants evidenced thereby shall have been duly exercised or shall have been canceled in accordance with the terms hereof. The Global Warrant Holder shall be bound by all of the terms and provisions of this Warrant Agreement as fully and effectively as if the Global Warrant Holder had signed the same.

(c) Any Warrant that is forfeited by a Beneficial Owner or repurchased by the Company shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding for all purposes of this Warrant Agreement.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication of Warrants .

(a) Each of the Warrants (including those evidenced by Global Warrant Certificates and certificated Warrants) shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President or any Vice President, any Treasurer or Secretary (each, an “ Appropriate Officer ”) of the Company. The signature of any of the Appropriate Officers on such Warrants may be in the form of a facsimile or other electronically transmitted signature (including, without limitation, electronic transmission in portable document format (.pdf)).

(b) Any of the Warrants bearing the signatures of individuals, each of whom was, at the time he or she signed any of the Warrants or his or her facsimile signature was affixed to such Warrants, as the case may be, an Appropriate Officer, shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased be such an Appropriate Officer prior to the authentication of such Warrants by the Warrant Agent or was not such an Appropriate Officer at the date of such Warrants.

 

10


(c) No Warrant shall be entitled to any benefit under this Warrant Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on the applicable Warrant a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Warrant Agent, and such signature upon any of the Warrants shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Warrant has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. The signature of the Warrant Agent on any of the Warrants may be in the form of a facsimile or other electronically transmitted signature (including, without limitation, electronic transmission in portable document format (.pdf)).

Section 2.03 Registration, Transfer, Exchange and Substitution .

(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the office of the Warrant Agent, and the Warrant Agent shall maintain, a register (the “ Warrant Register ”) in which the Company shall provide for the registration of any Warrants (including any Global Warrant) and Transfers, exchanges or substitutions thereof as provided herein. Any Warrant issued upon any registration of Transfer or exchange of or substitution for any Warrant shall be a valid obligation of the Company, evidencing the same obligations, and entitled to the same benefits under this Warrant Agreement, as any Warrant surrendered for such registration of Transfer, exchange or substitution.

(b) Transfers of a Global Warrant shall be limited to Transfers in whole, and not in part, to the Company, the Depository, their successors, and their respective nominees. A Warrant may be Transferred upon the delivery of a written instruction of Transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Warrant Agent and the Company, duly executed by the Warrant Holder or by such Warrant Holder’s attorney, duly authorized in writing. No such Transfer shall be effected until, and the Transferee shall succeed to the rights of the Warrant Holder only upon, final acceptance and registration of the Transfer in the Warrant Register by the Warrant Agent. Prior to the registration of any Transfer of a Warrant by the Warrant Holder as provided herein, the Company, the Warrant Agent, and any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent may treat the Person in whose name such Warrant is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. To permit a registration of a Transfer of a Warrant, the Company shall execute the Warrant Certificates at the Warrant Agent’s request and the Warrant Agent shall authenticate such Warrant Certificates. Any Global Warrant Certificates shall be deposited on or after the date hereof with the Warrant Agent. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of Transfer. A party requesting transfer of a Warrant must provide any evidence of authority that may be required by the Warrant Agent, including but not limited to, a signature guarantee from an eligible guarantor institution participating in a signature guarantee program approved by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc.

(c) Interests of Beneficial Owners in a Global Warrant registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee shall only be Transferred in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, the applicable Participant and applicable Law.

 

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(d) So long as any Global Warrant is registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, the Beneficial Owners shall have no rights under this Warrant Agreement with respect to such Global Warrant held on their behalf by the Depository, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Warrant Agent and any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent as the absolute owner of such Global Warrant for all purposes. Accordingly, any such Beneficial Owner’s interest in such Global Warrant will be shown only on, and the Transfer of such interest shall be effected only through, records maintained by the Depository or its nominee or the applicable Participant, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall have any responsibility or liability with respect to such records maintained by the Depository or its nominee or the applicable Participant. 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 Depository or impair the operation of customary practices of the Depository or Participants governing the exercise of the rights of a Beneficial Owner.

(e) Transfers hereunder shall be subject at all times to Section  2.06 hereof.

Section 2.04 Form of Warrant Certificates . Each of the Warrant Certificates shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto and shall have such insertions and legends as are appropriate or required by this Warrant Agreement and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends and endorsements, stamped, printed, lithographed or engraved thereon, as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Warrant Agreement, such as may be required to comply with this Warrant Agreement, any Law or any rule of any securities exchange on which Warrants may be listed, and such as may be necessary to conform to customary usage. Each Global Warrant Certificate shall bear the global certificate legend, as set forth in Exhibit A, and shall include a Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Warrants as Schedule A thereto.

Section 2.05 Cancellation of the Warrants . Any Warrant Certificate shall be promptly cancelled by the Warrant Agent upon the earlier of (i) the mutilation of the Warrant Certificate as described in Section  5.02 , or (ii) registration of Transfer or exercise of such Warrants (or, in the case of a Global Warrant, all Warrants represented thereby) and, except as provided in this Article  2 in case of a Transfer or Section  5.02 in case of mutilation, no Warrant Certificate shall be issued hereunder in lieu thereof.

Section 2.06 Limitations on Transfer . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Warrant Agreement, the Warrants, and the Common Shares issuable upon exercise thereof, have not been registered under the Securities Act and, accordingly, may not be resold or otherwise transferred within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act), except as set forth in the following sentence. The Beneficial Owners may not sell or transfer any Warrants in the absence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. By accepting a Warrant (whether at initial issuance or pursuant to a Transfer thereof), the recipient thereof agrees (A) that, prior to the expiration of the applicable holding period pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, it will not resell or otherwise transfer such Warrants except (1) to the Company or any Subsidiary thereof or (2) in accordance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the

 

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Securities Act (and based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company or the Warrant Agent so requests), in reliance with Rule 144A or Regulation S and (B) to inform the Beneficial Owner of the limitations on Transfer set forth in this Section  2.06 , and shall instruct and direct such Beneficial Owner to conform to the restrictions set forth herein and shall maintain any applicable legends in its books and records. The Common Shares issuable in connection with the exercise of a Warrant shall be issued in accordance with Section  3.05(b) hereof. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any duty or responsibility to ensure compliance by the Company, the Global Warrant Holder, any Beneficial Owner or any other Person with any applicable U.S. federal or state securities laws.

Article 3

Exercise and Settlement of Warrants

Section 3.01 Exercise of Warrants .

(a) Subject to and upon compliance with the terms and conditions set forth herein, following receipt of Shareholder Approval, Warrants may be exercised at any time and from time to time, for the Common Shares obtainable thereunder. Only whole Warrants may be exercised.

Section 3.02 Procedure for Exercise by Beneficial Owner .

(a) To exercise each Warrant, a Beneficial Owner must arrange for (i) the delivery of the Exercise Notice duly completed and executed by its applicable Participant to the principal office of the Warrant Agent and the Company, (ii) if Full Physical Settlement is elected, payment to the Warrant Agent in an amount equal to the respective Exercise Price for each Warrant to be exercised together with all applicable taxes and charges thereto, (iii) delivery of each Warrant to be exercised through the facilities of the Depository and (iv) compliance with all other procedures established by the Depository, the applicable Participant and the Warrant Agent for the exercise of Warrants.

(b) The date on which all the requirements for exercise set forth in this Section  3.02 in respect of a Warrant are satisfied is the “Exercise Date” for such Warrant.

(c) Subject to Section  3.02(e) and Section  3.02(f) , any exercise of a Warrant by a Beneficial Owner pursuant to the terms of this Warrant Agreement shall be irrevocable and enforceable in accordance with its terms.

(d) 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 in accordance with this Agreement (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 (the “ Funds Account ”). Until paid pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Warrant Agent will hold the Funds through the Funds Account 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)

 

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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. The Warrant Agent may from time to time receive interest, dividends or other earnings in connection with such deposits. The Warrant Agent shall not be obligated to pay such interest, dividends or earnings to the Company, any Beneficial Owner or any other party.

(e) In connection with any exercise of a Warrant by a Beneficial Owner, the Company shall assist and cooperate with any Beneficial Owner required to make any governmental filings or obtain any governmental approvals prior to or in connection with any exercise of a Warrant (including, without limitation, making any filings required to be made by the Company), and any exercise of a Warrant may be made contingent upon the making of any such filing and the receipt of any such approval.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Warrant Agreement, if the exercise of any Warrant by a Beneficial Owner is to be made in connection with a registered public offering or a Change of Control, such exercise may, upon proper election in the Exercise Notice, be conditioned upon consummation of such transaction or event in which case such exercise shall not be deemed effective until the consummation of such transaction or event.

(g) The Warrant Agent shall forward funds deposited in the Funds Account in a given month by the fifth Business Day of the following month by wire transfer to an account designated by the Company.

(h) Payment of the applicable Exercise Price by or on behalf of a Beneficial Owner upon exercise of Warrants, in the case of Full Physical Settlement, shall be by federal wire or in lawful money of the United States, in good certified check or good bank draft payable to the order of the Warrant Agent.

Section 3.03 Procedure for Mandatory Exercise .

(a) Subject to Section  3.10 , upon the consummation of a Preferred Stock Redemption or Change of Control and for a period of 30 days following such consummation, the Company may cause all (but not less than all) of the outstanding Warrants to be mandatorily exercised by issuing a press release for publication on the Dow Jones News Service or Bloomberg Business News (or if either such service is not available, another broadly disseminated news or press release service selected by the Company) announcing such mandatory exercise and specifying the terms of such mandatory exercise.

(b) The “Exercise Date” will be a date selected by the Company that will be no earlier than 5 Business Days and no later than 20 Business Days after the date on which the Company issues such press release.

(c) Net Share Settlement will apply to any Warrant exercised by the Company pursuant to this Section  3.03 .

 

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(d) In addition to any information required by applicable law or regulation, the press release and notice of mandatory exercise described in Section  3.03(a) shall state, as appropriate: (1) the Exercise Date; and (2) the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of each Warrant.

(e) On and after the Exercise Date established pursuant to Section  3.03(b) , all rights of Holders of Warrants shall terminate except for the right to receive the whole shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof with any fractional Common Share rounded down to the nearest whole share as provided in Section  3.06 .

Section 3.04 Settlement of Warrants .

(a) Full Physical Settlement shall apply to each Warrant unless the Beneficial Owner elects for Net Share Settlement to apply upon exercise of such Warrant or in the case of exercise by the Company pursuant to Section  3.03 . Such election shall be made in the Exercise Notice for such Warrant.

(b) If Full Physical Settlement applies to the exercise of a Warrant, upon the proper and valid exercise thereof by a Beneficial Owner, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the exercising Beneficial Owner the Full Physical Settlement Amount on the Settlement Date, with any fractional Common Share rounded down to the nearest whole share as provided in Section  3.06 .

(c) If Net Share Settlement applies to the exercise of a Warrant, upon the proper and valid exercise thereof by a Beneficial Owner or the Company, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Beneficial Owner the Net Share Amount on the Settlement Date, with any fractional Common Share rounded down to the nearest whole share as provided in Section  3.06 .

(d) If there is a dispute as to the determination of the applicable Exercise Price or the calculation of the number of shares of Common Shares to be delivered to an exercising Beneficial Owner, the Company shall cause to be promptly delivered to the exercising Beneficial Owner the number of Common Shares that is not in dispute.

Section 3.05 Delivery of Common Shares .

(a) In connection with the exercise of Warrants by a Beneficial Owner, the Warrant Agent shall:

(1) examine all Exercise Notices and all other documents delivered to it to ascertain whether, on their face, such Exercise Notices and any such other documents have been executed and completed in accordance with their terms;

(2) where an Exercise Notice 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 Warrant 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;

 

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(3) inform the Company of and cooperate with and assist the Company in resolving any reconciliation problems between the Exercise Notices received and delivery of Warrants to the Warrant Agent’s account;

(4) advise the Company with respect to an exercise, no later than two Business Days following the satisfaction of each of the applicable procedures for exercise set forth in Section  3.02(a) , of (v) the receipt of such Exercise Notice and the number of Warrants exercised in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Warrant Agreement, (w) the number of Common Shares to be delivered by the Company; (x) the instructions with respect to issuance of the Common Shares, subject to the timely receipt from the Depository of the necessary information, (y) the number of Persons who will become holders of record of the Company (who were not previously holders of record) as a result of receiving Common Shares upon exercise of the Warrants and (z) such other information as the Company shall reasonably require;

(5) promptly deposit in the Funds Account all Funds received in payment of the applicable Exercise Price in connection with Full Physical Settlement of Warrants;

(6) promptly cancel and destroy the applicable Global Warrant Certificate if all Warrants represented thereby have been exercised in full and deliver a certificate of destruction to the Company, unless the Company shall otherwise direct in writing;

(7) if all Warrants represented by a Global Warrant Certificate shall not have been exercised in full, note and authenticate such decrease in the Number of Warrants on Schedule A of such Global Warrant Certificate; and

(8) provide to the Company, upon the Company’s request, the number of Warrants previously exercised, the number of Common Shares issued in connection with such exercises and the number of remaining outstanding Warrants.

(b) In connection with the mandatory exercise of Warrants by the Company, the Warrant Agent shall:

(1) advise the Company of (w) the number of Common Shares to be delivered by the Company; (x) the instructions with respect to issuance of the Common Shares, subject to the timely receipt from the Depository of the necessary information, (y) the number of Persons who will become holders of record of the Company (who were not previously holders of record) as a result of receiving Common Shares upon exercise of the Warrants and (z) such other information as the Company shall reasonably require; and

 

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(2) promptly cancel and destroy the applicable Global Warrant Certificate and, if applicable, deliver a certificate of destruction to the Company.

(c) If a registration statement covering the resale of the Common Shares issuable in connection with the exercise of a Warrant and naming the Beneficial Owner as a selling stockholder thereunder is not effective or the Common Shares issued in connection with such exercise are not freely transferable without volume restrictions pursuant to Rule 144(b) under the Securities Act, with respect to each properly exercised Warrant in accordance with this Warrant Agreement, the Company shall, in accordance with such Exercise Notice, effect an electronic delivery of the Common Shares with appropriate restrictive legends issuable in connection with such exercise to the Beneficial Owner’s account (or the account of a Participant for the benefit of such Beneficial Owner) at the Depository. If a registration statement covering the resale of the Common Shares the Common Shares issuable in connection with the exercise of a Warrant and naming the Beneficial Owner as a selling stockholder thereunder is effective or the Common Shares issued in connection with such exercise are freely transferable without volume restrictions pursuant to Rule 144(b) under the Securities Act, with respect to each properly exercised Warrant in accordance with this Warrant Agreement, the Company shall, in accordance with such Exercise Notice, effect an electronic delivery of the Common Shares free of restrictive legends issuable in connection with such exercise to the Beneficial Owner’s account (or the account of a Participant for the benefit of such Beneficial Owner) at the Depository. The Person on whose behalf and in whose name any Common Shares are registered shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such Common Shares as of the Close of Business on the applicable Exercise Date.

(d) If a registration statement covering a resale of Common Shares issued in connection with properly exercised Warrants is not effective and the Beneficial Owner directs the Company to deliver the Common Shares issued in connection with such exercise in a name other than that of the Beneficial Owner or an Affiliate of the Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner shall deliver to the Company on the Exercise Date an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that the issuance of such Common Shares in such other name may be made pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and all applicable state securities or blue sky laws.

(e) Promptly after the Warrant Agent shall have taken the action required by this Section  3.05 (or at such later time as may be mutually agreeable to the Company and the Warrant Agent), the Warrant Agent shall account to the Company with respect to the consummation of any exercise of any Warrants.

Section 3.06 No Fractional Common Shares to Be Issued .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Warrant Agreement, the Company shall not be required to issue any fraction of a Common Share upon exercise of any Warrants.

(b) If any fraction of a Common Share would, except for the provisions of this Section  3.06 , be issuable on the exercise of any Warrants, the Company shall instead round down to the nearest whole share the number of Common Shares that such Person designated in the applicable Exercise Notice shall receive. All Warrants exercised by a Beneficial Owner on the same Exercise Date shall be aggregated for purposes of determining the number of Common Shares to be delivered pursuant to Section  3.05(b) .

 

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(c) Each Beneficial Owner, by its acceptance of an interest in a Warrant, expressly waives its right to any fraction of a Common Share upon its exercise of such Warrant.

Section 3.07 Acquisition of Warrants by Company . The Company shall have the right, except as limited by Law, to purchase or otherwise to acquire one or more Warrants at such times, in such manner and for such consideration as it may deem appropriate.

Section 3.08 Validity of Exercise . All questions as to the validity, form and sufficiency (including time of receipt) of a Warrant exercise shall be determined by the Company, which determination shall be final and binding with respect to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of and, except to the extent such liability arises from the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company for acting or refraining from acting upon, or as a result of such determination by the Company. The Company reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions to the exercise of Warrants or defects in Exercise Notices with regard to any particular exercise of Warrants.

Section 3.09 Certain Calculations .

(a) The Warrant Agent shall be responsible for performing all calculations, save for in the case of Net Share Settlements, required in connection with the exercise and settlement of the Warrants as described in this Article  3 . In connection therewith, the Warrant Agent shall provide prompt written notice to the Company, in accordance with Section  3.05(a)(4) , of the number of Common Shares deliverable upon exercise and settlement of Warrants. For the avoidance of doubt, the Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for performing the calculations set forth in Article  4 .

(b) The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value of any Common Shares or Units of Reference Property that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the exercise of any Warrant, and it makes no representation with respect thereto. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible, to the extent not arising from the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment), for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any Common Shares or Units of Reference Property, or to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this Article  3 .

Section 3.10 Limitation on Exercise .

(a) Except in the context of a Change in Control, a Beneficial Owner of a Warrant that owns less than 10% of the shares of the Company’s Common Shares outstanding and is not otherwise an Affiliate of the Company will not have the right to exercise such Warrant and such Warrant shall not be exercisable by the Company, for so long as the Common Shares are registered under the Exchange Act, if and to the extent that after giving effect to such

 

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exercise, such Person (together with such Person’s Affiliates) or any “group” (within the meaning of Section 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) that includes such person would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% (the “ Restricted Ownership Percentage ”) of the shares of Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise (the “ Conversion Blocker ”); provided , that the Conversion Blocker shall continue to apply to Blue Mountain Capital Management, LLC and its affiliates (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the Company and its other affiliates) that are Holders at any time when Blue Mountain Capital Management, LLC and its affiliates are Affiliates of the Company. Each Beneficial Owner shall have the right at any time and from time to time to reduce the Restricted Ownership Percentage applicable to such Beneficial Owner immediately upon prior written notice to the Company or increase the Restricted Ownership Percentage applicable to such holder upon 61 days’ prior written notice to the Company.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Warrant Agreement, prior to, or in the absence of, the receipt of Shareholder Approval, the number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Warrants for any reason shall not be greater than 19.99% of the then-outstanding Common Shares so that the Company may remain in compliance with the listing requirements of the stock exchange on which its Common Shares are then listed. Upon receipt of Shareholder Approval, the number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Warrants for any reason shall not be limited.

Article 4

Adjustments

Section 4.01 Adjustments to Number of Common Shares . After the date on which the Warrants are first issued and while any Warrants remain outstanding and unexpired, the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants shall be subject to adjustment (without duplication) upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a) The issuance of Common Shares as a dividend or distribution to all holders of Common Shares, or a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification of the outstanding Common Shares into a greater or smaller number of Common Shares, in which event the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where:

 

E 1

   =    the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants in effect immediately after (i) the Open of Business on the Ex-Date in the case of a dividend or distribution or (ii) the consummation of the transaction in the case of a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification;

 

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E 0    =    the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants in effect immediately prior to (i) the Open of Business on the Ex-Date in the case of a dividend or distribution or (ii) the consummation of the transaction in the case of a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification;
N 0    =    the number of Common Shares Deemed Outstanding immediately prior to (i) the Open of Business on the Record Date in the case of a dividend or distribution or (ii) the consummation of the transaction in the case of a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification; and
N 1    =    the number of Common Shares equal to (i) in the case of a dividend or distribution, the sum of the number of Common Shares Deemed Outstanding immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution plus the total number of Common Shares issued pursuant to such dividend or distribution or (ii) in the case of a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification, the number of Common Shares Deemed Outstanding immediately after such subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification.

Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after (i) the Open of Business on the Ex-Date in the case of a dividend or distribution or (ii) the consummation of the transaction in the case of a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification. If any dividend or distribution or subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification of the type described in this Section  4.01(a) is declared or announced but not so paid or made, the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants shall again be adjusted to the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution or subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification had not been declared or announced, as the case may be.

(b) Reserved .

(c) The issuance as a dividend or distribution to all holders of Common Shares of evidences of indebtedness, Securities of the Company or any other Person (other than Common Shares), Cash rights, options or warrants entitling such holders of Common Shares to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares at less than the market value thereof, preferred stock, common stock of or related to a subsidiary or other business unit or other property (excluding (i) any dividend or distribution covered by Section  4.01(a) , (ii) any rights, options or warrants covered by Section  4.03 , (iii) any consideration payable in connection with Section  4.01(d) , or (iv) any dividend of preferred stock, or common stock of or related to a subsidiary or other business unit in the case of transactions described in Section  4.07 , in which event the Exercise Price will be adjusted in the reasonable discretion of the Board to appropriately ensure that the economic and other benefits of the Warrants are preserved and protected after taking into account the transaction that triggers this Section  4.01(c) . Such actions may include the distribution of rights, options, warrants or other consideration or property to holders of Warrants on an as-exercised basis.

Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution. In the event that such dividend or distribution is declared or announced but not so paid or made, the Exercise Price shall again be adjusted to be the Exercise Price which would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared or announced.

 

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(d) The payment in respect of any tender offer or exchange offer by the Company for Common Shares, where the cash and Fair Value of any other consideration included in the payment per Common Share exceeds the Fair Value of a Common Share as of the open of business on the second business day preceding the expiration date of the tender or exchange offer (the “ Offer Expiration Date ”), in which event the Exercise Price will be adjusted in the reasonable discretion of the Board to appropriately ensure that the economic and other benefits of the Warrants are preserved and protected after taking into account the transaction that triggers this Section  4.01(d) . Such actions may include the distribution of rights, options, warrants or other consideration or property to holders of Warrants on an as-exercised basis.

Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the Close of Business on the Offer Expiration Date. In the event that the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company is obligated to purchase Common Shares pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Company or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable Law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the Exercise Price shall again be adjusted to be the Exercise Price which would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, if the application of this clause (d) to any tender offer or exchange offer would result in an increase in the Exercise Price, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer or exchange offer under this clause (d).

(e) If any single action would require adjustment of the Exercise Price pursuant to more than one subsection of this Section  4.01 , only one adjustment shall be made and such adjustment shall be the amount of adjustment that has the highest, relative to the rights and interests of the registered holders of the Warrants then outstanding, absolute value. For the purpose of calculations pursuant to Section  4.01 , the number of Common Shares outstanding shall be equal to the sum of (i) the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding and (ii) the number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to the conversion or exercise of Convertible Securities that are outstanding, in each case on the applicable date of determination.

(f) The Company may from time to time, to the extent permitted by Law, decrease the Exercise Price and/or increase the Number of Warrants by any amount for any period of at least twenty days. In that case, the Company shall give the Global Warrant Holder and the Warrant Agent at least ten days’ prior written notice of such increase or decrease, and such notice shall state the applicable decreased Exercise Price and/or increased Number of Warrants and the period during which the decrease and/or increase will be in effect. The Company may make such decreases in the Exercise Price and/or increases in the Number of Warrants, in addition to those set forth in this Article  4 , as the Board deems advisable, including to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of the Common Shares resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.

 

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(g) Notwithstanding this Section  4.01 or any other provision of this Warrant Agreement or the Warrants, if an Exercise Price adjustment becomes effective on any Ex-Date, and a Warrant has been exercised on or after such Ex-Date and on or prior to the related Record Date resulting in the Person issued Common Shares being treated as the record holder of the Common Shares on or prior to the Record Date, then, notwithstanding the Exercise Price adjustment provisions in this Section  4.01 , the Exercise Price adjustment relating to such Ex-Date will not be made with respect to such Warrant. Instead, such Person will be treated as if it were the record owner of Common Shares on an un-adjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment. Notwithstanding this Section  4.01 or any other provision of this Warrant Agreement or the Warrants, the Exercise Price shall never be less than the par value of the Common Shares.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section  4.01 , if, as a result of an adjustment pursuant to Section  4.01 , the par value per Common Share would be greater than the Exercise Price, then the Exercise Price shall be an amount equal to the par value per Common Share but the number of shares the holder of a Warrant shall be entitled to purchase shall be such greater number of Common Shares as would have resulted from the Exercise Price that, absent such limitation, would have been in effect pursuant to this Section  4 .

Section 4.02 Adjustments to Number of Warrants . Concurrently with any adjustment to the Exercise Price under Section  4.01 (except for any adjustment pursuant to Section  4.01(a) ), the Number of Warrants will be adjusted such that the Number of Warrants in effect immediately following the effectiveness of such adjustment will be equal to the Number of Warrants in effect immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the applicable Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment and (ii) the denominator of which is the applicable Exercise Price in effect immediately following such adjustment. The Company may, from time to time, at its sole discretion, increase the number of shares of Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Warrant for a period of not less than 20 Trading Days. After the expiration of such period, the number of shares of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of a Warrant shall revert to the number of such shares issuable upon exercise as of immediately prior to such period.

Section 4.03 Certain Distributions of Rights and Warrants .

(a) Rights or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of Common Shares entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase the Company’s Securities (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (a “ Trigger Event ”):

(1) are deemed to be transferred with such Common Shares;

(2) are not exercisable; and

(3) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Common Shares,

shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of Article  4 (and no adjustment to the Exercise Price or the Number of Warrants under this Article  4 will be made) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Exercise Price and the Number of Warrants shall be made under this Article  4 (subject in all respects to Section  4.04 ).

 

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(b) If any such right or warrant is subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Record Date with respect to new rights or warrants with such rights (subject in all respects to Section  4.04 ).

(c) In addition, except as set forth in Section  4.04 , in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in Section  4.03(b) ) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Exercise Price and the Number of Warrants under Article  4 was made (including any adjustment contemplated in Section  4.04 ):

(1) in the case of any such rights or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or repurchased without exercise by the holders thereof, the Exercise Price and the Number of Warrants shall be readjusted upon such final redemption or repurchase to give effect to such distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a distribution under Section  4.01(c) , equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Shares with respect to such rights or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights or warrants), made to all holders of Common Shares as of the date of such redemption or repurchase; and

(2) in the case of such rights or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by the holders thereof, the Exercise Price and the Number of Warrants shall be readjusted as if such rights and warrants had not been issued or distributed.

Section 4.04 Stockholder Rights Plans . If the Company has a stockholder rights plan in effect with respect to the Common Shares, upon exercise of a Warrant the holder shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the Common Shares, the rights under such stockholder rights plan, unless, prior to such exercise, such rights have separated from the Common Shares.

Section 4.05 Restrictions on Adjustments .

(a) Except in accordance with Section  4.01 , the Exercise Price and the Number of Warrants will not be adjusted for the issuance of Common Shares or other Securities of the Company.

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Exercise Price nor the Number of Warrants will be adjusted:

(1) upon the issuance of any Common Shares or other Securities or any payments pursuant to the Management Plan or any other equity incentive plan of the Company;

 

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(2) upon any issuance of any Common Shares (or Convertible Securities) pursuant to the exercise or conversion, as applicable, of the Warrants, the Company’s Series A Warrants, the Company’s Series B Warrants, shares of Series A Preferred Stock or shares of Series B Preferred Stock;

(3) upon the issuance of Common Shares or other Securities of the Company in connection with a business acquisition transaction (except to the extent otherwise expressly required by this Warrant Agreement); or

(4) upon any dividend or distribution made by the Company in accordance with Section  5.07 .

(c) No adjustment shall be made to the Exercise Price or the Number of Warrants for any of the transactions described in Section  4.01 if the Company makes provisions for participation in any such transaction with respect to Warrants without exercise of such Warrants on the same basis as with respect to Common Shares with notice that the Board determines in good faith to be fair and appropriate.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Warrant Agreement, prior to, or in the absence of, the receipt of Shareholder Approval, any adjustment to be made to the Exercise Price or the Number of Warrants that would result in the Common Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of all Warrants to be equal to 20% or greater of the then- outstanding Common Shares shall be limited to the extent necessary for such adjustment to result in Common Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of all Warrants representing no more than 19.99% of the then-outstanding Common Shares so that the Company may remain in compliance with the listing requirements of the stock exchange on which its Common Shares are then listed. Upon receipt of Shareholder Approval, the full adjustment to the Exercise Price or Number of Warrants shall be made.

(e) No adjustment shall be made to the Exercise Price, nor will any corresponding adjustment be made to the Number of Warrants, unless the adjustment would result in a change of at least 1% of the Exercise Price; provided , however , that any adjustment of less than 1% that was not made by reason of this Section  4.05(e) shall be carried forward and made as soon as such adjustment, together with any other adjustments not previously made by reason of this Section  4.05(e) , would result in a change of at least 1% in the aggregate. All calculations under this Article  4 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest 1/100th of a Common Share, as the case may be.

(f) If the Company takes a record of the holders of Common Shares for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or other distribution, and thereafter (and before the dividend or distribution has been paid or delivered to members) legally abandons its plan to pay or deliver such dividend or distribution, then thereafter no adjustment to the Exercise Price or the Number of Warrants then in effect shall be required by reason of the taking of such record.

Section 4.06 S uccessor upon Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets .

 

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(a) The Company may consolidate or merge with another Person (a “ Fundamental Equity Change ”) only (i) if the Company is the surviving Person or (ii), if the Company is not the surviving Person, then:

(1) the successor to the Company assumes all of the Company’s obligations under this Warrant Agreement and the Warrants, other than as provided in Section  4.07 , shall become exercisable into the common stock or other common equity of the successor; and

(2) the successor to the Company provides written notice of such assumption to the Warrant Agent promptly following the Fundamental Equity Change.

(b) In the case of a Fundamental Equity Change, the successor Person to the Company shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company, and the Company shall thereupon be released from all obligations and covenants under this Warrant Agreement and the Warrants. Such successor Person shall provide in writing to the Warrant Agent with such identifying corporate information as may be reasonably requested by the Warrant Agent. Such successor Person thereafter may cause to be signed, and may issue any or all of, the Global Warrants issuable pursuant to this Warrant Agreement which theretofore shall not have been issued by the Company; and, upon the order of such successor Person, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Warrant Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall authenticate and deliver, as applicable, any Global Warrants that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Warrant Agent for authentication, and any Warrants which such successor Person thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Warrant Agent for such purpose.

(c) If the Company desires to sell, lease, convey or otherwise transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (an “ Asset Sale ”), the Company may only consummate such Asset Sale if such Buyer agrees (i) to enter into a warrant agreement in form and substance substantially similar to this Warrant Agreement and (ii) to issue warrants for equity in such Buyer (or a Person to which all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries acquired in such Asset Sale are transferred or conveyed) to the Global Warrant Holder on terms (including economic) and conditions substantially similar to the Global Warrant (taking into account any Warrants that are exercised prior to the termination of this Agreement (taking into account the materiality of the transferred assets to the total assets and operations of the Affiliated Buyer, taken as a whole), for crediting to the accounts of the applicable Participants for the benefit of the Beneficial Owners pursuant to the procedures of the Depository.

Section 4.07 Adjustment upon Reorganization Event .

(a) If there occurs any Fundamental Equity Change or any recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, reclassification, change in the outstanding Common Shares (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination to which Section  4.01(a) applies),

 

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statutory share exchange or other transaction (each such event a “ Reorganization Event ”), in each case as a result of which the Common Shares would be converted into, changed into or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including Cash or any combination thereof) (the “ Reference Property ”) while any Warrants remain outstanding and unexpired, then following the effective time of the Reorganization Event, the right to receive Common Shares upon exercise of a Warrant shall be changed to a right to receive, upon exercise of such Warrant, the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including Cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of one Common Share would have owned or been entitled to receive in connection with such Reorganization Event (such kind and amount of Reference Property per Common Share, a “ Unit of Reference Property ”). In the event holders of Common Shares have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in a Reorganization Event, the type and amount of consideration into which the Warrants shall be exercisable from and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of Common Shares in such Reorganization Event. The Company hereby agrees not to become a party to any Reorganization Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section  4.07 .

(b) At any time from, and including, the effective time of a Reorganization Event:

(1) each Warrant shall be exercisable for a single Unit of Reference Property instead of one Common Share; and

(2) the Fair Value shall be calculated with respect to a Unit of Reference Property.

(c) On or prior to the effective time of any Reorganization Event, the Company or the successor or purchasing Person, as the case may be, shall execute an amendment to this Warrant Agreement providing that the Warrants shall be exercisable for Units of Reference Property in accordance with the terms of this Section  4.07 . If the Reference Property in connection with any Reorganization Event includes shares of stock or other securities and assets of a Person other than the successor or purchasing Person, as the case may be, in such Reorganization Event, then the Company shall cause such amendment to this Warrant Agreement to be executed by such other Person and such amendment shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Global Warrant Holder (for the benefit of the Beneficial Owners) as the Board shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing. Any such amendment to this Warrant Agreement shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article  4 . In the event the Company shall execute an amendment to this Warrant Agreement pursuant to this Section  4.07 , the Company shall promptly file with the Warrant Agent an Officers’ Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of Cash, securities or property or assets that will comprise a Unit of Reference Property after the relevant Reorganization Event, any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and that all conditions precedent have been complied with. The Company shall cause notice of the execution of the amendment to be mailed to the Global Warrant Holder within 20 Business Days after execution thereof.

 

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(d) 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, no other provision of this Article  4 shall apply to such event or occurrence (other than Section  4.06 ).

Section 4.08 Reserved .

Section 4.09 Common Shares Outstanding; Common Shares Reserved for Issuance on Exercise .

(a) For the purposes of this Article  4 , the number of Common Shares at any time outstanding shall not include Common Shares held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(b) The Board has authorized and reserved for issuance such number of Common Shares as will be issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants for Common Shares. The Company covenants that all Common Shares that shall be so issuable shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(c) The Company agrees to authorize and direct its current and future transfer agents for the Common Shares to reserve for issuance the number of Common Shares specified in this Section  4.09 and shall take all action required to increase the authorized number of Common Shares if at any time there shall be insufficient authorized but unissued Common Shares to permit such reservation or to permit the exercise of a Warrant.

Section 4.10 Calculations; Instructions to Warrant Agent .

(a) Subject to Section  4.10(b) , the Company shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under this Article  4 for purposes of determining any adjustments to the Exercise Price and the Number of Warrants, including determinations as to Fair Value and the composition of Units of Reference Property. Such calculations and determinations shall be final and binding on the Global Warrant Holder and all Beneficial Owners absent manifest error. The Company shall provide a schedule of the Company’s calculations and determinations to the Warrant Agent, and the Warrant Agent is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification.

(b) In the event the Board engages a Representative to advise it with respect to the determination of Fair Value, the Board shall be entitled to rely upon the determination of such Representation. The Company shall pay the fees and expenses of any Representative.

Section 4.11 Notice of Adjustments . The Company shall mail, or cause to be mailed, via first-class mail, postage prepaid, (or otherwise transmit in accordance with applicable procedures of the Depository) to the Global Warrant Holder and the Warrant Agent, in accordance with Section  7.15 , a notice of any adjustment or readjustment to the Exercise Price or the Number of Warrants no less than three Business Days prior to the effective date of such adjustment or readjustment. The Company shall file with the Warrant Agent such notice and an Officer’s Certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and kind and amount of

 

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securities, Cash or other property for which a Warrant shall thereafter be exercisable and the applicable Exercise Price, showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Officer’s Certificate shall be conclusive evidence that the adjustment or readjustment is correct, and the Warrant Agent shall not be deemed to have any knowledge of any adjustments or readjustments unless and until it has received such Officer’s Certificate. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any duty or responsibility with respect to any such Officer’s Certificate except to exhibit the same to the Global Warrant Holder.

Section 4.12 Warrant Agent Not Responsible for Adjustments or Validity . The Warrant Agent shall at no time be under any duty or responsibility to determine whether any facts exist that may require an adjustment or readjustment of the Exercise Price and the Number of Warrants, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment or readjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, herein or in any supplemental agreement provided to be employed, in making the same. The Warrant Agent shall have no duty to verify or confirm any calculation called for hereunder. The Warrant Agent shall have no liability for any failure or delay in performing its duties hereunder caused by any failure or delay of the Company in providing such calculations to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any Common Shares or of any Securities or property which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the exercise of any Warrant or upon any adjustment or readjustment pursuant to this Article  4 , and it makes no representation with respect thereto. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any failure of the Company to make any Cash payment or to issue, transfer or deliver any Common Shares or stock certificates or other securities or property or scrip upon the surrender of any Warrant for the purpose of exercise or upon any adjustment pursuant to this Article  4 , or to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this Article  4 . The Warrant Agent shall have no implied duties or obligations and shall not be charged with knowledge or notice of any fact or circumstance not specifically set forth herein or in any notice from the Company. The Warrant Agent may rely conclusively, and shall be protected in acting, upon any notice, instruction, request, order, judgment, certification, opinion or advice of counsel, statement, demand or other instrument or document, not only as to its due execution, validity (including the authority of the person signing or presenting the same) and effectiveness, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any information contained therein, which the Warrant Agent shall believe to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the person or parties purporting to sign the same.

Section 4.13 Statements on Warrants . Other than notation of any applicable increase or decrease in the Number of Warrants on Schedule A of each Global Warrant Certificate, the form of each Warrant Certificate need not be changed because of any adjustment or readjustment made pursuant to this Article  4 , and Warrant Certificates issued after such adjustment or readjustment may state the same information (other than the applicable adjusted Exercise Price and the adjusted Number of Warrants) as are stated in the Warrant Certificates initially issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement.

Section 4.14 Effect of Adjustment . The Depository and applicable Participants shall effect any applicable adjustments, changes or payments to the Beneficial Owners with respect to beneficial interests in the Global Warrants resulting from any adjustments or readjustments, changes or payments effected pursuant to this Article  4 in accordance with the procedures of the Depository and the applicable Participants.

 

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Article 5

Other Provisions Relating to the Rights of Warrant Holders

Section 5.01 No Rights as Stockholders . Except as expressly provided for herein (including, without limitation, Section  5.07 ), nothing contained in this Warrant Agreement or in any Warrant Certificate shall be construed as conferring upon any Person, by virtue of holding or having a warrant or a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant, the right to vote, to consent, to receive any Cash dividends, stock dividends, allotments or rights or other distributions paid, allotted or distributed or distributable to the holders of Common Shares, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as a stockholder of the Company unless, until and only to the extent such Persons become holders of record of Common Shares issued upon settlement of Warrants.

Section 5.02 Mutilated or Missing Warrant Certificates . If any Warrant Certificate at any time is mutilated, defaced, lost, destroyed or stolen, then on the terms set forth in this Warrant Agreement, such Warrant Certificate may be replaced with a new Warrant Certificate, of like date and tenor and representing the same number of Warrants, at the cost of the Company at the office of the Warrant Agent subject to the replacement procedures of the Warrant Agent which shall include obtaining an open penalty surety bond satisfactory to the Warrant Agent holding the Company and the Warrant Agent harmless. Any such new Warrant Certificate shall constitute an original contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone. All Warrant Certificates shall be issued upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the substitution for lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Warrant Certificates, and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any Law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the substitution for and replacement of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 5.03 Modification, Waiver and Meetings .

(a) This Warrant Agreement may be modified or amended by the Company and the Warrant Agent, without the consent of the Warrant Holders, any Beneficial Owner of any Global Warrant, or any applicable Participant with respect to any Global Warrant, for the purposes of curing any ambiguity or correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained in this Warrant Agreement or to make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising in this Warrant Agreement which the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem necessary or desirable; provided that such modification or amendment does not adversely affect the interests of the Warrant Holder or the Beneficial Owners in any material respect. As a condition precedent to the Warrant Agent’s execution of any amendment, the Company shall deliver to the Warrant Agent a certificate from an Appropriate Officer that states that the proposed amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section  5.03 .

(b) Modifications and amendments to this Warrant Agreement or to the terms and conditions of Warrants not contemplated by Section  3.05(a)(7) or Section  5.03(a) may also be made by the Company and the Warrant Agent, and noncompliance with any provision of the Warrant Agreement or Warrants may be waived, by the Warrant Holders (pursuant to a proper vote or consent of a majority of the Warrants at the time outstanding).

 

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(c) However, no modification, amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of:

(1) the Warrant Holders (pursuant to a proper vote or consent of each Warrant):

(A) increase the Exercise Price or decrease the Number of Warrants (except as set forth in Article  4 );

(2) the Warrant Holders (pursuant to a proper vote or consent of 66.66% of the Warrants affected):

(A) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or delivery with respect to the exercise and settlement of any Warrant;

(B) except as otherwise expressly permitted by provisions of this Warrant Agreement concerning specified reclassifications or corporate reorganizations, impair or adversely affect the exercise rights with respect to Warrants, including any change to the calculation or payment of the number of Common Shares received upon exercise of each Warrant;

(C) reduce the percentage of Warrants outstanding necessary to modify or amend this Warrant Agreement or to waive any past default; or

(D) reduce the percentage in Warrants outstanding required for any other waiver under this Warrant Agreement.

Section 5.04 Notices of Date, etc . In the event of any Change of Control, then, and in each such case, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the Warrant Holder, at least 15 days prior to the effective date, a notice specifying the effective date on which such Change of Control is or is expected to take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of Common Shares (or such other stock or Securities at the time deliverable upon the exercise of a Warrant) shall be entitled to exchange their Common Shares (or such other stock or Securities) for Securities or other property deliverable upon such Change of Control.

Section 5.05 Rights as Warrant Holders . Upon exercise of a Warrant, any Beneficial Owner who receives Common Shares in excess of 2.5% of the then outstanding Common Shares will be entitled to execute a joinder to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Section 5.06 Tax Consequences . All Persons holding or having a Warrant or a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant are responsible for obtaining their own tax advice regarding the tax consequences of such interest. The Company has given no tax advice regarding the Warrants.

Section 5.07 Dividends . Each Beneficial Owner shall be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, in kind or other property, that would be distributed to such Beneficial Owner if such Beneficial Owner’s Warrants had been converted in full into Common Shares immediately prior to the Close of Business on the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to receive such dividend.

 

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Article 6

Representations of the Company

Section 6.01 Representations . The Company makes the following representations to the Transfer Agent:

(a) the issuance of the Warrants will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and all other applicable requirements of applicable U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state and local law, including, without limitation, any applicable regulations of the SEC and any other U.S. and non-U.S. regulatory or governmental authority;

(b) as of the date hereof and, after giving effect to the Transactions (as defined in the Exchange Offer Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement of the Company dated as of December 22, 2017), each of the Company and its subsidiaries is not and will not be, individually or on a consolidated basis, an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;

(c) without limiting any provision herein, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the issuance of the Warrants.

(d) except for securities offered in connection with the Exchange Offer, no securities of the Company of the same class as the Warrants have been offered, issued, or sold by the Company or any of its affiliates within the six-month period immediately prior to the date hereof, and the Company does not have any intention of making an offer or sale of such securities of the Company of the same class as the Warrants, for a period of six months after the issue date of the Warrants;

(e) none of the Company, any of its affiliates or any person acting on behalf of the Company has engaged or will engage, in connection with the issuance of the Warrants, in any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Securities Act;

(f) none of the Company, any of its affiliates or any person acting on behalf of the Company has, with respect to Warrants issued outside the United States, offered the Warrants to buyers qualifying as “U.S. persons” (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) or engaged in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Rule 902 under the Securities Act; and

(g) neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates has entered or will enter into any arrangement or agreement with respect to the distribution of the Warrants except for this Agreement.

As used in clause (d) above, the terms “offer” and “sale” have the meanings specified in Section 2(a)(3) of the Securities Act.

 

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Article 7

Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters

Section 7.01 Payment of Certain Taxes .

(a) The Company shall pay any and all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes that may be payable upon the initial issuance of the Warrants hereunder and delivery to the Warrant Holders.

(b) The Company shall pay any and all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes that may be payable upon the issuance of Common Shares upon the exercise of Warrants hereunder.

Section 7.02 Reserved .

Section 7.03 Change of Warrant Agent .

(a) The Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder (except for liability arising as a result of the Warrant Agent’s own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith) after giving sixty days’ notice in writing to the Company, except that such shorter notice may be given as the Company shall, in writing, accept as sufficient. 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 thirty days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated warrant agent or by any Warrant Holder, then the Warrant Holders (pursuant to a proper vote or consent of 50.00% of the Warrants) may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor warrant agent.

(b) The Warrant Agent may be removed by the Company at any time upon sixty days’ written notice to the Warrant Agent; provided , however , that the Company shall not remove the Warrant Agent until a successor warrant agent meeting the qualifications hereof shall have been appointed; provided, further, that, until such successor warrant agent has been appointed, the Company shall compensate the Warrant Agent in accordance with Section  7.04 .

(c) Any successor warrant agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a corporation or banking association organized, in good standing and doing business under the Laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and authorized under such Laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000. The combined capital and surplus of any such successor warrant agent shall be deemed to be the combined capital and surplus as set forth in the most recent report of its condition published prior to its appointment; provided that such reports are

 

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published at least annually pursuant to Law or to the requirements of a federal or state supervising or examining authority. After acceptance in writing of such appointment by the successor warrant agent, such 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 and rights 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 to more fully and effectually vest in and conform to such successor warrant agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations. Upon assumption by a successor warrant agent of the duties and responsibilities hereunder, the predecessor warrant agent shall deliver and transfer, at the expense of the Company, to the successor warrant agent any property at the time held by it hereunder. As soon as practicable after such appointment, the Company shall give notice thereof to the predecessor warrant agent, each Warrant Holder and each transfer agent for its Common Shares. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the appointment of the successor warrant agent.

(d) Any entity into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust or agency business of the Warrant Agent, shall be the successor warrant agent under this Warrant Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such entity would be eligible for appointment as a successor warrant agent under Section  7.03(c) . In case at the time such successor to the Warrant Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Warrant Agreement, any Warrant Certificate shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor to the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature of the original Warrant Agent and deliver such Warrant Certificate so countersigned, and in case at that time any Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor to the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificate 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 Certificate shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificate and in this Warrant Agreement.

(e) In case at any time the name of the Warrant Agent shall be changed and at such time any Global Warrant Certificate shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignatures under its prior name and deliver such Warrant Certificate so countersigned; and in case at that time any Warrant Certificate shall not have been countersigned, the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificate either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificate shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificate and in this Warrant Agreement.

Section 7.04 Compensation; Further Assurances . The Company agrees that it will (a) pay the Warrant Agent reasonable compensation for its services as Warrant Agent in accordance with Exhibit C attached hereto and, except as otherwise expressly provided, will pay or reimburse the Warrant Agent upon written demand for all reasonable and documented

 

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expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Warrant Agent in accordance with any of the provisions of this Warrant Agreement (including the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel incurred in connection with the execution and administration of this Agreement), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its or any of their gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith, and (b) 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 Warrant Agreement.

Section 7.05 Reliance on Counsel . The Warrant Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the written opinion of such counsel or any advice of legal counsel subsequently confirmed by a written opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such written opinion or advice.

Section 7.06 Proof of Actions Taken . Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Warrant Agreement the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Warrant Agent, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Warrant Agent; and such Officer’s Certificate shall, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Warrant Agent, be full warrant to the Warrant Agent for any action taken, suffered or omitted in good faith by it under the provisions of this Warrant Agreement in reliance upon such Officer’s Certificate; but in its discretion the Warrant Agent may in lieu thereof accept other evidence of such fact or matter or may require such further or additional evidence as to it may seem reasonable.

Section 7.07 Correctness of Statements . The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Warrant Agreement or any Warrant Certificate (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, and all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

Section 7.08 Validity of Agreement . From time to time, the Warrant Agent may apply to any Appropriate Officer for instruction and the Company shall provide the Warrant Agent with such instructions concerning the services to be provided hereunder. The Warrant Agent shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any Person, until receipt of notice thereof from the Company. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Warrant Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof or in respect of the validity or execution of any Warrant Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Warrant Agreement or in any Warrant Certificate; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Common Shares to be issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement or any Warrants or as to whether any Common Shares will, when issued, be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable. The Warrant Agent and its agents and subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the Company for any action taken or omitted by Warrant Agent in reliance upon any Company instructions except to the extent that the Warrant Agent had actual knowledge of facts and circumstances that would render such reliance unreasonable.

 

34


Section 7.09 Use of Agents . 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 or agents provided that the Warrant Agent shall remain responsible for the activities or omissions of any such agent or attorney and reasonable care has been exercised in the selection and in the continued employment of such attorney or agent.

Section 7.10 Liability of Warrant Agent . The Warrant Agent shall incur no liability or responsibility to the Company or to any Global Warrant Holder for any action taken or not taken (i) in reliance on any notice, resolution, waiver, consent, order, certificate, or other paper, document or instrument believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties or (ii) in relation to its services under this Warrant Agreement, unless such liability arises out of or is attributable to the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Company agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent and save it harmless against any and all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for anything done or omitted by the Warrant Agent in the execution Warrant Agreement, except as a result of the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith for which the Warrant Agent is not entitled to indemnification under this Warrant Agreement. Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for any consequential, indirect, punitive, special or incidental damages under any provisions of this Agreement or for any consequential, indirect, punitive, special or incidental damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder even if that party has been advised of or has foreseen the possibility of such damages.

Section 7.11 Legal Proceedings . The Warrant Agent shall be under no obligation to institute any action, suit or legal proceeding or to take any other action likely to involve expense unless the Company, the applicable Warrant Holder(s) or any applicable Participant on behalf of a Beneficial Owner shall furnish the Warrant Agent with reasonable indemnity for any costs and expenses which may be incurred, but this provision shall not affect the power of the Warrant Agent to take such action as the Warrant Agent may consider proper, whether with or without any such security or indemnity. The Warrant Agent shall promptly notify the Company and the Warrant Holders in writing of any claim made or action, suit or proceeding instituted against it arising out of or in connection with this Warrant Agreement.

Section 7.12 Actions as Agent . The Warrant Agent shall act hereunder solely as agent and not in a ministerial or fiduciary capacity, and its duties shall be determined solely by the provisions hereof. The duties and obligations of the Warrant Agent shall be determined solely by the express provisions of the Warrant Agreement, and the Warrant Agent shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in the Warrant Agreement. No implied covenants or obligations shall be read into the Warrant Agreement against the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for anything that it may do or refrain from doing in good faith in connection with this Warrant Agreement except for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.

 

35


Section 7.13 Appointment and Acceptance of Agency . The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the instructions set forth in this Warrant Agreement, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Warrant Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth or as the Company and the Warrant Agent may hereafter agree.

Section 7.14 Successors and Assigns . All the covenants and provisions of this Warrant Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder. The Warrant Agent may assign this Agreement or any rights and obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, to an Affiliate thereof with the prior consent of the Company, provided that the Warrant Agent may make such an assignment without consent of the Company to any successor to the Warrant Agent by consolidation, merger or transfer of its assets subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

Section 7.15 Notices . Any notice or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made to the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by mail first-class, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent), as follows:

SAExploration Holdings, Inc.

Attention: Brent Whiteley, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel

1160 Dairy Ashford, Suite 160

Houston, Texas 77079

with a copy to:

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Attention: Sarah Link Schultz

1700 Pacific Avenue

Suite 4100

Dallas, TX 75201-4624

Electronic mail: sschultz@akingump.com

Any notice or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made to the Warrant Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by mail first-class, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street

30th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Attn: Margaret Villani

Any notice or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made to the Global Warrant Holder shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid to the last address of the Global Warrant Holder as it shall appear on the Warrant Register.

 

36


Section 7.16 Applicable Law; Jurisdiction . The validity, interpretation and performance of this Warrant Agreement and of the Warrant Certificates shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The parties hereto irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and any federal court located in such state in connection with any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Warrant Agreement.

Section 7.17 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE WARRANT AGENT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT OR A WARRANT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PERSON HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PERSON MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT OR A WARRANT. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE WARRANT AGENT CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (a) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (b) SUCH PERSON UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (c) SUCH PERSON MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (d) SUCH PERSON HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

Section 7.18 Benefit of this Warrant Agreement . Nothing in this Warrant 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 Warrant Holder any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Warrant Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Warrant Agreement contained shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Warrant Holder.

Section 7.19 Registered Warrant Holder . Prior to due presentment for registration of Transfer, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Warrants are registered in the Warrant Register (the “ Warrant Holder ”) as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes whatever (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by anyone other than the Company or the Warrant Agent) and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary or be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in any Warrants on the part of any other Person and shall not be liable for any registration of Transfer of Warrants that are registered or to be registered in the name of a fiduciary or the nominee of a fiduciary unless made with actual knowledge that a fiduciary or nominee is committing a breach of trust in requesting such registration of Transfer or with such knowledge of such facts that its participation therein amounts to bad faith.

 

37


Section 7.20 Headings . The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and are not a part of this Warrant Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof.

Section 7.21 Counterparts . This Warrant Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts on separate counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 7.22 Entire Agreement . This Warrant Agreement and the Warrant Certificates constitute the entire agreement of the Company, the Warrant Agent and Warrant Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Warrant Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 7.23 Severability . Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Warrant Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable Law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Warrant Agreement.

Section 7.24 Termination . This Warrant Agreement, as it relates to the Warrants, will terminate on such date on which all outstanding Warrants have been exercised. All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability and limits thereon shall survive the termination or expiration of this Warrant Agreement.

Section 7.25 Confidentiality . The Warrant Agent and the Company agree that (a) personal, non-public Global Warrant Holder and Beneficial Owner information which is exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement and (b) the fees for services set forth in the attached schedule shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except disclosures pursuant to applicable securities Laws or otherwise as may be required by Law, including, without limitation, pursuant to subpoenas from state or federal government authorities.

[signature pages follow]

 

38


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Warrant Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

 

SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
By:  

/s/ Margaret Villani

Name:   Margaret Villani
Title:   Vice President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO WARRANT AGREEMENT]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF WARRANT

 

No. [    ]   CUSIP NO. [●]

[THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED UPON ITS EXERCISE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS WARRANT NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN OR THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.] 1

[BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

1. REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS [AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR”)] [A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT] [NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT)], AND

2. AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF INITIAL ISSUANCE HEREOF OR SUCH OTHER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO, AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

1   Include only on a Global Warrant Certificate.


(D) 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.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(B) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE THREE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MONTHS MAY PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THIS WARRANT OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.”

UNLESS THIS GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS 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 WARRANT CERTIFICATE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO BELOW.] 2

SAExploration Holdings, Inc.

January 29, 2018

 

2   Include only on a transfer restricted Warrant Certificate.


NUMBER OF WARRANTS: [●] Warrants[, or such other amount set forth on Schedule A attached hereto after exercise of any portion of the Warrants evidenced hereby or otherwise adjusted in accordance with the Warrant Agreement dated as of January 29, 2018 between SAExploration Holdings, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent (as supplemented or amended, the “Warrant Agreement”), each of which is exercisable for one Common Share.] 3

EXERCISE PRICE: Initially, $0.0001 per Warrant, subject to adjustment as described in the Warrant Agreement.

FORM OF SETTLEMENT:

Full Physical Settlement : If Full Physical Settlement is elected, the Company shall deliver, against payment of the Exercise Price, a number of Common Shares equal to the number of Warrants exercised.

Net Share Settlement : If Net Share Settlement is elected, the Company shall deliver, without any Cash payment therefor, a number of Common Shares equal to the quotient determined by dividing (i) the Fair Value (as of the Exercise Date) of the number of Common Shares deliverable pursuant to Full Physical Settlement minus the Exercise Price that would be payable pursuant to Full Physical Settlement by (ii) the Fair Value of one Common Share determined pursuant to the above clause (i).

DATES OF EXERCISE: At any time and from time to time after Shareholder Approval.

This Warrant Certificate certifies that:

Cede & Co., or its registered assigns, is the Global Warrant Holder of the Number of Warrants (the “Warrants”) specified above (such number subject to adjustment from time to time as described in the Warrant Agreement).

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof, and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth in this place.

This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent.

In the event of any inconsistency between the Warrant Agreement and this Warrant Certificate, the Warrant Agreement shall govern.

 

3   Include only on Global Warrant Certificate.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SAExploration Holdings, Inc. has caused this instrument to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.

By:

 

 

Name:

Title:


Certificate of Authentication

These are the Warrants referred to in the above-mentioned Warrant Agreement. Countersigned as of the date above written:

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company,

as Warrant Agent

 

By:  

 

 

Authorized Officer

 


SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2018 (as it may be amended or supplemented, the “Warrant Agreement”), between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent, and are subject to the terms and provisions contained in the Warrant Agreement, to all of which terms and provisions the Warrant Holder consents by issuance of this Warrant Certificate. Without limiting the foregoing, all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

The Warrant Agreement and the terms of the Warrants are subject to amendment as provided in the Warrant Agreement.

This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.


[SCHEDULE A

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN WARRANTS

The initial Number of Warrants is [●]. In accordance with the Warrant Agreement dated as of January 29, 2018 among the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent, the following increases or decreases in the Number of Warrants have been made:

 

Date

 

Amount of increase in
Number of Warrants
evidenced by this

Global Warrant

 

Amount of decrease

in Number of Warrants
evidenced by this Global
Warrant

  

Number of Warrants
evidenced by this

Global Warrant
following such

decrease or increase

  

Signature of

authorized

signatory] 4

 

 

4   Include only on a Global Warrant Certificate.


FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the Warrant(s) represented by this Certificate to:

 

 

  
Name, Address and Zip Code of Assignee   

 

                                                
and irrevocably appoints                Name of Agent

as its agent to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Warrant Agent.

[Signature page follows]


Date: [●]

 

 

Name of Assignor

 

By:                                                                                     
Name:
Title:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on this Certificate)

NOTICE: The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15.


EXHIBIT B

Form of Exercise Notice

[Address]

Attention: [●]

 

Re: Warrant Agreement dated as of January 29, 2018 between SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent (as it may be supplemented or amended, the “Warrant Agreement”)

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by the Global Warrant Certificate No. [●] held for its benefit through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depository”), to exercise Warrants and receive the consideration deliverable in exchange therefor pursuant to the following settlement method (check one):

 

  Full Physical Settlement

 

  Net Sale Settlement

If Full Physical Settlement is elected, the undersigned shall tender payment of the Exercise Price therefore in accordance with instructions received from the Warrant Agent.

Please check below if this exercise is contingent upon a registered public offering or any Change of Control in accordance with Section 3.02(f) of the Warrant Agreement.

☐ This exercise is being made in connection with a registered public offering or any Other Change of Control; provided, that in the event that such transaction shall not be consummated, then this exercise shall be deemed revoked.

THIS EXERCISE NOTICE MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE WARRANT AGENT. THE WARRANT AGENT SHALL NOTIFY YOU OF THE ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN CONTACT THE WARRANT AGENT AND TO WHICH WARRANT EXERCISE NOTICES ARE TO BE SUBMITTED.

ALL CAPITALIZED TERMS USED HEREIN AND NOT OTHERWISE DEFINED SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS SET FORTH IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT.

 

By:  

 

  Authorized Signature
  Address:
  Telephone:

 

Exhibit B-1


EXHIBIT C

Fee Schedule

The Company shall pay the Warrant Agent for performance of its services under this Agreement such compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Company and the Warrant Agent.

 

Exhibit C-1

Exhibit 10.3

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is entered into as of the 26th day of January, 2018, by and among Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB (“ Noteholder Collateral Agent ”), SAExploration Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), SAExploration Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ SAE Sub ”), SAExploration, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ SAE ”), SAExploration Seismic Services (US), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ SAE Seismic ”), and NES, LLC, an Alaska limited liability company (“ NES ” and, together with SAE Sub, SAE and SAE Seismic, the “ Guarantors ” and each, a “ Guarantor ”; the Guarantors, together with the Company, the “ Pledgors ” and each, a “ Pledgor ”).

R E C I T A L S:

 

A. The Company, as issuer, the Guarantors party thereto, the Noteholder Collateral Agent and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee thereunder (the “ Trustee ”) have entered into the Indenture, dated as of July 27, 2016 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), pursuant to which the Company has issued its 10.000% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2019 (the “ Notes ”);

 

B. The Guarantors have, pursuant to the Indenture, unconditionally guaranteed the Notes Obligations;

 

C. The Pledgors and Noteholder Collateral Agent are parties to that certain Security Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2016 (as amended from time to time, the “ Security Agreement ”);

 

D. The Company has offered to exchange any and all of its outstanding Notes (the “ Exchange Offer ”) for (i) shares of the Company’s common stock, (ii) shares of the Company’s Series A preferred stock, (iii) shares of the Company’s Series B preferred stock, and (iv) warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, in each case, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated December 22, 2017 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Memorandum ”);

 

E. Concurrently with the Exchange Offer, and pursuant to the Memorandum and the related letter of transmittal (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified), the Company has requested that holders of the Notes deliver consents to (i) the adoption of certain proposed amendments (the “ Proposed Amendments ”) to, among other things, amend the Indenture to modify certain restrictive covenants and (ii) the release of the collateral securing the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under the Indenture (the “ Collateral Release ”);

 

F. Section 9.02 of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Guarantors and Noteholder Collateral Agent may amend or supplement the Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding (the “ Proposed Amendment Requisite Consents ”);


G. Sections 9.02 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that the Company, the Guarantors and Noteholder Collateral Agent may amend or waive the provisions of the Indenture or any Security Documents with the effect of releasing all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes Obligations under the Notes Documents with the consent of the Holders of at least 66 2 / 3 % in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding (the “ Collateral Release Requisite Consents ”);

 

H. Holders of the Notes have delivered the Proposed Amendment Requisite Consents and thereby have duly consented to the Proposed Amendments in accordance with Section 9.02 of the Indenture;

 

I. Holders of the Notes have delivered the Collateral Release Requisite Consents and thereby have duly consented to the Collateral Release in accordance with Sections 9.02 and 12.07 of the Indenture;

 

J. This Amendment is necessary to effect the Collateral Release;

 

K. Noteholder Collateral Agent has received, in accordance with Section 9.06 of the Indenture, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate stating that the execution of this Amendment is permitted by the Indenture; and

 

L. All other conditions precedent provided under the Indenture have been satisfied to permit the Company, the Guarantors and Noteholder Collateral Agent to enter into this Amendment.

M. Upon the Proposed Amendments becoming operative in accordance herewith, the Notes shall thenceforth be known as the “10.000% Senior Notes due 2019”.

A G R E E M E N T:

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and intending to be legally bound, the parties to this Amendment hereby mutually covenant and agree as follows:

SECTION 1 Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Security Agreement.

SECTION 2 Amendments . The Security Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

(a) Amendment to Section  1.1 . Section 1.1 (Definitions) is hereby amended by deleting from such section the following defined terms: ABL Loan Documents, ABL Security Documents, Additional Pledged Interests, Additional Pledged Shares, Bailee Letter, Casualty Event, Collateral, Collateral Account, Commercial Motor Vehicles, Commodity Account Control Agreement, Computer Hardware and Software, Contracts, Control, Control Agreements, Copyright Security Agreement, Copyrights, Deposit Account Control Agreement, Deposit Accounts, Distributions, Excluded Accounts,

 

2


Excluded Property, Existing Indenture Obligations, Existing Notes Documents, Financial Officer, Foreign Equity, Foreign Jurisdiction, Foreign Located Assets, Foreign Perfection, Foreign Subsidiary Property, General Intangibles, Goodwill, Initial Pledged Interests, Initial Pledged Shares, Instruments, Intellectual Property Collateral, Intercompany Canadian Note, Intercompany Notes, Intercompany Subordinated Note, Investment Property, License Agreements, Mortgaged Property, Patent Security Agreement, Patents, Perfection Certificate, Perfection Certificate Supplement, Pledge Amendment, Pledged Interests, Pledged Securities, Pledged Shares, Pledgor Foreign Property, Real Property, Registered, Reorganization Assets, Securities Account Control Agreement, Securities Collateral, Senior Obligations Payment Date, Senior Representative, Specified Movable Property, Successor Interests, Term Loan Documents, Term Security Documents, Trade Secrets, Trademark Security Agreement, Trademarks, Transferable Record, and any other defined terms that, by virtue of the Proposed Amendments and Collateral Release effected by this Amendment, are no longer used in the Security Agreement as amended hereby.

(b) Amendment to Section  1.4 . The heading and text of Section 1.4 (Perfection Certificate) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 1.4 [Reserved]. ”.

(c) Amendment to Article  II . The heading and text of Article II (Grant of Security and Secured Obligations) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Article II

[Reserved] ”.

(d) Amendment to Article  III . The heading and text of Article III (Perfection; Supplements; Further Assurances; Use of Collateral) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Article III

[Reserved] ”.

(e) Amendment to Article  IV . The heading and text of Article IV (Representations, Warranties and Covenants) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Article IV

[Reserved] ”.

 

3


(f) Amendment to Article  V . The heading and text of Article V (Certain Provisions Concerning Securities Collateral) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Article V

[Reserved] ”.

(g) Amendment to Article  VI . The heading and text of Article VI (Certain Provisions Concerning Intellectual Property Collateral) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Article VI

[Reserved] ”.

(h) Amendment to Article  VII . The heading and text of Article VII (Certain Provisions Concerning Accounts) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Article VII

[Reserved] ”.

(i) Amendment to Article  VIII . The heading and text of Article VIII (Transfers) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Article VIII

[Reserved] ”.

(j) Amendment to Article  IX . The heading and text of Article IX (Remedies) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Article IX

[Reserved] ”.

(k) Amendment to Article  X . The heading and text of Article X (Proceeds of Casualty Events and Collateral Dispositions; Application of Proceeds) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Article X

[Reserved] ”.

 

4


(l) Amendment to Section  11.1 . The text of Section 11.1 (Concerning Noteholder Collateral Agent) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(a) The Noteholder Collateral Agent has been appointed as “Noteholder Collateral Agent” pursuant to the Indenture and as “Additional Noteholder Collateral Agent” pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement. The Noteholder Collateral Agent may resign as “Noteholder Collateral Agent” pursuant to the Indenture and as “Additional Noteholder Collateral Agent” pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement and shall thereupon be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

(b) Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Noteholder Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral. The Noteholder Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession from time to time if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equivalent to that which the Noteholder Collateral Agent, in its individual capacity, accords its own property consisting of similar instruments or interests; provided that neither the Noteholder Collateral Agent nor any of the other Secured Parties nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall have responsibility for (x) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relating to any Securities Collateral, whether or not the Noteholder Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, (y) failing to demand, collect or realize upon all or any part of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so, or (z) failing to take any necessary steps to preserve rights against any Person with respect to any Collateral.

(c) [Reserved].

(d) [Reserved].

(e) In addition to the foregoing rights, the Noteholder Collateral Agent shall have the rights, protections and immunities given to it as Noteholder Collateral Agent under the Indenture, and such are incorporated by reference herein, mutatis mutandis .”

(m) Amendment to Section  11.2 . The heading and text of Section 11.2 (Noteholder Collateral Agent May Perform; Noteholder Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 11.2 [Reserved]. ”.

(n) Amendment to Section  11.3 . The heading and text of Section 11.3 (Continuing Security Interest; Assignment) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

5


“Section 11.3 [Reserved]. ”.

(o) Amendment to Section  11.17 . The heading and text of Section 11.17 (Obligations Absolute) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Section 11.17 [Reserved]. ”.

(p) Amendment to Exhibit 1. The heading and text of Exhibit 1 (Form of Issuer’s Acknowledgment) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Exhibit 1

[Reserved] ”.

(q) Amendment to Exhibit 2. The heading and text of Exhibit 2 (Form of Pledge Agreement) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Exhibit 2

[Reserved] ”.

(r) Amendment to Exhibit 3. The heading and text of Exhibit 3 (Form of Joinder Agreement) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Exhibit 3

[Reserved] ”.

(s) Amendment to Exhibit 4. The heading and text of Exhibit 4 (Form of Securities Account Control Agreement) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Exhibit 4

[Reserved] ”.

(t) Amendment to Exhibit 5. The heading and text of Exhibit 5 (Form of Deposit Account Control Agreement) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Exhibit 5

[Reserved] ”.

 

6


(u) Amendment to Exhibit 6. The heading and text of Exhibit 6 (Form of Copyright Security Agreement) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Exhibit 6

[Reserved] ”.

(v) Amendment to Exhibit 7. The heading and text of Exhibit 7 (Form of Patent Security Agreement) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Exhibit 7

[Reserved] ”.

(w) Amendment to Exhibit 8. The heading and text of Exhibit 8 (Form of Trademark Security Agreement) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Exhibit 8

[Reserved] ”.

(x) Amendment to Exhibit 9. The heading and text of Exhibit 9 (Form of Perfection Certificate) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Exhibit 9

[Reserved] ”.

(y) Amendment to Exhibit 10. The heading and text of Exhibit 10 (Form of Perfection Certificate Supplement) of the Security Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“Exhibit 10

[Reserved] ”.

(z) Effect of Deletion of Certain Definitions . All definitions in the Security Agreement to which all references are being eliminated as a result of the amendments specified in this Section  2 of this Amendment are hereby deleted in their entirety.

SECTION 3 Effect and Operation of Amendment . This Amendment shall be effective and binding immediately upon its execution and delivery by the Pledgors and Noteholder Collateral Agent, and thereupon this Amendment shall form a part of the Security Agreement for all purposes. Except as modified and amended by this Amendment, all provisions of the Security Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the

 

7


provisions of Section 2 hereof shall not become operative until the time immediately prior to the delivery by the Company of the Exchange Consideration (as defined in the Memorandum) to the Exchange Agent (as defined in the Memorandum) on the Settlement Date (as defined in the Memorandum).

SECTION 4 References . All references in the Security Agreement to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Security Agreement as amended hereby; and any and all references in the Security Documents to the Security Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the Security Agreement as amended hereby.

SECTION 5 No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Security Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

SECTION 6 New York Law to Govern . THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 7 Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in multiple counterparts, which when taken together, shall constitute one instrument. The exchange of copies of this Amendment and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Amendment as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Amendment 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 8 Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 9 Noteholder Collateral Agent . Noteholder Collateral Agent accepts the amendments of the Security Agreement effected by this Amendment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Noteholder Collateral Agent shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to any of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company, or for or with respect to (i) the validity or sufficiency of this Amendment or any of the terms or provisions hereof, (ii) the proper authorization hereof by the Company by action or otherwise, (iii) the due execution hereof by the Company or (iv) the consequences of any amendment herein provided for, and Noteholder Collateral Agent makes no representation with respect to any such matters.

SECTION 10 Separability . In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

[Signature page follows]

 

8


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

 

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.,

as a Pledgor

By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:   Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

SAEXPLORATION SUB, INC.,

as a Pledgor

By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:   Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

SAEXPLORATION, INC.,

as a Pledgor

By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:   Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

SAEXPLORATION SEISMIC SERVICES (US), LLC,

as a Pledgor

By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:   Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Security Agreement]


NES, LLC,

as a Pledgor

By:  

/s/ Brent Whiteley

Name:   Brent Whiteley
Title:   Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Security Agreement]


WILMINGTON SAVINGS

FUND SOCIETY, FSB,

as Noteholder Collateral Agent

By:  

/s/ Geoffrey J. Lewis

Name:   Geoffrey J. Lewis
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Security Agreement]

Exhibit 10.4

[FIRST]/[SECOND] AMENDMENT

TO

[AMENDED AND RESTATED] EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This [ First ]/[ Second ] Amendment to the [ Amended and Restated ] Executive Employment Agreement[ , as amended by that First Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of November  10, 2016 ] (the “ Amendment ”) is effective as of January     , 2018, by and between SAExploration Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Employer ”) and [                    ] (the “ Executive ”), and hereby amends the [ Amended and Restated ] Executive Employment Agreement between the Employer and Executive (the “ Agreement ”). Words and phrases used herein with initial capital letters that are defined in the Agreement are used herein as so defined.

I.

The first sentence of Section 1 of the Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“The Employer hereby agrees to continue to employ the Executive commencing on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2020 (the “ Initial Term ”); provided , however , that at the end of the Initial Term, the Executive’s employment and this Agreement shall automatically renew or extend for consecutive terms of one (1) year on each succeeding anniversary of December 31, 2020 (each such renewal or extension a “ Renewal Term ”), unless either Party gives prior written notice to the other Party of its desire to terminate the Agreement at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as applicable (the Initial Term and each Renewal Term, collectively, the “ Term ”).”

II.

The second to last sentence in Section 1 of the Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“The obligations of the Parties under Sections 5 through [ 25 ]/[ 27 ] herein shall survive according to the terms of each provision; provided , that the provisions of Sections [ 7 ]/[ 8 ](a) and [ 7 ]/[ 8 ](c) shall be immediately void and of no further force or effect if the Employer gives prior written notice to the Executive of its desire to terminate this Agreement at the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as described above. For the avoidance of doubt, if prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term the Executive is offered a renewal of this Agreement by the Company at the same or better terms, and the Executive refuses to renew this Agreement, then the post-employment obligations set for in Sections [ 7 ]/[ 8 ](a) and [ 7 ]/[ 8 ](c) shall remain in effect.”

 

Employment Agreement Amendment – [                    ]


III.

Section 4(a) of the Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“(a) receive payment of the Executive’s annual base salary (the “ Base Salary ”) at an annual rate of not less than US$[        ], less deductions required by law, payable in accordance with the Employer’s standard payroll schedule, but not less frequently than monthly. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Base Salary may be increased (but not decreased without the written consent of the Executive) in the discretion of the Employer’s Chief Executive Officer, subject to approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “ Compensation Committee ”).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for any calendar year during the Term in which the prior calendar year’s Free Cash Flow (as defined below) equals or exceeds $15,000,000, the Base Salary for such calendar year will be not less than US$[        ], less deductions required by law, payable in accordance with the Employer’s standard payroll schedule, but not less frequently than monthly. The Compensation Committee will calculate Free Cash Flow for the prior calendar year following delivery of the Employer’s earnings statements for such year, but in any event by March of the following calendar year. In the event that the Executive becomes entitled to an increase in the Base Salary for any calendar year pursuant to this Section 4(a), the corresponding increase in the Base Salary for such calendar year shall, following such determination, be retroactive to January 1 of such calendar year, and any payments of additional Base Salary that become due to the Executive for the period of such calendar year preceding the Compensation Committee’s determination shall be paid to the Executive no later than the first payroll date immediately following the date on which the Compensation Committee makes such determination.

For purposes of this Agreement, “ Free Cash Flow ” shall be determined by the Compensation Committee and shall mean, with respect to any calendar year, the difference between the Employer’s Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Employer’s financial statements and Notes thereto included in its periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission) for the full calendar year (as determined by the Board in the then-current calendar year) and the Employer’s capital expenditures for the then-current calendar year approved by the Board as part of the Employer’s Board-approved forecast for the preceding year. The Compensation Committee may adjust the Free Cash Flow calculation to reflect any actual or projected increases in capital expenditures required to capture business opportunities.”

IV.

Section 4[ (b) ]/[ (c) ] of the Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“[ (b) ]/[ (c) ] continue to be eligible to receive annual performance cash awards (“ Annual Cash Awards ”) with a target amount equal to [    ]% of Base Salary (the “ Target Percentage ”), and the Executive will be entitled to a guaranteed Annual Cash Award equal to [    ]% of Base Salary and as much as [    ]% of Base Salary if certain executive goals (the “ Executive Goals ”) are reached as identified and approved by the Compensation Committee; provided , that, notwithstanding the foregoing, for any year in which the prior year’s Free Cash Flow is less than $15,000,000, the Target Percentage shall be equal to [    ]%, and the Executive will be entitled to a guaranteed Annual Cash Award equal to [    ]% of Base Salary and as much as [    ]% of Base Salary if the Executive Goals are reached as identified and approved by the Compensation Committee.

 

Employment Agreement Amendment – [                    ]


Commencing with the Employer’s 2018 fiscal year, the Executive Goals will be set by the Compensation Committee under the applicable long-term incentive plan for such annual award but in any event shall not exceed the maximum award permissible under such applicable plan.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive’s Target Percentage for any calendar year may be increased (but not decreased without the written consent of the Executive) in the discretion of the Employer’s Chief Executive Officer, subject to approval of the Compensation Committee.

The Executive Goals will consist of Free Cash Flow targets, Adjusted EBITDA targets, individual performance targets and health, safety and environment (“ HSE ”) targets, as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Executive’s individual performance targets and HSE targets for any calendar year shall be set by the Compensation Committee prior to December 31 of the prior calendar year. The financial targets for determining the Executive’s Free Cash Flow targets and Adjusted EBITDA targets for any calendar year shall be determined by the Board at its third quarterly meeting of the prior calendar year.

The Executive’s Annual Cash Award will be paid in the first pay period following the date of the earnings release for the calendar year to which such Annual Cash Award relates unless an alternative timing of payment is agreed to by the Executive; provided , that such Annual Cash Award will in any event be paid in the calendar year following the calendar year to which such Annual Cash Award relates; provided , further , that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive’s annual cash award for 2017 will be paid in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice, and the amount of such Annual Cash Award shall be no less than $[        ] and shall not be affected by the restructuring transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement dated December [    ], 2017 of the Employer and the Restructuring Support Agreement dated as of December [    ], 2017 (the “ 2017 RSA ”) among the Employer, SAExploration Sub, Inc., SAExploration Inc., SAEXploration Seismic Services (US), LLC, NES, LLC and the Supporting Holders Identified Therein.”

V.

Section 4[ (f) ]/[ (g) ] of the Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“[ (f) ]/[ (g) ] Equity Compensation .

(i) The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the SAExploration Holdings, Inc. 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “ Equity Incentive Plan ”) as described in the Key Revisions to Management Compensation Arrangements term sheet attached to the 2017 RSA as Exhibit A.

(ii) The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Employer’s Management Incentive Program as described in the Key Revisions to Management Compensation Arrangements term sheet attached to the 2017 RSA as Exhibit A and which shall be established under the Equity Incentive Plan.”

 

Employment Agreement Amendment – [                    ]


VI.

Section 4[ (h) ]/[ (i) ] of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such section in entirety.

Except as specifically modified herein, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with all of the terms and conditions thereof. This Amendment may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including documents in Adobe PDF format) will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart to this Amendment.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

Employment Agreement Amendment – [                    ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above.

 

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
EXECUTIVE
By:  

 

Name:   [                                                                           ]

Exhibit 10.5

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.

2018 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purpose . The purpose of the SAExploration Holdings, Inc. 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan is to provide a means through which the Company may attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means whereby directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Affiliates (the “ Company Group ”) can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation, which may (but need not) be measured by reference to the value of Common Stock, thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company Group and aligning their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.

2. Definitions . The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan:

Affiliate ” means (i) any person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company and/or (ii) to the extent provided by the Committee, any person or entity in which the Company has a significant interest. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any person or entity, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.

Award ” means, individually or collectively, any Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Other Stock-Based Award, Cash-Based Award granted under the Plan.

Award Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the grant of an Award (other than a Cash-Based Award) to the Participant.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Business Combination ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control.”

Cash-Based Award ” means an Award that is not a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Unit granted under Section 10 of the Plan that is denominated and/or payable in cash.

Cause ” means in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, (i) the Company or an Affiliate having “cause” to terminate a Participant’s employment or service, as defined in any employment or consulting agreement between the Participant and any member of the Company Group in effect at the time of such termination or (ii) in the absence of any such employment or consulting agreement (or the absence of any definition of “Cause” contained therein), the Participant’s (A) commission of, conviction for, plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, or other material act or omission involving dishonesty or fraud, (B) engaging in conduct that constitutes fraud or embezzlement, (C) engaging in conduct that constitutes gross negligence or willful gross misconduct that results or could reasonably be expected to result in harm to any member of the Company Group’s business or reputation, (D) breach of any material terms of written agreement between the Company and the Participant, (E) continued willful failure to substantially perform the Participant’s duties on behalf of the Company Group or (F) breach of any material policy of any member of the Company Group. Any determination of whether Cause exists shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion.

Change in Control ” shall, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise or contains a different definition of “Change in Control,” be deemed to occur upon:

(i) Any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 12(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)) (a “ Person ”) becomes the beneficial owner

 

1


(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “ Outstanding Company Common Stock ”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); provided , however , that, for purposes of this Section 2(f), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (I) any acquisition by the Company, (II) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, or (III) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with Sections 2(g)(iii)(A), 2(g)(iii)(B) and 2(g)(iii)(C);

(ii) During any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “ Incumbent Board ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided , however , that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;

(iii) Consummation of a reorganization (excluding a reorganization under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code), merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, a “ Business Combination ”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or

(iv) Approval by the stockholders  of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.

Committee ” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or a committee of at least two people as the Board may appoint to administer the Plan or, if no such committee has been appointed by the Board, the Board.

 

2


Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (and any stock or other securities into which such common stock may be converted or into which it may be exchanged).

Company ” means SAExploration Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

Confidential Information ” means, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, any data, information or documentation (including such that is received by third parties) that is competitively sensitive or commercially valuable and not generally known to the public, including data, information or documentation related or pertaining to: (1) finance, supply or service; (2) customers, suppliers or consumers, including customer lists, relationships and profiles; (3) marketing or product information, including product planning, marketing strategies, marketing results, marketing forecasts, plans, finance, operations, reports, sales estimates, business plans and internal performance results relating to past, present or future business activities, clients and suppliers; and (4) scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula or improvement, computer software, object code, source code, specifications, inventions or systems information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, and that is not otherwise a Trade Secret.

Date of Grant ” means the date on which the granting of an Award is authorized, or such other date as may be specified in such authorization.

Detrimental Activity ” means any of the following: (1) unauthorized use, disclosure or dissemination of Confidential Information or Trade Secrets pertaining to the business of any member of the Company Group; (2) any activity that would be grounds to terminate the Participant’s employment or service with any member of the Company Group for Cause; or (3) a breach by the Participant of any restrictive covenant by which such Participant is bound, including, without limitation, any covenant not to compete or not to solicit, in any agreement with any member of the Company Group; provided , however , that the activity described under clause (1) of this definition does not apply to (x) any Confidential Information or Trade Secrets which have become generally known to competitors of any member of the Company Group through no act or omission by the Participant or (y) a Participant’s communications that are required by law or judicial process ( e.g ., subpoena). Further, this definition does not preclude a Participant from communicating, cooperating or filing a complaint with any U.S. federal, state or local governmental or law enforcement branch, agency or entity (collectively, a “ Governmental Entity ”) with respect to possible violations of any U.S. federal, state or local law or regulation, or otherwise making disclosures to any Governmental Entity, in each case, that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any such law or regulation, provided that, in each case, such communications and disclosures are consistent with applicable law and provided further that under no circumstance is the Participant authorized to disclose any information covered by the Company Group’s attorney-client privilege or attorney work product or Trade Secrets without prior written consent of the Board or its designee.

Effective Date ” means first date on which the Plan has been both adopted by the Board and approved by the Company’s shareholders.

Eligible Director ” means a person who is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

Eligible Person ” means any (i) individual employed by any member of the Company Group; provided , however , that no such employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be an Eligible Person unless and to the extent that such eligibility is set forth in such collective bargaining agreement or in an agreement or instrument relating thereto; (ii) director of any member of the Company Group; or (iii) consultant or advisor to any member of the Company Group who may be offered securities registrable on Form S-8 under the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 701 of the Securities Act, or any other available exemption, as applicable.

Employment Agreement means an employment agreement or similar agreement between a Participant and a member of the Company Group .

 

3


Exchange Act ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control,” and any reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

Exercise Price ” has the meaning given such term in Section 7(b) of the Plan.

Fair Market Value ” means, on a given date, (i) if the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Common Stock reported on such national securities exchange, or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such a sale was reported; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, but is quoted in the NASDAQ National Market Reporting System or another inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the closing bid price or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which a sale was reported; or (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Common Stock in a manner intended to satisfy the principles of Section 409A of the Code.

Good Reason ” means the definition of such term as set forth in an Employment Agreement; provided , that , in the absence of such an agreement, the concept shall not apply with respect to a Participant’s Awards.

Immediate Family Members ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(b).

Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option that is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option as described in Section 422 of the Code and otherwise meets the requirements set forth in the Plan.

Incumbent Board ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control.”

Indemnifiable Person ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) of the Plan.

Mature Shares ” means shares of Common Stock owned by a Participant that are not subject to any pledge or security interest and that have been either previously acquired by the Participant on the open market or meet such other requirements, if any, as the Committee may determine are necessary in order to avoid an accounting earnings charge on account of the use of such shares to pay the Exercise Price or satisfy a withholding obligation of the Participant.

MIP Awards ” means Awards of restricted stock units granted to Eligible Persons in accordance with the terms of Section 11 in connection with and as contemplated by the Restructuring Support Agreement.

MIP Reserve ” has the meaning given such term in Section 5(b) of the Plan.

Nonqualified Stock Option ” means an Option that is not designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.

Option ” means an Award granted under Section 7 of the Plan.

Option Period ” has the meaning given such term in Section 7(c) of the Plan.

Other Stock-Based Award ” means an Award that is not an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, that is granted under Section 10 of the Plan and is (1) payable by delivery of Common Stock and/or (2) measured by reference to the value of Common Stock.

 

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Outstanding Company Common Stock ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control.”

Outstanding Company Voting Securities ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control.”

Participant ” means an Eligible Person who has been selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan and to receive an Award pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.

Permitted Transferee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(b) of the Plan.

Person ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control.”

Plan ” means this SAExploration Holdings, Inc. 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Restricted Period ” means the period of time determined by the Committee during which an Award is subject to restrictions or, as applicable, the period of time within which performance is measured for purposes of determining whether an Award has been earned.

Restricted Stock Unit ” means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver shares of Common Stock, cash, other securities or other property, subject to certain restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

Restricted Stock ” means Common Stock, subject to certain specified restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

Restructuring ” means the transactions contemplated by the Restructuring Support Agreement.

Restructuring Support Agreement ” means the Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2017, among SAExploration Holdings, Inc., SAExploration Sub, Inc. SAExploration, Inc., SAExploration Seismic Services (US), LLC, NES, LLC and the Supporting Holders Identified therein.

SAR Period ” has the meaning given such term in Section 8(b) of the Plan.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means an Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan.

Strike Price ” means, except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, (i) in the case of a SAR granted in tandem with an Option, the Exercise Price of the related Option, or (ii) in the case of a SAR granted independent of an Option, the Fair Market Value on the Date of Grant.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of shares of Outstanding Company Voting Securities (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) 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); and

 

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(2) any partnership (or any comparable foreign entity (a) the sole general partner (or functional equivalent thereof) or the managing general partner of which is such Person or Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners (or functional equivalents thereof) of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

Substitute Award ” has the meaning given such term in Section 5(e).

Sub-Plans ” means any sub-plan to this Plan that has been adopted by the Board or the Committee for the purpose of permitting the offering of Awards to employees of any member of the Company Group that are located outside the United States of America, with each such sub-plan designed to comply with local laws applicable to offerings in such foreign jurisdictions. Although any Sub-Plan may be designated a separate and independent plan from the Plan in order to comply with applicable local laws, the limits specified in Section 5 shall apply in the aggregate to the Plan and any Sub-Plan adopted hereunder.

Trade Secrets ” means without limitation, (1) any data or information that is competitively sensitive or commercially valuable and not generally known to the public and (2) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula or improvement, computer software, object code, source code, specification, invention or systems information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, provided that this definition of Trade Secrets shall have the broadest meaning as permitted by law and shall extend beyond the definition of “trade secrets” as set forth in the Delaware Uniform Trade Secrets Act.

3. Effective Date; Duration . The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. Unless earlier terminated as provided herein, the expiration date of the Plan, on and after which date no Awards may be granted hereunder, shall be the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Effective Date; provided , however , that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.

4. Administration . (a) The Committee shall administer the Plan. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under the Plan) it is intended that each member of the Committee shall, at the time he takes any action with respect to an Award under the Plan, be an Eligible Director. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as an Eligible Director shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan. The majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present or acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee shall be deemed the acts of the Committee.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the delivery of cash, Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant or of the Committee; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (ix) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards; (x) adopt Sub-Plans; and (xi) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

 

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(c) The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of any member of the Company Group the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election that is the responsibility of or that is allocated to the Committee herein, and that may be so delegated as a matter of law, except for grants of Awards to persons (i) subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award or any documents evidencing Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons or entities, including, without limitation, the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, and any stockholder of the Company.

(e) No member of the Board, the Committee, delegate of the Committee or any employee or agent of the Company (each such person, an “ Indemnifiable Person ”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder. Each Indemnifiable Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Indemnifiable Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Indemnifiable Person may be a party or in which such Indemnifiable Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Plan or any Award Agreement and against and from any and all amounts paid by such Indemnifiable Person with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Indemnifiable Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Indemnifiable Person; provided , that , the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to an Indemnifiable Person to the extent that a final judgment or other final adjudication (in either case not subject to further appeal) binding upon such Indemnifiable Person determines that the acts or omissions of such Indemnifiable Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Indemnifiable Person’s bad faith, fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such Indemnifiable Persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Indemnifiable Persons or hold them harmless.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards and administer the Plan with respect to such Awards. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan.

5. Grant of Awards; Shares Subject to the Plan; Limitations . (a) The Committee may, from time to time, grant Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based to one or more Eligible Persons and shall grant MIP Awards in accordance with Section 11.

(b) Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 12 of the Plan, the Committee is authorized to deliver under the Plan Awards subject to the following limitations: an aggregate of 19,500,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the Plan, which includes a 17,261,155 shares of Common Stock for of MIP Awards under the Plan (as described below), which is equal to ten percent (10%) of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on a fully diluted, as-converted basis after giving effect to dilution from full conversion of any Company preferred shares and full exercise of any Company warrants determined immediately following the consummation of the Restructuring (the “ MIP Reserve ”). No more than 100,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted in respect of incentive stock options under the Plan to any single participant during any single calendar year; and no more than 50,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted respect of Awards granted to any single participant who is a non-employee director for a single calendar year.

 

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(c) Use of shares of Common Stock to pay the required Exercise Price or tax obligations, or shares not issued in connection with settlement of an Option or SAR or that are used or withheld to satisfy tax obligations of the Participant shall, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, not be available again for other Awards under the Plan. Shares underlying Awards under this Plan that are forfeited, cancelled, expire unexercised, or are settled in cash are available again for Awards under the Plan.

(d) Shares of Common Stock delivered by the Company in settlement of Awards may be authorized and unissued shares, shares held in the treasury of the Company, shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase, or a combination of the foregoing.

(e) Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“ Substitute Awards ”). The number of shares of Common Stock underlying any Substitute Awards shall be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under the Plan.

6. Eligibility . Participation shall be limited to Eligible Persons who have entered into an Award Agreement or who have received written notification from the Committee, or from a person designated by the Committee, that they have been selected to participate in the Plan.

7. Options . (a)  Generally . Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Nonqualified Stock Options unless the applicable Award Agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company Group, and no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any Eligible Person who is ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code. No Option shall be treated as an Incentive Stock Option unless the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company in a manner intended to comply with the stockholder approval requirements of Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, provided that any Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not fail to be effective solely on account of a failure to obtain such approval, but rather such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option unless and until such approval is obtained. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the terms and conditions of such grant shall be subject to and comply with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code. If for any reason an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option or portion thereof shall be regarded as a Nonqualified Stock Option appropriately granted under the Plan.

(b) Exercise Price . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the exercise price (“ Exercise Price ”) per share of Common Stock for each Option shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant); provided , however , that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who, at the time of the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of any member of the Company Group, the Exercise Price per share shall not be less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant.

(c) Vesting and Expiration . Options shall vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates determined by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement and shall expire after such period, not to exceed ten (10) years, as may be determined by the Committee (the “ Option Period ”); provided , however , that the Option Period shall not exceed five (5) years from the Date of Grant in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who on the Date of Grant owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the

 

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voting power of all classes of stock of any member of the Company Group; provided , further , that notwithstanding any vesting dates set by the Committee, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the exercisability of any Option, which acceleration shall not affect the terms and conditions of such Option other than with respect to exercisability. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, an Employment Agreement or otherwise by the Committee: (i) the unvested portion of an Option shall expire upon termination of employment or service of the Participant granted the Option, and the vested portion of such Option shall remain exercisable for (A) one (1) year following termination of employment or service by reason of such Participant’s death or disability (as determined by the Committee), but not later than the expiration of the Option Period or (B) ninety (90) days following termination of employment or service for any reason other than such Participant’s death or disability, and other than such Participant’s termination of employment or service or Cause, but not later than the expiration of the Option Period; and (ii) both the unvested and the vested portion of an Option shall expire upon the termination of the Participant’s employment or service by the Company for Cause.

(d) Method of Exercise and Form of Payment . No shares of Common Stock shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company and the Participant has paid to the Company an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld. Options that have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Option accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be payable (i) in cash, check, cash equivalent and/or shares of Common Stock valued at the Fair Market Value at the time the Option is exercised (including, pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, by means of attestation of ownership of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock in lieu of actual delivery of such shares to the Company); provided , that , such shares of Common Stock are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and are Mature Shares and; (ii) by such other method as the Committee may permit in its sole discretion, including without limitation: (A) in other property having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price or (B) if there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at such time, by means of a broker-assisted “cashless exercise” pursuant to which the Company is delivered a copy of irrevocable instructions to a stockbroker to sell the shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the Exercise Price or (C) by a “net exercise” method whereby the Company withholds from the delivery of the shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercised that number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercised. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

(e) Notification upon Disqualifying Disposition of an Incentive Stock Option . Each Participant awarded an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date he or she makes a disqualifying disposition of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including, without limitation, any sale) of such Common Stock before the later of (A) two (2) years after the Date of Grant of the Incentive Stock Option or (B) one (1) year after the date of exercise of the Incentive Stock Option. The Company may, if determined by the Committee and in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, retain possession of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option as agent for the applicable Participant until the end of the period described in the preceding sentence.

(f) Compliance With Laws, etc . Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Participant be permitted to exercise an Option in a manner that the Committee determines would violate the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or any other applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded.

8. Stock Appreciation Rights . (a)  Generally . Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site

 

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maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each SAR so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Any Option granted under the Plan may include tandem SARs. The Committee also may award SARs to Eligible Persons independent of any Option.

(b) Vesting and Expiration . A SAR granted in connection with an Option shall become exercisable and shall expire according to the same vesting schedule and expiration provisions as the corresponding Option. A SAR granted independent of an Option shall vest and become exercisable and shall expire in such manner and on such date or dates determined by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement and shall expire after such period, not to exceed ten (10) years, as may be determined by the Committee (the “ SAR Period ”); provided , however , that notwithstanding any vesting dates set by the Committee, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the exercisability of any SAR, which acceleration shall not affect the terms and conditions of such SAR other than with respect to exercisability. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, an Employment Agreement or otherwise by the Committee: (i) the unvested portion of a SAR shall expire upon termination of employment or service of the Participant granted the SAR, and the vested portion of such SAR shall remain exercisable for (A) one (1) year following termination of employment or service by reason of such Participant’s death or disability (as determined by the Committee), but not later than the expiration of the SAR Period or (B) ninety (90) days following termination of employment or service for any reason other than such Participant’s death or disability, and other than such Participant’s termination of employment or service for Cause, but not later than the expiration of the SAR Period; and (ii) both the unvested and the vested portion of a SAR shall expire upon the termination of the Participant’s employment or service by the Company for Cause.

(c) Method of Exercise . SARs that have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award, specifying the number of SARs to be exercised and the date on which such SARs were awarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on the last day of the Option Period (or in the case of a SAR independent of an option, the SAR Period), the Fair Market Value exceeds the Strike Price, the Participant has not exercised the SAR or the corresponding Option (if applicable), and neither the SAR nor the corresponding Option (if applicable) has expired, such SAR shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Participant on such last day and the Company shall make the appropriate payment therefor.

(d) Payment . Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of shares subject to the SAR that are being exercised multiplied by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the exercise date over the Strike Price, less an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld. The Company shall pay such amount in cash, in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

9. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units . (a)  Generally . Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each such grant shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 9, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

(b) Stock Certificates; Escrow or Similar Arrangement . Upon the grant of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate or book-entry designation registered in the name of the Participant to be issued and, if the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (i) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable, and (ii) the appropriate stock power (endorsed in blank) with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant shall fail to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and blank stock power within the amount of time specified by the Committee, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this

 

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Section 9 and the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including without limitation the right to vote such Restricted Stock. To the extent shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, any stock certificates or book-entry designations issued to the Participant evidencing such shares shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect thereto shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.

(c) Vesting; Acceleration of Lapse of Restrictions . Except as provided below: (i) the Restricted Period shall lapse as determined by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement; and (ii) the unvested portion of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall terminate and be forfeited upon termination of employment or service of the Participant granted the applicable Award.

(d) Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units . (i) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock that have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired. Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends (except as otherwise set forth by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement).

(ii) Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, an Employment Agreement or otherwise by the Committee, upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or the Participant’s beneficiary, without charge, one share of Common Stock for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit; provided , however , that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to (i) pay cash or part cash and part Common Stock in lieu of delivering only shares of Common Stock in respect of such Restricted Stock Units or (ii) defer the delivery of Common Stock (or cash or part Common Stock and part cash, as the case may be) beyond the expiration of the Restricted Period. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering shares of Common Stock, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, less an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld.

(e) Legends on Restricted Stock . Each certificate or book-entry designation representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall bear a legend substantially in the form of the following in addition to any other information the Company deems appropriate until the lapse of all restrictions with respect to such Common Stock:

TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY IS RESTRICTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC. 2018 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AND A RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT, BETWEEN SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC. AND PARTICIPANT. A COPY OF SUCH PLAN AND AWARD AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.

10. Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards . The Committee may issue Other Stock-Based Awards under the Plan to Eligible Persons, either alone or in tandem with other awards, in such amounts as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. Each Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each

 

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Other Stock-Based Award so granted shall be subject to such conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee may grant Cash-Based Awards under the Plan to Eligible Persons, alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and dependent on such conditions as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. Each Cash-Based Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced in such form as the Committee may determine from time to time and shall be subject to such conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the form evidencing such Award.

11. MIP Awards . (a)  Generally . The Committee shall grant MIP Awards consistent with the terms of the Exhibit C to the Restructuring Support Agreement covering shares of Common Stock subject to the MIP Reserve. MIP Awards shall be subject to the following terms:

(b) Grant of MIP Awards . Sixty (60%) percent of the MIP Reserve shall be granted pursuant to MIP Awards to members of the Company’s senior management pursuant to Exhibit C to the Restructuring Support Agreement promptly following the consummation of the Reorganization (the “ Initial MIP Awards ”). The remaining 40% of the MIP Reserve shall be allocated to Awards based on the recommendation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, subject to the approval of the Committee (the “ Reserved MIP Awards ”) consistent with the vesting criteria in Section 11(c) below.

(b) Vesting of Initial MIP Awards . Subject to a Participant’s continuing employment with the Company Group on the applicable vesting date, the Initial MIP Awards shall vest as follows: (i) 25% of each Initial MIP Award shall vest on the 18-month anniversary of the consummation of the Restructuring, (ii) 25% of each Initial MIP Award shall vest on the second anniversary of the consummation of the Restructuring and (iii) the remaining 50% of each Initial MIP Award shall vest on the third anniversary of the consummation of the Restructuring.

(c) Vesting of Reserved MIP Awards . Subject to a Participant’s continuing employment with the Company Group on the applicable vesting date, the Reserved MIP Awards shall become vested in accordance with vesting criteria established by the Committee; provided , that , the Reserved MIP Awards shall become fully vested no later than December 31, 2021.

(d) Special Vesting of MIP Awards . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11 and subject to a Participant’s continuing employment with the Company Group on the applicable following vesting event, 100% of a Participant’s MIP Awards will vest in full on the earliest to occur of: (i) the Participant’s attainment of age 64 years, (ii) December 31, 2020, if the Participant’s Employment Agreement is not renewed, and (iii) the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason other than (A) a termination for Cause (as defined in the applicable Executive’s Employment Agreement) or (B) a termination by such Executive without Good Reason (as defined in the applicable Executive’s Employment Agreement).

(e) Settlement of MIP Awards . Subject to the requirements of Section 14(e) which may apply in the event of a termination of a Participant’s employment, MIP Awards shall be settled in shares of Common Stock promptly upon the applicable vesting date(s) and/or vesting events set forth in Section 11 (b), (c) or (d) by issuing one share of Common Stock in settlement for each Restricted Stock Unit, either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares of Common Stock or by entering such shares of Common Stock in book entry form (as determined by the Company in its discretion); provided , however , that , notwithstanding the foregoing, Reserved Awards shall be settled on the payroll date following January 1 of a given year with respect to Reserved Awards that became vested in the prior calendar year to the extent vested within 30 days after each year end during the vesting period.

(f) Forfeiture of MIP Awards . In the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment by a member of the Company Group for Cause, all MIP Awards not previously settled pursuant to Section 11(e), shall terminate and be forfeited. In the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment by a Participant without Good Reason all unvested MIP Awards shall terminate and vested MIP Awards shall be settled in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 11(e).

 

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12. Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events . In the event of (a) any dividend (other than regular cash dividend) or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a Change in Control) that affects the shares of Common Stock, or (b) unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, a Change in Control) affecting any member of the Company Group, or the financial statements of any member of the Company Group, or changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system, accounting principles or law, such that in either case an adjustment is determined by the Committee in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate, then the Committee shall make any such adjustments in such manner as it may deem equitable, including without limitation any or all of the following:

(i) adjusting (A) any or all of the limits provided under the Plan (including under Section 5 of Plan) with respect to the number of Awards which may be granted hereunder, (B) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) that may be delivered in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including, without limitation, adjusting any or all of the limitations under Section 5 of the Plan) or any Sub-Plan and (C) the terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, (1) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate, (2) the Exercise Price or Strike Price with respect to any Award or (3) any applicable performance; provided , that , any adjustment under this Section 12(i) shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes and may provide for the elimination of any fractional shares that might otherwise become subject to an Award.

(ii) providing for a substitution or assumption of Awards (or awards of an acquiring company), accelerating the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards or providing for a period of time for exercise prior to the occurrence of such event; and

(iii) subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, cancelling any one or more outstanding Awards and causing to be paid to the holders thereof, in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property, or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards, if any, as determined by the Committee (which if applicable may be based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other stockholders of the Company in such event), including without limitation, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price of such Option or SAR, respectively (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or SAR having a per share Exercise Price or Strike Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject thereto may be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor) or, in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards that are not vested as of such cancellation, a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards prior to cancellation, or the underlying shares in respect thereof;

provided , however , that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004)), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring. Any adjustment in Incentive Stock Options under this Section 12 (other than any cancellation of Incentive Stock Options) shall be made only to the extent not constituting a “modification” within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code, and any adjustments under this Section 12 shall be made in a manner that does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

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Prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this Section 12, the Committee may require a Participant to (A) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to the Participant’s Awards, (B) bear such Participant’s pro rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Common Stock, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, and (C) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee.

13. Effect of Change in Control . Except to the extent otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, an Employment Agreement or otherwise by the Committee or with respect to a MIP Award, in the event of a Change in Control, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may provide that, with respect to all or any portion of a particular outstanding Award or Awards:

(a) then outstanding Options and SARs shall become immediately exercisable as of a time prior to the Change in Control;

(b) Restricted Period shall expire as of a time prior to the Change in Control; and

(c) cause Awards previously deferred to be settled in full as soon as practicable.

To the extent practicable, any actions taken by the Committee under the immediately preceding clauses (a) through (c) shall occur in a manner and at a time which allows affected Participants the ability to participate in the Change in Control transactions with respect to the Common Stock subject to their Awards.

14. Amendments and Termination . (a)  Amendment and Termination of the Plan . The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided , that (i) no amendment to Section 14(b) (to the extent required by the proviso in such Section 14(b)) shall be made without stockholder approval and (ii) no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan (including, without limitation, as necessary to comply with any rules or requirements of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock may be listed or quoted); provided , further , that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary.

(b) Amendment of Award Agreements . The Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of any applicable Award Agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted or the associated Award Agreement, prospectively or retroactively; provided , that , any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant; provided , further , that without stockholder approval to the extent required by the rules of any applicable national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, except as otherwise permitted under Section 12 of the Plan, (i) no amendment or modification may reduce the Exercise Price of any Option or the Strike Price of any SAR, (ii) the Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option or SAR and replace it with a new Option or SAR, another Award or cash and (iii) the Committee may not take any other action that is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system.

15. Section  409A . (a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Plan and any Awards granted hereunder are intended to be interpreted and applied so that the payments and benefits set forth thereunder either shall either be exempt from the requirements of Code Section 409A and the final Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Final Treasury Regulations” and together with Section 409A of the Code, “Section 409A”), or shall comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and, accordingly, to the maximum

 

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extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be exempt from or in compliance with Section 409A. To the extent that the Company determines that any provision of this Plan or any Award granted hereunder would cause a participant to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A, the Company shall be entitled to reform such provision to attempt to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A through good faith modifications. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to the Participant and the Company without violating the provisions of Section 409A. In no event may a Participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement or otherwise which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A.

(b) Except as otherwise specifically provided, amounts payable under an Award, other than those expressly payable on a deferred or installment basis, will be paid as promptly as practicable following the date they are earned and vested and, in any event, on or prior to March 15 of the year following the first calendar year in which such amounts are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as such term is defined in Section 409A.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision any Award providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits that constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A upon or following a termination of a Participant’s employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service” and the date of such separation from service shall be the date of termination for purposes of any such payment or benefits.

(d) Each payment in a series of payments made under this Plan and any Awards granted hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, if upon a termination employment a Participant is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time, or if none, the default methodology under Section 409A, any payments or benefits due upon a termination of Executive’s employment under any arrangement that constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A shall be delayed and paid or provided (or commence, in the case of installments) on the first payroll date on or following the earlier of (i) the date which is six (6) months and one (1) day after Employee’s termination of employment for any reason other than death (the “Delayed Payment Date”), and (ii) the date of Executive’s death, and any remaining payments and benefits shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for such payment or benefit; provided, that, payments or benefits that qualify as short-term deferral (within the meaning of Section 409A and Final Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4)) or involuntary separation pay (within the meaning of Section 409A and Final Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)) and are otherwise permissible under Section 409A and the Final Treasury Regulations, shall not be subject to such six-month delay. On the Delayed Payment Date, the Company will pay to Employee a lump sum equal to all amounts that would have been paid during the period of the delay if the delay were not required plus interest on such amount at a rate equal to the short-term applicable federal rate then in effect, and will thereafter continue to pay Employee the Severance Payment in installments in accordance with this Section.

(f) Neither a Participant nor any of a Participant’s creditors or beneficiaries will have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable under this Plan and grants hereunder to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment. Except as permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation payable to a Participant or for a Participant’s benefit under this Plan and grants hereunder may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by a Participant to the any member of Company Group.

 

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(g) No member of the Company Group, nor any employee, director or officer thereof guarantees that this Plan or any Award granted hereunder complies with, or is exempt from, Section 409A and none of the foregoing shall have any liability with respect to any failure to so comply or to be so exempt.

16. General . (a)  Award Agreements . Other than Cash-Based Awards, each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)) and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award any rules applicable thereto, including without limitation, the effect on such Award of the death, disability or termination of employment or service of a Participant, or of such other events as may be determined by the Committee.

(b) Nontransferability . (i) Each Award shall be exercisable only by a Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against any member of the Company Group; provided , that , the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) to be transferred by a Participant, without consideration, subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt consistent with any applicable Award Agreement to preserve the purposes of the Plan, to: (A) any person who is a “family member” of the Participant, as such term is used in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act (collectively, the “ Immediate Family Members ”); (B) a trust solely for the benefit of the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (C) a partnership or limited liability company whose only partners or stockholders are the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (D) any other transferee as may be approved either (I) by the Board or the Committee in its sole discretion, or (II) as provided in the applicable Award Agreement (each transferee described in clauses (A), (B) (C) and (D) above is hereinafter referred to as a “ Permitted Transferee ”); provided , that , the Participant gives the Committee advance written notice describing the terms and conditions of the proposed transfer and the Committee notifies the Participant in writing that such a transfer would comply with the requirements of the Plan.

(iii) The terms of any Award transferred in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to the Permitted Transferee and any reference in the Plan, or in any applicable Award Agreement, to a Participant shall be deemed to refer to the Permitted Transferee, except that (A) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to transfer any Award, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (B) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to exercise any transferred Option unless there shall be in effect a registration statement on an appropriate form covering the shares of Common Stock to be acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Option if the Committee determines, consistent with any applicable Award Agreement, that such a registration statement is necessary or appropriate; (C) the Committee or the Company shall not be required to provide any notice to a Permitted Transferee, whether or not such notice is or would otherwise have been required to be given to the Participant under the Plan or otherwise; and (D) the consequences of the termination of the Participant’s employment by, or services to, any member of the Company Group under the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement shall continue to be applied with respect to the Participant, including, without limitation, that an Option shall be exercisable by the Permitted Transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, specified in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

(c) Tax Withholding . (i) A Participant shall be required to pay to any member of the Company Group, and any member of the Company Group shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold, from any cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property deliverable under any Award or from any compensation or other amounts owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Common Stock, other securities or other property) of

 

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any required withholding or any other applicable taxes in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding and taxes.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of clause (i) above, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability by (A) the delivery of shares of Common Stock (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and are Mature Shares) owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability or (B) having the Company withhold from the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable pursuant to the exercise or settlement of the Award a number of shares with a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability; provided , that , with respect to shares withheld pursuant to clause (B), the number of such shares may not have a Fair Market Value greater than the minimum required statutory withholding liability unless determined by the Committee not to result in adverse accounting consequences.

(d) No Claim to Awards; No Rights to Continued Employment; Waiver . No employee of any member of the Company Group, or other person, shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for a grant of any other Award. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of any member of the Company Group, nor shall it be construed as giving any Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. Any member of the Company Group may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement.

(e) Participants . With respect to Participants who reside or work outside of the United States of America, the Committee may in its sole discretion amend the terms of the Plan and create or amend Sub-Plans or amend outstanding Awards with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law or to obtain more favorable tax or other treatment for a Participant or any member of the Company Group.

(f) Designation and Change of Beneficiary . Each Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of one or more persons as the beneficiary(ies) who shall be entitled to receive the amounts payable with respect to an Award, if any, due under the Plan upon his death. A Participant may, from time to time, revoke or change his or her beneficiary designation without the consent of any prior beneficiary by filing a new designation with the Committee. The last such designation received by the Committee shall be controlling; provided , however , that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Committee prior to the Participant’s death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt. If no beneficiary designation is filed by a Participant, the beneficiary shall be deemed to be his or her spouse or, if the Participant is unmarried at the time of death, his or her estate.

(g) Termination of Employment/Service . Unless determined otherwise by the Committee at any point following such event: (i) neither a temporary absence from employment or service due to illness, vacation or leave of absence nor a transfer from employment or service with the Company to employment or service with an Affiliate (or vice-versa) shall be considered a termination of employment or service with any member of the Company Group; and (ii) if a Participant’s employment with the Company Group terminates, but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company Group in a non-employee capacity (or vice-versa), such change in status shall not be considered a termination of employment with any member of the Company Group.

(h) No Rights as a Stockholder . Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement, no person shall be entitled to the privileges of ownership in respect of shares of Common Stock that are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued or delivered to that person.

 

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(i) Government and Other Regulations . (i) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in Common Stock or other consideration shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Common Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to provide that all certificates for shares of Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement, the federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which such shares or other securities are then listed or quoted and any other applicable federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, and, without limiting the generality of Section 9 of the Plan, the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under the Plan that it in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.

(ii) The Committee may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of shares of Common Stock from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of Common Stock to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of Common Stock from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of Common Stock to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Committee determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in accordance with the foregoing, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the shares would have been vested or delivered, as applicable), over (B) the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price (in the case of an Option or SAR, respectively) or any amount payable as a condition of delivery of shares of Common Stock (in the case of any other Award). Such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof.

(j) Payments to Persons Other Than Participants . If the Committee shall find that any person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his or her affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such person or his or her estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his or her spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such person, or any other person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.

(k) Nonexclusivity of the Plan . Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board nor the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.

(l) No Trust or Fund Created . Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between any member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and a Participant or other person or entity, on the other hand. No provision of the Plan or any Award shall

 

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require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other employees under general law.

(m) Reliance on Reports . Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in acting or failing to act, as the case may be, and shall not be liable for having so acted or failed to act in good faith, in reliance upon any report made by the independent public accountant of the Company Group and/or any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any agent of the Company or the Committee or the Board, other than himself or herself.

(n) Relationship to Other Benefits . No payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance or other benefit plan of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan.

(o) Governing Law . The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed wholly within the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

(p) Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any Award or Award Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or entity or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or entity or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(q) Obligations Binding on Successors . The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.

(r) Expenses; Gender; Titles and Headings . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company Group. Masculine pronouns and other words of masculine gender shall refer to both men and women. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings shall control.

(s) Other Agreements . Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may require, as a condition to the grant of and/or the receipt of shares of Common Stock under an Award, that the Participant execute lock-up, stockholder or other agreements, as it may determine in its sole and absolute discretion.

(t) Payments . Participants shall be required to pay, to the extent required by applicable law, any amounts required to receive shares of Common Stock under any Award made under the Plan.

(u) Fractional Shares . Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, an Employment Agreement or otherwise by the Committee, any fractional shares due on exercise or payment in respect of an Award or MIP Award shall be settled in cash.

 

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(v) Detrimental Activity . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any Award Agreement, if a Participant has engaged in any Detrimental Activity, as determined by the Committee, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for one or more of the following:

(1) cancellation of any or all of such Participant’s outstanding Awards; or

(2) forfeiture by the Participant of any gain realized on the vesting or exercise of Awards, and to repay any such gain to promptly to the Company.

(w) Clawback/Repayment . All Awards shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with (1) any clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy adopted by the Board or the Committee and as in effect from time to time, and (2) applicable law, whether such policy or law becomes effective prior to or following the Effective Date or the Date of Grant of an Award. Further, to the extent that the Participant receives any amount in excess of the amount that the Participant should otherwise have received under the terms of the Award for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or other administrative error), the Participant shall be required to repay any such excess amount to the Company. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant shall thereby be deemed to have acknowledged and consented to the Company’s application, implementation and enforcement of any clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy adopted by the Board or the Committee, whether adopted prior to or following the Date of Grant of the Award, and any provision of applicable law relating to reduction cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment, and to have agreed that the Company may take such actions as may be necessary to effectuate any such policy or applicable law, without further consideration or action.

* * *

As adopted by the Board of Directors, and approved by the shareholders, of SAExploration Holdings, Inc. on January    , 2018.

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAEXPLORATION ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF EXCHANGE OFFER AND CONSENT SOLICITATION

January 30, 2018 – Houston, TX – SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAEX, OTCQB: SXPLW) , or SAE, today announced that it has completed its previously announced exchange offer and consent solicitation related to its outstanding 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Stub Notes”) and 10.000% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2019 (the “Existing Notes” and, together with the Stub Notes, the “Notes”). SAE offered to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) any and all of the Notes held by eligible holders upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in SAE’s Exchange Offer Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement dated December 22, 2017 (together with the related letter of transmittal, the “Memorandum”). Concurrently with the Exchange Offer, the Company solicited consents from eligible holders of record of the Existing Notes (i) to adopt certain proposed amendments to the indenture under which the Existing Notes and the existing guarantees of such Existing Notes were issued (the “Existing Indenture”) and (ii) to release all of the collateral from the liens securing the Existing Notes (the “Consent Solicitation”).

Jeff Hastings, Chairman and CEO of SAE, said, “We are very pleased with the success of our exchange offer in which more than 90% of our outstanding Existing Notes were exchanged. We have comprehensively realigned our entire capital structure, which will enhance our immediate liquidity by eliminating approximately $7.8 million of annual cash interest payments, provide meaningful financial flexibility through our new $20.0 million senior credit facility, and make us more competitive in the current business environment. Most importantly, we believe this exchange will position us for long-term growth and sustainable success. We are grateful for the continued support and confidence of all our stakeholders, especially that of our former note holders who participated in the exchange, our customers and vendors, and our loyal and highly-skilled employees, all of whom have gone to great lengths to find solutions to solidify SAE’s future.”

The Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 24, 2018. In exchange for $78,037,389 in aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes, representing approximately 91.8% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes, and for $7,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Stub Notes, representing less than 1% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Stub Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in the Exchange Offer, SAE issued (i) 812,321 shares of SAE’s common stock (the “New Common Shares”), (ii) 31,669 shares of SAE’s 8.0% Cumulative Perpetual Series A preferred stock (the “Series A Preferred Shares”), (iii) 855,195 shares of SAE’s Mandatorily Convertible Series B preferred stock (the “Series B Preferred Shares” and, together with the Series A Preferred Shares, the “Preferred Shares”) and (iv) 8,286,061 Series C Warrants to purchase 8,286,061 shares of SAE’s common stock (the “Warrants”).

 

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In connection with the Consent Solicitation, SAE, the guarantors under the Existing Indenture and the trustee for the Existing Indenture entered into a supplemental indenture to the Existing Indenture giving effect to the Existing Notes Proposed Amendments (as defined in the Memorandum) and the Existing Notes Collateral Release (as defined in the Memorandum).

The complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation are set forth in the Memorandum. The Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation are part of a comprehensive restructuring by SAE, additional elements of which are described in SAE’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 20, 2017.

The complete terms and conditions of the Series A Preferred Shares, the Series B Preferred Shares and the Warrants are set forth in the certificate of designations for the Series A Preferred Shares, the certificate of designations for the Series B Preferred Shares and the warrant agreement, respectively, to be attached as exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC in connection with the closing of the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation.

The New Common Shares, the Preferred Shares, and Warrants issued have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Epiq Systems, Inc. acted as Solicitation Agent, Information Agent and Exchange Agent.

About SAExploration Holdings, Inc.

SAE is an internationally-focused oilfield services company offering a full range of vertically-integrated seismic data acquisition and logistical support services in remote and complex environments throughout Alaska, Canada, South America, Southeast Asia and West Africa. In addition to the acquisition of 2D, 3D, time-lapse 4D and multi-component seismic data on land, in transition zones and offshore in depths reaching 3,000 meters, SAE offers a full suite of logistical support and in-field data processing services, such as program design, planning and permitting, camp services and infrastructure, surveying, drilling, environmental assessment and reclamation and community relations. SAE operates crews around the world, performing major projects for its blue-chip customer base, which includes major integrated oil companies, national oil companies and large independent oil and gas exploration companies. Operations are supported through a multi-national presence in Houston, Alaska, Canada, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil and New Zealand. For more information, please visit SAE’s website at www.saexploration.com .

The information in SAE’s website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this notice or incorporated in filings SAE makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws with respect to SAE. These statements can be identified by the use of words or phrases such as “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “budgets,” “forecasts,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding SAE’s financial condition, results of operations and business and SAE’s expectations or beliefs concerning future periods and possible future events. These statements are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in, and implied by, this press release. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from SAE’s expectations are described under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in SAE’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by applicable law, SAE is not under any obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Contact

SAExploration Holdings, Inc.

Ryan Abney

Vice President, Finance

(281) 258-4400

rabney@saexploration.com

 

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