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): July 31, 2018

 

 

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-38083   81-5365682

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1001 Fannin, Suite 400

Houston, Texas 77002

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(713) 842-9050

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp.

301 Commerce Street, Suite 3300

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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.  ☐

 

 

 


Introductory Note

On July 31, 2018 (the “Closing Date”), Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (formerly known as TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp.) consummated the previously announced acquisition of:

 

   

certain right, title and interest in certain oil and natural gas assets located primarily in the Karnes County portion of the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas (the “Karnes County Assets”), pursuant to that certain Contribution and Merger Agreement (as subsequently amended, the “Karnes County Contribution Agreement”), by and among TPGE (as defined below), Magnolia Oil & Gas Parent LLC (formerly known as TPG Pace Energy Parent LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (“Magnolia LLC”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“EV XIV-A”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“EV XIV-WIC”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A,L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“EV XIV-2A”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“EV XIV-3A”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“EV XIV-C”), and EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C-AIV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“EV XIV-C-AIV” and, together with EV XIV-A, EV XIV-WIC, EV XIV-2A, EV XIV-3A and EV XIV-C, the “Karnes County Contributors”);

 

   

certain right, title and interest in certain oil and natural gas assets located primarily in the Giddings Field of the Austin Chalk (the “Giddings Assets”), pursuant to that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Giddings Purchase Agreement”) by and among Magnolia LLC, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XI-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“EV XI-A”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XI-WI, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“EV XI-WI”), EnerVest Holding, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“EV Holding”), and EnerVest Wachovia Co-Investment Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“EV Co-Invest” and, together with EV XI-A, EV XI-WI and EV Holding, the “Giddings Sellers”); and

 

   

an approximate 35% membership interest (the “Ironwood Interests” and together with the Karnes County Assets and the Giddings Assets, the “Target Assets”) in Ironwood Eagle Ford Midstream, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, which owns an Eagle Ford gathering system, pursuant to that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Ironwood MIPA” and, together with the Karnes County Contribution Agreement and the Giddings Purchase Agreement, the “Business Combination Agreements”) by and among Magnolia LLC, EV XIV-A, EV XIV-WIC and EV XIV-C (EV XIV-A, EV XIV-WIC and EV XIV-C, collectively, the “Ironwood Sellers” and, together with the Karnes County Contributors and the Giddings Sellers, the “Sellers”).

We refer to the acquisitions and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreements as the “Business Combination.” Following the completion of the Business Combination, our consolidated subsidiary, Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Magnolia Operating”), owns all of the Target Assets, and we will operate our business through Magnolia Operating.

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), the Company changed its name from TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp. to Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation. Unless the context otherwise requires, “TPGE” refers to the registrant prior to the Closing, and “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to the registrant and, where appropriate, its subsidiaries, including Magnolia LLC and Magnolia Operating, following the Closing.

 

Item 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Magnolia Operating Credit Agreement

In order to finance a portion of the Business Combination (including the payment of certain related fees and expenses), and for working capital and other general purposes from time to time, on the Closing Date, Magnolia Operating entered into a senior secured reserve-based revolving credit facility (the “RBL Facility”) among Magnolia Operating, as borrower, Magnolia Oil & Gas Intermediate LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly

 

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owned subsidiary of Magnolia LLC (“Magnolia Intermediate”), as holdings, the banks, financial institutions and other lending institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders, the other parties from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent, issuing bank and swingline lender, providing for maximum commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000 million with a letter of credit facility with a $100 million sublimit. The RBL Facility has an initial borrowing base of $550 million. The RBL Facility is guaranteed by Magnolia Intermediate, Magnolia LLC, Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation and Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Magnolia Operating (“Finance Corp”). The RBL Facility is secured by substantially all of the natural gas and oil properties and personal property assets of Magnolia Operating, Magnolia Intermediate and Finance Corp. Certain future-formed or acquired wholly owned domestic subsidiaries of Magnolia Operating will also be required to guarantee the RBL Facility and grant a security interest in substantially all of their natural gas and oil properties and personal property assets to secure the obligations under the RBL Facility.

The RBL Facility limits the amounts Magnolia Operating can borrow up to a borrowing base amount, which the administrative agent and required lenders thereunder will in good faith determine, in accordance with their respective usual and customary oil and gas lending criteria, based upon the loan value of the proved oil and gas reserves located within the geographic boundaries of the United States included in the most recent reserve report provided to the administrative agent and the lenders.

The RBL Facility requires semi-annual borrowing base redeterminations based on reserve reports. Additionally, the borrowing base will be subject to unscheduled redeterminations, once per year at the request of the required lenders, up to two times per year at the request of Magnolia Operating and an unlimited number of times at Magnolia Operating’s request in connection with an acquisition of natural gas and oil properties with a present value in excess of 5% of the then-effective borrowing base. Furthermore, the borrowing base may be reduced from time to time due to certain issuances of new unsecured senior, senior subordinated, junior lien or subordinated indebtedness, certain sales of borrowing base properties, early monetizations or terminations of certain hedge or swap positions or at Magnolia Operating’s request. If the aggregate amount outstanding under the RBL Facility exceeds the lesser of the RBL Facility commitments and the borrowing base at any time, Magnolia Operating would be required to repay any indebtedness or to provide mortgages on additional borrowing base properties to eliminate such excess.

Borrowings under the RBL Facility bear interest, at Magnolia Operating’s option, at a rate per annum equal to either (a) the adjusted LIBOR rate (“LIBOR”) (which cannot be less than zero) for interest periods of 1, 2, 3 or 6 months (or if available to all Lenders, 12 months or any period shorter than 1 month) plus the applicable LIBOR margin or (b) the alternative base rate (“ABR”) plus the applicable ABR margin. ABR is a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus  1 2 of 1.0%, (ii) the prime rate announced from time to time by Citibank, N.A. and (iii) LIBOR for a 1-month Interest Period on such day plus 1.0%. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears for ABR loans, at the end of the applicable interest period for LIBOR loans (but not less frequently than quarterly) and upon the prepayment or maturity of the underlying loans. Additionally, Magnolia Operating is required to pay a commitment fee quarterly in arrears in respect of unused commitments under the RBL Facility. The applicable LIBOR and ABR margins and the commitment fee rate are calculated based upon the utilization levels of the RBL Facility as a percentage of the borrowing base then in effect, as set forth below:

 

Borrowing base utilization percentage

   X < 25%     25%  £  X
< 50%
    50%  £  X
< 75%
    75%  £
X< 90%
    ³  90%  

LIBOR Margin

     1.75     2.00     2.25     2.50     2.75

ABR Margin

     0.75     1.00     1.25     1.50     1.75

Commitment Fee Rate

     0.375     0.375     0.375     0.50     0.50

The RBL Facility contains certain customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default, and requires Magnolia Operating and certain of its affiliates obligated under the RBL Facility to make customary representations and warranties in connection with credit extensions thereunder. The negative covenants, among other things and subject to significant exceptions, limit the ability of Magnolia Operating and certain of its subsidiaries to:

 

   

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness;

 

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make loans to others;

 

   

make investments;

 

   

merge or consolidate with another entity;

 

   

make dividends and certain other payments;

 

   

hedge future production or interest rates;

 

   

create liens that secure indebtedness;

 

   

transfer or sell assets;

 

   

enter into transactions with affiliates; and

 

   

engage in certain other transactions without the prior consent of the lenders.

In addition, the RBL Facility requires Magnolia Operating to maintain a ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated EBITDAX no greater than 4.00 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter ending on or after December 31, 2018. If such ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1.00 in any such fiscal quarter, Magnolia Operating will also be required to maintain a ratio of consolidated current assets to consolidated current liabilities of at least 1.00 to 1.00 for such fiscal quarter. The ratios are to be determined on the basis of the four most recently ended fiscal quarters of Magnolia Operating for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to the RBL Facility.

If an event of default (as such term is defined in the RBL Facility) occurs, the lenders would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the RBL Facility, termination of the lenders’ commitments thereunder, foreclosure on collateral, and all other remedial actions available to a secured creditor.

The lenders under the RBL Facility are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities. Certain of the lenders under the RBL Facility and their affiliates have in the past performed services for the Company or its affiliates from time to time and may engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company and its affiliates in the ordinary course of their business.

The foregoing description of the RBL Facility is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the RBL Facility, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Indenture and Notes

On the Closing Date, Magnolia Operating and Finance Corp (together, the “Issuers”) closed the previously announced private offering of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.000% senior notes due 2026 (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued under the Indenture, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Indenture”), by and among the Issuers and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Notes are the general unsecured, senior obligations of the Issuers. The Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company and may be guaranteed by certain future subsidiaries of the Company.

The Notes will mature on August 1, 2026. The Notes bear interest at the rate of 6.000% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on each February 1 and August 1, commencing February 1, 2019.

At any time prior to August 1, 2021, the Issuers may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, with an amount of cash not greater than the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, if at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under the Indenture on the Closing Date remains outstanding immediately after such redemption and the redemption occurs within 180 days of the closing date of such equity offering.

 

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At any time prior to August 1, 2021, the Issuers may, on any one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus a “make whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

On or after August 1, 2021, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth in the Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

If the Issuers experience certain kinds of changes of control, each holder of the Notes may require the Issuers to repurchase all or a portion of its Notes for cash at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase.

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

Upon an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture), the Trustee or holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately, except that a default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to Magnolia Operating, any other restricted subsidiary of the Company that is a significant subsidiary or any group of restricted subsidiaries of Magnolia Operating that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary, will cause the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all outstanding Notes to become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.

The foregoing description of the Indenture is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Magnolia LLC

On the Closing Date, the Company, Magnolia LLC and certain of the Karnes County Contributors (the “EnerVest Members”) entered into Magnolia LLC’s amended and restated limited liability company agreement (the “Magnolia LLC Agreement”), which sets forth, among other things, the rights and obligations of the holders of units in Magnolia LLC (“Magnolia LLC Units”). Under the Magnolia LLC Agreement, the Company became the sole managing member of Magnolia LLC. The material terms of the Magnolia LLC Agreement are described in TPGE’s definitive Proxy Statement, dated July 2, 2018 (the “Proxy Statement”), relating to the special meeting of TPGE’s stockholders held on July 17, 2018 (the “Special Meeting”) in the section entitled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—Related Agreements—Agreements Related to the Contribution Agreements—Pace LLC Agreement,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

The foregoing description of the Magnolia LLC Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Magnolia LLC Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement

On the Closing Date, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Karnes County Contributors, TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), and TPGE’s four independent directors prior to the Business Combination (i.e., Arcilia Acosta, Edward Djerejian, Chad Leat and Dan F. Smith) (collectively, the “Holders”), pursuant to which the Company will be obligated, subject to the terms thereof and in the manner contemplated thereby, to register for resale under the Securities Act all or any portion of the shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), that the Holders hold as of the Closing Date and that they may acquire thereafter, including upon conversion, exchange or redemption of any other security therefor. The Company has

 

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agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the effectiveness of a registration statement (i) with respect to the first demand by a Holder therefor, within six months after the Closing, and (ii) with respect to subsequent demands by Holders therefor, upon, or as soon as practicable following, the filing thereof, and to keep it continuously effective until such date on which the shares covered by such registration statement are no longer registrable securities. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, Holders also have “piggyback” registration rights exercisable at any time that allow them to include the shares of Class A Common Stock that they own in certain registrations initiated by the Company. The Holders also have customary rights to effect certain shelf take-downs, underwritten offerings and block trades. In the event that the sale of registered securities under a registration statement would require disclosure of certain material non-public information not otherwise required to be disclosed, the Company may postpone the effectiveness of the applicable registration statement or require the suspension of sales thereunder. No such blackout period may continue for more than 60 consecutive calendar days or more than 90 total calendar days, in each case during any twelve-month period.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, certain of the Holders agreed not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company (a) for a period of six months from the Closing Date and (b) for so long as the Registration Rights Agreement remains in effect with respect to such Holder, if such sale, transfer or distribution would constitute or result in a “change of control” under any of the Company’s debt facilities in place as of the Closing.

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 4.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Stockholder Agreement

On the Closing Date, the Company, Sponsor, and the Karnes County Contributors entered into the Stockholder Agreement (the “Stockholder Agreement”), which governs certain rights and obligations following the Closing.

Under the Stockholder Agreement, the Karnes County Contributors are entitled to nominate two directors, one of whom shall be independent under the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for appointment to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) so long as they collectively own at least 15% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class B Common Stock”) (on a fully diluted basis, including equity securities exercisable into common stock, and on a combined basis), and one director so long as they own at least 2% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis, including equity securities exercisable into common stock, and on a combined basis). Sponsor is entitled to nominate two directors for appointment to the Board so long as it owns at least 60% of the voting common stock that it owns at the Closing (including any shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of any Private Placement Warrants (as defined in the Proxy Statement) held by Sponsor), and one director so long as it owns at least 25% of the voting common stock that it owns at the Closing (including any shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of any Private Placement Warrants held by Sponsor). The Karnes County Contributors and Sponsor are each entitled to appoint one director to each committee of the Board (subject to applicable law and stock exchange rules). Each of Sponsor and the Karnes County Contributors have agreed to vote all of their shares of voting common stock in favor of the directors nominated by the other party in accordance with the Stockholder Agreement and any other nominees nominated by the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board. For so long as the Karnes County Contributors or Sponsor, as applicable, has the right to nominate two directors to the Board, the Karnes County Contributors or Sponsor, as applicable, will be subject to a customary “standstill.” The Stockholder Agreement also includes customary restrictions on the transfer of shares to certain persons acquiring beneficial ownership in excess of certain stated thresholds. The Stockholder Agreement will terminate as to each stockholder upon the time at which such stockholder or any of its affiliates no longer has the right to designate an individual for nomination to the Board under the agreement and will automatically terminate in its entirety on December 31, 2022.

The foregoing description of the Stockholder Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Stockholder Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 4.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Non-Compete Agreement

On the Closing Date, the Company and EnerVest Ltd. (“EV Ltd.”) entered into a Non-Competition Agreement (the “Non-Compete”) restricting EV Ltd. and certain of its affiliates from competing with the Company in the Eagle Ford Shale (the “Restricted Area”) following the Closing until the later of the four year anniversary of the Closing and the date the Services Agreement (as defined below) is terminated. An affiliate of EV Ltd. will have the right to receive up to 4,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock based on the achievement of certain stock price thresholds. The Non-Compete also provides for (i) certain co-investment rights for EV Ltd. and certain of its affiliates with respect to future acquisitions by the Company in the Restricted Area, (ii) a right of first offer in favor of the Company on certain sales by EV Ltd. and its affiliates in the Restricted Area, (iii) a tag-along right for EV Ltd. and its affiliates on certain sales by the Company in the Restricted Area and (iv) the ability of the Company to drag-along EV Ltd. and its affiliates on certain sales by the Company in the Restricted Area.

The foregoing description of the Non-Compete is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Non-Compete, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Indemnity Agreements

On the Closing Date, we entered into indemnity agreements with Messrs. Edward Djerejian, Michael MacDougall, Dan F. Smith, James R. Larson and John B. Walker and Mmes. Arcilia Acosta and Angela Busch, each of whom is a director following the Business Combination, and Messrs. Stephen Chazen and Christopher Stavros, each of whom is an executive officer and/or director of the Company following the Business Combination. Each indemnity agreement provides that, subject to limited exceptions, and among other things, we will indemnify the director or executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by law for claims arising in his or her capacity as our director or officer.

The foregoing description of the indemnity agreements is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of indemnity agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Services Agreement

On the Closing Date, the Company and EnerVest Operating L.L.C. (“EVOC”) entered into a Services Agreement (the “Services Agreement”), pursuant to which EVOC, under the direction of the Company’s management, will provide the Company services identical to the services historically provided by EVOC in operating the Target Assets, including administrative, back office and day-to-day field level services reasonably necessary to operate the business of the Company and its assets, subject to certain exceptions.

As consideration for the services to be provided under the Services Agreement, the Company will pay EVOC a fixed annual services fee of approximately $23.6 million. The annual services fee may be (a) increased or decreased to account for asset acquisitions and dispositions of assets, (b) increased to account for an increase in the rig count attributable to the assets and (c) decreased if the Company must perform any of such services itself because EVOC is unable or fails to do so. In addition, the Company will pay industry standard per well overhead payments to EVOC, the initial annual amount of which is estimated to be approximately $7 million, and will reimburse EVOC for certain costs of the Company incurred by EVOC in performing the services.

The term of the Services Agreement is five years, but the Services Agreement is subject to termination by either party after two years. The parties also have certain early termination rights, including rights of the Company to terminate the Services Agreement in the event of a change of control of EVOC or if certain key persons cease to devote a substantial amount of their time to the performance of the services. In addition, the Company may terminate the agreement after the first anniversary of the Closing if the Board determines by unanimous vote (excluding any member of the board that is an affiliate of EVOC or is appointed by or employed by EVOC or any of its affiliates) makes a good-faith determination that EVOC has failed to satisfactorily perform the services, in which case the Company is required to pay EVOC a lump-sum termination fee of $17.5 million. Following any termination of the Services Agreement, EVOC will provide transition services for a period of nine months, which may be reduced in certain instances, during which period the services fee and other payments described above will continue to be payable.

 

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The foregoing description of the Services Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Services Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.5 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1.02

Termination of Material Definitive Agreement.

Effective as of the Closing, the parties to that certain Registration Rights Agreement (the “Prior RRA”), dated May 4, 2017, by and among TPGE, Sponsor and the other parties named therein, agreed to terminate the Prior RRA and enter into the Registration Rights Agreement. The information set forth in Items 1.01 and 2.01 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.01.

Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

The Business Combination was approved by TPGE’s stockholders at the Special Meeting. At the Special Meeting, 73,708,017 shares of TPGE Class A Common Stock and Class F Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class F Common Stock”), were voted in favor of the proposal to approve the Business Combination, 1,300 shares of TPGE Class A Common Stock and Class F Common Stock were voted against the proposal, and holders of 2,223 shares of TPGE Class A Common Stock and Class F Common Stock abstained from voting on the proposal. TPGE’s public stockholders had the opportunity, in connection with the Closing, to redeem shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the terms of TPGE’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Charter”), and public stockholders holding 900 shares of Class A Common Stock elected to have such shares redeemed for an aggregate amount of $9,081. In addition, in connection with the Closing and in accordance with the Charter, all of the 16,250,000 outstanding shares of Class F Common Stock were converted into shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.

At Closing, pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreements:

 

   

the Karnes County Contributors received:

 

   

83,939,434 shares of Class B Common Stock and an equivalent number of Magnolia LLC Units, which, together, are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for shares of Class A Common Stock;

 

   

31,790,924 shares of Class A Common Stock; and

 

   

approximately $912 million in cash;

 

   

Magnolia LLC paid to the Giddings Sellers approximately $283 million in cash; and

 

   

Magnolia LLC paid to the Ironwood Sellers approximately $25 million in cash.

Each Business Combination Agreement contained customary purchase price adjustments, including to give effect to an effective date of January 1, 2018. Under the Karnes County Contribution Agreement, Magnolia LLC was entitled to $196 million of revenues after expenses (and other purchase price adjustments) attributable to the Target Assets since the effective time through June 30. In lieu of a cash payment to Magnolia LLC for such amount, the Karnes County Contribution Agreement provided for a downward adjustment to the equity consideration that would have otherwise been issued to the Karnes County Contributors of approximately $196 million (based on $10 per share/LLC unit). The Company expects to be entitled to an additional cash purchase price adjustment for the revenues after expenses (and other purchase price adjustments) attributable to the Target Assets from July 1 through July 31.

Pursuant to the Karnes County Contribution Agreement, for a period of five years following the Closing, the Karnes County Contributors will be entitled to receive an aggregate of up to 13,000,000 additional shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock based on certain EBITDA and free cash flow or stock price thresholds.

Pursuant to the Giddings Purchase Agreement, until December 31, 2021, the Giddings Sellers will be entitled to receive an aggregate of up to $47 million in cash earn-out payments based on certain net revenue thresholds.

The amounts paid to the Karnes County Contributors, Giddings Sellers and Ironwood Sellers are subject to certain customary post-Closing purchase price adjustments set forth in the Business Combination Agreements.

 

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As of the Closing Date and following the completion of the Business Combination and the PIPE Investment (as defined herein), the Company had the following outstanding equity securities:

 

   

148,540,024 shares of Class A Common Stock;

 

   

83,939,434 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Sellers; and

 

   

31,666,666 warrants, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share.

As of the Closing Date and following the completion of the Business Combination, the Sellers owned an aggregate of 31,790,924 shares of Class A Common Stock, as well as 83,939,434 shares of Class B Common Stock and an equivalent number of Magnolia LLC Units, which, together, are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for shares of Class A Common Stock. Upon the exchange of Magnolia LLC Units and Class B Common Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock, all exchanged shares of Class B Common Stock will be cancelled. If each outstanding share of Class B Common Stock and Magnolia LLC Unit were exchanged for a share of Class A Common Stock, the Company would have 232,479,458 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding.

Immediately following the completion of the Business Combination and the PIPE Investment, the ownership interests of the Company’s stockholders (including ownership interests in Magnolia LLC but excluding warrants) were as follows:

 

   

public stockholders and certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors who purchased shares of Class A Common Stock in the PIPE Investment owned 100,499,100 shares of Class A Common Stock, representing an approximate 43.2% economic and voting interest;

 

   

the holders of our founder shares, including our Sponsor and the Company’s independent directors prior to the Closing, owned 16,250,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, representing an approximate 7.0% economic and voting interest; and

 

   

the Karnes County Contributors owned 31,790,924 shares of Class A Common Stock, 83,939,434 shares of Class B Common Stock and 83,939,434 Magnolia LLC Units, collectively representing a 49.9% economic and voting interest.

Prior to the Closing, TPGE was a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) with no operations, formed as a vehicle to effect a business combination with one or more operating businesses. After the Closing, the Company became a holding company whose assets primarily consist of interests in its subsidiaries, including Magnolia LLC and Magnolia Operating. The following information is provided about the business of the Company reflecting the consummation of the Business Combination.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Company makes forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K, regarding the Company’s future financial performance, as well as the Company’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues, and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this Current Report on Form 8-K, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company, incident to the development, production, gathering and sale of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids.

 

9


These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any subsequent date, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

In addition, the Company cautions you that the forward-looking statements regarding the Company, which are contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K or incorporated by reference, are subject to the following factors:

 

   

the risk that we will have difficulties integrating the assets and operations acquired in the Business Combination;

 

   

the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of the combined business to grow and manage growth profitably;

 

   

costs related to the Business Combination;

 

   

changes in applicable laws or regulations;

 

   

the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors;

 

   

the fact that reserve estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of the Company’s reserves; and

 

   

other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 45 of the Proxy Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Business and Properties

The business and properties of the Target Assets prior to the Business Combination are described in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Information About the Target Assets” beginning on page 209, which is incorporated herein by reference. The business of TPGE prior to the Business Combination is described in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Information About TPGE” beginning on page 192, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Risk Factors

The risk factors related to the Company’s business and operations are described in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 45, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Selected Historical Financial Information of the Karnes County Business

The selected historical financial information of the Karnes County Business for the two years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the period from September 30, 2015 (the inception of the Karnes County Business) through December 31, 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and of the AM Assets (as defined in the Proxy Statement) for the period from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015 is provided in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Selected Historical Financial Information of the Karnes County Business” beginning on page 41, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated financial information of TPGE for the year ended December 31, 2017 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 included in the Proxy Statement beginning on page 82 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

10


Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of TPGE prior to the Business Combination is included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of TPGE” beginning on page 187, which is incorporated herein by reference. Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of the Karnes County Business prior to the Business Combination is included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Karnes County Business” beginning on page 234, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk of TPGE prior to the Business Combination is included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of TPGE—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk” beginning on page 190, which is incorporated herein by reference. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk of the Karnes County Business prior to the Business Combination is included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Karnes County Business—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” beginning on page 250, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth information known to the Company regarding ownership of shares of voting securities of the Company, which consists of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as of July 31, 2018, after giving effect to the Closing, by:

 

   

each person who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s voting securities;

 

   

each of the Company’s current executive officers and directors; and

 

   

all current executive officers and directors of the Company, as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security or has the right to acquire such securities within 60 days, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

The beneficial ownership of voting securities of the Company is based on 148,540,024 shares of Class A Common Stock and 83,939,434 shares of Class B Common Stock, issued and outstanding as of July 31, 2018, after giving effect to the Closing and the PIPE Investment.

Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of voting common stock beneficially owned by them. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person named in the table below is 1001 Fannin, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77002.

 

11


     Class A Common Stock     Class B Common Stock     Combined Voting Power  

Name and Address of Beneficial Owners

   Number      Percentage     Number      Percentage     Number      Percentage  

5% or Greater Stockholders

               

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P.(1)

     —          —         55,357,254        65.9     55,357,254        23.8

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P.(2)

     —          —         578,299            578,299       

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A, L.P.(3)

     —          —         11,014,515        13.1     11,014,515        4.7

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P.(4)

     —          —         10,805,611        12.9     10,805,611        4.6

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C,  L.P.(5)

     31,790,924        21.4     —          —         31,790,924        13.7

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C-AIV, L.P.(6)

     —          —         6,183,755        7.4     6,183,755        2.7

TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC(7)

     26,090,000        16.5     —          —         26,090,000        10.8

Fidelity Management & Research Company(8)

     15,100,000        10.2     —          —         15,100,000        6.5

Directors and Executive Officers

               

Stephen Chazen(9)

     1,702,533        1.1     —          —         1,702,533       

Arcilia Acosta

     40,000            —          —         40,000       

Edward Djerejian

     40,000            —          —         40,000       

Dan F. Smith

     40,000            —          —         40,000       

Michael MacDougall(10)

     97,500            —          —         97,500       

Angela Busch

     —              —          —         —         

James R. Larson

     —              —          —         —         

John B. Walker(11)

     136,123            —          —         136,123       

Christopher Stavros

     1,000            —          —         1,000       

All directors and executive officers, as a group (9 individuals)

     2,057,156        1.4     —          —         2,057,156       

 

*

Less than one percent.

(1)

The managing general partner of EV XIV-A is EnerVest, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, whose general partner is EnerVest Management GP, L.C., a Texas limited company. James Vanderhider and John Walker are principals of EnerVest Management GP, L.C. and may therefore be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the shares held by EV XIV-A. Messrs. Vanderhider and Walker disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by EV XIV-A except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The business address of EV XIV-A is 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 800 Houston, Texas 77002.

(2)

The general partner of EV XIV-WIC is EnerVest Holding XIV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, whose sole member is EnerVest, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, whose general partner is EnerVest Management GP, L.C., a Texas limited company. James Vanderhider and John Walker are principals of EnerVest Management GP, L.C. and may therefore be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the shares held by EV XIV-WIC. Messrs. Vanderhider and Walker disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by EV XIV-WIC except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The business address of EV XIV-WIC is 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 800 Houston, Texas 77002.

(3)

The managing general partner of EV XIV-2A is EVFA XIV-2A, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, whose sole member is EnerVest, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, whose general partner is EnerVest Management GP, L.C., a Texas limited company. James Vanderhider and John Walker are principals of EnerVest Management GP, L.C. and may therefore be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the shares held by EV XIV-2A. Messrs. Vanderhider and Walker disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by EV XIV-2A except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The business address of EV XIV-2A is 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 800 Houston, Texas 77002.

(4)

The managing general partner of EV XIV-3A is EVFA XIV-3A, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, whose sole member is EnerVest, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, whose general partner is EnerVest Management GP, L.C., a Texas limited company. James Vanderhider and John Walker are principals of EnerVest Management GP, L.C. and may therefore be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the shares held by EV XIV-3A. Messrs. Vanderhider and Walker disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by EV XIV-3A except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The business address of EV XIV-3A is 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 800 Houston, Texas 77002.

(5)

The managing general partner of EV XIV-C is EVFC GP XIV, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, whose sole member is EnerVest, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, whose general partner is EnerVest Management GP, L.C., a Texas limited company. James Vanderhider and John Walker are principals of EnerVest Management GP, L.C. and may therefore be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the shares held by EV XIV-C. Messrs. Vanderhider and Walker disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by EV XIV-C except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The business address of EV XIV-C is 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 800 Houston, Texas 77002.

(6)

The managing general partner of EV XIV-C-AIV is EVFC GP XIV, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, whose sole member is EnerVest, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, whose general partner is EnerVest Management GP, L.C., a Texas limited company. James Vanderhider and John Walker are principals of EnerVest Management GP, L.C. and may therefore be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the shares held by EV XIV-C-AIV. Messrs. Vanderhider and Walker disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by EV XIV-C-AIV except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The business address of EV XIV-C-AIV is 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 800 Houston, Texas 77002.

(7)

The managing member of TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC is TPG Pace Governance, LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company, whose sole member is TPG Holdings, whose general partner is TPG Holdings III-A, L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership, whose general partner is TPG Holdings III-A, Inc., a Cayman Islands corporation, whose sole

 

12


  stockholder is TPG Group Holdings (SBS), L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, whose general partner is TPG Group Holdings (SBS) Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, whose sole member is TPG Group Holdings (SBS) Advisors, Inc., a Delaware corporation. David Bonderman and James Coulter are sole stockholders of TPG Group Holdings (SBS) Advisors, Inc. and may therefore be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the shares held by TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC. Messrs. Bonderman and Coulter disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. Mr. Bonderman separately purchased 368,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the PIPE Investment. Mr. Coulter separately purchase 100,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the PIPE Investment. Beneficial ownership includes warrants to purchase 10,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof.
(8)

Represents shares purchased by various funds affiliated with Fidelity Management & Research Company in connection with the PIPE Investment. These accounts are managed by direct or indirect subsidiaries of FMR LLC. Abigail P. Johnson is a Director, the Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and the President of FMR LLC. Members of the Johnson family, including Abigail P. Johnson, are the predominant owners, directly or through trusts, of Series B voting common shares of FMR LLC, representing 49% of the voting power of FMR LLC. The Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders have entered into a shareholders’ voting agreement under which all Series B voting common shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Series B voting common shares. Accordingly, through their ownership of voting common shares and the execution of the shareholders’ voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR LLC. Neither FMR LLC nor Abigail P. Johnson has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the shares owned directly by the various investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act (“Fidelity Funds”) advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company (“FMR Co”), a wholly owned subsidiary of FMR LLC, which power resides with the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees. Fidelity Management & Research Company carries out the voting of the shares under written guidelines established by the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees. The business address of Fidelity Management & Research Company is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.

(9)

Mr. Chazen’s beneficial ownership includes warrants to purchase 42,633.33 shares of Class A Common Stock exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof.

(10)

Mr. MacDougall purchased 97,500 shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the PIPE Investment.

(11)

John B. Walker’s beneficial ownership is derived from his pecuniary interest in EV XIV-A, EV XIV-WIC, EV XIV-2A, EV XIV-3A, EV XIV-C and EV XIV-C-AIV.

Directors

Effective as of the Closing Date, in connection with the Business Combination, the size of the Board was increased from seven members to eight members and Messrs. David Bonderman and Chad Leat resigned from the Board. The resignations of Messrs. David Bonderman and Chad Leat were not a result of any disagreement with the Company. Effective as of the Closing Date, the Board appointed Messrs. John B. Walker and James R. Larson and Ms. Angela Busch to fill the newly created vacancies, with a term expiring at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders in 2019. As of the Closing Date, the Board consisted of Messrs. Stephen Chazen, Edward Djerejian, Michael McDougall, Dan F. Smith, James R. Larson and John B. Walker and Mmes. Arcilia Acosta and Angela Busch. Information with respect to each of the Company’s directors is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Management After the Business Combination” beginning on page 252, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Independence of Directors

Under the listing rules of the NYSE, the Company is required to have a majority of independent directors serving on the Board. The Company’s Board has determined that Mmes. Arcilia Acosta and Angela Busch and Messrs. Edward Djerejian, Dan F. Smith and James R. Larson are independent within the meaning of Section 303A.02 of the NYSE Listing Manual. Mr. Larson is the Karnes County Contributors’ nominee pursuant to the terms of the Stockholder Agreement. Certain of our directors have from time to time been directors or executive officers at companies on whose board of directors other of our directors have served.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Following the Closing, the standing committees of the Company’s Board consist of an audit committee (the “Audit Committee”), a compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) and a nominating and corporate governance committee (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”). Each of the committees reports to the Board. The composition, duties and responsibilities of these committees are set forth below.

 

13


Audit Committee . The principal functions of the Company’s Audit Committee are detailed in the Company’s Audit Committee charter, which is available on the Company’s website, and include:

 

   

audits of the Company’s financial statements;

 

   

the integrity of the Company’s financial statements;

 

   

the Company’s process relating to risk management and the conduct and systems of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures;

 

   

the qualifications, engagement, compensation, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditor; and

 

   

the performance of the Company’s internal audit function.

Under the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules, the Company is required to have at least three members on the Audit Committee, all of whom must be independent. Following the Closing, the Audit Committee consists of Messrs. James R. Larson and Dan F. Smith and Ms. Angela Busch, with Mr. James R. Larson serving as the Chair. The Company believes that Messrs. James R. Larson and Dan F. Smith and Ms. Angela Busch qualify as independent directors according to the rules and regulations of the SEC with respect to audit committee membership. The Company also believes that each of Messrs. James R. Larson and Dan F. Smith qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K.

Compensation Committee . The principal functions of the Company’s Compensation Committee are detailed in the Company’s Compensation Committee charter, which is available on the Company’s website, and include:

 

   

determining and approving the compensation of executive officers; and

 

   

reviewing and approving incentive compensation and equity compensation policies and programs.

Under the NYSE listing standards, the Company is required to have a Compensation Committee, all of whom must be independent. Following the Closing, the Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Edward Djerejian, and Dan F. Smith and Ms. Arcilia Acosta, with Mr. Dan F. Smith serving as the Chair. The Company believes that Messrs. Edward Djerejian and Dan F. Smith and Ms. Arcilia Acosta qualify as independent directors according to the rules and regulations of the NYSE with respect to compensation committee membership.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee . The principal functions of the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are detailed in the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter, which is available on the Company’s website, and include:

 

   

identifying, screening and reviewing individuals qualified to serve as directors and recommending to the Board candidates for nomination for election at the annual meeting of stockholders or to fill vacancies on the Board;

 

   

developing, recommending to the Board and overseeing implementation of the Company’s corporate governance guidelines;

 

   

coordinating and overseeing the annual self-evaluation of the Board, its committees, individual directors and management in the governance of the company; and

 

   

reviewing on a regular basis the Company’s overall corporate governance and recommending improvements as and when necessary.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also develops and recommends to the Board corporate governance principles and practices and assists in implementing them, including conducting a regular review of our corporate governance principles and practices. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees the annual performance evaluation of the Board and the committees of the Board and makes a report to the Board on succession planning.

 

14


Following the Closing, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Messrs. Edward Djerejian and James R. Larson and Mmes. Arcilia Acosta and Angela Busch, with Ms. Arcilia Acosta serving as the Chair.

Executive Officers

In connection with and effective as of the Closing, Eduardo Tamraz and Martin Davidson resigned as the Executive Vice President – Corporate Development and Secretary of the Company and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, respectively, and the Board appointed Christopher Stavros as the Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company. As of the Closing, the following individuals were executive officers of the Company:

 

Name

  

Position

Stephen Chazen    President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
Christopher Stavros    Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Information with respect to Messrs. Chazen and Stavros is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Management After the Business Combination” beginning on page 252, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers

Information about the indemnification of the Company’s directors and executive officers is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors” beginning on page 205, which is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Indemnification Agreements under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein.

Director and Executive Officer Compensation

Pre-Closing Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors

The compensation of TPGE’s and EVOC’s named executive officers and directors before the consummation of the Business Combination is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Executive Compensation” beginning on page 208, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Post-Closing Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors

After completion of the Business Combination, Mr. Stephen Chazen will serve as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, while Mr. Christopher Stavros will serve as Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.

LTIP Awards

On July 17, 2018, the stockholders of the Company approved the Magnolia Oil & Gas Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”), effective upon the closing of the Business Combination. The description of the LTIP set forth in the Proxy Statement section titled “Proposal No. 10—The LTIP Proposal” beginning on page 178 is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the full text of the LTIP is filed as Exhibit 10.6 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company has approved, effective upon the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Company with the SEC covering the offer and sale of securities under the LTIP and, subject to the executive’s continued employment until such time, the following awards of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”) settled in shares of Class A Common Stock to Christopher Stavros under the LTIP:

 

Name

   RSUs (#)      PSUs (#)  

Christopher Stavros

     112,500        112,500  

 

15


The RSUs will vest in three substantially equal annual installments on the first three anniversaries of the Closing Date, subject to the executive’s continued service with us. Subject to the recipient’s continuous employment or service until the third anniversary of the Closing Date, the PSUs will vest upon the achievement of specified performance criteria. If for 10 days within any period of 20 consecutive trading days the closing price is equal to or greater than $12.00 (“Threshold Level”), 50% of the PSUs will vest.    If for 15 days within any period of 20 consecutive trading days the closing price is equal to or greater than $13.00 (“Target Level”), 100% of the PSUs will vest. If for 20 consecutive trading days the closing price is equal to or greater than $14.00 (“Maximum Level”), 150% of the PSUs will vest. For achievement of performance criteria between the Threshold Level and the Target Level or between the Target Level and the Maximum Level, the percentage of PSUs that vest will be determined using linear interpolation.

Employment Agreements, Annual Base Salaries and Target Bonuses

At the completion of the Business Combination, neither Mr. Chazen nor Mr. Stavros will be a party to an offer letter or employment agreement with the Company. Mr. Chazen will have a base salary of $250,000. Mr. Stavros will have a base salary of $500,000 and an annual target bonus of 80% of base salary. Mr. Stavros will be eligible to receive a grant of 112,500 RSUs and 112,500 PSUs, which will vest as described above in the section entitled “LTIP Awards.”

Mr. Stavros participates in the Company’s short-term incentive plan. Employees of the Company are eligible to receive discretionary annual bonuses for the 2018 calendar year in an amount up to 150% of the participant’s annual incentive plan target.

Director Compensation

Effective as of the Closing, the Company adopted a director compensation program under which each director who is not an employee of the Company or a subsidiary and is not affiliated EV, Ltd. will receive the following cash amounts for their services on our Board:

 

   

An annual director fee of $50,000;

 

   

If the director serves on a committee of our Board, an additional annual fee as follows:

 

   

Chairperson of the Audit Committee – $15,000;

 

   

Audit Committee member other than the chairperson – $5,000;

 

   

Chairperson of the Compensation Committee – $10,000; and

 

   

Lead independent director – $10,000.

Director fees under the program will be payable in arrears in four equal quarterly installments within 10 days following the final day of each calendar quarter, provided that the amount of each payment in respect of annual fees will be prorated for any portion of a quarter that a director is not serving on our Board or on a particular committee, and no fee will be payable in respect of any period prior to the Closing. A copy of the full text of the Director Compensation Policy is filed as Exhibit 10.10 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Upon appointment to the Board, each non-employee director will receive a one-time grant of RSUs with a target grant date value of $110,000. For directors serving at the time of the Business Combination, the initial non-employee director awards will be granted using a $10 per share conversion price and each director will receive 11,000 RSUs.

Beginning in 2019, each non-employee director will receive an annual grant of RSUs with a target grant date value of $110,000 in connection with their service on the board that will vest on the first anniversary of the grant

 

16


date. Each non-employee director retains ability to defer payment until earlier of ceasing to serve on Board or consummation of a change in control of the Company. Stock ownership guidelines will require a director to own five times the annual cash retainer within five years of initial appointment to the Board.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

Information about the Company’s relationships and related party transactions is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” beginning on page 271, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the information set forth in “—Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities—PIPE Investment” is incorporated herein by reference.

Legal Proceedings

Information about legal proceedings of the Company is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Information About the Target Assets—Legal Proceedings” beginning on page 233, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Market Price of and Dividends on the Company’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

TPGE’s units, shares of Class A Common Stock and warrants were historically quoted on NYSE under the symbols “TPGE.U,” “TPGE” and “TPGE WS,” respectively. TPGE’s units commenced public trading on May 5, 2017, and the shares of Class A Common Stock and warrants each commenced separate trading on June 30, 2017.

The following table sets forth, for the calendar quarter indicated, the high and low sales prices per unit, share of Class A Common Stock and warrants as reported on NYSE for the periods presented.

 

     Units (TPGE.U)      Class A Common Stock (TPGE)      Warrants (TPGE WS)  
     High      Low      High      Low      High      Low  

Fiscal 2017:

                 

Quarter ended 6/30/2017(1)

   $ 10.58      $ 10.07      $ 10.25      $ 10.00      $ 1.41      $ 1.20  

Quarter ended 9/30/2017

   $ 10.40      $ 10.10      $ 9.98      $ 9.70      $ 1.75      $ 1.32  

Quarter ended 12/31/2017

   $ 10.37      $ 10.05      $ 10.07      $ 9.67      $ 1.40      $ 1.10  

Fiscal 2018

                 

Quarter ended 3/31/2018

   $ 10.93      $ 10.06      $ 10.30      $ 9.67      $ 1.89      $ 1.33  

Quarter ended 6/30/2018

   $ 12.02      $ 10.27      $ 10.97      $ 10.05      $ 2.75      $ 1.70  

Quarter ending 9/30/2018(2)

   $ 14.07      $ 10.65      $ 13.00      $ 10.79      $ 3.58      $ 2.73  

 

(1)

Beginning on May 5, 2017 with respect to TPGE.U and June 30, 2017 with respect to TPGE and TPGE WS.

(2)

Through July 30, 2018.

On March 19, 2018, the trading date before the public announcement of the Business Combination, TPGE’s units, Class A Common Stock and warrants closed at $10.28, $9.73 and $1.52, respectively.

TPGE has not paid any cash dividends on the Class A Common Stock to date. Following completion of the Business Combination, the Company’s Board will consider whether or not to institute a dividend policy. It is the present intention of the Company to retain any earnings for use in its business operations and, accordingly, the Company does not anticipate the Board declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.

As of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Business Combination, there was 58 holders of record of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and five holders of record of the Company’s Class B Common Stock.

On July 31, 2018, in connection with the Closing, all of the units of the Company separated into their component parts of one share of Class A Common Stock and one-third of one warrant to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock of the Company, and the units ceased trading on the NYSE. Following the closing of the Business Combination, the Company’s Class A Common Stock and warrants continue to be listed on the NYSE under the new trading symbols of “MGY” and “MGY.WS,” respectively.

 

17


Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

In addition to the below, information about unregistered sales of the Company’s equity securities is set forth in “Part II, Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” of TPGE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

PIPE Investment

Concurrently with Closing, the Company consummated the previously announced issuance and sale of 35,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for aggregate consideration of approximately $355,000,000 in a private placement (the “PIPE Investment”) pursuant to Subscription Agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”), each dated as of March 20, 2018, with certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors, including certain funds and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company, Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., certain funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company, TPG Holdings III, L.P., an affiliate of Sponsor (“TPG Holdings”), and Stephen Chazen, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (collectively, the “Investors”). TPG Holdings assigned a portion of its rights to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock in the PIPE Investment to each of Eduardo Tamraz, Michael MacDougall, David Bonderman, Martin Davidson and James Coulter. The proceeds from the PIPE Investments were used to fund a portion of the cash consideration required to effect the Business Combination. The offering of the shares of the Class A Common Stock issued in the PIPE Investments was not registered under the Securities Act, in reliance upon the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. A description of the rights, preferences and privileges of the Class A Common Stock is securities is included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Description of Securities—Class A Common Stock” beginning on page 257, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Issuances Related to the Business Combination

On the Closing Date, in connection with the Business Combination, the Company issued (i) 31,790,924 shares of Class A Common Stock to EV XIV-C; (ii) 55,357,254 shares of Class B Common Stock to EV XIV-A; (iii) 578,299 shares of Class B Common Stock to EV XIV-WIC; (iv) 11,014,515 shares of Class B Common Stock to EV XIV-2A; (v) 10,805,611 shares of Class B Common Stock to EV XIV-3A; and (v) 6,183,755 shares of Class B Common Stock to EV XIV-C-AIV. Magnolia LLC issued the same number of Magnolia LLC Units to each of EV XIV-A, EV XIV-WIC, EV XIV-2A, EV XIV-3A and EV XIV-C-AIV. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Non-Compete, the Company agreed to issue up to 4,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to EV Ltd. if certain stock price thresholds are met. These issuances were made, or will be made, as applicable, pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Descriptions of the rights, preferences and privileges of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock are securities is included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Description of Securities—Class A Common Stock” and “Description of Securities—Class B Common Stock,” beginning on page 257, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Description of the Company’s Securities

A description of the Company’s securities is included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Description of Securities” beginning on page 257, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The A&R Charter (as defined herein) authorizes the issuance of 1,300,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, 225,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, 20,000,000 shares of Class F Common Stock, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Closing and the PIPE Investment, there were 148,540,024 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding, held of record by 58 holders of Class A Common Stock, 83,939,434 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding, held of record by five holders of Class B Common Stock and two holders of record of TPGE’s warrants. All of the Company’s shares of Class F Common Stock were converted into shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis at Closing.

 

18


Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The historical financial statements of the Karnes County Business for the two years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the period from September 30, 2015 (inception) to December 31, 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 included in the Proxy Statement beginning on page F-70 and of the AM Assets (as defined in the Proxy Statement) for the period from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015 included in the Proxy Statement beginning on page F-41 are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03.

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

The information set forth under “Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement—Magnolia Operating Credit Agreement” and “—Indenture and Notes” is incorporated in this Item 2.03 by reference.

 

Item 3.02.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information set forth under “Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets—Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities” is incorporated in this Item 3.02 by reference.

 

Item 3.03

Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

On July 31, 2018, the Company filed a Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “A&R Charter”) of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The material terms of the A&R Charter and the general effect upon the rights of holders of the Company’s capital stock are included in the Proxy Statement under the sections entitled “Proposal No. 2—The Class B Charter Proposal” beginning on page 164, “Proposal No. 3—The Authorized Share Charter Proposal” beginning on page 166, “Proposal No. 4—The Director Term Charter Proposal” beginning on page 167, “Proposal No. 5—The Written Consent Charter Proposal” beginning on page 168, “Proposal No. 6—The Exclusive Forum Charter Proposal” beginning on page 169, and “Proposal No. 7—The Additional Charter Proposal” beginning on page 171, which are incorporated by reference herein.

The foregoing description of the A&R Charter is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the A&R Charter, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 5.01.

Changes in Control of Registrant.

To the extent required, the information set forth under “Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets” of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.02.

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

The information set forth under “Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets—Directors,” “Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets—Executive Officers” and “Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets—Director and Executive Officer Compensation” of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)    Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired

The historical financial statements of the Karnes County Business for the two years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the period from September 30, 2015 (inception) to December 31, 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto are incorporated herein by reference.

The historical financial statements of the AM Assets as of and for the period ended January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015 filed as Exhibit 99.2 hereto are incorporated herein by reference.

 

19


The statements of revenue and direct operating expenses of the Giddings Assets for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 filed as Exhibit 99.3 hereto are incorporated herein by reference.

The statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of properties located in the Eagle Ford Shale (the “Acquired Properties”) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016 and the one month ended January 31, 2017 filed as Exhibit 99.4 hereto are incorporated herein by reference. The “Acquired Properties” are referred to as the “BlackBrush Assets” in the Proxy Statement.

The historical financial statements of GulfTex Karnes EFS, LP as of December 31, 2015 and April 27, 2016, for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the period from January 1, 2016 to April 27, 2016 filed as Exhibit 99.5 hereto are incorporated herein by reference.

The historical financial statements of GulfTex Energy III, LP as of December 31, 2015 and April 27, 2016, for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the period from January 1, 2016 to April 27, 2016 filed as Exhibit 99.6 hereto are incorporated herein by reference.

The statement of revenue and direct operating expenses of the Subsequent GulfTex Assets (as defined in the Proxy Statement) for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed as Exhibit 99.7 hereto is incorporated herein by reference.

(b)     Pro Forma Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated financial information of TPGE for the year ended December 31, 2017 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 filed as Exhibit 99.8 hereto is incorporated herein by reference.

(d)     Exhibits

 

Exhibit

    No.    

  

Description

  3.1*    Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation dated as of July 31, 2018.
  4.1*    Indenture, dated as of July 31, 2018, by and among Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC, Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee.
  4.2*    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2018, by and among Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A,  L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A,L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C,  L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C-AIV, L.P., TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC, Arcilia Acosta, Edward Djerejian, Chad Leat and Dan F. Smith.
  4.3*    Stockholder Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2018, by and among Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P.,  EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A,L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C-AIV, L.P. and TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC.
10.1*    Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2018, by and among, Magnolia Oil & Gas Intermediate LLC (f/k/a TPG Pace Energy Intermediate LLC), Magnolia Oil  & Gas Operating LLC, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, as the swingline lender and an issuing bank and each other issuing bank from time to time party thereto.
10.2*    Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Magnolia Oil & Gas Parent LLC, dated as of July 31, 2018.
10.3*    Non-Competition Agreement, by and between Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation and EnerVest Ltd., dated as of July 31, 2018.

 

20


10.4*    Form of Indemnity Agreement.
10.5*    Services Agreement, by and between Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation and EnerVest Operating L.L.C., dated as of July 31, 2018.
10.6*    Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan.
10.7*    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan.
10.8*    Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan.
10.9*    Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan.
10.10*    Director Compensation Program.
21.1*    Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
99.1    Financial statements of the Karnes County Business for the two years ended December  31, 2017 and 2016, and the period from September 30, 2015 (inception) to December 31, 2015 and the three months ended March  31, 2018 and 2017 (incorporated by reference to TPGE’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 2, 2018).
99.2    Financial statements of the AM Assets as of and for the period ended January 1, 2015 to September  30, 2015 (incorporated by reference to TPGE’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 2, 2018).
99.3    Statements of revenue and direct operating expenses of the Giddings Assets for the years ended December  31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (incorporated by reference to TPGE’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 2, 2018).
99.4    Statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of properties located in the Eagle Ford Shale (the “Acquired Properties) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016 and the one month ended January 31, 2017 (incorporated by reference to TPGE’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 2, 2018).
99.5    Financial statements of GulfTex Karnes EFS, LP as of December 31, 2015 and April  27, 2016, for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the period from January 1, 2016 to April 27, 2016 (incorporated by reference to TPGE’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 2, 2018).
99.6    Financial statements of GulfTex Energy III, LP as of December 31, 2015 and April  27, 2016, for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the period from January 1, 2016 to April 27, 2016 (incorporated by reference to TPGE’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 2, 2018).
99.7    Statement of revenue and direct operating expenses of the Subsequent GulfTex Assets for the year ended December  31, 2017 (incorporated by reference to TPGE’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 2, 2018).
99.8    Unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated financial information of TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp. for the year ended December 31, 2017 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (incorporated by reference to TPGE’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 2, 2018).
99.9    Reserve Report, dated April 5, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Annex L of TPGE’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 2, 2018).

 

 

*

Filed herewith.

 

21


SIGNATURES

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

 

    MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION
Date: August 6, 2018
    By:  

/s/ Stephen Chazen

    Name:   Stephen Chazen
    Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 3.1

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

TPG PACE ENERGY HOLDINGS CORP.

July 31, 2018

TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ Corporation ”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

1. The present name of the Corporation is “ TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp. ”. The original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 14, 2017 and was amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “ Amended and Restated Certificate ”) on May 4, 2017.

2. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “ Second Amended and Restated Certificate ”), which both restates and amends the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate, was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “ DGCL ”).

3. The text of the Amended and Restated Certificate is hereby restated and amended in its entirety to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation is Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (the “ Corporation ”).

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL. In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Corporation by law and those incidental thereto, the Corporation shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges that are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation, including, but not limited to, effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Corporation and one or more businesses (a “ Business Combination ”).

ARTICLE III

REGISTERED AGENT

The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 


ARTICLE IV

CAPITALIZATION

Section  4.1 Authorized Capital Stock . The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,546,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 1,545,000,000 shares of common stock (the “ Common Stock ”), including three separate series of Common Stock consisting of (i) 1,300,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “ Class  A Common Stock ”), (ii) 225,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock (the “ Class  B Common Stock ”) and (iii) 20,000,000 shares of Class F Common Stock (the “ Class  F Common Stock ”), and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”).

Section  4.2 Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “ Board ”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “ Preferred Stock Designation ”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

Section 4.3 Common Stock .

(a) Voting .

(i) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.

(ii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote.

(iii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including as set forth in any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of the Class A Common Stock, holders of the Class B Common Stock and holders of the Class F Common Stock, voting together as a single class, shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of shares of any series of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock or other series of Common Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as applicable, are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.

 

2


(b) Class F Common Stock .

(i) Shares of Class F Common Stock shall be convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis (the “ Initial Conversion Ratio ”) (A) at any time and from time to time at the option of the holder thereof and (B) automatically on the closing of the Business Combination. Concurrently with such conversion pursuant to this Section  4.3(b)( i ) , the number of authorized shares of Class F Common Stock shall be reduced to zero. It is intended that the conversion of shares of Class F Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Section  4.3(b)( i ) be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(ii) Notwithstanding the Initial Conversion Ratio, in the case that additional shares of Class A Common Stock, or Equity-linked Securities (as defined below), are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts sold in the Corporation’s initial public offering of securities and related to the closing of the initial Business Combination, all issued and outstanding shares of Class F Common Stock shall automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock at the time of the closing of the initial Business Combination at a ratio for which:

(A) the numerator shall be equal to the sum of (1) 25% of all shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable (upon the conversion or exercise of any Equity-linked Securities or otherwise) by the Corporation, related to or in connection with the consummation of the initial Business Combination (excluding any securities issued or issuable to any seller in the initial Business Combination) plus (2) the number of shares of Class F Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the closing of the initial Business Combination; and

(B) the denominator shall be the number of shares of Class F Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the closing of the initial Business Combination.

As used herein, the term “ Equity-linked Securities ” means any securities of the Corporation which are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) the foregoing adjustment to the Initial Conversion Ratio may be waived as to any particular issuance or deemed issuance of additional shares of Class A Common Stock or Equity-linked Securities by the written consent or agreement of holders of a majority of the shares of Class F Common Stock then outstanding consenting or agreeing separately as a single class in the manner provided in Section  4.3(b)(iii) , and (ii) in no event shall the Class F Common Stock convert into Class A Common Stock at a ratio that is less than one-for-one.

The foregoing conversion ratio shall also be adjusted to account for any subdivision (by stock split, subdivision, exchange, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, exchange, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares occurring after the original filing of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate without a proportionate and corresponding subdivision, combination or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Class F Common Stock.

 

3


Each share of Class F Common Stock shall convert into its pro rata number of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Section  4.3(b) . The pro rata share for each holder of Class F Common Stock will be determined as follows: Each share of Class F Common Stock shall convert into such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as is equal to the product of one (1) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which all of the issued and outstanding shares of Class F Common Stock shall be converted pursuant to this Section  4.3(b) and the denominator of which shall be the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Class F Common Stock at the time of conversion.

(iii) Voting . Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), for so long as any shares of Class F Common Stock shall remain outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the prior vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of Class F Common Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class, amend, alter or repeal any provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, if such amendment, alteration or repeal would alter or change the powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other or special rights of the Class F Common Stock. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of Class F Common Stock may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of the outstanding Class F Common Stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of Class F Common Stock were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which minutes of proceedings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt written notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent of the holders of Class F Common Stock shall, to the extent required by law, be given to those holders of Class F Common Stock who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders of Class F Common Stock to take the action were delivered to the Corporation.

(c) Dividends . Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and except as otherwise set forth herein, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions. Dividends and other distributions shall not be declared or paid on the Class B Common Stock unless (i) the dividend consists of shares of Class B Common Stock or of rights, options, warrants or other securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable or redeemable for shares of

 

4


Class B Common Stock paid proportionally with respect to each outstanding share of Class B Common Stock and (ii) a dividend consisting of shares of Class A Common Stock or of rights, options, warrants or other securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable or redeemable for shares of Class A Common Stock on equivalent terms is simultaneously paid to the holders of Class A Common Stock. If dividends are declared on the Class A Common Stock or the Class B Common Stock that are payable in shares of Common Stock, or securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable or redeemable for Common Stock, the dividends payable to the holders of Class A Common Stock shall be paid only in shares of Class A Common Stock (or securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable or redeemable for Class A Common Stock), the dividends payable to the holders of Class B Common Stock shall be paid only in shares of Class B Common Stock (or securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable or redeemable for Class B Common Stock), and such dividends shall be paid in the same number of shares (or fraction thereof) on a per share basis of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively (or securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable or redeemable for the same number of shares (or fraction thereof) on a per share basis of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively). In no event shall the shares of either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock be split, divided, or combined unless the outstanding shares of the other class shall be proportionately split, divided or combined.

(d) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation . Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock (on an as converted basis with respect to the Class F Common Stock) held by them. The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to receive any assets of the Corporation in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

(e) Redemptions of Class  B Common Stock . Shares of Class B Common Stock shall be redeemable for shares of Class A Common Stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of Magnolia Oil & Gas Parent LLC dated as of July 31, 2018, (the “ LLC Agreement ”). The Corporation will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon redemption of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock for Class A Common Stock pursuant to the LLC Agreement, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issuable upon any such redemption pursuant to the LLC Agreement; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of any such redemption of shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to the LLC Agreement by delivering to the holder of such shares of Class B Common Stock upon such redemption, cash in lieu of shares of Class A Common Stock in the amount permitted by and provided in the LLC Agreement or shares of Class A Common Stock which are held in the treasury of the Corporation. All shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issued upon any such redemption will, upon issuance in accordance with the LLC Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

5


Section  4.4 Rights and Options . The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided , however , that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section  5.1 Board Powers . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws of the Corporation (“ Bylaws ”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, and any Bylaws adopted by the stockholders; provided , however , that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

Section 5.2 Number, Election and Term .

(a) The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

(b) Subject to Section  5.5 hereof, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders, and each director shall hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

(c) Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.

Section  5.3 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies . Subject to Section  5.5 hereof, newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

Section  5.4 Removal . Subject to Section  5.5 hereof and except as otherwise required by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

6


Section  5.5 Preferred Stock - Directors . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article  V , and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article  V unless expressly provided by such terms.

ARTICLE VI

BYLAWS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power and is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided , however , that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws; and provided further , however , that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

Section  7.1 Meetings . Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, special meetings of stockholders may not be called by another person or persons.

Section  7.2 Advance Notice . Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

Section  7.3 Action by Written Consent . Except as may be otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) relating to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected

 

7


by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders; provided , however , prior to the first date on which investment funds affiliated with EnerVest, Ltd. or TPG Capital, L.P. and their respective successors and Affiliates cease collectively to have beneficial ownership (directly or indirectly) of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation that is approved in advance by the Board may be effected without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote of stockholders, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is or are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. The term “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person; the term “ control ,” as used in this definition, means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “controlled” and “controlling” have meanings correlative to the foregoing; the term “ Person ” means an individual, any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity; and the term “ beneficial ownership ” shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

ARTICLE VIII

LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

Section  8.1 Limitation of Director Liability . A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for any liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

Section  8.2 Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

Section 8.3 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses .

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “ proceeding ”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request

 

8


of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “ indemnitee ”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided , however , that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section  8.3 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section  8.3 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section  8.3(a) , except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section  8.3 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the Bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section  8.3 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section  8.3 , shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

(d) This Section  8.3 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.

 

9


ARTICLE IX

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

The doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or in the future. In addition to the foregoing, the doctrine of corporate opportunity shall not apply to any other corporate opportunity with respect to any of the directors or officers of the Corporation unless such corporate opportunity is offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation and such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue.

ARTICLE X

FORUM SELECTION

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, creditors or other constituents, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Corporation’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate or By Laws (as either may be amended and/or restated from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to said court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein; provided, that, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state court sitting in the State of Delaware. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consents to the provisions of this Article  X .

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force that may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate and the DGCL; and, except as set forth in Article  VIII , all rights, preferences and privileges of whatever nature herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article  XI .

[ Signature page follows ]

 

10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp. has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

TPG PACE ENERGY HOLDINGS CORP.
By:  

/s/ Eduardo Tamraz

Name:   Eduardo Tamraz
Title:   Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Secretary

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]

 

Exhibit 4.1

INDENTURE

Dated as of July 31, 2018

among

M AGNOLIA O IL  & G AS O PERATING LLC,

as Company,

M AGNOLIA O IL  & G AS F INANCE C ORP .,

as Co-Issuer,

the Guarantors from time to time party hereto,

and

D EUTSCHE B ANK T RUST C OMPANY A MERICAS ,

as Trustee

6.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2026

 


CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1  

SECTION 1.01.

   Definitions      1  

SECTION 1.02.

   Other Definitions      61  

SECTION 1.03.

   Rules of Construction      62  

SECTION 1.04.

   Acts of Holders      63  

SECTION 1.05.

   Limited Condition Transactions; Measuring Compliance      64  

ARTICLE II THE NOTES

     66  

SECTION 2.01.

   Form and Dating; Terms      66  

SECTION 2.02.

   Execution and Authentication      68  

SECTION 2.03.

   Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent      69  

SECTION 2.04.

   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      70  

SECTION 2.05.

   Holder Lists      70  

SECTION 2.06.

   Transfer and Exchange      70  

SECTION 2.07.

   Replacement Notes      85  

SECTION 2.08.

   Outstanding Notes      85  

SECTION 2.09.

   Treasury Notes      85  

SECTION 2.10.

   Temporary Notes      86  

SECTION 2.11.

   Cancellation      86  

SECTION 2.12.

   Defaulted Interest      86  

SECTION 2.13.

   CUSIP/ISIN Numbers      87  

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

     87  

SECTION 3.01.

   Notices to Trustee      87  

SECTION 3.02.

   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed      87  

SECTION 3.03.

   Notice of Redemption      88  

SECTION 3.04.

   Effect of Notice of Redemption      89  

SECTION 3.05.

   Deposit of Redemption Price      89  

SECTION 3.06.

   Notes Redeemed in Part      90  

SECTION 3.07.

   Optional Redemption      90  

SECTION 3.08.

   Mandatory Redemption      91  

SECTION 3.09.

   Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds      91  

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

     94  

SECTION 4.01.

   Payment of Notes      94  

SECTION 4.02.

   Maintenance of Office or Agency      94  

SECTION 4.03.

   Reports and Other Information      95  

SECTION 4.04.

   Compliance Certificate      99  

SECTION 4.05.

   Taxes      99  

SECTION 4.06.

   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      99  


SECTION 4.07.

   Limitation on Restricted Payments      99  

SECTION 4.08.

   Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries      109  

SECTION 4.09.

   Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock      112  

SECTION 4.10.

   Asset Sales      123  

SECTION 4.11.

   Transactions with Affiliates      126  

SECTION 4.12.

   Liens      130  

SECTION 4.13.

   Company Existence      131  

SECTION 4.14.

   Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control      131  

SECTION 4.15.

   Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries      134  

SECTION 4.16.

   Suspension of Covenants      134  

SECTION 4.17.

   Limitations on Activities of the Co-Issuer      136  

ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS

     137  

SECTION 5.01.

   Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets      137  

SECTION 5.02.

   Successor Person Substituted      139  

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     140  

SECTION 6.01.

   Events of Default      140  

SECTION 6.02.

   Acceleration      142  

SECTION 6.03.

   Other Remedies      143  

SECTION 6.04.

   Waiver of Past Defaults      143  

SECTION 6.05.

   Control by Majority      143  

SECTION 6.06.

   Limitation on Suits      144  

SECTION 6.07.

   Rights of Holders to Receive Payment      144  

SECTION 6.08.

   Collection Suit by Trustee      144  

SECTION 6.09.

   Restoration of Rights and Remedies      144  

SECTION 6.10.

   Rights and Remedies Cumulative      145  

SECTION 6.11.

   Delay or Omission Not Waiver      145  

SECTION 6.12.

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      145  

SECTION 6.13.

   Priorities      145  

SECTION 6.14.

   Undertaking for Costs      146  

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

     146  

SECTION 7.01.

   Duties of Trustee      146  

SECTION 7.02.

   Rights of Trustee      147  

SECTION 7.03.

   Individual Rights of Trustee      149  

SECTION 7.04.

   Trustee’s Disclaimer      149  

SECTION 7.05.

   Notice of Defaults      149  

SECTION 7.06.

   Compensation and Indemnity      149  

SECTION 7.07.

   Replacement of Trustee      150  

 

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SECTION 7.08.

   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.      151  

SECTION 7.09.

   Eligibility; Disqualification      151  

ARTICLE VIII LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     152  

SECTION 8.01.

   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      152  

SECTION 8.02.

   Legal Defeasance and Discharge      152  

SECTION 8.03.

   Covenant Defeasance      152  

SECTION 8.04.

   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance      153  

SECTION 8.05.

   Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      155  

SECTION 8.06.

   Repayment to Issuers      155  

SECTION 8.07.

   Reinstatement      155  

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

     156  

SECTION 9.01.

   Without Consent of Holders      156  

SECTION 9.02.

   With Consent of Holders      157  

SECTION 9.03.

   Revocation and Effect of Consents      159  

SECTION 9.04.

   Notation on or Exchange of Notes      159  

SECTION 9.05.

   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.      160  

ARTICLE X GUARANTEES

     160  

SECTION 10.01.

   Guarantee      160  

SECTION 10.02.

   Limitation on Guarantor Liability      162  

SECTION 10.03.

   Execution and Delivery      162  

SECTION 10.04.

   Subrogation      162  

SECTION 10.05.

   Benefits Acknowledged      163  

SECTION 10.06.

   Release of Guarantees      163  

ARTICLE XI SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     164  

SECTION 11.01.

   Satisfaction and Discharge      164  

SECTION 11.02.

   Application of Trust Money      165  

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

     165  

SECTION 12.01.

   Notices      165  

SECTION 12.02.

   Communication with Holders of a Global Note      167  

SECTION 12.03.

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      167  

SECTION 12.04.

   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      168  

SECTION 12.05.

   Exercise of Rights is Not Assumption of Duties      168  

SECTION 12.06.

   Rules by Trustee and Agents      168  

SECTION 12.07.

   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders      168  

SECTION 12.08.

   Governing Law      169  

SECTION 12.09.

   Waiver of Jury Trial      169  

 

iii


SECTION 12.10.

   Consent to Jurisdiction      169  

SECTION 12.11.

   Force Majeure      169  

SECTION 12.12.

   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      169  

SECTION 12.13.

   Successors      169  

SECTION 12.14.

   Severability      170  

SECTION 12.15.

   Counterpart Originals      170  

SECTION 12.16.

   Table of Contents, Headings, etc.      170  

SECTION 12.17.

   USA PATRIOT Act      170  

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    Form of Note
Exhibit B    Form of Certificate of Transfer
Exhibit C    Form of Certificate of Exchange
Exhibit D    Form of Supplemental Indenture to Be Delivered by Future Guarantors

 

 

iv


INDENTURE, dated as of July 31, 2018, among (a) Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the Company (as defined herein), (b) Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, as the Co-Issuer (as defined herein), (c) certain Parent Companies (as defined herein) of the Company, as Parent Guarantors (as defined herein), (d) certain subsidiaries of the Company, as Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined herein), and (e) Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (as defined herein).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers (as defined herein) have duly authorized the creation of an issue of $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 6.00% senior notes due 2026 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Issuers have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture (as defined herein);

NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuers and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein).

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01. Definitions .

144A Global Note ” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

Acquired Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any specified Person,

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging, amalgamating or consolidating with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person, and

(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

Acquisition ” means the acquisition of certain oil and gas assets by the Company and certain of its Affiliates pursuant to the Acquisition Agreements.

 


Acquisition Agreements ” means, collectively, the (i) Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2018, among TPG Pace Energy Parent LLC, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XI-A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XI-WI, L.P., EnerVest Holdings, L.P. and EnerVest Wachovia Co-Investment Partnership, L.P., (ii) the Contribution and Merger Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2018, among TPG Pace Energy Parent LLC, TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A, L.P., EnerVest Institutional Fund XIV-C, L.P. and EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P. and (iii) Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2018, among TPG Pace Energy Parent LLC, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P. and EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Additional Notes ” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.

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

(1) the sum of:

(a) the discounted future net revenues from Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (but in any event including reserve estimates based on an assumed five-year development plan or such longer period as permitted by the SEC) before any state or federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated in the reserve report prepared either as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year (provided that, prior to the availability of the reserve report as of December 31, 2018, the reserve report prepared as of December 31, 2017 shall be deemed to be as of the most recently completed fiscal year for purposes of this covenant), or, at the Company’s option, the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, which quarterly reserve report is prepared or audited by independent petroleum engineers as to Proved Reserves accounting for at least 80% of all such discounted future net revenues and by the Company’s petroleum engineers with respect to any other Proved Reserves covered by such report, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from:

(i) estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired (including on the date of determination) since the date of such year-end or quarterly reserve report, as applicable, and

(ii) estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of Proved Reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior period end) since the date of such year-end or quarterly reserve report, as applicable, due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions,

 

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and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue attributable to:

(iii) estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end or quarterly reserve report produced or disposed of (including on the date of determination) since the date of such year-end or quarterly reserve report, as applicable, and

(iv) reductions in estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end or quarterly reserve report since the date of such year-end or quarterly reserve report attributable to downward revisions of estimates of Proved Reserves since the date of such year-end or quarterly reserve report, as applicable, due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions;

in the case of the preceding clauses (i) through (iv), calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such Person’s year-end or quarterly reserve report, as applicable) and estimated by the Company’s petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by the Company for that purpose;

(b) the capitalized costs that are attributable to oil and gas properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no Proved Reserves are attributable, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the last day of the Company’s most recent quarterly or annual period for which internal financial statements are available;

(c) the Net Working Capital of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the last day of the Company’s most recent quarterly or annual period for which internal financial statements are available; and

(d) the greater of:

(i) the net book value, and

(ii) the Fair Market Value of other tangible assets (including Investments in unconsolidated Subsidiaries),

in each case, of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the last day of the date of the Company’s most recent quarterly or annual period for which internal financial statements are available; provided that the Company shall not be required to obtain such an appraisal of any assets,

 

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minus, to the extent not otherwise taken into account in this clause (1),

(2) the sum of:

(a) any amount included in clauses (1)(a)(i) through (1)(a)(iv) above that is attributable to minority interests;

(b) any net gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the last day of the Company’s most recent annual or quarterly period for which internal financial statements are available (to the extent not deducted in calculating Net Working Capital of the Company in accordance with clause (1)(c) above of this definition);

(c) to the extent included in clause (1)(a) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices and costs utilized in the applicable reserve report described in clause (1)(a)), attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto, and

(d) to the extent included in clause (1)(a) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the estimates of production, price and cost assumptions included in determining the discounted future net revenues specified in (1)(a) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto.

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

Agent ” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Transfer Agent, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Applicable Indebtedness ” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Weighted Average Life to Maturity.”

 

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Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the excess, if any, of:

(a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price of such Note at August 1, 2021 (as set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07(e)), plus (ii) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through August 1, 2021 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over

(b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Note on such Redemption Date,

as calculated by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company will designate; provided that such calculation will not be the duty or obligation of the Trustee.

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

Asset Sale ” means:

(1) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of property or assets (including by way of Production Payments and Reserve Sales) outside the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); provided that the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Section 4.14 and Section 5.01(a) hereof and not by the provisions of Section 4.10; and

(2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with Section 4.09 and directors’ qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;

in each case, other than:

(a) any disposition of (i) Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities, (ii) obsolete, damaged or worn out property or assets in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) held for sale or no longer used or useful in the ordinary course of business, (iii) assets no longer economically practicable or commercially reasonable to maintain (as determined in good faith by the management of the Company), (iv) dispositions to landlords of improvements made to leased real property pursuant to customary terms of leases entered into in the ordinary course of business and (v) assets for purposes of charitable contributions or similar gifts to the extent such assets are not material to the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to conduct its business in the ordinary course;

 

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(b) any disposition in connection with the making of any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.07 or any Permitted Investment or any acquisition otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

(c) any disposition of property or assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary with an aggregate fair market value for any individual transaction or series of related transactions of less than $25.0 million at the time of making such disposition;

(d) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

(e) to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Code, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in the Oil and Gas Business;

(f) (i) the lease, assignment or sub-lease, license or sublicense of any real or personal property (other than Oil and Gas Properties) in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice and (ii) the exercise of termination rights with respect to any lease, sub-lease, license or sublicense or other agreement;

(g) any issuance, disposition or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness, assets or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(h) foreclosures, condemnation, expropriation, eminent domain or any similar action (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any casualty event) with respect to assets or the granting of Liens not prohibited by this Indenture;

(i) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date;

(j) the sale, lease, assignment, license, sublease or discount of inventory, equipment, accounts receivable, notes receivable or other current assets in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice or the conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable or other dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection thereof;

(k) the licensing or sub-licensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

 

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(l) any surrender, expiration or waiver of contract rights or oil and natural gas leases or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other rights or litigation claims of any kind in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(m) the unwinding of any Hedging Obligations;

(n) sales, transfers and other dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

(o) the lapse, abandonment or other disposition of intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice, which in the reasonable good faith determination of the Company are not material to the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(p) the granting of a Lien that is permitted under Section 4.12;

(q) the issuance of directors’ qualifying shares and shares of Capital Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law;

(r) the disposition of any assets (including Equity Interests) (i) acquired in a transaction permitted under this Indenture, which assets are not used or useful in the principal business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any disposition of Oil and Gas Properties except to the extent such Oil and Gas Properties in the reasonable good faith determination of the Company are not material to the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole) or (ii) made in connection with the approval of any applicable antitrust authority or otherwise necessary or advisable in the good faith determination of the Company to consummate any acquisition permitted under this Indenture;

(s) dispositions of property to the extent that such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property;

(t) dispositions of property in connection with any Sale/Leaseback Transaction;

(u) the settlement or early termination of any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction and the settlement or early termination of any related Permitted Warrant Transaction;

(v) a disposition of Hydrocarbons or mineral products inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(w) any Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that any such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, other than incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall have been created, incurred, issued, assumed or Guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, the property that is subject thereto;

(x) the abandonment, farm-out pursuant to a Farm-Out Agreement, lease or sublease of developed or underdeveloped Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or which are usual and customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur; and

(y) a disposition (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of any Oil and Gas Properties or interest therein to which no Proved Reserves are attributable at the time of such disposition.

Attributable Indebtedness ” means, on any date, in respect of any Capitalized Lease Obligation of any Person, the amount thereof that would appear as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP.

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

Board of Directors ” means, for any Person, the board of directors or other governing body of such Person or, if such Person does not have such a board of directors or other governing body and is owned or managed by a single entity, the Board of Directors of such entity, or, in either case, any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided, “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Borrowing Base ” means the maximum amount determined or re-determined by the lenders under the Senior Credit Facility as the aggregate lending value to be ascribed to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries against which such lenders are prepared to provide loans, letters of credit or other Indebtedness to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries under the Senior Credit Facility, using their customary practices and standards for determining reserve-based borrowing base loans and which are generally applied by commercial lenders to borrowers in the Oil and Gas Business, as determined semiannually during each year and/or on such other occasions as may be provided for by the Senior Credit Facility, and which is based upon, inter alia, the review by such lenders of the hydrocarbon reserves, royalty interests and assets and liabilities of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.

 

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Capital Markets Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness consisting of bonds, debentures, notes or other similar debt securities issued in (a) a public offering registered under the Securities Act, (b) a private placement to institutional investors that is resold in accordance with Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act, whether or not it includes registration rights entitling the holders of such debt securities to registration thereof with the SEC or (c) a private placement to institutional investors. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Capital Markets Indebtedness” does not include any Indebtedness under commercial bank facilities, Indebtedness incurred in connection with a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company, Capitalized Lease Obligations or recourse transfer of any financial asset or any other type of Indebtedness incurred in a manner not customarily viewed as a “securities offering.”

Capital Stock ” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares in the capital of such corporation;

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

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

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person;

but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

Capitalized Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that all obligations of any Person that are or would have been treated as operating leases for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board on February 25, 2016 of an Accounting Standards Update (the “ASU”) shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for purposes of all financial definitions and calculations for purpose of this Indenture (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations in the financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.03.

Capitalized Software Expenditures ” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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Captive Insurance Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is subject to regulation as an insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereof).

Cash Equivalents ” means:

(1) United States dollars;

(2) (a) Euros, Yen, Canadian Dollars, Pounds Sterling or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU or the United Kingdom; or (b) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary or any jurisdiction in which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries conducts business, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(3) readily marketable direct obligations issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 36 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(4) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of three years or less from the date of acquisition, demand deposits, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding three years and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic or foreign commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the United States dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;

(5) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (3) and (4) above or clauses (7), (8) and (9) below entered into with any financial institution or recognized securities dealer meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;

(6) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes rated at least P-2 by Moody’s or at least A-2 by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P is rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Company) and, in each case, maturing within 36 months after the date of acquisition;

(7) marketable short-term money market and similar liquid funds having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P is rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Company);

(8) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 36 months from the date of acquisition;

 

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(9) readily marketable direct obligations issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by any foreign government or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof, in each case, having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P is rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Company) with maturities of 36 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(10) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P is rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Company) with maturities of 36 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(11) Investments with average maturities of 36 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P is rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Company);

(12) investment funds investing substantially all of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (11) above; and

(13) solely with respect to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, any investment that the Captive Insurance Subsidiary is not prohibited to make in accordance with applicable law.

In the case of Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary or Investments made in a country outside the United States, Cash Equivalents will also include (i) investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (1) through (13) above of foreign obligors, which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies and (ii) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments analogous to the foregoing investments in clauses (1) through (13) and in this paragraph.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents will include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above; provided that such amounts, except amounts used to pay non-dollar denominated obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, are converted into any currency listed in clause (1) or (2) above as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

Cash Management Agreement ” means any agreement entered into from time to time by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with cash management services for collections, other Cash Management Services and for operating, payroll and trust accounts of such Person, including automatic clearing house services, controlled disbursement services, electronic funds transfer services, information reporting services, lockbox services, stop payment services and wire transfer services.

 

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Cash Management Obligations ” means Obligations in connection with, or in respect of, Cash Management Services.

Cash Management Services ” means (a) commercial credit cards, merchant card services, purchase or debit cards, including non-card e-payables services, (b) treasury management services (including controlled disbursement, overdraft, automatic clearing house fund transfer services, return items and interstate depository network services), (c) foreign exchange, netting and currency management services and (d) any other demand deposit or operating account relationships or other cash management services, including under any Cash Management Agreements.

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Issue Date:

(1) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition in one or a series of related transactions (other than by merger, consolidation, amalgamation or business combination) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one or more Permitted Holders; or

(2) the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) (a) any Person (other than a Permitted Holder) or (b) Persons (other than one or more Permitted Holders) constituting a “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of Equity Interests of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company (it being understood and agreed that for purposes of measuring beneficial ownership held by any Person that is not a Permitted Holder, Equity Interests held by any Permitted Holder will be excluded), unless the Permitted Holders have, at such time, directly or indirectly, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of Section 13(d)-3 of the Exchange Act, a Person or group shall not be deemed to beneficially own Voting Stock subject to a stock or asset purchase agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, warrant agreement or similar agreement (or voting or option or similar agreement related thereto) until the consummation of the acquisition of the Voting Stock in connection with the transactions contemplated by such agreement.

Change of Control Triggering Event ” means both a Change of Control and a Rating Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, no Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated.

 

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Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme and its successors.

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

Co-Issuer ” means Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company, and its successors.

Company ” means Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors.

consolidated ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries and excludes from such consolidation any Unrestricted Subsidiary as if such Unrestricted Subsidiary were not an Affiliate of such Person.

Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and accretion expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and the amortization of Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated EBITDAX ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period:

(1) increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case (other than in the case of clauses (g) and (j)) to the extent deducted (and not added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(a) total interest expense and, to the extent not reflected in such total interest expense, any losses on Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, net of interest income and gains on such Hedging Obligations or such derivative instruments, and bank and letter of credit fees, letter of guarantee and bankers’ acceptance fees and costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, together with items excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to the definition thereof; plus

(b) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, federal, state, franchise, excise, property and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes (including any future taxes or other levies which replace or are intended to be in lieu of such taxes and any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and the net tax expense associated with any adjustments made pursuant to the definition of “Consolidated Net Income,” and any payments to a Parent Company or equity holders of such Person in respect of such taxes permitted to be made under this Indenture; plus

 

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(c) Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense for such period; plus

(d) any other non-cash charges, including any write-offs or write-downs reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, (A) the Company may determine not to add back such non-cash charge in the current period and (B) to the extent the Company does decide to add back such non-cash charge, the cash payment in respect thereof, with the exception of any cash payments related to the settlement of deferred compensation balances awarded prior to the Issue Date, in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDAX to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus

(e) minority interest expense, the amount of any non-controlling interest consisting of income attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties in any non-Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary, excluding cash distributions in respect thereof, and the amount of any reductions in arriving at Consolidated Net Income resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 810, Consolidation; plus

(f) the amount of Board of Director fees and any management, monitoring, consulting, transaction, advisory and other fees (including termination fees) and indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period to the extent permitted under Section 4.11; plus

(g) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing Consolidated EBITDAX or Consolidated Net Income in any prior period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDAX pursuant to clause (2) below for any previous period and not added back; plus

(h) any costs or expenses incurred pursuant to any management equity plan, stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of such Person or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of such Person (other than Disqualified Stock); plus

(i) any net loss from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations (excluding held-for-sale discontinued operations until actually disposed of); plus

(j) the amount of “run rate” cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions related to restructurings, cost savings initiatives or other initiatives that are projected by the Company in good faith to result from actions either taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Company) within

 

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twenty-four (24) months after the end of such period (and, with respect to cost savings, synergies and operating expenses related to the Transactions, within twenty-four (24) months after the Issue Date) (which cost savings, synergies or operating expense reductions shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, synergies or operating expense reductions had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions during such period (it is understood and agreed that “run rate” means the full recurring benefit that is associated with any action taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken, whether prior to or following the Issue Date) (which adjustments may be incremental to (but not duplicative of) any pro forma cost savings, synergies or operating expense reduction adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio); provided that such cost savings, synergies and operating expenses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable; plus

(k) exploration expenses or costs (to the extent the Company adopts the successful efforts method of accounting); and

(2) decreased (without duplication) by the following, in each case to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(a) non-cash gains for such period (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDAX in any prior period (other than any such accrual or reserve that has been added back to Consolidated Net Income in calculating Consolidated EBITDAX in accordance with this definition);

(b) the amount of any non-controlling interest consisting of loss attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties in any non-Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary added to (and not deducted from) Consolidated Net Income in such period; and

(c) any income from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations (excluding held-for-sale discontinued operations until actually disposed of).

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:

(1) cash interest expense (including that attributable to Capitalized Lease Obligations), net of cash interest income, with respect to Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness, including commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net cash costs under hedging agreements (other than in connection with the early termination thereof); plus

 

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(2) non-cash interest expense resulting solely from (a) the amortization of original issue discount from the issuance of Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries at less than par (excluding the Notes and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness), and (b) pay-in-kind interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries payable pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing Indebtedness for borrowed money,

excluding, in each case, (i) amortization of deferred financing costs, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and any other amounts of non-cash interest other than referred to in clauses (2)(a) and (2)(b) above (including as a result of the effects of acquisition method accounting or pushdown accounting), (ii) interest expense attributable to the movement of the mark-to-market valuation of obligations under Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments, including pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815—Derivatives and Hedging, (iii) costs associated with incurring or terminating Hedging Obligations and cash costs associated with breakage in respect of hedging agreements for interest rates, (iv) commissions, discounts, yield, make-whole premium and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) incurred in connection with any Non-Recourse Indebtedness, (v) “additional interest” owing pursuant to a registration rights agreement with respect to any securities, (vi) any payments with respect to make-whole premiums or other breakage costs of any Indebtedness, (vii) penalties and interest relating to taxes, (viii) accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities not constituting Indebtedness, (ix) interest expense attributable to a Parent Company resulting from push-down accounting, (x) any expense resulting from the discounting of Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization or purchase accounting, (xi) any interest expense attributable to the exercise of appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential), with respect thereto in connection with the Transactions, any acquisition or Investment and (xii) annual agency fees paid to the administrative agents and collateral agents (including any security or collateral trust arrangements related thereto) under any Credit Facilities, including the Senior Credit Facility and the Notes.

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation will be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, excluding (and excluding the effect of), without duplication,

(1) extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains, losses, fees, costs, charges or expenses (including relating to any strategic initiatives and accruals and reserves in connection with such gains, losses, charges or expenses); restructuring costs, charges, accruals or reserves (including restructuring and integration costs related to acquisitions and adjustments to existing reserves, and in each case, whether or not classified as such under GAAP); costs and expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of facilities and fixed assets for alternative uses; Public Company Costs; costs and expenses related to the integration, consolidation, opening, pre-opening and closing of facilities and fixed assets; severance and relocation

 

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costs and expenses, one-time compensation costs and expenses, consulting fees, signing, retention or completion bonuses, and executive recruiting costs; costs and expenses incurred in connection with strategic initiatives; transition costs and duplicative running costs; costs and expenses incurred in connection with non-ordinary course product and intellectual property development; costs incurred in connection with acquisitions (or purchases of assets) prior to or after the Issue Date (including integration costs); business optimization expenses (including costs and expenses relating to business optimization programs, new systems design, retention charges, system establishment costs and implementation costs and project start-up costs), accruals and reserves; operating expenses attributable to the implementation of cost-savings initiatives; curtailments and modifications to pension and post-employment employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities and charges resulting from changes in estimates, valuations and judgments);

(2) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period whether effected through a cumulative effect adjustment or a retroactive application, in each case in accordance with GAAP;

(3) any gain (loss) on asset sales, disposals or abandonments (other than asset sales, disposals or abandonments in the ordinary course of business); provided that the exclusion for the discontinuance of discontinued operations held for sale shall be at the option of the Company pending such sale;

(4) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary and, solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(3)(A), the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting; provided that the Consolidated Net Income of a Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash or Cash Equivalents (or to the extent converted into cash or Cash Equivalents), to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;

(5) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(3)(A), the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived (or the Company reasonably believes such restriction could be waived and is using commercially reasonable efforts to pursue such waiver or is permitted under Section 4.08); provided that Consolidated Net Income of a Person will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash or Cash Equivalents (or to the extent converted into cash or Cash Equivalents), or the amount that could have been paid in cash or Cash Equivalents without violating any such restriction or requiring any such approval, to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein;

 

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(6) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries) related to the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting (including in the inventory, property and equipment, software, goodwill, intangible assets, in process research and development, deferred revenue and debt line items);

(7) income (loss) from the early extinguishment or conversion of (a) Indebtedness, (b) Hedging Obligations or (c) other derivative instruments,

(8) (a) any impairment charges or asset write-off or write-down, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP; and (b) any impairment charges, asset write-off or write-down, including ceiling test write-downs on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines;

(9) (a) any equity or phantom equity based or non-cash compensation charge or expense, including any such charge or expense arising from grants of stock appreciation rights, equity incentive programs or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights to, and any cash charges associated with the rollover, acceleration, or payout of, Equity Interests by management of such Person or of a Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Company, (b) noncash compensation expense resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation or Accounting Standards Codification Topic 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees and (c) any income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts;

(10) any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale, disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (including such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering and issuance of the Notes and the syndication and incurrence of any Credit Facilities), issuance of Equity Interests (including by any direct or indirect parent of the Company), recapitalization, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (including any amendment or other modification of the Notes and other securities and any Credit Facilities) and including, in each case, any such transaction whether consummated on, after or prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed, and any charges or nonrecurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each case whether or not successful or consummated (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the effects of expensing all transaction related expenses in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 805, Business Combinations);

(11) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted in connection with the Transactions, an Investment or an acquisition that are required to be established or adjusted as a result of the Transactions, such Investment or such acquisition, in each case in accordance with GAAP;

 

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(12) any expenses, charges or losses to the extent covered by insurance that are, directly or indirectly, reimbursed or reimbursable by a third party, and any expenses, charges or losses that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition, Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture;

(13) any non-cash gain (loss) attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815—Derivatives and Hedging or mark to market movement of other financial instruments pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 825—Financial Instruments;

(14) any non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretations;

(15) non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded (except to the extent reversing a previously recognized increase to net income);

(16) Transaction Expenses;

(17) any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with the entry into or termination of any Hedge Agreements;

(18) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency transaction or translation gains or losses including those related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from (a) Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risk and (b) resulting from intercompany indebtedness) and any other foreign currency transaction or translation gains and losses, to the extent such gain or losses are non-cash items;

(19) any adjustments resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 460, Guarantees, or any comparable regulation;

(20) any non-cash rent expense; and

(21) earn-out and contingent consideration obligations (including to the extent accounted for as bonuses or otherwise) and adjustments thereof and purchase price adjustments.

Without duplication, an amount equal to the amount of distributions actually made to any Parent or equity holder of such Person in respect of income taxes for such period in accordance with Section 4.07(b)(11)(B) or Section 4.07(b)(11)(C) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person for such period.

 

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In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received or receivable from business interruption insurance, the amount of any expenses or charges incurred by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that are, directly or indirectly, reimbursed or reimbursable by a third party, and amounts that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition, Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.07 only (other than Section 4.07(a)(3)(D)), there will be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.07(a)(3)(D).

Contingent Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other monetary obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“ primary obligations ”) of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor;

(2) to advance or supply funds

(a) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or

(b) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or

(3) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

Controlled Investment Affiliate ” means, as to any Person, any other Person, other than any Investor, which directly or indirectly is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person and is organized by such Person (or any Person controlling such Person) primarily for making direct or indirect equity or debt investments in the Company and/or other companies.

 

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Convertible Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Company (which may be guaranteed by the Guarantors) permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture that is either (a) convertible into common equity of the Company (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common equity) or (b) sold as units with call options, warrants or rights to purchase (or substantially equivalent derivative transactions) that are exercisable for common equity of the Company and/or cash (in any amount determined by reference to the price of such common equity).

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.01 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuers.

Credit Facilities ” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more debt facilities, including the Senior Credit Facility or other financing arrangements (including commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, note issuances, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and other agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof, in whole or in part, and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund, supplement, extend, renew, restate, amend, modify or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such exchange, replacement, refunding, supplemental, extended, renewed, restated, amended, modified or refinancing facility, arrangement or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed or issued thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings or issuances is permitted under Section 4.09) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, trustee, lender or group of lenders or holders.

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

Default ” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default; provided that any Default that results solely from the taking of an action that would have been permitted but for the continuation of a previous Default will be deemed to be cured if such previous Default is cured prior to becoming an Event of Default.

Definitive Note ” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, any Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration ” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale, redemption or repurchase of, or collection or payment on, such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

 

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Designated Revolving Commitments ” means any commitments to make loans or extend credit on a revolving basis to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary by any Person other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that have been designated in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee as “Designated Revolving Commitments” until such time as the Company subsequently delivers an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee to the effect that such commitments will no longer constitute “Designated Revolving Commitments”; provided that such Designated Revolving Commitments will be deemed an incurrence of Indebtedness on such date and during such time will be deemed outstanding for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and the availability of any baskets hereunder.

Disinterested Director ” means, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company having no material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such Affiliate Transaction. A member of the Board of Directors of the Company shall not be deemed to have such a financial interest solely by reason of such member’s holding Capital Stock of the Company or any options, warrants or other rights in respect of such Capital Stock.

Disqualified Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than (i) for any Qualified Equity Interests or (ii) solely as a result of a change of control, asset sale, casualty, condemnation or eminent domain) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than for any Qualified Equity Interests or solely as a result of a change of control, asset sale, casualty, condemnation or eminent domain), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided, further, that if such Capital Stock is issued pursuant to any plan for the benefit of future, current or former employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants or independent contractors (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any Parent Company or by any such plan to such employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants or independent contractors (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or any permitted transferees thereof), such Capital Stock will not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s, director’s, officer’s, management member’s, consultant’s or independent contractor’s termination, death or disability; provided, further that any Capital Stock held by any future, current or former employee, director, officer, member of management, consultant or independent contractor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any Parent Company, or any other entity in which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary has an

 

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Investment and is designated in good faith as an “affiliate” by the Board of Directors (or the compensation committee thereof), in each case pursuant to any equity subscription or equity holders’ agreement, management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement will not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s, director’s, officer’s, management member’s, consultant’s or independent contractor’s termination, death or disability. For the purposes hereof, the aggregate principal amount of Disqualified Stock will be deemed to be equal to the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and maximum fixed repurchase price, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

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

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

EMU ” means the economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.

Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, the Capital Stock of such Person and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock of such Person, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock of such Person.

Equity Offering ” means any public or private sale of common equity or Preferred Stock of the Company or any Parent Company (excluding Disqualified Stock), other than:

(1) public offerings with respect to the Company’s or any Parent Company’s common equity registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

(2) issuances to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

(3) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

Escrowed Proceeds ” means the proceeds from the offering of any debt securities or other Indebtedness paid into an escrow account with an independent escrow agent on the date of the applicable offering or incurrence pursuant to escrow arrangements that permit the release of amounts on deposit in such escrow account upon satisfaction of certain conditions or the occurrence of certain events. The term “Escrowed Proceeds” shall include any interest earned on the amounts held in escrow.

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

Euros ” means the single currency of participating member states of the EMU.

 

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

Excluded Contribution ” means net cash proceeds, the fair market value of marketable securities or the fair market value of Qualified Proceeds received by the Company from:

(1) contributions to its common equity capital;

(2) dividends, distributions, fees and other payments from any joint ventures that are not Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(3) the sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Company) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

in each case, designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate or that are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 4.07(a)(3); provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, may subsequently undesignate any previously designated Excluded Contribution (to the extent such proceeds have not been applied to make Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(8)).

fair market value ” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by the Company in good faith.

Farm-In Agreement ” means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of one or more exploratory or development wells (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interests therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well or wells as all or a part of the consideration provided in exchange for an ownership interest in Oil and Gas Properties.

Farm-Out Agreement ” means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

Financial Officer ” means the chief financial officer, accounting officer, treasurer, controller or other senior financial or accounting officer of the Company, as appropriate.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, with respect to any Test Period, the ratio of (1) Consolidated EBITDAX of the Company for such Test Period to (2) the Fixed Charges of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such Test Period.

In the event that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, repays, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility or line of credit unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and not replaced) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock or establishes or eliminates any Designated Revolving Commitments, in each

 

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case, subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “ Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date ”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the most recently ended Test Period (for all purposes, as if Indebtedness in the full amount of any undrawn Designated Revolving Commitments had been incurred thereunder throughout such period); provided, however, that at the election of the Company, the pro forma calculation will not give effect to any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued on such determination date pursuant to Section 4.09(b) (other than Section 4.09(b)(14)).

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, any Specified Transaction that has been consummated by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary during any Test Period or subsequent to such Test Period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date will be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Specified Transactions (and the change in any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in Consolidated EBITDAX resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the Test Period. If since the beginning of such Test Period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such Test Period will have made any Specified Transaction that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such Test Period as if such Specified Transaction had occurred at the beginning of the most recently ended Test Period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any Specified Transaction (including the Transactions), the pro forma calculations will be made in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Company and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, the amount of “run-rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies projected by the Company in good faith to result from or relating to any Specified Transaction (including the Transactions and acquisitions occurring prior to the Issue Date) which is being given pro forma effect that have been realized or are expected to be realized and for which the actions necessary to realize such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies are taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Company) no later than twenty-four (24) months after the date of any such Specified Transaction (in each case as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies had been realized on the first day of the applicable period and as if such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies were realized for the entirety of such period). For the purposes of this Indenture, “run-rate” means the full recurring benefit for a period that is associated with any action taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (including any savings expected to result from the elimination of a public target’s compliance costs with public company requirements), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions.

 

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If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, will be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate. Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date ” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

Fixed Charge Coverage Test ” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.”

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

(1) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;

(2) all cash dividends or other cash distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person during such period; and

(3) all cash dividends or other cash distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, as in effect from time to time. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, (i) the amount of any Indebtedness under GAAP with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations and Attributable Indebtedness shall be determined in accordance with the definition of Capitalized Lease Obligations and Attributable Indebtedness, respectively and (ii) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Company, Co-Issuer or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries at “fair value,” as defined therein.

 

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Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes ” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, issued in accordance with Sections 2.01, 2.06(b) or 2.06(d) hereof.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state, local, or otherwise, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Government Securities ” means securities that are:

(1) direct obligations of the United States for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States.

(3) that, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and will also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

guarantee ” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations. The amount of any guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the Indebtedness in respect of which such guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such person in good faith.

Guarantee ” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

 

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Guarantor ” means each Subsidiary Guarantor and Parent Company (including the Parent Guarantors) that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

Hedging Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, commodity option, forward commodity contract, basis differential swap, fixed-price physical delivery contract or other similar agreement or arrangement in respect of Hydrocarbons, foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, currency collar agreement or similar agreement providing for the transfer, modification or mitigation of interest rate, currency, commodity risks or equity risks either generally or under specific contingencies. For the avoidance of doubt, any Permitted Convertible Indebtedness Call Transaction will not constitute Hedging Obligations.

Holder ” at any time, means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books at such time.

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

Immediate Family Members ” means with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, qualified domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including, in each case, adoptive relationships) and any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals or any private foundation or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised fund of which any such individual is the donor.

Incremental Amounts ” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Refinancing Indebtedness.”

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

(1) any indebtedness (including principal and premium) of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(a) in respect of borrowed money;

(b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(c) representing the deferred and unpaid balance of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) due more than twelve months after such property is acquired, except (i) any such balance that constitutes an obligation in respect of a commercial letter of credit, a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case incurred in the

 

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ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice, (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation is reflected as a liability on the balance sheet (excluding any footnotes thereto) of such Person in accordance with GAAP and is not paid within 60 days after becoming due and payable, (iii) obligations arising under any firm transportation or take-or-pay contract and (iv) accruals for payroll and other liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business; or

(d) representing the net obligations under any Hedging Obligations;

if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than obligations in respect of letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that Indebtedness of any Parent Company appearing upon the balance sheet of the Company solely by reason of push-down accounting under GAAP will be excluded;

(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of this definition of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice; and

(3) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of this definition of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (i) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (ii) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;

provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness will be deemed not to include (a) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice, (b) reimbursement obligations under commercial letters of credit (provided that unreimbursed amounts under commercial letters of credit will be counted as Indebtedness three (3) Business Days after such amount is drawn), (c) accrued expenses, (d) deferred or prepaid revenues, (e) asset retirement obligations and obligations in respect of reclamation and workers compensation (including pensions and retiree medical care), (f) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller, (g) Production Payments and Reserve Sales, (h) any obligation of a Person in respect of a Farm-In Agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or natural gas property, (i) Hedging Obligations; provided that such agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the Board

 

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of Directors or senior management of the Company, whether or not accounted for as a hedge in accordance with GAAP) and, in the case of any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement, such agreements are related to business transactions of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and, in the case of any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate futures agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, such agreements substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred without violation of this Indenture, (j) obligations in respect of surety and bonding requirements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (k) in-kind obligations relating to net oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business, (l) trade and other ordinary course payables, accrued expenses and intercompany liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business, (m) operating leases or sale and leaseback transactions (except any resulting obligations under any Capitalized Lease Obligations), (n) commitments or obligations of such person to make capital contributions in another Person or to fund construction costs of equipment and (o) in the case of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (x) all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business and (y) intercompany liabilities in connection with cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, further that Indebtedness will be calculated without giving effect to the effects of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness.

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

Independent Assets or Operations ” means, with respect to any Parent Company, that Parent Company’s total assets, revenues, income from continuing operations before income taxes and cash flows from operating activities (excluding in each case amounts related to its investment in the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries), determined in accordance with GAAP and as shown on the most recent balance sheet of such Parent Company, is, in each case, more than 3.00% of such Parent Company’s corresponding consolidated amount.

Independent Financial Advisor ” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Company, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

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

Initial Notes ” means the initial $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date.

 

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Interest Payment Date ” means February 1 and August 1 of each year to stated maturity, beginning February 1, 2019.

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency selected by the Company.

Investment Grade Securities ” means:

(1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);

(2) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or debt instruments constituting loans or advances among the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(3) investments in any fund that invests substantially all of its assets in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) of this definition which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

(4) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, credit card and debit card receivables, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants and independent contractors, in each case made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice) or purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person. For purposes of the definitions of “Permitted Investments” and “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.07:

(1) “Investments” will include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s Equity Interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:

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

(b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s Equity Interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

 

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(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer.

The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time will be the original cost of such Investment, reduced by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount received in cash by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Investment.

Investor ” means any of EnerVest, Ltd., TPG Capital, L.P. or TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC and any of their respective Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed or advised by any of them or any of them or any of their respective Affiliates but not including, however, any portfolio company of any of the foregoing.

Issue Date ” means July 31, 2018.

Issuers ” means the Company and the Co-Issuer, collectively.

Issuers’ Order ” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuers by an Officer of each Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the applicable Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee.

Legal Holiday ” means Saturday, Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York or at the place of payment.

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

Management Stockholders ” means (a) the directors, managers, executive officers and other members of management (and their Controlled Investment Affiliates and Immediate Family Members and any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company (or a Parent Company) who are holders of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent Company on the Issue Date together with (b) (i) any new directors or managers whose election by such boards of directors or managers or whose nomination for election by the equity holders of the Company or any Parent Company, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors or managers of the Company or any Parent Company, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors or managers on the Issue Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (ii) executive officers and other management personnel of the Company or any Parent Company, as applicable, hired at a time when the directors or managers on the Issue Date together with the directors or managers so approved constituted a majority of the directors or managers of the Company or any Parent Company, as applicable.

 

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

Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

Net Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash and Cash Equivalents received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale, including any cash and Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, payments made in order to obtain a necessary consent or required by applicable law, brokerage and sales commissions, title insurance premiums, related search and recording charges, survey costs and mortgage recording tax paid in connection therewith, all dividends, distributions or other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of any such Asset Sale by a Restricted Subsidiary, the amount of any purchase price or similar adjustment claimed by any Person to be owed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, until such time as such claim will have been settled or otherwise finally resolved, or paid or payable by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in either case in respect of such Asset Sale, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, costs and expenses or other amounts payable in connection with unwinding any Hedging Obligation in connection therewith, other fees and expenses, including title and recordation expenses, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof or any transactions occurring or deemed to occur to effectuate a payment under this Indenture (including the amount of distributions in respect of taxes actually made to any Parent Company and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related solely to such disposition), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) or amounts required to be applied to the repayments of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on such assets and required to be paid as a result of such transaction, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

Net Working Capital ” of any Person as of any date of determination means the amount (shown on the balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of such Person for which internal financial statements are available) by which (a) all current assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than current assets from Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts, exceeds (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than (i) current liabilities included in Indebtedness, (ii) current liabilities associated with asset retirement obligations relating to oil and gas properties and (iii) any current liabilities from Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP (excluding any adjustments made pursuant to FASB ASC 815).

 

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Non-Recourse Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness that is non-recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

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

Notes ” has the meaning assigned to it in the recitals to this Indenture. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

Obligations ” means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing on or subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and banker’s acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Offering Memorandum ” means the confidential offering memorandum, dated July 17, 2018, relating to the sale of the Initial Notes.

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of any Person. Unless otherwise indicated, Officer shall refer to an officer of the Company.

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of a Person by an Officer of such Person that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee.

Oil and Gas Business ” means:

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

(2) the business of gathering, marketing, distributing, treating, processing (but not refining), storing, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties;

(3) any business relating to exploration for or development, production, treatment, processing (but not refining), storage, transportation or marketing of oil, gas and other minerals and products produced in association therewith;

 

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(4) any business relating to oilfield sales and service; and

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

Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts ” means any puts, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement in respect of Hydrocarbons that are designed to protect such Person against or manage exposure to fluctuation in Hydrocarbons prices.

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

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

ordinary course of business ” means activity conducted in the ordinary course of business of the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary.

Parent ” means TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp. (to be renamed Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation on or about the Issue Date after giving effect to the Transactions), a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

Parent Company ” means any Person that is or becomes after the Issue Date a direct or indirect parent (which may be organized as, among other things, a partnership) of the Company.

Parent Guarantors ” means each of TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp. (to be renamed Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation on or about the Issue Date after giving effect to the Transactions), a Delaware corporation, TPG Pace Energy Parent LLC (to be renamed Magnolia Oil & Gas Parent LLC on or about the Issue Date after giving effect to the Transactions), a Delaware limited liability company, and TPG Pace Energy Intermediate LLC (to be renamed Magnolia Oil & Gas Intermediate LLC on or about the Issue Date after giving effect to the Transactions), a Delaware limited liability company, and any successors thereto, which are Parent Companies of the Issuers as of the Issue Date.

Participant ” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Permitted Asset Swap ” means the substantially concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and cash or Cash Equivalents between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and another Person; provided that any cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a Permitted Asset Swap that constitutes an Asset Sale must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10.

 

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Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction ” means any call or capped call option (or substantially equivalent derivative transaction) on the Company’s common equity purchased by the Company in connection with the issuance of any Convertible Indebtedness; provided that the purchase price for such Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction, less the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of any related Permitted Warrant Transaction, does not exceed the net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of such Convertible Indebtedness issued in connection with the Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.

Permitted Convertible Indebtedness Call Transaction ” means any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction and any Permitted Warrant Transaction.

Permitted Business Investment ” means any Investment and/or expenditure of a nature that is or shall have become customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur, including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, distributing, storing or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

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

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

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

Permitted Holder ” means (1) any of the Investors and Management Stockholders, (2) any Person that directly or indirectly holds or acquires 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, and of which no other Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), other than any of the Permitted Holders, holds more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof (such Person, a “ Permitted Parent ”), (3) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of which any of the Permitted Holders are members; provided that in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, the Investors and Management Stockholders, collectively, have, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power of

 

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the Voting Stock of the Company or any Permitted Parent and (4) any Person acting in the capacity of an underwriter (solely to the extent that and for so long as such Person is acting in such capacity) in connection with a public or private offering of Capital Stock of the Company or any Parent Company. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which any required Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture (or would have required a Change of Control Offer in the absence of the waiver of such requirement by Holders or otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture) will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

Permitted Investments ” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (including guarantees of obligations of the Restricted Subsidiaries);

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and Investments that were Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities when made;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person that is engaged (directly or through entities that will be Restricted Subsidiaries) in the Oil and Gas Business, or in a business unit, line of business or division of such Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is amalgamated, merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets or assets constituting such business unit, line of business or division in which such Investment was made, as applicable, to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, transfer or conveyance;

(4) any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to the provisions described under Section 4.10 or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(5) any Investment existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification, replacement, renewal or reinvestment of any Investment or binding commitment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment or binding commitment may be increased only (a) as required by the terms of such Investment or binding commitment as in existence on the Issue Date (including as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities) or (b) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

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(6) any Investment acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary:

(a) in exchange for any other Investment, accounts receivable or indorsements for collection or deposit held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with or judgments against, the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable (including any trade creditor or customer);

(b) in satisfaction of judgments against other Persons;

(c) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default; or

(d) as a result of the settlement, compromise or resolution of (A) litigation, arbitration or other disputes or (B) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer;

(7) Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 4.09(b)(10);

(8) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted under Section 4.11(b) (except transactions described in clauses (2), (5), (9) and (21) thereof);

(9) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any Parent Company; provided that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(3);

(10) (a) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.09 and Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice, (b) the creation of Liens on the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with Section 4.12; and (c) guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under Hydrocarbon exploration, development, joint operating and related agreements and licenses, concessions or operating leases related to the Oil and Gas Business;

(11) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material, services, equipment or similar assets or the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

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(12) Investments, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (12) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed (as of the date such Investment is made) the sum of (x) the greater of (a) $115.0 million and (b) 5.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment, plus (y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment; provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (12) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (12) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary;

(13) loans and advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, officers, directors, employees, consultants, members of management and independent contractors not in excess of $10.0 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate;

(14) loans and advances to employees, directors, officers, members of management, independent contractors and consultants for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses, payroll advances and other similar expenses or payroll expenses, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or consistent with industry practice or to future, present and former employees, directors, officers, members of management, independent contractors and consultants (and their Controlled Investment Affiliates and Immediate Family Members) to fund such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent Company;

(15) advances, loans or extensions of trade credit or prepayments to suppliers or loans or advances made to distributors, in each case, in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or on customary trade terms of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary or consistent with industry practice by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(16) any Investment in any Subsidiary or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(17) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of assets or services in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(18) Investments made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client contracts and loans or advances made to distributors;

(19) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits entered into as a result of the operations of the business in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(20) the purchase or other acquisition of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent not otherwise prohibited hereunder;

 

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(21) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (21) that are at that time outstanding, without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of, or have not been subsequently sold or transferred for, Cash Equivalents or marketable securities, not to exceed (as of the date such Investment is made) the sum of (x) the greater of (a) $70.0 million and (b) 3.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment, plus (y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment;

(22) Investments in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers;

(23) any Investment by any Captive Insurance Subsidiary in connection with its provision of insurance to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which Investment is made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice of such Captive Insurance Subsidiary, or by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or that is required or approved by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Captive Insurance Subsidiary or its business, as applicable;

(24) Investments of assets relating to non-qualified deferred payment plans in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(25) intercompany current liabilities owed to Unrestricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice in connection with the cash management operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(26) acquisitions of obligations of one or more directors, officers or other employees or consultants or independent contractors of any Parent Company, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in connection with such director’s, officer’s, employee’s, consultant’s or independent contractor’s acquisition of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent Company, to the extent no cash is actually advanced by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to such directors, officers, employees, consultants or independent contractors in connection with the acquisition of any such obligations;

(27) Investments resulting from pledges and deposits permitted pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Liens”;

(28) any Investment in a Similar Business, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (28) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed (as of the date such Investment is made) the sum of (x) the greater of (a) $70.0 million and (b) 3.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment, plus (y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment;

 

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(29) loans and advances to any Parent Company in lieu of and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof) Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made in cash to such Parent Company in accordance with Section 4.07 at such time, such Investment being treated for purposes of the applicable clause of Section 4.07, including any limitations, as if a Restricted Payment were made pursuant to such applicable clause;

(30) Investments constituting promissory notes or other non-cash proceeds of dispositions of assets to the extent permitted under Section 4.10;

(31) Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions;

(32) Permitted Business Investments; and

(33) Investments made as part of, to effect or resulting from, the Transactions.

For purposes of determining compliance with this definition, (A) an Investment need not be incurred solely by reference to one category of Permitted Investments described in this definition but is permitted to be incurred in part under any combination thereof and of any other available exemption and (B) in the event that an Investment (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of Permitted Investments, the Company will, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify such Investment (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this definition and Section 4.07.

Permitted Liens ” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) Liens securing (i) Obligations in respect of the Notes and the Guarantees, (ii) securing Obligations in respect of Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes or any Guarantee so long as the Notes and Guarantees are secured by a Lien on the same assets that is senior in priority to such Lien and (iii) any Obligations so long as the Notes and any Guarantees are equally and ratably secured;

(2) Liens securing Obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under any Credit Facility, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(1);

(3) Liens, pledges or deposits by such Person made in connection with (A) workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance, health, disability or employee benefits or other social security laws or similar legislation or regulations, (B) insurance-related obligations (including, in respect of deductibles, self-insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto) or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar documents or instruments for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance, or otherwise supporting the payment of items set forth in the foregoing clause (A), (C) bids, tenders, contracts, statutory obligations, surety, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds, or with regard to other regulatory requirements, completion guarantees, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance

 

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bonds, bankers’ acceptance facilities, and other obligations of like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) (other than for the payment of Indebtedness), or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash, Cash Equivalents or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for the payment of rent, contested taxes or import duties and obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments that have been posted to support the same, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice or (D) deposits to secure plugging and abandonment obligations or public or statutory obligations of such Person;

(4) Liens imposed by law, such as landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, construction and mechanics’ Liens and other similar Liens, or similar landlord Liens specifically created by contract, and (i) for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 60 days or, if more than 60 days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Liens or (ii) being contested in good faith by appropriate actions or other Liens arising out of or securing judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person will then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if such Liens are adequately bonded or adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(5) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or not yet payable or not subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(6) Liens (A) in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds, instruments or obligations or with respect to regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptance issued, and completion guarantees provided, in each case, pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business or consistent with past practice or industry practice and (B) securing other obligations in respect of surety and bonding requirements;

(7) survey exceptions, encumbrances, ground leases, easements, restrictions, protrusions, encroachments or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph, telephone and cable television lines, pipelines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil or other minerals and other similar purposes or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including minor defects or irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person and exceptions on mortgage policies insuring Liens granted on Mortgaged Properties (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility);

 

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(8) Liens securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to clause (4), (6), (12) or (13) of Section 4.09(b) or, with respect to assumed Indebtedness not incurred in contemplation of the relevant acquisition, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock only, Section 4.09(b)(14); provided that:

(a) Liens securing obligations relating to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(13) relate only to obligations relating to Refinancing Indebtedness that is secured by Liens on the same assets as the assets securing the Refinanced Debt (as defined in the definition of “Refinancing Indebtedness”), plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof and after-acquired property, or serves to refund, refinance, extend, replace, renew or defease Indebtedness incurred under clause (4), (12) or (13) of Section 4.09(b),

(b) Liens securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(4) extend only to the assets so purchased, replaced, leased or improved and proceeds and products thereof; provided, further that individual financings of assets provided by a counterparty may be cross-collateralized to other financings of assets provided by such counterparty and

(c) Liens securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted to be assumed pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(14) are solely on acquired property or the assets of the acquired entity (other than after acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof);

(9) Liens existing, or provided for under binding contracts existing, on the Issue Date;

(10) Liens on property or shares of stock or other assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary;

(11) Liens on property or other assets at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property or such other assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition, amalgamation, merger or consolidation) and any replacement, extension or renewal of any such Lien (to the extent the Indebtedness and other obligations secured by such replacement, extension or renewal Liens are permitted by this Indenture); provided that such replacement, extension or renewal Liens do not cover any property other than the property that was subject to such Liens prior to such replacement, extension or renewal (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof and after-acquired property);

 

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(12) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 4.09;

(13) Liens securing (x) Hedging Obligations and (y) obligations in respect of Cash Management Services;

(14) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s accounts payable or similar obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(15) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses (or other agreement under which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has granted rights to end users to access and use the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s products, technologies or services) that do not either (a) materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) secure any Indebtedness;

(16) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) financing statement filings regarding operating leases, consignments or accounts entered into by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice or purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) financing statements or similar public filings;

(17) Liens in favor of the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(18) Liens on equipment or vehicles of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(19) Liens to secure any modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive modification, refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock secured by any Lien referred to in clauses (8), (9), (10), (11) or this clause (19) of this definition; provided that (a) such new Lien will be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof and after-acquired property) and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (8), (9), (10), (11) or this clause (19) of this definition at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, plus (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness being so

 

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refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased plus (iii) the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such refinanced Indebtedness and any defeasance costs and any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness or the extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of such refinanced Indebtedness;

(20) pledges and deposits made or other security provided to secure liability to insurance brokers, carriers, underwriters or self-insurance arrangements, including Liens or insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(21) other Liens securing obligations in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed (as of the date any such Lien is incurred) the greater of (i) $115.0 million, and (ii) 5.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence;

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

(23) (i) the prior rights of consignees and their lenders under consignment arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice, (ii) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention or similar arrangements for the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice and (iii) Liens arising by operation of law under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code;

(24) Liens securing judgments, attachments or awards for the payment of money, notices of lis pendens not constituting an Event of Default under Section 6.01(6);

(25) Liens (a) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-208 or 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (b) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice, and (c) in favor of banking or other institutions or other electronic payment service providers arising as a matter of law or under general terms and conditions encumbering deposits or margin deposits or other funds maintained with such institution (including the right of set off) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(26) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under this Indenture; provided that such Liens do not extend to assets other than those that are subject to such repurchase agreements;

(27) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (a) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or other deposit-taking financial institutions or other electronic payment service providers and not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (b) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (c) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

 

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(28) Liens on cash proceeds (as defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) of assets sold that were subject to a Lien permitted hereunder;

(29) any encumbrance, restriction or other Lien (including put, call arrangements, tag, drag, right of first refusal and similar rights) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture agreement or similar agreement;

(30) Liens (a) on cash advances or cash earnest money deposits in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted under this Indenture to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment and (b) consisting of a letter of intent or an agreement to sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any property in a transaction permitted pursuant to Section 4.10;

(31) ground leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

(32) Liens in connection with a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction;

(33) Liens on Capital Stock or other securities of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(34) any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease, liens reserved in oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons, minerals, leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (b) any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor or secured by a lessor’s, sublessor’s, licensor’s or sublicensor’s interest under leases or licenses entered into by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice; (c) restriction or encumbrance that the interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to (including, without limitation, ground leases or other prior leases of the demised premises, mortgages, mechanics’ liens, tax liens and easements); or (d) subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to any restrictions or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (c);

(35) deposits of cash with the owner or lessor of premises leased and operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice of the Company and such Subsidiary to secure the performance of the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s obligations under the terms of the lease for such premises;

(36) rights of set-off, banker’s liens, netting arrangements and other Liens arising by operation of law or by the terms of documents of banks or other financial institutions in relation to the maintenance or administration of deposit accounts, securities accounts, cash management arrangements or in connection with the issuance of letters of credit, bank guarantees or other similar instruments;

 

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(37) Liens on cash and Cash Equivalents used to satisfy or discharge Indebtedness; provided that such satisfaction or discharge is permitted under this Indenture;

(38) receipt of progress payments and advances from customers in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice to the extent the same creates a Lien on the related inventory and proceeds thereof and Liens on property or assets under construction arising from progress or partial payments by a third party relating to such property or assets;

(39) agreements to subordinate any interest of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any accounts receivable or other proceeds arising from inventory consigned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(40) Liens securing Guarantees of any Indebtedness or other obligations otherwise permitted to be secured by a Lien under this Indenture;

(41) Liens arising pursuant to Section 107(l) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or other environmental law;

(42) Liens disclosed by the title insurance reports or policies delivered on or prior to the Issue Date and any replacement, extension or renewal of any such Lien (to the extent the Indebtedness and other obligations secured by such replacement, extension or renewal Liens are permitted by this Indenture); provided that such replacement, extension or renewal Liens do not cover any property other than the property that was subject to such Liens prior to such replacement, extension or renewal;

(43) rights reserved or vested in any Person by the terms of any lease, license, franchise, grant or permit held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or by a statutory provision, to terminate any such lease, license, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or periodic payments as a condition to the continuance thereof;

(44) restrictive covenants affecting the use to which real property may be put; provided that the covenants are complied with;

(45) security given to a public utility or any municipality or governmental authority when required by such utility or authority in connection with the operations of that Person in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(46) zoning, building and other similar land use restrictions, including, without limitation, site plan agreements, development agreements and contract zoning agreements;

 

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(47) Liens on assets of Restricted Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries (i) securing Indebtedness and other obligations of such Foreign Subsidiaries or (ii) to the extent arising mandatorily under applicable law;

(48) Liens on Escrowed Proceeds for the benefit of the related holders of debt securities or other Indebtedness (or the underwriters, trustee, escrow agent or arrangers thereof) or on cash set aside at the time of the incurrence of any Indebtedness or government securities purchased with such cash, in either case to the extent such cash or government securities prefund the payment of interest on such Indebtedness and are held in an escrow account or similar arrangement to be applied for such purpose;

(49) Liens on the assets of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor securing Indebtedness or other obligations of such Restricted Subsidiaries or any other Restricted Subsidiaries that are not the Co-Issuer or Guarantors that is permitted under Section 4.09(b) or otherwise not prohibited by this Indenture;

(50) Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

(51) Liens arising under Farm-Out Agreements, Farm-In Agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements, royalties, royalty trusts, master limited partnerships, working interests, net profits interests, joint interest billing arrangements, participation agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, natural gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are or shall have become customary in the Oil and Gas Business; and

(52) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business and incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties.

If any Liens securing obligations are incurred to refinance Liens securing obligations initially incurred in reliance on a basket measured by reference to a percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, and such refinancing would cause the percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets to be exceeded if calculated based on the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets on the date of such refinancing, such percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets will not be deemed to be exceeded to the extent the principal amount of such obligations secured by such newly incurred Lien does not exceed the principal amount of such obligations secured by such Liens being refinanced, plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness (and with respect to Indebtedness under Designated Revolving Commitments, including an amount equal to any unutilized Designated Revolving Commitments being refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased to the extent permanently terminated at the time of incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness) plus the amount of any

 

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tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such refinanced Indebtedness, and any defeasance costs and any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness, or the extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of such refinanced Indebtedness. In addition, for purposes of determining compliance with clause (21) of this definition in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness under Designated Revolving Commitments, such compliance shall be determined on the date such Designated Revolving Commitments are established after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of the entire committed amount of Indebtedness thereunder, in which case such committed amount under such Designated Revolving Commitments may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed, in whole or in part, from time to time, without further compliance with such paragraph or clause.

For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” will be deemed to include interest and other obligations payable on and with respect to such Indebtedness.

Permitted Parent ” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Permitted Holder”.

Permitted Warrant Transaction ” means any call option, warrant or right to purchase (or substantially equivalent derivative transaction) on the Company’s or a Parent Company’s common equity sold by the Company or a Parent Company substantially concurrently with a related Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.

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

Preferred Stock ” means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

Private Placement Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

Production Payments and Reserve Sales ” means the grant or transfer by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar-denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers.

 

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Proved Reserves ” means crude oil and natural gas reserves constituting ‘‘proved oil and gas reserves’’ as defined in Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act. For the avoidance of doubt, ‘‘proved oil and gas reserves’’ shall include any reserves attributable to natural gas liquids.

Public Company Costs ” means the costs relating to establishing compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and other expenses arising out of or incidental to the Company’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries’ compliance with the obligations of a reporting company, including costs, fees and expenses (including legal, accounting and other professional fees) relating to compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

Purchase Money Obligations ” means any Indebtedness incurred to finance or refinance the acquisition, leasing, construction or improvement of property (real or personal) or assets (other than Capital Stock), and whether acquired through the direct acquisition of such property or assets, or otherwise.

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

Qualified Equity Interests ” means Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Stock.

Qualified Proceeds ” means the fair market value of assets that are used or useful in, or Capital Stock of any Person engaged in, the Oil and Gas Business.

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

Rating Event ” means a decrease of one or more gradations (including gradations within rating categories as well as between rating categories and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, changes in ratings outlook) in the rating of the Notes by either of the Rating Agencies or a withdrawal of the rating of the Notes by either of the Rating Agencies on, or within 30 days following, the earlier of  (x) the occurrence of a Change of Control or (y) the date of public announcement of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the intention by the Company to effect a Change of Control, which period shall be extended for a period not longer than 30 days so long as the rating of the applicable series of Notes relating to the Change of Control is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by the applicable Rating Agency; provided, however, that a downgrade of the Notes by the applicable Rating Agency shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a downgrade for purposes of this definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if such Rating Agency making the downgrade in rating does not publicly announce or confirm or inform the Company or the Trustee in writing at the request of the Company that the downgrade is a result of the transactions constituting or occurring simultaneously with the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of such downgrade).

Record Date ” for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means the January 15 and July 15 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

 

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Refinance ” has the meaning assigned in the definition of “Refinancing Indebtedness” and “ Refinancing ” and “ Refinanced ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Refinanced Debt ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Refinancing Indebtedness.”

Refinancing Indebtedness ” means (x) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (y) Disqualified Stock issued by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or (z) Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary which, in each case, serves to extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease (“ Refinance ”) any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, including Refinancing Indebtedness, so long as:

(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness, the amount of such new Preferred Stock or the liquidation preference of such new Disqualified Stock does not exceed (a) the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable) the Indebtedness, the amount of the Preferred Stock or the liquidation preference of the Disqualified Stock being so extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased (such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, the “ Refinanced Debt ”), plus (b) any accrued and unpaid interest on, or any accrued and unpaid dividends on, such Refinanced Debt, plus (c) the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such Refinanced Debt and any defeasance costs and any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock or to Refinance such Refinanced Debt (such amounts in clauses (b) and (c), the “ Incremental Amounts ”);

(2) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a:

(a) Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the applicable Refinanced Debt (or, if less, greater than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Notes);

(b) final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the final scheduled maturity date of the Refinanced Debt (or, if earlier, the date that is 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes); and

(3) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness Refinances (i) Subordinated Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness assumed or acquired in an acquisition and not created in contemplation thereof), unless such Refinancing constitutes a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.07, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Guarantee thereof at least to the same extent as the applicable Refinanced Debt or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively.

 

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Refinancing Indebtedness will not include:

(a) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor or the Co-Issuer that refinances Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company;

(b) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor or the Co-Issuer that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary Guarantor or the Co-Issuer; or

(c) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

and, provided, further that (x) clause (2) of this definition will not apply to any Refinancing of any Indebtedness other than Indebtedness incurred under Section 4.09(b)(2), any Subordinated Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness assumed or acquired in an Investment or acquisition and not created in contemplation thereof), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock and (y) Refinancing Indebtedness may be incurred in the form of a bridge or other interim credit facility intended to be Refinanced with long-term indebtedness (and such bridge or other interim credit facility shall be deemed to satisfy clause (2) of this definition so long as (x) such credit facility includes customary “rollover” provisions and (y) assuming such credit facility were to be extended pursuant to such “rollover” provisions, such extended credit facility would comply with clause (2) of this definition).

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

Regulation S Global Note ” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as applicable.

Regulation S Permanent Global Note ” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the applicable Restricted Period.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note ” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(iii) hereof.

Related Business Assets ” means assets (other than Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business; provided that any assets received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary will not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person is or would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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

Restricted Definitive Note ” means a Definitive Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note ” means a Global Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

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

Restricted Period ” means, in respect of any Note issued pursuant to Regulation S, the 40-day distribution compliance period (as defined in Regulation S) applicable to such Note.

Restricted Subsidiary ” means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company (including any Foreign Subsidiary and the Co-Issuer) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon the occurrence of an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary will be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.” Wherever the term “Restricted Subsidiary” is used herein with respect to any Subsidiary of a referenced Person that is not the Company, then it will be construed to mean a Person that would be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company on a pro forma basis following consummation of one or a series of related transactions involving such referenced Person and the Company (unless such transactions would include a designation of a Subsidiary of such Person as an Unrestricted Subsidiary on a pro forma basis in accordance with this Indenture).

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

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

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

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

S&P ” means S&P Global Ratings or any successor to its rating agency business.

Sale and Lease-Back Transaction ” means any arrangement providing for the leasing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing. The net proceeds of any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction will be determined giving effect to transaction expenses and the tax effect of such transactions (including taxes paid or payable and tax attributes used as a result of such transactions).

 

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SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Secured Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary secured by a Lien.

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

Senior Credit Facility ” means, the senior secured revolving facility under the Credit Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among the Company, Citibank, N.A., as the administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders and other entities party thereto, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings, refinancings or replacements thereof and any one or more indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders, or investors, whether or not secured, that replace, refund, supplement or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted by Section 4.09) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, trustee, lender or group of lenders or holders.

Senior Indebtedness ” means:

(1) all Indebtedness of the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility and the Notes and related Guarantees (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or similar proceeding or for reorganization of the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor (at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings)), and any and all other fees, expense reimbursement obligations, indemnification amounts, penalties, and other amounts (whether existing on the Issue Date or thereafter created or incurred) and all obligations of the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid under letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments;

(2) all (a) Hedging Obligations (and guarantees thereof) and (b) obligations in respect of Cash Management Services (and guarantees thereof); provided that such Hedging Obligations and obligations in respect of Cash Management Services, as the case may be, are permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture;

(3) any other Indebtedness of the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any related Guarantee; and

 

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(4) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1), (2) and (3);

provided that Senior Indebtedness will not include:

(a) any obligation of such Person to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(b) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

(c) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(d) any Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person; or

(e) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of incurrence is incurred in violation of this Indenture.

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

Similar Business ” means (1) any business, conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary on the Issue Date or (2) any business or other activities that are reasonably similar, ancillary, incidental, complementary or related to (including non-core incidental businesses acquired in connection with any Permitted Investment), or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of, the businesses which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries conduct or propose to conduct on the Issue Date.

Specified Transaction ” means (i) solely for the purposes of determining the applicable cash balance, any contribution of capital, including as a result of an Equity Offering, to the Company, in each case, in connection with an acquisition or Investment, (ii) any designation of operations or assets of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as discontinued operations (as defined under GAAP), (iii) any Investment that results in a Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (iv) any designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with this Indenture, (v) any purchase or other acquisition of a business of any Person, or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of any Person or material Oil and Gas Properties (as determined in good faith by the Company), (vi) any Asset Sale (without regard to any de minimis thresholds set forth therein) (a) that results in a Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary of the Company or (b) of a business, business unit, line of business or division of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or material Oil and Gas Properties (as determined in good faith by the Company), in each case whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise, (vii) any operational changes identified by the Company that have been made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary during the Test Period or (viii) any Restricted Payment or other transaction that by the terms of this Indenture requires a financial ratio to be calculated on a pro forma basis.

 

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Subordinated Indebtedness ” means, with respect to the Notes:

(1) any Indebtedness of the Company or the Co-Issuer that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and

(2) any Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such entity of the Notes.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of Voting Stock is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and

(2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which:

(a) more than 50% of the Voting Stock are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, or

(b) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than the Co-Issuer), if any, that Guarantees the notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

Tax Distributions ” means for any taxable period or portion thereof ending after the Issue Date during which the Company is a pass-through entity (including a disregarded entity or partnership) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is not wholly owned (directly or indirectly) by an entity that is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an amount sufficient to allow the Company to make payments and distributions to the members or partners of the Company (or payments on their behalf (or on behalf of their direct or indirect members or partners, if applicable) in connection with any composite tax return filing), on or prior to each estimated tax payment date as well as each other applicable due date, on a pro rata basis such that each such member or partner (or each such direct or indirect member or partner, if applicable) receives, in the aggregate for such period, payments or distributions not to exceed the

 

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sum of (a) such member or partner’s U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes (as applicable) attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Company and its pass-through subsidiaries with respect to such taxable period (assuming that such member or partner is subject to tax at the highest combined marginal U.S. federal, state and/or local income tax rates (including any tax rate imposed on “net investment income” by Section 1411 of the Code) applicable to an individual or, if higher, a corporation, resident in New York, New York (for avoidance of doubt, regardless of the actual rate applicable to such member or partner), determined by taking into account (A) the character of the income and loss allocable to the members or partners as it affects the applicable tax rate, (B) the deductibility of state and local income taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes (disregarding any deduction that is subject to a dollar limitation), (C) any application of the alternative minimum tax, (D) any U.S. federal, state and/or local (as applicable) loss carryforwards of such member of partner available from losses of such member or partner attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Company and its subsidiaries for prior taxable periods ending after the Issue Date to the extent such loss is of a character that would allow such loss to be available to reduce taxes in the current taxable period (taking into account any limitations on the utilization of such loss to reduce such taxes and to the extent such loss had not already been utilized), (E) any adjustments of such member or partner by reason of Section 734(b) or Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to its direct or indirect ownership in the Company, and (F) any adjustment to such member or partner’s taxable income attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Company and its subsidiaries as a result of any tax examination, audit or adjustment with respect to any period or portion thereof ending after the Issue Date and (b) in the case of a Parent Company, as applicable, with an obligation under any tax receivable agreement with customary terms for similar transactions relating to any assets acquired by the Company or its subsidiaries after the Issue Date, such amounts as are needed by it (after taking into account any amount received from the Company during the relevant period in excess of the amount that will enable it to satisfy all of its U.S. federal, state and local and foreign tax liabilities for such taxable period or portion thereof, but only to the extent such excess amount is not contributed to the Company) to pay any amounts owed by it under such tax receivable agreement; provided that Tax Distributions in respect of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be permitted only to the extent that cash distributions were made by such Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for such purpose.

Test Period ” in effect at any time means the Company’s most recently ended four consecutive fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available (as determined in good faith by the Company).

Transaction Agreements ” means, collectively, (i) the Acquisition Agreements, (ii) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among Parent, the Investors and each of the stockholders of Parent whose name appears on the signature pages thereof and any person who becomes a party thereto, (iii) the Services Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among Parent, the Company and EnerVest Operating L.L.C., (iv) the Non-Compete Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among Parent and EnerVest Ltd., (v) the Subscription Agreements, dated as of March 20, 2018, between Parent and with certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors, (vi) the Stockholder Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among Parent, TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC and certain affiliates of EnerVest Ltd., and (vii) the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Magnolia Oil & Gas Holdings, LLC, dated as of the Issue Date, between Parent, Magnolia Oil & Gas Holdings, LLC and certain affiliates of EnerVest Ltd., in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

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Transaction Expenses ” means any fees, expenses, costs or charges incurred or paid by the Investors, any Parent Company, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions, whether prior to, on or after the Issue Date, including expenses in connection with the initial public offering of Parent’s stock.

Transactions ” means the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreements, as in effect on the Issue Date, the issuance of the notes and borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility, the payment of the Transaction Expenses and transactions reasonably related or incidental to, or in connection with, such transactions.

Treasury Rate ” means, as of any Redemption Date, the weekly average rounded to the nearest 1/100th of a percentage point (for the most recently completed week for which such information is available as of the date that is two business days prior to the Redemption Date) of the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 with respect to each applicable day during such week (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to August 1, 2021; provided, however, that if the period from the Redemption Date to August 1, 2021 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury Security for which such yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury Securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to such date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-777bbbb).

Trustee ” means (1) Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as of the Issue Date and (2) a successor replacing it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

Uniform Commercial Code ” means the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York.

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

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

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means:

(1) any Subsidiary of the Company which at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Company, as provided below); and

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (other than solely any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that:

(a) such designation complies with Section 4.07; and

(b) each of (a) the Subsidiary to be so designated and (b) its Subsidiaries has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Equity Interests in an Unrestricted Subsidiary).

The Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing and the Company could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) (the “ Fixed Charge Coverage Test ”).

Any such designation by the Company will be notified by the Company to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

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

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

Voting Stock ” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person; provided that with respect to a limited partnership or other entity that does not have a Board of Directors, Voting Stock means the Capital Stock of the general partner of such limited partnership or other business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of such Person.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing:

 

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(a) the sum of the products of the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twenty-fifth) from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, multiplied by the amount of such payment; by

(b) the sum of all such payments;

provided that for purposes of determining the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Indebtedness that is being Refinanced (the “Applicable Indebtedness”), the effects of any amortization or prepayments made on such Applicable Indebtedness prior to the date of the applicable Refinancing will be disregarded.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares of Capital Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries issued to foreign nationals as required under applicable law) is at the time owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary ” is any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions .

 

Term

  

Defined in

Section

“Advance Offer”    4.10(c)
“Advance Portion”    4.10(c)
“Affiliate Transaction”    4.11(a)
“Applicable Premium Deficit”    8.04(1)
“Asset Sale Offer”    4.10(c)
“Asset Sale Proceeds Application Period”    4.10(b)
“Authentication Order”    2.02
“Change of Control Offer”    4.14(a)
“Change of Control Payment”    4.14(a)
“Change of Control Payment Date”    4.14(a)(2)
“Covenant Defeasance”    8.03
“Covenant Suspension Event”    4.16(a)
“DTC”    2.03
“Event of Default”    6.01
“Excess Proceeds”    4.10(c)
“incur” and “incurrence”    4.09(a)
“Legal Defeasance”    8.02
“Limited Condition Transaction”    1.05(a)
“Note Register”    2.03
“Offer Amount”    3.09(b)
“Offer Period”    3.09(b)
“Pari Passu Indebtedness”    4.10(c)
“Paying Agent”    2.03
“Purchase Date”    3.09(b)
“Qualified Reporting Subsidiary”    4.03(c)
“Redemption Date”    3.01
“Refunding Capital Stock”    4.07(b)(2)
“Registrar”    2.03
“Restricted Payments”    4.07(a)
“Reversion Date”    4.16(c)
“Successor Company”    5.01(a)(1)(a)
“Successor Person”    5.01(b)(1)(A)
“Suspended Covenants”    4.16(a)
“Suspension Date”    4.16(a)
“Suspension Period”    4.16(c)
“Tax Group”    4.07(b)(11)(B)
“Transaction Agreement Date”    1.05(a)
“Transfer Agent”    2.03
“Treasury Capital Stock”    4.07(b)(2)

 

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SECTION 1.03. Rules of Construction . Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) the words “including,” “includes” and similar words shall be deemed to be followed by without limitation;

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

(f) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(g) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

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

(i) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

(j) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision;

(k) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock at any time shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock at such time or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock at such time, whichever is greater;

(l) words used herein implying any gender shall apply to both genders;

(m) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”; and the word “through” means “to and including”;

(n) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing Indebtedness or other discount security constituting Indebtedness at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Company dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(o) the term “Co-Issuer” refers only to the Co-Issuer, a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company, and not to any of its Subsidiaries; and

(p) the term “Issuers” refers to the Company and the Co-Issuer, collectively, and not to any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

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SECTION 1.04. Acts of Holders .

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.04.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(e) Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Company prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.

(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including DTC, that is a Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and any Person, that is a Holder of a Global Note, including DTC, may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such Depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

 

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(h) The Company may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by DTC entitled under the procedures of such Depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 120 days after such record date.

SECTION 1.05. Limited Condition Transactions; Measuring Compliance .

(a) With respect to any (x) Investment or acquisition, in each case, the consummation by the Company or any Subsidiary of which is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third-party financing for such Investment or acquisition (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or the acquisition of Capital Stock or otherwise) as applicable and (y) redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment (any transaction described in clauses (x) or (y), a “ Limited Condition Transaction ”), in each case for purposes of determining:

(1) whether any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that is being incurred or issued in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction is permitted to be incurred in compliance with Section 4.09;

(2) whether any Lien being incurred in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction or to secure any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 4.12 or the definition of “Permitted Liens”;

(3) whether any other transaction undertaken or proposed to be undertaken in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction complies with the covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or the Notes; and

(4) any calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Net Income, Consolidated Net Income, and/or Consolidated EBITDAX and/or Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and, whether a Default or Event of Default exists in connection with the foregoing,

 

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at the option of the Company, the date that the definitive agreement (or other relevant definitive documentation) for such Limited Condition Transaction is entered into (the “ Transaction Agreement Date ”) may be used as the applicable date of determination, as the case may be, in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” or “Consolidated EBITDAX” and if the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries could have taken such action on the relevant Transaction Agreement Date in compliance with the applicable ratios or other provisions, such provisions shall be deemed to have been complied with. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company elects to use the Transaction Agreement Date as the applicable date of determination in accordance with the foregoing, (a) such election may not be revoked, (b) any fluctuation or change in the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Net Income, Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated EBITDAX or Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company, the target business, or assets to be acquired subsequent to the Transaction Agreement Date and prior to the consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, will not be taken into account for purposes of determining whether any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, Preferred Stock or Lien that is being incurred or issued in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction is permitted to be incurred or issued or in connection with compliance by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries with any other provision of this Indenture or the Notes or any other action or transaction undertaken in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction and (c) until such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or the definitive agreements related thereto are terminated, such Limited Condition Transaction and all transactions proposed to be undertaken in connection therewith (including the incurrence of Indebtedness and Liens) will be given pro forma effect when determining compliance of other transactions (including the incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, Preferred Stock and Liens unrelated to such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness) that are consummated after the Transaction Agreement Date and on or prior to the consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction and any such transactions (including any incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and the use of proceeds thereof) will be deemed to have occurred on the Transaction Agreement Date and outstanding thereafter for purposes of calculating any baskets or ratios under this Indenture after the date of such agreement and before the consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction; provided that for purposes of any such calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Interest Expense will be calculated using an assumed interest rate for the Indebtedness to be incurred in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction based on the indicative interest margin contained in any financing commitment documentation with respect to such Indebtedness or, if no such indicative interest margin exists, as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (x) incurs Indebtedness, issues Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, creates Liens, makes Asset Sales, makes Investments, makes Restricted Payments, designates any Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary or repays any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction under a ratio-based basket and (y) incurs Indebtedness, issues Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, creates Liens, makes Asset Sales, Investments or Restricted Payments, designates any as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary or repays any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction under a non-ratio-based basket (which shall occur within five (5) Business Days of the events in clause (x) above), then the applicable ratio will be calculated with respect to any such action under the applicable ratio-based basket without regard to any such action under such non-ratio-based basket made in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction.

 

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In addition, compliance with any requirement relating to absence of Default or Event of Default may be determined as of the Transaction Agreement Date and not as of any later date as would otherwise be required under this Indenture.

(b) In the event an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) is incurred or issued, any Lien is incurred or other transaction is undertaken on the same date that any other item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) is incurred or issued, any other Lien is incurred or other transaction is undertaken, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated with respect to such incurrence, issuance or other transaction without regard to any other incurrence, issuance or transaction. Each item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that is incurred or issued, each Lien incurred and each other transaction undertaken will be deemed to have been incurred, issued or taken first, to the extent available, pursuant to the relevant Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test.

ARTICLE II

THE NOTES

SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating; Terms .

(a) General . The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued initially in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

(b) Global Notes . Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

 

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(c) Temporary Global Notes . Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.

Following (i) the termination of the applicable Restricted Period and (ii) the receipt by the Trustee of (A) a certification or other evidence in a form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of each Regulation S Temporary Global Note (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who shall take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note bearing a Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof) and (B) an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuers, the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend shall be deemed removed from the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, following which temporary beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall automatically become beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures.

The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and a Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(d) Terms . The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuers and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture (or the applicable supplemental indenture), expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Issuers pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer as provided in Section 4.10 or a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.14. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article III hereof.

Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Issuers without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes except that interest may accrue on the Additional Notes from their date of issuance (or such other date specified by the Issuers), subject to the Issuers’ right to issue Additional Notes of a different series as set forth in the next paragraph; provided that the Issuers’ ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Issuers’ compliance with Section 4.09 and that a separate CUSIP or ISIN will be issued for Additional Notes, if the Initial Notes and the Additional Notes are not treated as fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes, with the Initial Notes or any other Additional Notes bearing the same CUSIP or ISIN. Any Additional Notes shall be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.

 

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The Issuers may designate the maturity date, interest rate and optional redemption provisions applicable to each series of Additional Notes, which may differ from the maturity date, interest rate and optional redemption provisions applicable to the Initial Notes. Additional Notes that differ with respect to maturity date, interest rate or optional redemption provisions from the Initial Notes will constitute a different series of Notes from the Initial Notes. Additional Notes that have the same maturity date, interest rate and optional redemption provisions as the Initial Notes will be treated as the same series as the Initial Notes unless otherwise designated by the Issuers. The Issuers similarly may vary the application of related other provisions (including the issue price and any applicable original issue discount legend) to any series of Additional Notes.

(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Applicable Procedures . The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream and this Indenture shall not govern such transfers.

SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication . At least one Officer of the Issuers shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuers by manual, facsimile or electronic (in “.pdf” format) signature.

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

A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuers’ Order (an “ Authentication Order ”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes in the aggregate principal amount or amounts specified in such Authentication Order. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order (together with such other documents as may be required pursuant to this Indenture), authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes issued or increased hereunder. In authenticating such Notes, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Notes, the Trustee shall receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) a copy of the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors in or pursuant to which the terms and form of the Notes were established, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuers to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect as of the date of such certificate, and if the terms and form of such Notes are established by an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to general authorization of the Board of Directors, such Officer’s Certificate;

 

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(b) an executed supplemental indenture, if any;

(c) an Officer’s Certificate delivered in accordance with Section 12.03; and

(d) an Opinion of Counsel which shall state:

(1) that the form of such Notes has been established by a supplemental indenture or by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors in accordance with Sections 2.01 and 2.02 and in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2) that the terms of such Notes have been established in accordance with Section 2.01 and in conformity with the other provisions of this Indenture; and

(3) that such Notes, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuers in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

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

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Notes under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken, or if the Trustee, in good faith, shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

SECTION 2.03. Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent . The Issuers shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration (“ Registrar ”), (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for transfer or for exchange (“ Transfer Agent ”) and (iii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“ Note Register ”) and of their transfer and exchange. The registered Holder will be treated as the owner of the Note for all purposes. Only registered Holders will have rights under this Indenture and the Notes. The Issuers may appoint one or more co-registrars, one or more co-transfer agents and one or more additional paying agents. The term “ Registrar ” includes any co-registrar, the term “ Transfer Agent ” includes any co-transfer agent and the term “ Paying Agent ” includes any additional paying agents. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuers fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar, Transfer Agent or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar.

 

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The Notes will be issued in registered form and the registered Holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of such Note for all purposes. The Issuers initially appoint The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee to act as the Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

If any Notes are listed on an exchange, for so long as the Notes are so listed and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuers will satisfy any requirement of such exchange as to paying agents, registrars and transfer agents and will comply with any notice requirements required under such exchange in connection with any change of any paying agent, registrar or transfer agent.

SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust . The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by such Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee for its own benefit and for the benefit of the Holders. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee for its own benefit and for the benefit of the Holders. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuers or a Subsidiary or the Trustee) shall have no further liability for the money. If any of the Issuers or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to any of the Issuers, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

SECTION 2.05. Holder Lists . The Registrar shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders.

SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange .

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note of the same series unless (A) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days or (B) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing an

 

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Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the events in clauses (A) or (B) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note of the same series or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 2.07 and Section 2.10. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note of the same series or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or Section 2.10, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the events in (A) or (B) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(b)(ii)(B) and (c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided , however , that beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Sections 2.06(b) or (c) hereof.

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

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person other than pursuant to Rule 144A or another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance

 

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with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note of the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period therefor and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B). Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof.

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

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

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

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

 

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

and, in each such case set forth in this sub-clause (iv), if the Registrar or the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

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

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

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

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes . If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in clauses (A) and (B) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

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

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a person reasonably believed to be a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

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(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit  B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof; or

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit  B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof;

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes . Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(i)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) of the Securities Act, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only upon the occurrence of any of the events in clause (A) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and if the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

 

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and, in each such case set forth in this sub-clause (iii), if the Registrar or the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in clauses (A) and (B) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

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

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

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

 

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(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a person reasonably believed to be a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof; or

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof;

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note and, in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note.

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

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

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

and, in each such case set forth in this sub-clause (ii), if the Registrar or the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

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

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

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes . Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer or exchange in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing.

In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):

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

(A) if the transfer will be made to a person reasonably believed to be a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

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

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

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

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

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

and, in each such case set forth in this sub-clause (ii), if the Registrar or the Company so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

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

 

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

(i) Private Placement Legend .

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (A “QIB”) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, IS NOT ACQUIRING THIS NOTE FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH EITHER OF THE ISSUERS, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE), OFFER, RESELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO AN ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A PERSON WHOM THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QIB PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION AFTER THE DATE THAT IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH EITHER OF THE ISSUERS, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), OR (E) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE OR AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE, THE HOLDER MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT TO THE TRUSTEE THE CERTIFICATE SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER (THE FORM OF WHICH CERTIFICATE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE).

 

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BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS NOTE, THE HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE OF HOLD THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST IN THIS NOTE) CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR ANY GOVERNMENTAL PLAN, CHURCH PLAN, OR NON-U.S. PLAN SUBJECT TO OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (“SIMILAR LAWS”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT ((WITHIN THE MEANING OF 29 C.F.R. SECTION 2510.3-101 (AS MODIFIED BY SECTION 3(42) OF ERISA)) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR (2) THE ACQUISITION, HOLDING AND SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST IN THIS NOTE) WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.” IF IT IS USING ASSETS OF ANY PLAN SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE (AN “ERISA PLAN”) TO ACQUIRE AND HOLD THE NOTES, (I) NEITHER THE ISSUERS, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS, THE GUARANTORS NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES HAS ACTED AS THE ERISA PLAN’S FIDUCIARY, OR HAS BEEN RELIED UPON FOR ANY ADVICE, WITH RESPECT TO ITS DECISION TO ACQUIRE AND HOLD THE NOTES AND NEITHER THE ISSUERS, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS, THE GUARANTORS NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES SHALL AT ANY TIME BE RELIED UPON AS THE ERISA PLAN’S FIDUCIARY WITH RESPECT TO ANY DECISION TO ACQUIRE, CONTINUE TO HOLD OR TRANSFER THE NOTES AND (II) THE DECISION TO INVEST IN THE NOTES HAS BEEN MADE AT THE RECOMMENDATION OR DIRECTION OF AN “INDEPENDENT FIDUCIARY” (“INDEPENDENT FIDUCIARY”) WITHIN THE MEANING OF U.S. CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS 29 C.F.R. SECTION 2510.3-21(C), AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME (THE “FIDUCIARY RULE”), WHO (A) IS INDEPENDENT OF THE ISSUERS, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS AND THE GUARANTORS; (B) IS CAPABLE OF EVALUATING INVESTMENT RISKS INDEPENDENTLY, BOTH IN GENERAL AND WITH RESPECT TO PARTICULAR TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE FIDUCIARY RULE); (C) IS A FIDUCIARY (UNDER ERISA AND/OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE) WITH RESPECT TO ITS INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXERCISING INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT IN EVALUATING THE INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES; (D) IS EITHER (A) A BANK AS DEFINED IN SECTION 202 OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940, AS AMENDED (THE “ADVISERS ACT”), OR SIMILAR INSTITUTION THAT IS REGULATED AND SUPERVISED AND SUBJECT TO PERIODIC EXAMINATION BY A STATE

 

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OR FEDERAL AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES; (B) AN INSURANCE CARRIER WHICH IS QUALIFIED UNDER THE LAWS OF MORE THAN ONE STATE OF THE UNITED STATES TO PERFORM THE SERVICES OF MANAGING, ACQUIRING OR DISPOSING OF ASSETS OF SUCH AN ERISA PLAN; (C) AN INVESTMENT ADVISER REGISTERED UNDER THE ADVISERS ACT OR, IF NOT REGISTERED AS AN INVESTMENT ADVISER UNDER THE ADVISERS ACT BY REASON OF PARAGRAPH (1) OF SECTION 203A OF THE ADVISERS ACT, IS REGISTERED AS AN INVESTMENT ADVISER UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE (REFERRED TO IN SUCH PARAGRAPH (1)) IN WHICH IT MAINTAINS ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND PLACE OF BUSINESS; (D) A BROKER DEALER REGISTERED UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT; AND/OR (E) AN INDEPENDENT FIDUCIARY (NOT DESCRIBED IN CLAUSES (A), (B), (C) OR (D) ABOVE) THAT HOLDS OR HAS UNDER MANAGEMENT OR CONTROL TOTAL ASSETS OF AT LEAST $50 MILLION, AND WILL AT ALL TIMES THAT IT HOLDS THE NOTES HOLD OR HAVE UNDER MANAGEMENT OR CONTROL, TOTAL ASSETS OF AT LEAST $50 MILLION; AND (E) IS AWARE OF AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NEITHER THE ISSUERS, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS, THE GUARANTORS NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES IS UNDERTAKING TO PROVIDE IMPARTIAL INVESTMENT ADVICE, OR TO GIVE ADVICE IN A FIDUCIARY CAPACITY, IN CONNECTION WITH ITS INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES, AND (II) THE ISSUERS, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS, THE GUARANTORS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN ITS INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES ON ACCOUNT OF THE FEES AND OTHER REMUNERATION THEY EXPECT TO RECEIVE IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING MEMORANDUM.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii) or (e)(iii) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(ii) Global Note Legend . Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary):

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(g) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE

 

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

(iii) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend . The Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

(iv) OID Legend . Each Note that has more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH “ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 1272 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED). UPON WRITTEN REQUEST (ADDRESSED TO [NAME/TITLE] AT [ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER]), THE ISSUERS WILL PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO ANY HOLDER OF THIS NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: (1) THE ISSUE PRICE AND ISSUE DATE OF THE NOTE; (2) THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT ON THE NOTE; AND (3) THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF THE NOTE.

 

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(g) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(h) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers shall require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer or similar tax payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer or similar taxes payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.14 and 9.05 hereof).

(iii) Neither the Issuers nor the Registrar shall be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of the Notes to be redeemed under Section 3.03 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date or (D) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase in connection with a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer.

(iv) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuers shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

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

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

(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuers designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.

(viii) At the option of the Holder, subject to Section 2.06(a) hereof, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes to which the Holder making the exchange is entitled in accordance with Section 2.02.

(ix) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Issuers pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or electronically (in “.pdf” or other format).

(x) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Notes) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(xi) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

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(xii) Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Issuers and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Notes in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States Federal or state securities law.

SECTION 2.07. Replacement Notes . If either (x) any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuers or (y) if the Issuers and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, then the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note. An indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee to protect the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers and the Trustee shall charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuers and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Notes . The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because any of the Issuers, a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuers or a Guarantor holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

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

SECTION 2.09. Treasury Notes . In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuers or a Guarantor or by any Affiliate of the Issuers or a Guarantor shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to such pledged Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuers or a Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuers or a Guarantor.

 

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SECTION 2.10. Temporary Notes . Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuers consider appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.

SECTION 2.11. Cancellation . The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the cancellation of all surrendered Notes shall be delivered to the Issuers at the Issuers’ written request. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.12. Defaulted Interest . If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, they shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuers may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record date, the Issuers (or, upon the written request of the Issuers, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers) shall mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

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Subject to this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

SECTION 2.13. CUSIP/ISIN Numbers . The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers (in each case, if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP and ISIN numbers.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee . If the Issuers elect to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, they shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days (unless the Trustee agrees to a shorter period) before notice of redemption is required to be delivered to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the date of redemption, which will be selected by the Issuers in their discretion, subject to any limitations set forth herein (the “ Redemption Date ”), (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.

SECTION 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed . If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased at any time, the Trustee shall, upon prior written request of the Issuers, select the Notes to be redeemed or purchased on a pro rata basis, and in any case in accordance with the Applicable Procedures to the extent applicable. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed or purchased in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

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SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption . The Issuers shall deliver electronically, mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be delivered or mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Section 3.03(i), Article VIII or Article XI hereof.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the redemption price;

(c) if any Definitive Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed and that, upon request, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed will be issued in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note;

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

(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(f) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

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

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

(i) if such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, a description of such conditions and, if applicable, will state that, in the Issuers’ discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the redemption notice was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions are satisfied (or waived by the Issuers in their sole discretion), or that such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions are not satisfied (or waived by the Issuers in their sole discretion) by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date as so delayed, or that such notice may be rescinded at any time in the Issuers’ discretion if in the good faith judgment of the Issuers any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied.

At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at their expense; provided that the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be delivered, mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

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The Issuers may redeem Notes pursuant to one or more of the Sections of this Indenture, and a single redemption notice may be delivered with respect to redemptions made pursuant to different Sections. Any such notice may provide that redemptions made pursuant to different Sections will have different Redemption Dates.

The Issuers may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person. If any Notes are listed on an exchange, and the rules of the exchange so require, the Issuers will notify the exchange of any such redemption and the principal amount of any Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of such Notes. In no event will the Trustee be responsible for monitoring, or charged with knowledge of, the maximum aggregate amount of Notes eligible hereunder to be redeemed. Notes will remain outstanding until redeemed, notwithstanding that they have been called for redemption or are subject to a notice of redemption.

SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption . Once notice of redemption is delivered in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, subject to satisfaction of any conditions precedent relating thereto specified in the applicable notice of redemption, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the redemption price, except as set forth in Section 3.03(i). The notice, if delivered, mailed or caused to be mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to deliver such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the Redemption Date or the date of purchase, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price .

(a) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that Redemption Date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

(b) If the Issuers comply with the preceding paragraph (a), on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the Redemption Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the Redemption Date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

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SECTION 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part . Upon surrender of a Definitive Note that is redeemed in part, upon request the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.

SECTION 3.07. Optional Redemption .

(a) At any time prior to August 1, 2021, the Issuers may at their option on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as described under Section 3.03 hereof at a redemption price (as calculated by the Issuers) equal to the sum of (i) 100.00% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus (ii) the Applicable Premium, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(b) At any time prior to August 1, 2021, the Issuers may, at their option and on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40.00% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Additional Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price (as calculated by the Company) equal to the sum of (i) 106.00% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, with an amount equal to or less than the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings to the extent such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to the Company, plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date; provided that (a) at least 50.00% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (b) each such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of closing of the applicable Equity Offering or contribution.

(c) In connection with any Change of Control Offer or other tender offer to purchase all of the Notes, if Holders of not less than 90.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes validly tender and do not validly withdraw such Notes in such Change of Control Offer or other tender offer and the Issuers purchase, or any third party making such Change of Control Offer or other tender offer in lieu of the Issuers purchases, all of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuers or such third party will have the right upon notice, given not more than 60 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such Change of Control Offer or other tender offer, plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Offer or other tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of the Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).

 

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(d) Except pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 3.07, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to August 1, 2021.

(e) On and after August 1, 2021, the Issuers may at their option redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, on one or more occasions, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on August 1 in each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2021

     103.00

2022

     102.00

2023

     101.00

2024 and thereafter

     100.00

(f) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to Sections 3.01 through 3.06.

(g) In addition to any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07, the Issuers or their Affiliates may at any time and from time to time acquire Notes by means other than a redemption, whether by tender offer, in the open market, negotiated transaction or otherwise.

(h) Any notice of redemption made in connection with a related transaction or event (including an Equity Offering, contribution, Change of Control, Asset Sale or other transaction) may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be given prior to the completion or the occurrence thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, the completion or occurrence of the related transaction or event, as the case may be.

SECTION 3.08. Mandatory Redemption . The Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

SECTION 3.09. Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds .

(a) In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Issuers shall be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, they shall follow the procedures specified below.

(b) The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “ Offer Period ”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “ Purchase Date ”), the Issuers shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the “ Offer Amount ”) to the purchase of Notes and, if required, Pari Passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable), or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

 

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(c) If the Purchase Date is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest, up to but excluding the Purchase Date, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

(d) Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuers shall deliver electronically or send, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

(i) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;

(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

(iv) that, unless the Issuers default in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Purchase Date;

(v) that any Holder electing to have less than all of the aggregate principal amount of its Notes purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in an amount not less than $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Note completed, or transfer such Note by book-entry transfer, to the Issuers, the Depositary, if appointed by the Issuers, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least two Business Days before the Purchase Date;

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Note purchased;

 

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(viii) that, if the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and/or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by the holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with Section 3.02 and the Company will select such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased pursuant to the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness; provided that as between the Notes and any Pari Passu Indebtedness, such purchases will be made on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered with adjustments as necessary so that no Notes or Pari Passu Indebtedness will be repurchased in part in an unauthorized denomination; and

(ix) that Holders whose certificated Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer) representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased.

(e) On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent lawful, (1) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis as described in clause (d)(viii) of this Section 3.09, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered and (2) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof so tendered and not validly withdrawn.

(f) The Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes properly tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuers for purchase, and the Issuers shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) such new Note to such Holder (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note) in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuers to the Holder thereof. The Issuers shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

(g) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Purchase Date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be purchased on that Purchase Date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the purchase price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09 or Section 4.10 hereof, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption,” “Redemption Date” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase,” “Purchase Date” and similar words, as applicable.

 

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ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes . The Issuers shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor, holds as of 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; the Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency . The Issuers shall maintain the offices or agencies (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or Transfer Agent) required under Section 2.03 hereof where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be made. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuers of its obligation to maintain such offices or agencies as required by Section 2.03 hereof for such purposes. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuers hereby designate the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof; provided the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall not be an office or agency of the Issuers for the purpose of effecting service of legal process on the Issuers.

 

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SECTION 4.03. Reports and Other Information .

(a) So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders:

(1) within (x) 120 days after the end of the fiscal year of the Company ending December 31, 2018 and (y) 105 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, commencing with the year ending December 31, 2019, all annual financial statements of the Company substantially in the form that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Form 10-K (but only to the extent similar information was included in the Offering Memorandum), in accordance with the requirements of such Form 10-K as of the Issue Date, if the Company were required to file such form, together with a report thereon by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, and a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” data and information relating to Hydrocarbon proved reserves that is substantially consistent with the presentation thereof included in the Offering Memorandum, excluding information included in the annexes hereto, and a calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or a calculation of the discounted future net revenues from Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (but in any event including reserve estimates based on an assumed five-year development plan or such longer period as permitted by the SEC); and

(2) within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Company ending after the Issue Date (solely with respect to the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year), all quarterly financial statements of the Company substantially in the form that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Form 10-Q (but only to the extent similar information was included in the Offering Memorandum), in accordance with the requirements of such Form 10-Q as of the Issue Date, if the Company were required to file such form, and a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;” and

(3) promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported, such other information containing substantially the same information that would be required to be contained in filings with the SEC on Form 8-K, in accordance with the requirements of such Form 8-K as of the Issue Date, under Items: 1.01 ( Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ); 1.03 ( Bankruptcy or Receivership ); 2.01 ( Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets ); 2.03 ( Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant) ; 2.04 ( Triggering Events that Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement ); 4.02 ( Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim Review ); 5.01 ( Changes in Control of Registrant ); 5.02(a)(1) ( Resignation of Director due to Disagreement with Registrant ); 5.02(c)(1) ( Name and Position of Newly Appointed Officer and Date of Appointment ); and 5.03(b) ( Changes in Fiscal Year ),

if the Company were required to file such reports;

provided , however ,

(i) no such reports referenced under clause (3) above will be required to include as an exhibit or summary of terms of, any employment or compensatory arrangement agreement, plan or understanding between the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Company) and any director, manager or executive officer, of the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Company);

 

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(ii) in no event will such reports be required to comply with Section 302, Section 404 or Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or related Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC;

(iii) in no event will such reports be required to comply with Item 302 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC;

(iv) in no event will such reports be required to comply with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC or contain separate financial statements for the Company, the Co-Issuer, the Guarantors or other Subsidiaries the shares of which may be pledged to secure the Notes or any Guarantee that would be required under (i) Section 3-09 of Regulation S-X or (ii) Section 3-16 of Regulation S-X, respectively, promulgated by the SEC;

(v) in no event will such reports be required to comply with Regulation G under the Exchange Act or Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC with respect to any non-GAAP financial measures contained therein;

(vi) no such reports referenced under clause (3) above will be required to be furnished if the Company determines in its good faith judgment that such event is not material to the Holders or the business, assets, operations or financial position of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(vii) in no event will such reports be required to comply with Item 601 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC (with respect to exhibits) or, with respect to reports referenced in clause (3) above, to include as an exhibit copies of any agreements, financial statements or other items that would be required to be filed as exhibits to a current report on Form 8-K;

(viii) trade secrets and other confidential information that is competitively sensitive in the good faith and reasonable determination of the Company may be excluded from any disclosures;

(ix) such information will not be required to contain any “segment reporting;” and

(x) in no event will such reports contain compensation or beneficial ownership information.

(b) The Company may satisfy its obligations in this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to the Company by furnishing financial information relating to any Parent Company; provided that if and so long as such Parent Company has Independent Assets or Operations, the same is accompanied by consolidating information (which need not be audited) that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such Parent Company, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand.

 

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(c) In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the financial statements, information, auditors’ reports and other documents and information required to be provided pursuant to Section 4.03(a) may be, rather than those of the Company, those of (a) any predecessor or successor of the Company, (b) any Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that, together with its consolidated Subsidiaries, constitutes substantially all of the assets of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (“ Qualified Reporting Subsidiary ”) or (c) any Parent Company; provided that, if the financial information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) of Section 4.03(a) relates to such Qualified Reporting Subsidiary of the Company or such Parent Company, such financial information will be accompanied by consolidating information (which need not be audited), which may be posted to the website of the Company or on Intralinks, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any comparable password protected online data system, that explains in reasonable detail (in the good faith judgment of the Company) the differences between the information relating to such Qualified Reporting Subsidiary or such Parent Company (as the case may be), on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Section 4.03 for purposes of Section 6.01(3) hereof until 180 days after the date any report is due under this Section 4.03.

(e) The Company will make available such information and such reports to any Holder and, upon request, to any beneficial owner of the Notes, in each case by posting such information on its website, on Intralinks, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any comparable password-protected online data system that will require a confidentiality acknowledgment, and will make such information readily available to any Holder, any bona fide prospective investor in the Notes (which prospective investors will be limited to “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act that certify their status as such to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company), any bona fide securities analyst (to the extent providing analysis of investment in the Notes to investors and prospective investors therein) or any bona fide market maker in the Notes who agrees to treat such information as confidential or accesses such information on Intralinks, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any comparable password-protected online data system that will require a confidentiality acknowledgment; provided that the Company may deny access to any competitively-sensitive information otherwise to be provided pursuant to this paragraph to any such Holder, prospective investor, security analyst or market maker that is a competitor of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or an affiliate of such a competitor (other than any affiliate that is a bona fide bank debt fund, distressed asset fund, hedge fund, mutual fund, insurance company, financial institution or investment vehicle engaged in the business of investing in, acquiring or trading commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course (and not organized primarily for the purpose of making equity investments)) to the extent that the Company determines in good faith that the provision of such information to such Person would be competitively harmful to the Company and its Subsidiaries; and provided , further that such Holders, prospective investors, security analysts or market makers will agree to (1) treat all such reports (and the information contained therein) and information as confidential, (2) not use such reports and the information contained therein for any purpose other than their investment or potential investment in the Notes and (3) not publicly disclose or distribute any such reports (and the information contained therein).

 

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(f) In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the reports required under this Section 4.03 or otherwise made publicly-available by the Company, the Company will furnish to Holders thereof and prospective investors in the Notes, upon their request, the information, if any, required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act.

(g) The Company will be deemed to have furnished the reports in Sections 4.03(a)(1), (2) and (3) (and shall not be required to comply with clause (e) above) if the Company or any Parent Company has filed the corresponding reports containing such information with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor system).

(h) To the extent any information is not provided within the time periods specified in this Section 4.03 and such information is subsequently provided, the Company will be deemed to have satisfied its obligations with respect thereto at such time and any Default with respect thereto will be deemed to have been cured.

(i) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its judgment as to what is prudent at the time, to participate in quarterly conference calls after the delivery of the information referred to in Section 4.03(a)(1) or (2) above (which may be a single conference call together with investors and lenders holding other securities or Indebtedness of the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or any Parent Company of the Company) to discuss operating results and related matters (provided that the foregoing shall only be applicable if neither the Company nor any Parent Company files reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor system)). If required, the Company shall issue a press release or otherwise provide notice of such conference call in the same manner in which information was delivered pursuant to Section 4.03(a)(1) or (2) above which will provide the date and time of any such call and will direct Holders, prospective investors and securities analysts to contact the investor relations office of the Company to obtain access to the conference call.

(j) It is understood that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been posted on the Company’s website or filed with the SEC. The posting or delivery of any such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ compliance with any of the covenants under this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).

 

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SECTION 4.04. Compliance Certificate .

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date, a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture during such fiscal year and is not in Default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, the Company shall promptly (which shall be no more than thirty (30) days after becoming aware of such Default) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default, its status and what actions the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 4.05. Taxes . The Company shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, lawful assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate actions or where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws . The Company, the Co-Issuer and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company, the Co-Issuer and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Restricted Payments .

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

(I) declare or pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests (in each case, solely in such Person’s capacity as holder of such Equity Interests), including any dividend or distribution payable in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, other than:

 

  (A)

dividends, payments or distributions payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or a Parent Company or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Equity Interests; or

 

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  (B)

dividends, payments or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend, payment or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend, payment or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities or such other amount to which it is entitled pursuant to the terms of such Equity Interest;

(II) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent Company, including in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, in each case held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(III) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case, prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or final maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness, other than:

 

  (A)

Indebtedness permitted under Sections 4.09(b)(7), (8) and (9); or

 

  (B)

the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement; or

(IV) make any Restricted Investment;

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (I) through (IV) above being collectively referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”), unless, at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(1) in the case of a Restricted Payment described in clauses (I) and (II) above utilizing clause (3)(A) below, no Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(2) except in the case of a Restricted Investment, immediately after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment made utilizing clause (3)(A) below on a pro forma basis, the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test; and

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments (including the fair market value of any non-cash amount) made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b), other than Section 4.07(b)(1)), is less than the sum of (without duplication):

 

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  (A)

the sum of (i) $25.0 million and (ii) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning April 1, 2018 (which, prior to the consummation of the Transactions, shall be calculated on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Transactions as of April 1, 2018) to the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available (as determined in good faith by the Company) preceding such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit; plus

 

  (B)

100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Issue Date from the issue or sale of:

(i) (A) Equity Interests of the Company, including Treasury Capital Stock, but excluding cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of Equity Interests to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants or independent contractors (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any Parent Company after the Issue Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 4.07(b)(4); and

(B) Equity Interests of Parent Companies, to the extent the proceeds of any such issuance or consideration for any such sale are contributed to the Company (excluding contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 4.07(b)(4)); or

(ii) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, that has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent Company;

provided that this clause (3)(B) will not include the proceeds from (W) Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below) applied in accordance with Section 4.07(b)(2), (X) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Company sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, (Y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities or Indebtedness that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (Z) Excluded Contributions; plus

 

  (C)

100% of the aggregate amount of cash, Cash Equivalents and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Company (other than in the form of Disqualified Stock) since the Issue Date (including the fair market value of any Indebtedness contributed to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries for cancellation)

 

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  or that becomes part of the capital of the Company through consolidation, amalgamation or merger following the Issue Date, in each case not involving cash consideration payable by the Company in connection with such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (other than (X) cash, Cash Equivalents and marketable securities or other property that are contributed by a Restricted Subsidiary or (Y) Excluded Contributions); plus

 

  (D)

100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by means of:

(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of, or other returns on Investments from, Restricted Investments made by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (including cash distributions and cash interest received in respect of Restricted Investments) and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) and repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constitute Restricted Investments made by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the Issue Date (excluding any Excluded Contributions made pursuant to clause (2) of the definition thereof); or

(ii) the sale (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than, in each case, to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary constituted a Permitted Investment, but including such cash or fair market value to the extent exceeding the amount of such Permitted Investment) or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date (excluding any Excluded Contributions made pursuant to clause (2) of the definition thereof); or

(iii) any returns, profits, distributions and similar amounts received on account of any Permitted Investment subject to a dollar-denominated or ratio-based basket (to the extent in excess of the original amount of such Investment); plus

 

  (E)

in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (or the assets transferred) at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of such merger, amalgamation, consolidation or transfer of assets, other than to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary constituted a Permitted Investment, but, to the extent exceeding the amount of such Permitted Investment, including such excess amounts of cash or fair market value.

 

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(b) Section 4.07(a) will not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend or other distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or other distribution or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or other distribution or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2) (a) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance, discharge, retirement or other acquisition of (i) any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Company, including any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (“Treasury Capital Stock”), or (ii) Subordinated Indebtedness, in each case, made (x) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, a sale or issuance (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent Company (in the case of proceeds, to the extent any such proceeds therefrom are contributed to the Company), in each case, other than Disqualified Stock (“Refunding Capital Stock”) and (y) within 120 days of such sale or issuance and (b) the declaration and payment of dividends on Treasury Capital Stock out of the proceeds of a sale or issuance (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or to an employee stock ownership plan or any trust established by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) of Refunding Capital Stock made within 120 days of such sale or issuance;

(3) the principal payment on, defeasance, redemption, repurchase, exchange or other acquisition or retirement of (a) Subordinated Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Guarantor made (i) by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the sale, issuance or incurrence of, new Subordinated Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Guarantor or Disqualified Stock of an Issuer or a Guarantor and (ii) within 120 days of such sale, issuance or incurrence, (b) Disqualified Stock of an Issuer or a Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the sale, issuance or incurrence of, Disqualified Stock or Subordinated Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Guarantor, made within 120 days of such sale, issuance or incurrence, (c) Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the sale or issuance of, Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor made within 120 days of such sale or issuance that, in each case, is Refinancing Indebtedness incurred or issued, as applicable, in compliance with Section 4.09 and (d) any Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock that constitutes Acquired Indebtedness;

(4) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) (including related stock appreciation rights or similar securities) of the Company or any Parent Company held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, member of management, consultant or

 

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independent contractor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Company pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, or any equity subscription or equity holder agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any principal and interest payable on any Notes issued by the Company or any Parent Company in connection with any such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition); provided that, the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made under this clause (4) does not exceed $10.0 million in any calendar year with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years; provided, further, that such amount in any calendar year under this clause (4) may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and, to the extent contributed to the Company, the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests of any Parent Company, in each case to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants or independent contractors (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Company that occurs after the Issue Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of Section 4.07(a)(3); plus

(B) the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to members of management, employees, directors, consultants or independent contractors (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Company that are forgone in exchange for the receipt of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent Company pursuant to any compensation arrangement, including any deferred compensation plan; plus

(C) the cash proceeds of life insurance policies received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (or by any Parent Company to the extent contributed to the Company (other than in the form of Disqualified Stock)) after the Issue Date; minus

(D) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of this clause (4);

provided that the Company may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by Sections 4.07(b)(4)(A), (B) and (C) in any calendar year and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants or independent contractors (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company, any Parent Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent Company will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;

 

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(5) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any class or series of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with Section 4.09 to the extent such dividends or distributions are included in the definition of “Fixed Charges”;

(6) (a) payments made or expected to be made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, member of management, consultant or independent contractor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or permitted transferees) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Company, (b) any repurchases or withholdings of Equity Interests in connection with the exercise of stock options, warrants or similar rights if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of, or withholding obligations with respect to, such options, warrants or similar rights or required withholding or similar taxes and (c) loans or advances to officers, directors, employees, managers, consultants and independent contractors of the Company or any Parent Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent Company; provided that no cash is actually advanced pursuant to this clause (c) other than to pay taxes due in connection with such purchase, unless immediately repaid;

(7) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Company’s common equity (or the payment of dividends to any Parent Company to fund a payment of dividends on such Parent Company’s common equity), following the first public offering of the Company’s common equity or the common equity of any Parent Company after the Issue Date, in an amount not to exceed 6.00% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Company in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Company’s or such Parent Company’s common equity registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

(8) Restricted Payments that are made (a) in an amount that does not exceed the aggregate amount of Excluded Contributions or (b) without duplication with clause (a), in an amount equal to the Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale in respect of property or assets acquired after the Issue Date, if the acquisition of such property or assets was financed with Excluded Contributions;

(9) Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (9) not to exceed (as of the date any such Restricted Payment is made) the greater of (a) $50.0 million and (b) 2.25% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Restricted Payment, provided that if this clause (9) is utilized to make a Restricted Investment, the amount deemed to be utilized under this clause (9) will be the amount of such Restricted Investment at any time outstanding (with the fair market value of such Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, but subject to adjustment as set forth in the definition of “Investment”);

 

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(10) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions similar to those of Sections 4.10 and 4.14 provided that (i) at or prior to such repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement, the Issuers (or a third person permitted by this Indenture) have made any required Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, to purchase the Notes on the terms provided in this Indenture applicable to Change of Control Offers or Asset Sale Offers, respectively, and (ii) all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by Holders in any such Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired for value;

(11) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to, or the making of loans or advances to, the Company or any Parent Company in amounts required for any Parent Company to pay, in each case without duplication:

(A) franchise and similar taxes and other fees and expenses required to maintain their corporate or other legal existence;

(B) for any taxable period (or portion thereof) for which the Company or any of its subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar income tax group for U.S. federal or applicable foreign, state or local income tax purposes of which a Parent Company is the common parent (a “Tax Group”) or for which the Company is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal or applicable foreign, state or local income tax purposes in any applicable taxing jurisdiction that is wholly-owned (directly or indirectly) by an entity that is taxable as a corporation for such income tax purposes, to pay the portion of any U.S. federal, foreign, state or local income taxes (as applicable) of such Tax Group or such Parent Company for such taxable period; provided that for each taxable period, the amount of such payments made in respect of such taxable period in the aggregate will not exceed the sum of (i) the amount of any U.S. federal, foreign, state and/or local income taxes that the Company and/or its subsidiaries that are members of the relevant Tax Group, as applicable, would have been required to pay for such taxable period as stand-alone corporate taxpayers or a stand-alone Tax Group, taking into account any such income taxes directly paid or withheld at the level of the Company or such subsidiaries plus (ii) such amounts as are needed to pay any amounts owed by a Parent Company under any tax receivable agreement with customary terms for similar transactions relating to any assets acquired by the Company or its Subsidiaries after the Issue Date; provided that the amount of such payments pursuant to this clause (11)(B) made in respect of an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be permitted only to the extent that cash distributions were made by such Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for such purpose;

 

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(C) without duplication of any amounts that are paid under the foregoing Section 4.07(b)(11)(B) for the relevant period, Tax Distributions;

(D) salary, bonus, severance and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants and independent contractors of any Parent Company and any payroll, social security or similar taxes thereof;

(E) general corporate or other operating, administrative, compliance and overhead costs and expenses (including expenses relating to auditing and other accounting matters) of any Parent Company;

(F) reasonable and customary fees and expenses (including ongoing compliance costs and listing expenses) related to any equity or debt offering of a Parent Company (whether or not consummated);

(G) amounts that would be permitted to be paid directly by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries under Section 4.11 (other than clauses (b)(2)(A), (b)(5), (b)(11), (b)(13), (b)(21) and (b)(24) thereof);

(H) interest, principal and other payments on Indebtedness (including AHYDO “catch up payments”) the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in accordance with Section 4.09; and

(I) to finance Investments or other acquisitions or investments otherwise permitted to be made pursuant to this Section 4.07 if made by the Company; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment must be made within 120 days of the closing of such Investment, acquisition or investment, (B) such Parent Company must, promptly following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the capital of the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (2) the merger, amalgamation, consolidation, or sale of the Person formed or acquired into the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not prohibited by Section 5.01) in order to consummate such Investment, acquisition or investment, (C) such Parent Company and its Affiliates (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) receives no consideration or other payment in connection with such transaction except to the extent the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary could have given such consideration or made such payment in compliance with this Indenture, (D) any property received by the Company may not increase amounts available for Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.07(a)(3) and (E) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment will be deemed to be made by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to another provision of this Section 4.07 or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments”; and

 

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(J) obligations arising under or pursuant to the Transaction Agreements;

(12) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, or other transfer or disposition of shares of Capital Stock of, Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, substantially all the assets of which are cash and Cash Equivalents);

(13) cash payments, or loans, advances, dividends or distributions to any Parent Company to make payments, in lieu of issuing fractional shares in connection with share dividends, share splits, reverse share splits, mergers, consolidations, amalgamations or other business combinations and in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of the Company, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Parent Company;

(14) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, transaction, advisory and other fees, indemnities and expenses to the extent permitted by Section 4.11;

(15) payments and distributions to dissenting stockholders of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, amalgamation, reorganization, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that complies with the terms of this Indenture or any other transaction that complies with the terms of this Indenture;

(16) [reserved];

(17) the making of cash payments in connection with any conversion of Convertible Indebtedness of the Company, the Co-Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount since the Issue Date not to exceed the sum of (a) the principal amount of such Convertible Indebtedness plus (b) any payments received by the Company, the Co-Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the exercise, settlement or termination of any related Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction;

(18) any payments in connection with (a) a Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction and (b) the settlement of any related Permitted Warrant Transaction (i) by delivery of shares of the Company’s common equity upon settlement thereof or (ii) by (A) set-off against the related Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction or (B) payment of an early termination amount thereof in common equity upon any early termination thereof;

(19) the refinancing of any Subordinated Indebtedness with the Net Proceeds of, or in exchange for, any Refinancing Indebtedness; and

(20) Restricted Payments made in connection with the Transactions.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, in the event that any Restricted Payment or Investment (or a portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in Section 4.07(a) or 4.07(b) and/or one or more of the clauses contained in the definition of “Permitted Investments”, the Company will, in

 

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its sole discretion, be entitled to divide or classify (or later divide, classify or reclassify), in whole or in part, such Restricted Payment or Investment (or any portion thereof) among Section 4.07(a) and/or 4.07(b) and/or one or more clauses contained in the definition of “Permitted Investments,” in a manner that otherwise complies with this Section 4.07. The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair market value on the date the Restricted Payment is made, or at the Company’s election, the date a commitment is made to make such Restricted Payment, of the assets or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant will be determined in the case of amounts of $50.0 million or more, by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee.

(d) As of the Issue Date, all of the Company’s Subsidiaries will be Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the penultimate sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments in an amount determined as set forth in the definition of “Investments.” Such designation will be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time pursuant to this Section 4.07 or if an Investment would be permitted at such time, pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Indenture. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4.07 will not restrict the making of any “AHYDO catch up payment” with respect to, and required by the terms of, any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture.

SECTION 4.08. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries .

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

(1) (A) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or

(B) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or the Co-Issuer or to any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor;

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or the Co-Issuer or to any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor; or

 

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(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or the Co-Issuer or to any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor;

provided that dividend or liquidation priority between or among classes or series of Capital Stock, and the subordination of any obligation (including the application of any remedy bars thereto) to any other obligation will not be deemed to constitute such an encumbrance or restriction.

(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1) encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the Senior Credit Facility and the related documentation and Hedging Obligations and the related documentation;

(2) this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees thereof;

(3) Purchase Money Obligations and Capitalized Lease Obligations that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in Section 4.08(a)(3) on the property so acquired;

(4) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

(5) any agreement or other instrument of a Person, or relating to Indebtedness or Equity Interests of a Person, acquired by or merged, amalgamated or consolidated with and into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary, or any other transaction entered into in connection with any such acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation in existence at the time of such acquisition or at the time it merges, amalgamates or consolidates with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person (but, in any such case, not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person so acquired or designated and its Subsidiaries or the property or assets so acquired or designated;

(6) contracts or agreements for the sale or disposition of assets, including any restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of any of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;

(7) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Sections 4.09 and 4.12 that limits the right of the debtor to dispose of assets or incur Liens;

 

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(8) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice or arising in connection with any Permitted Liens;

(9) provisions in agreements governing Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.09;

(10) provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements (including equity holder agreements) relating to such joint venture or its members or entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(11) customary provisions contained in leases, sub-leases, licenses, sub-licenses, Equity Interests or similar agreements, including with respect to intellectual property and other agreements;

(12) restrictions or conditions contained in any trading, netting, operating, construction, service, supply, purchase, sale or other agreement to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice; provided that such agreement prohibits the encumbrance of solely the property or assets of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary that are subject to such agreement, the payment rights arising thereunder or the proceeds thereof and does not extend to any other asset or property of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or the assets or property of another Restricted Subsidiary;

(13) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

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

(15) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement;

(16) restrictions arising in connection with cash or other deposits permitted under Section 4.12;

(17) any other agreement or instrument governing any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred or issued by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.09 entered into after the Issue Date that contains encumbrances and restrictions that either (i) are no more restrictive in any material respect, taken as a whole, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary than (A) the restrictions contained in this Indenture or the Senior Credit Facility as of the Issue Date or (B) those encumbrances and other restrictions that are in effect on the Issue Date with respect to the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date, (ii) are not materially more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to the Holders than is customary in comparable financings for similarly situated issuers or (iii) will not materially impair the Issuers’ ability to make payments on the Notes when due, in each case in the good faith judgment of the Company;

 

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(18) (i) under terms of Indebtedness and Liens in respect of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(4) and any permitted refinancing in respect thereof, and (ii) agreements entered into in connection with a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(19) customary restrictions and conditions contained in documents relating to any Lien so long as (i) such Lien is a Permitted Lien and such restrictions or conditions relate only to the specific asset subject to such Lien and (ii) such restrictions and conditions are not created for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this covenant;

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

(21) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (20) of this Section 4.08(b); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions, taken as a whole, than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing;

(22) any encumbrance or restriction existing under, by reason of or with respect to Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the agreements governing that Refinancing Indebtedness are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced; and

(23) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order in any jurisdiction where Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.09 is incurred or issued.

 

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SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly, liable, contingently or otherwise (collectively, “ incur ” and collectively, an “ incurrence ”) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Company will not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or permit any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor or the Co-Issuer to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock and issue shares of Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for the Company’s most recently ended Test Period preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such Test Period.

(b) Section 4.09(a) will not apply to:

(1) the incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to Credit Facilities by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greatest of (A) $750.0 million, (B) 32.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence and (C) the Borrowing Base at the time of incurrence; provided that any Indebtedness incurred under this Section 4.09(b)(1) may be extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased (including through successive extensions, replacements, refundings, refinancings, renewals and defeasances) with new Indebtedness so long as the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the sum of (x) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness being so extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased (and with respect to Indebtedness under Designated Revolving Commitments, including an amount equal to any unutilized Designated Revolving Commitments being refinanced to the extent permanently terminated at the time of incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness), plus (y) any accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness being refinanced, plus (z) the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such refinanced Indebtedness and any defeasance costs and any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the incurrence of such new Indebtedness or the extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of such refinanced Indebtedness;

(2) the incurrence by the Issuers and any Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and related Guarantees (but excluding any Additional Notes);

 

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(3) the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary in existence on the Issue Date (excluding Indebtedness described in Sections 4.09(b)(1) and (2));

(4) (a) the incurrence of Attributable Indebtedness and (b) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Obligations) and Disqualified Stock incurred or issued by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary to finance the purchase, lease, expansion, construction, installation, replacement, repair or improvement of property (real or personal), equipment or other assets, including assets that are used or useful in a Similar Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets in an aggregate principal amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof (excluding any Incremental Amounts) and all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock incurred or issued and outstanding under this clause (4) at such time, not to exceed (as of the date such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained) the greater of (x) $90.0 million and (y) 4.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence;

(5) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, banker’s acceptances, warehouse receipts, or similar instruments issued or entered into, or relating to obligations or liabilities incurred, in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice, including in respect of workers’ compensation claims, performance, completion or surety bonds, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, unemployment insurance or other social security legislation, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, performance, completion or surety bonds, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or (b) as an account party in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments in favor of suppliers, trade creditors or other Persons issued or incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(6) the incurrence of Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earnouts or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with any Investment or any acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

(7) the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company and owing to a Restricted Subsidiary or the issuance of Disqualified Stock of the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary (or to any Parent Company which is substantially contemporaneously transferred to any Restricted Subsidiary); provided that any such Indebtedness for borrowed money owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor or the Co-Issuer is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes to the extent permitted by

 

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applicable law and it does not result in adverse tax consequences; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock constituting a Permitted Lien) will be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness (to the extent such Indebtedness is then outstanding) or issuance of such Disqualified Stock (to the extent such Disqualified Stock is then outstanding) not permitted by this clause (7);

(8) the incurrence of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary (or to any Parent Company which is substantially contemporaneously transferred to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary); provided that any such Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by a Guarantor or the Co-Issuer and owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor or the Co-Issuer is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of the Notes of such Guarantor or the Obligations under the Notes of the Co-Issuer to the extent permitted by applicable law and it does not result in adverse tax consequences; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any such subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien) will be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness (to the extent such Indebtedness is then outstanding) not permitted by this clause (8);

(9) the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary (or to any Parent Company which is substantially contemporaneously transferred to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary); provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that results in any such Restricted Subsidiary that holds such Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock constituting a Permitted Lien) will be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock (to the extent such Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock is then outstanding) not permitted by this clause (9);

(10) the incurrence of Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes);

(11) the incurrence of obligations in respect of self-insurance and obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance, banker’s acceptance facilities and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations;

 

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(12) the incurrence of Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Stock of the Company and the incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference that, when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred or issued, as applicable, pursuant to this clause (12), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof (excluding any Incremental Amounts), does not exceed (as of the date such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained) (i) the greater of (x) $115.0 million and (y) 5.00% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence; plus, without duplication, (ii) in the event of any extension, replacement, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, an amount equal to (x) any accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness, any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock, and any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Disqualified Stock being so refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased plus (y) the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and any defeasance costs and any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock or the extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock;

(13) the incurrence or issuance by the Company of Refinancing Indebtedness or the incurrence or issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of Refinancing Indebtedness that serves to refund, refinance, extend, replace, renew or defease (collectively, “refinance” with “refinances,” “refinanced,” and “refinancing” having a correlative meaning) any Indebtedness (including any Designated Revolving Commitments) incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.09(a) and Sections 4.09(b)(2), (3) and (4), this Section 4.09(b)(13) and Section 4.09(b)(14) or any successive Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any of the foregoing;

(14) the incurrence or issuance of (a) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance an acquisition or investment (or other purchase of assets) or that is assumed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such acquisition or investment (or other purchase of assets); and (b) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Persons that are acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into, amalgamated or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that:

 

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(i) after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition, amalgamation, consolidation or merger, the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test; or

(ii) after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition, amalgamation, consolidation or merger, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for the Test Period preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would be no less than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio immediately prior to giving effect to such incurrence of Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, in each case, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such Test Period;

(15) the incurrence of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(16) the incurrence of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to any Credit Facility, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit or bank guarantee;

(17) (a) the incurrence of any guarantee by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligation incurred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture, or (b) any co-issuance by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary was permitted under the terms of this Indenture;

(18) the incurrence of Indebtedness issued by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants and independent contractors of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Company, their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members and permitted transferees thereof, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent Company to the extent described in Section 4.07(b)(4);

(19) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice from customers for goods and services purchased in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

 

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(20) the incurrence of (a) Indebtedness owed to banks and other financial institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice in connection with ordinary banking arrangements to manage cash balances of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) Indebtedness in respect of Cash Management Services, including Cash Management Obligations;

(21) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with bankers’ acceptances, discounted bills of exchange or the discounting or factoring of receivables for credit management purposes, in each case incurred or undertaken in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice on arm’s length commercial terms;

(22) the incurrence of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (a) the financing of insurance premiums or (b) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(23) the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary undertaken in connection with cash management (including netting services, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections, employee credit card programs and related or similar services or activities) with respect to the Company, any Subsidiaries or any joint venture in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice, including with respect to financial accommodations of the type described in the definition of Cash Management Services;

(24) the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the net proceeds thereof are promptly deposited with the Trustee to satisfy and discharge the Notes in accordance with this Indenture;

(25) guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice in respect of obligations to suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors, licensees, sub-licensees, and distribution partners and guarantees required by Governmental Authorities in the ordinary course of business;

(26) the incurrence of Indebtedness attributable to (but not incurred to finance) the exercise of appraisal rights or the settlement of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential) with respect to any acquisition (by merger, consolidation or amalgamation or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(27) the incurrence of Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of any Parent Company, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including Indebtedness consisting of obligations under deferred compensation or any other similar arrangements incurred in connection with the Transactions, any Investment or any acquisition (by merger, consolidation or amalgamation or otherwise) permitted under this Indenture;

 

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(28) the incurrence of Indebtedness arising out of any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(29) Indebtedness associated with bonds or surety obligations required by requirements of law or by governmental authorities in connection with the operation of Oil and Gas Properties in the ordinary course of business;

(30) Indebtedness consisting of the undischarged balance of any Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

(31) Indebtedness incurred on behalf of, or guarantee obligations in respect of the Indebtedness of, joint ventures (regardless of the form of legal entity) that are not Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount, when aggregated with the outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness then outstanding incurred pursuant to this clause (34), not to exceed the greater of (x) $86.25 million and (y) 3.75% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence; and

(32) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (1) through (31) of this Section 4.09(b).

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09:

(1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) at any time, whether at the time of incurrence or upon the application of all or a portion of the proceeds thereof or subsequently, meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (1) through (32) of Section 4.09(b) or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a), the Company, in its sole discretion, may divide and classify and may subsequently re-divide and reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or a portion thereof) in such of the above clauses or under Section 4.09(a) as determined by the Company at such time; provided that (i) all Indebtedness outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility on the Issue Date will, at all times, be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under Section 4.09(b)(1) and may not be reclassified and (ii) (if the Company shall so determine) any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(12) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of such clause but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) from and after any date designated by the Company on which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.09(a) without reliance on such clause;

(2) the Company is entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in more than one of the types of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in Section 4.09(a) and Section 4.09(b), subject to the proviso to Section 4.09(c)(1);

 

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(3) the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under any clause of this Section 4.09 will be determined after giving effect to the application of proceeds of any such Indebtedness to refinance any such other Indebtedness;

(4) in the event an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) is incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.09(b) (other than Section 4.09(b)(14)) on the same date that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) is incurred or issued under Section 4.09(a) or Sections 4.09(b)(14), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated with respect to such incurrence or issuance under Section 4.09(a) or Section 4.09(b)(14) without regard to any incurrence or issuance under Section 4.09(b) (other than with respect to any incurrence or issuance under Section 4.09(b)(14)). Unless the Company elects otherwise, the incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed incurred or issued first under Section 4.09(a) or Sections 4.09(b)(14) to the extent permitted, with the balance incurred or issued under Section 4.09(b) (other than pursuant to Sections 4.09(b)(14));

(5) guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness that are otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness will not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was incurred in compliance with this Section 4.09; and

(6) for purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.09(a) or clauses (1), (12) or (14)(a) of Section 4.09(b) in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness under Designated Revolving Commitments, such compliance shall be determined on the date such Designated Revolving Commitments are established after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of the entire committed amount of Indebtedness thereunder, in which case such committed amount under such Designated Revolving Commitments may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed, in whole or in part, from time to time, without further compliance with such paragraph or clause.

Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies, will, in each case, not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09. Any Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, to refinance Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, pursuant to Section 4.09(a) or pursuant to Sections 4.09(b)(1), (2), (3), (4), (12), (13) and (14), will be permitted to include additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay (I) any accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness, any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock and any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Disqualified Stock being so refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased and (II) the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such refinanced Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock and any defeasance costs and any fees and

 

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expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock or the extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of such refinanced Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock (and, with respect to Indebtedness under Designated Revolving Commitments, will be permitted to include an amount equal to any unutilized Designated Revolving Commitments being refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased to the extent permanently terminated at the time of incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness).

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness, liquidation preference of Disqualified Stock or amount of Preferred Stock denominated in a foreign currency will be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was incurred or issued (or, in the case of revolving credit debt, the date such Indebtedness was first committed or first incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent)); provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued to refinance other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction will be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock does not exceed (1) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, the liquidation preference of such Disqualified Stock or the amount of such Preferred Stock, as applicable, being refinanced, extended, replaced refunded, renewed or defeased, plus (2) any accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness, any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock and any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Disqualified Stock being so refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased, plus (3) the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such refinanced Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock and any defeasance costs and any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock or the extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of such refinanced Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock (and, with respect to Indebtedness under Designated Revolving Commitments, will be permitted to include an amount equal to any unutilized Designated Revolving Commitments being refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased to the extent permanently terminated at the time of incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness).

The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to refinance other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, if incurred or issued in a different currency from the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, being refinanced, will be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing. The principal amount of any non-interest bearing Indebtedness or other discount security constituting Indebtedness at any date will be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Company dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

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The Issuers will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any Indebtedness of the Issuers or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is contractually subordinated to other Indebtedness of the Issuers or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

For purposes of this Indenture, (1) unsecured Indebtedness will not be deemed to be subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured, (2) Indebtedness will not be deemed to be subordinated or junior to any other Indebtedness merely because it is issued or guaranteed by other obligors and (3) Secured Indebtedness will not be deemed to be subordinated or junior to any other Secured Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority lien with respect to the same collateral.

If any Indebtedness is incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued, in reliance on a basket measured by reference to a percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, and any refinancing thereof would cause the percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets to be exceeded if calculated based on the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets on the date of such refinancing, such percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets will not be deemed to be exceeded to the extent the principal amount of such newly incurred Indebtedness, the liquidation preference of such newly issued Disqualified Stock or the amount of such newly issued Preferred Stock does not exceed the sum of (i) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, the liquidation preference of such Disqualified Stock or the amount of such Preferred Stock being refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased plus (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness, any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock and any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Disqualified Stock being so refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased plus (iii) the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such refinanced Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock and any defeasance costs and any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock or the extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of such refinanced Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock (and, with respect to Indebtedness under Designated Revolving Commitments, will be permitted to include an amount equal to any unutilized Designated Revolving Commitments being refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased to the extent permanently terminated at the time of incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness).

 

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SECTION 4.10. Asset Sales .

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

(1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise, in connection with such Asset Sale) at least equal to the fair market value (measured at the time of contractually agreeing to such Asset Sale) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75% of the consideration for such Asset Sale, together with all other Asset Sales since the Issue Date (on a cumulative basis), received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided that each of the following will be deemed to be cash or Cash Equivalents for purposes of this Section 4.10(a)(2):

(A) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto or, if incurred or accrued subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been reflected on the Company’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s consolidated balance sheet or in the notes thereto if such incurrence or accrual had taken place on or prior to the date of such balance sheet, as determined in good faith by the Company) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Guarantor’s Guarantee of the Notes, that are (i) assumed by the transferee of any such assets (or a third party in connection with such transfer) or (ii) otherwise cancelled or terminated in connection with the transaction with such transferee (other than intercompany debt owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary);

(B) any securities, notes or other obligations or assets received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee or in connection with such Asset Sale (including earnouts and similar obligations) that are converted by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents, or by their terms are required to be satisfied for cash or Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received) within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale;

(C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (i) $85.0 million and (ii) 5.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured, at the Company’s option, either at the time of contractually agreeing to such Asset Sale or at the time received and, in either case, without giving effect to subsequent changes in value;

 

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(D) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Sale (other than intercompany debt owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), to the extent that the Company and each other Restricted Subsidiary are released from any guarantee of payment of the principal amount of such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Sale;

(E) any Investment, Capital Stock, assets, property or capital or other expenditure of the kind referred to in Section 4.10(b)(2); and

(F) with respect to any Asset Sale of Oil and Gas Properties disposed of by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary retains an interest, the costs and expenses related to the exploration, development, completion or production of such Oil and Gas Properties and activities related thereto agreed to be assumed by the transferee (or an Affiliate thereof).

(b) Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale (as may be extended pursuant to clause (2) below, the “ Asset Sale Proceeds Application Period ”), the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply an amount equal to the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale:

(1) to repay, redeem or repurchase:

(A) Obligations in respect of Senior Indebtedness; or

(B) Obligations in respect of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Obligations owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(2) to make (a) an Investment in any one or more businesses; provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes or continues to constitute a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) capital expenditures, (c) other expenditures made with respect to Oil and Gas Properties, (d) acquisitions by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of properties (including fee and leasehold interests) or (e) acquisitions by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of other assets, other than securities, in the case of clauses (a) and (d) above and this clause (e), either (i) that are or will be used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business or (ii) that replace, in whole or in part, the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale; provided that in the case of this clause (2), a binding commitment will be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment so long as the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment (or, if later, 365 days after the receipt of such Net Proceeds); provided , further , that if any such commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied, then such Net Proceeds will constitute Excess Proceeds (as defined below); or

 

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(3) any combination of the foregoing.

(c) The amount equal to the Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in Section 4.10(b) will be deemed to constitute “ Excess Proceeds ”. When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuers will make an offer to all Holders and, at the option of the Issuers, to any holders of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“ Pari Passu Indebtedness ” and such offer, an “ Asset Sale Offer ”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that is in an amount equal to at least $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price, in the case of the Notes, in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value thereof, if less), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such other price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to, but excluding, the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09 (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, the agreement or instrument governing the terms thereof). The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within 30 days after the date that the amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million by mailing or electronically delivering the notice required pursuant to Section 3.09, with a copy to the Trustee, or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures. The Issuers may satisfy the foregoing obligation with respect to any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making an offer to purchase Notes with respect to the amount of all or part of the available Net Proceeds (the “ Advance Portion ”) prior to the expiration of the Asset Sale Proceeds Application Period with respect to the amount of all or a part of the available Net Proceeds in advance of being required to do so by this Indenture (the “ Advance Offer ”).

To the extent that the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds (or in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may use any remaining Excess Proceeds (or in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion) in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and/or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered in an Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds (or in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion), the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased in the manner described under Section 3.02 and the Issuers will select such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased pursuant to the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness; provided that as between the Notes and any Pari Passu Indebtedness, such purchases will be made on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered with adjustments as necessary so that no Notes or Pari Passu Indebtedness will be repurchased in part in an unauthorized denomination. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, for purposes of this provision the amount of Excess Proceeds (or in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion) that resulted in the Asset Sale Offer or Advance Offer will be reset to zero (regardless of whether there are any remaining Excess Proceeds (or Advance Portion) upon such completion). An Asset Sale Offer or Advance Offer may be made at the same time as consents are solicited with respect to an amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture, Notes and/or Guarantees (but the Asset Sale Offer or Advance Offer may not condition tenders on the delivery of such consents).

 

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(d) The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer or Advance Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

(e) The Issuers’ obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.10 may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

SECTION 4.11. Transactions with Affiliates .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each of the foregoing, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $25.0 million, unless:

(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms, taken as a whole, that are not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiaries than those that would have been obtained at such time in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person other than an Affiliate of the Company on an arm’s-length basis or, if in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors no comparable transaction is available with which to compare such Affiliate Transaction, such Affiliate Transaction is otherwise fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view; and

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions requiring aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $50.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of the Board of Directors approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with Section 4.11(a)(1). Any Affiliate Transaction shall be deemed to have satisfied the adoption by the majority of the Board of Directors requirement set forth in the preceding sentence if such Affiliate Transaction is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Company, if any.

 

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(b) Section 4.11(a) will not apply to the following:

(1) (A) transactions between or among the Company and one or more Restricted Subsidiaries or between or among Restricted Subsidiaries or, in any case, any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction and (B) any merger, consolidation or amalgamation of the Company and any Parent Company; provided that such merger, consolidation or amalgamation of the Company is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture and effected for a bona fide business purpose;

(2) (A) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07 hereof (including any transaction specifically excluded from the definition of the term “Restricted Payments,” including pursuant to the exceptions contained in the definition thereof and the parenthetical exclusions of such definition) and (B) any “Permitted Investments”;

(3) (A) the payment of indemnification and similar amounts to, and reimbursement of reasonable and customary expenses to, the Investors and their officers, directors, employees and Affiliates, in each case, approved by, or pursuant to arrangements approved by, the Board of Directors, (B) payments, loans, advances or guarantees (or cancellation of loans, advances or guarantees) to future, present or former employees, officers, directors, managers, consultants or independent contractors or guarantees in respect thereof for bona fide business purposes or in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice and (C) any subscription agreement or similar agreement pertaining to the repurchase of Equity Interests pursuant to put/call rights or similar rights with current, former or future officers, directors, employees, managers, consultants and independent contractors of the Company;

(4) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and compensation paid to, and indemnities and reimbursements and employment and severance arrangements provided to, or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, present, future or former employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants or independent contractors (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company, any Parent Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(5) transactions in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms, when taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company on an arm’s-length basis;

(6) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under the terms of, any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, or any amendment thereto or replacement thereof (so long as any such amendment or replacement is not materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Issue Date);

 

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(7) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under the terms of, any equity holder agreement or the equivalent (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any amendment thereto and similar agreements or arrangements that it may enter into thereafter; provided that the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or arrangement or under any similar agreement or arrangement entered into after the Issue Date will only be permitted by this clause (7) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement or arrangement are not otherwise materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors to the Company when taken as a whole (as compared to the original agreement or arrangement in effect on the Issue Date);

(8) any transaction arising out of or pursuant to the Transaction Agreements;

(9) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture that are fair to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Company, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

(10) the issuance, sale or transfer of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any Parent Company to any Person and the granting and performing of customary rights (including registration rights) in connection therewith, and any contribution to the capital of the Company;

(11) payments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary made for any financial advisory, consulting, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by, or made pursuant to arrangements approved by, a majority of the Board of Directors in good faith;

(12) payments with respect to Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and other Equity Interests (and cancellation of any thereof) of the Company, any Parent Company and any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock (and cancellation of any thereof) of any Restricted Subsidiary to any future, current or former employee, director, officer, member of management, consultant or independent contractor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or permitted transferees) of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Company pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any equity subscription or equity holder agreement that are, in each case, approved by the Company in good faith; and any employment agreements, severance arrangements, stock option plans and other compensatory arrangements (and any successor plans thereto) and any supplemental executive retirement benefit plans or

 

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arrangements with any such employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants or independent contractors (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members or any permitted transferees thereof) that are, in each case, approved by the Company in good faith;

(13) (A) investments by Affiliates in securities or Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Affiliates in connection therewith) so long as the investment is being offered by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary generally to other unaffiliated investors on the same or more favorable terms and (B) payments to Affiliates in respect of securities or Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary contemplated in the foregoing subclause (A) or that were acquired from Persons other than the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, in accordance with the terms of such securities or Indebtedness;

(14) payments to or from, and transactions with, any joint venture or Unrestricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, industry practice or industry norms (including, any cash management activities related thereto);

(15) (A) payments by the Company (and any Parent Company) and its Subsidiaries pursuant to, and the entry into, tax sharing agreements among the Company (and any Parent Company) and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments by the Company and its Subsidiaries are permitted under Section 4.07(b)(11) and (B) the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business;

(16) any lease (other than any lease of Oil and Gas Properties) entered into between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as lessee, and any Affiliate of the Company, as lessor, and transactions pursuant to that lease which lease is approved by the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company in good faith;

(17) intellectual property licenses in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(18) the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to registration rights and indemnities provided to equity holders of the Company or any Parent Company pursuant to any equity holders agreement or registration rights agreement entered into on or after the Issue Date;

(19) transactions permitted by, and complying with, Section 5.01 solely for the purpose of (A) reorganizing to facilitate any public offering of securities of the Company or any Parent Company, (B) forming a holding company or (C) reincorporating the Company or the Co-Issuer;

(20) transactions undertaken in good faith (as determined by the Board of Directors or certified by senior management of the Company in an Officer’s Certificate) for the purposes of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Indenture;

 

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(21) (A) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) solely because the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owns Equity Interests in such Person and (B) transactions with any Person that is an Affiliate solely because a director of such Person is a director of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Company; provided that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Company on any matter involving such other Person;

(22) (A) pledges and other transfers of Equity Interests in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and (B) any transactions with an Affiliate in which the consideration paid consists solely of Equity Interests of the Company or a Parent Company;

(23) the sale, issuance or transfer of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(24) payments on the Notes in accordance with this Indenture and payments of Obligations under the Senior Credit Facility and payments in respect of Obligations under other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company and its Subsidiaries held by Affiliates; provided that such Obligations were acquired by an Affiliate of the Company in compliance with this Indenture;

(25) transactions undertaken in the ordinary course of business pursuant to membership in a purchasing consortium; and

(26) any transactions with or among any Parent Company, the Company, their respective Restricted Subsidiaries and the Permitted Holders in connection with the Transactions, the transactions relating thereto, and the payment of all fees and expenses related thereto, including fees to the Investors.

SECTION 4.12. Liens . The Issuers will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, create, incur or assume any Lien (except Permitted Liens) that secures Obligations under any Indebtedness or any related guarantee of Indebtedness, on any asset or property of the Company, the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless:

(1) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens until such time as such Subordinated Indebtedness is no longer secured by such Liens; and

(2) in all other cases, the Notes or the Guarantees are equally and ratably secured until such time as such Obligations are no longer secured by such Liens.

 

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For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.12, (A) a Lien need not be incurred solely by reference to one category of Permitted Liens described in the definition thereof but is permitted to be incurred in part under any combination thereof and of any other available exemption and (B) in the event that a Lien (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of Permitted Liens, the Company will, in its sole discretion, be entitled to divide, classify or reclassify, in whole or in part, any such Lien (or any portion thereof) among one or more of such categories or clauses in any manner.

Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to this Section 4.12 will be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of each of the Liens described in clauses (1) and (2) of this Section 4.12 or upon such Liens no longer attaching to assets or property of the Company or the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor.

The expansion of Liens by virtue of accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of dividends or interest in the form of Indebtedness and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Liens for purposes of this covenant.

SECTION 4.13. Company Existence . Subject to Article V hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence, and the corporate, partnership or other organizational existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve the corporate, partnership or other organizational existence of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Company in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

SECTION 4.14. Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control .

(a) If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently electronically delivered or mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 or Section 11.01, the Issuers will make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) at a price in cash (the “ Change of Control Payment ”) equal to 101.00% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date prior to such repurchase.

Within 60 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuers will send notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically or by first-class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, with the following information:

 

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(1) a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and all Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuers;

(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which will be no earlier than 20 Business Days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed or otherwise delivered (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”), subject to extension (in the case where such notice is mailed or otherwise delivered prior to the occurrence of the Change of Control) in the event that the occurrence of the Change of Control is delayed;

(3) any Note not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(4) unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuers to purchase such Notes; provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day prior to the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, a facsimile transmission or letter or other notice in accordance with the Applicable Procedures setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(7) Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided that the unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to at least $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000;

(8) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control and describing each such condition, and, if applicable, stating that, in the Company’s discretion, the Change of Control Payment Date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions are satisfied (or waived by the Issuers in their sole discretion), or such purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions are not satisfied (or waived by the Issuers in their sole discretion) by the Change of Control Payment Date, or by the Change of Control Payment Date as so delayed, or such notice may be rescinded at any time in the Company’s discretion if in the good faith judgment of the Issuers any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied. In addition, the Issuers may provide in such notice that payment of the purchase price and performance of the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such purchase may be performed by another Person; and

 

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(9) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuers, consistent with this Section 4.14, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes repurchased.

The Issuers will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes by the Issuers pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached their obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers will, to the extent permitted by law:

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

(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof validly tendered and not validly withdrawn; and

(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee (a) an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuers and (b) at the Issuers’ option, the Notes so accepted for cancellation.

(c) The Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

(d) A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control and conditional upon such Change of Control Triggering Event, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

(e) A Change of Control Offer may be made at the same time as consents are solicited with respect to an amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture, Notes and/or Guarantees (but the Change of Control Offer may not condition tenders on the delivery of such consents).

(f) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption,” “Redemption Date” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase,” “Change of Control Payment Date” and similar words, as applicable.

 

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(g) The Issuers’ obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.14 may be waived or modified (at any time, including after a Change of Control Triggering Event) with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

SECTION 4.15. Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries . The Company will not permit any of its Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries, other than the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary, (i) to guarantee or otherwise become obligated with respect to the payment of any Indebtedness of the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor under the Senior Credit Facility incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(1) or (ii) to guarantee any Capital Markets Indebtedness of the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor, or to otherwise become obligated with respect to any Capital Markets Indebtedness of the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor, in each case, having an aggregate principal amount outstanding in excess of $12.5 million or, in the aggregate, in excess of $25.0 million, unless:

(1) such Restricted Subsidiary within 30 days executes and delivers to the Trustee a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except that with respect to a guarantee of Indebtedness of the Company, the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness will be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes; and

(2) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other applicable rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee;

provided that this Section 4.15 will not be applicable to any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary. The Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary or Parent Company that is not otherwise required to be a Guarantor to become a Guarantor, in which case such Subsidiary or Parent Company will not be required to comply with clause (1) or (2) of this Section 4.15 and such Guarantee may be released at any time in the Company’s sole discretion.

SECTION 4.16. Suspension of Covenants .

(a) During any period of time that (i) the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “ Covenant Suspension Event ” and the date thereof being referred to as the “ Suspension Date ”), the

 

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Guarantees will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged (subject to reinstatement pursuant to clause (f) below) and the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to Section 4.07, Section 4.08, Section 4.09, Section 4.10, Section 4.11, Section 4.15, Section 5.01(a)(1)(d) and 5.01(b) hereof shall not be applicable to the Notes (collectively, the “ Suspended Covenants ”).

(b) During a Suspension Period (as defined below), the Company may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the second sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.”

(c) In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “ Reversion Date ”) the Notes no longer have an Investment Grade Rating, then the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture with respect to future events. The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reversion Date is referred to in this Indenture as the “ Suspension Period .” Upon the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event, the amount of Excess Proceeds from Net Proceeds will be reset to zero for purposes of Section 4.10.

(d) In the event a Reversion date occurs, no action taken or omitted to be taken by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or events occurring prior to the Reversion Date with respect to any of the Suspended Covenants will give rise to a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture with respect to the Notes; provided that

(1) with respect to Restricted Payments made after the Reversion Date, the amount of Restricted Payments made will be calculated as though Section 4.07 had been in effect prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period;

(2) all Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified to have been incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(3);

(3) any Affiliate Transaction entered into after the Reversion Date pursuant to an agreement entered into during any Suspension Period will be deemed to be permitted pursuant to Section 4.11(b)(6);

(4) any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to take any action described in Section 4.08(a) that becomes effective during any Suspension Period will be deemed to be permitted pursuant to Section 4.08(b)(1);

(5) no Subsidiary of the Company will be required to comply with Section 4.15 after the Reversion Date with respect to any guarantee entered into by such Subsidiary during any Suspension Period;

(6) all Liens permitted to be created, incurred or assumed during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that they are classified as permitted under clause (9) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”; and

 

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(7) all Investments made during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that they are classified as Permitted Investments permitted under clause (5) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”.

(e) Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated after the Reversion Date, (i) no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind will be deemed to exist under this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees with respect to the Suspended Covenants, and none of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries will bear any liability for any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising during a Suspension Period, in each case, as a result of a failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants during the Suspension Period (or, upon termination of the Suspension Period or after that time, based on any action taken or event that occurred during the Suspension Period) and (ii) following a Reversion Date, the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted, without causing a Default or Event of Default, to honor, comply with or otherwise perform any contractual commitments or obligations arising during any Suspension Period that were permitted to be entered into at such time and to consummate any transactions contemplated thereby.

(f) During the Suspension Period, the Guarantees will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged and the obligation to grant further Guarantees will be suspended; provided that if any Restricted Subsidiary guarantees the payment of any Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Guarantor incurred subsequent to the Suspension Date, then the Company will cause such Restricted Subsidiary to become a Guarantor in accordance with Section 4.15 to the extent required by the terms of Section 4.15 if it were then in effect. Upon the Reversion Date, the obligation to grant Guarantees pursuant to Section 4.15 will be reinstated (and the Reversion Date will be deemed to be the date on which any guaranteed Indebtedness was incurred for purposes of Section 4.15).

(g) The Trustee shall have no duty to (i) monitor the ratings of the Notes, (ii) determine whether a Covenant Suspension Event or Reversion Date has occurred, or (iii) notify Holders of any of the foregoing.

SECTION 4.17. Limitations on Activities of the Co-Issuer . The Co-Issuer shall not hold any material assets, become liable for any material obligations, engage in any trade or business, or conduct any business activity, other than (1) the issuance of its Capital Stock to the Company or any Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (2) the incurrence of Indebtedness as a co-obligor or guarantor, as the case may be, of the Notes, any Credit Facility and any other Indebtedness that is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 and (3) activities incidental thereto.

 

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ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS

SECTION 5.01. Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets .

(a) Neither the Company nor the Co-Issuer may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Company or the Co-Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) (a) the Company or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company or the Co-Issuer, as applicable), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made, is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Company ”); provided that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;

(b) the Successor Company, if other than the Company or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Company or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, under the Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other customary documents or instruments;

(c) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;

(d) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the most recently ended Test Period, either:

(i) the Company (or Successor Company, as applicable) would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test, or

(ii) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company (or Successor Company, as applicable) would be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

(e) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case Section 5.01(a)(1)(b) will apply, will have by supplemental indenture or otherwise confirmed that its Guarantee applies to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

(f) the Company or the Co-Issuer, as applicable (or the Successor Company, as applicable), will have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture; or

 

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(2) in the case of assets comprised of Equity Interests of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, such Equity Interests are sold, assigned, transferred, leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed of to one or more Restricted Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding clauses (c) through (f) of Section 5.01(a)(1),

(1) the Company may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to a Subsidiary Guarantor,

(2) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, amalgamate with or merge with or into or wind up into or sell, assign, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or part of its properties and assets to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary,

(3) the Company or the Co-Issuer may consolidate with, amalgamate with or merge with or into, or wind up into an Affiliate of the Company or the Co-Issuer for the purpose of reincorporating the Company or the Co-Issuer in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby,

(4) the Company or the Co-Issuer may convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Company or the Co-Issuer or the laws of a jurisdiction in the United States (and, if such entity is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation organized or existing under such laws), and

(5) the Company or the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor may change its name.

(b) Subject to Section 10.06(1), no Subsidiary Guarantor will, and the Company will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) (A) such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary Guarantor or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Subsidiary Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Person ”);

 

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(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Company will have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture; or

(2) the transaction is made in compliance with, if applicable, Section 4.10; or

(3) in the case of assets comprised of Equity Interests of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, such Equity Interests are sold, assigned, transferred, leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed of to one or more Restricted Subsidiaries.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantor may (1) merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into, wind up into or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of its properties and assets to another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company, (2) merge with an Affiliate of the Company for the purpose of reincorporating the Subsidiary Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, (3) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary Guarantor or the laws of a jurisdiction in the United States, (4) liquidate or dissolve or change its legal form if the Company determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of the Company and is not materially disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes or (5) change its name.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, compliance with this Section 5.01 will not be required with respect to any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of properties or assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

SECTION 5.02. Successor Person Substituted . Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any winding up, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the Successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into or with which the Company or the Co-Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, is merged or to which such wind up, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees referring to the Company or the Co-Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall refer instead to the Successor Person and not to the Company or the Co-Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable), and may exercise every right and power of the Company or the Co-Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor,

 

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as applicable, under this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees with the same effect as if such Successor Person had been named as the Company or the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, herein, and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee and such Subsidiary Guarantor will be automatically released and discharged from its obligations hereunder, and, in the case of a predecessor Company or Co-Issuer shall automatically be released from its obligations thereunder; provided that the predecessor Company or Co-Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees in the case of any lease.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default . An “ Event of Default ,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(2) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest on or with respect to the Notes;

(3) failure by the Company for 180 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements contained in Section 4.03;

(4) failure by the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clause (1), (2) or (3) of this Section 6.01) contained in this Indenture or the Notes;

(5) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:

 

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(A) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and

(B) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $60.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;

(6) failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $60.0 million (net of amounts covered by insurance policies), which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged, unwaived and unstayed for a period of more than 90 days after such judgment becomes final;

(7) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

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

(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

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

(i) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), in a proceeding in which the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

 

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(ii) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary); or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary);

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

(9) the Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) will for any reason cease to be in full force and effect except as contemplated by the terms of this Indenture or be declared null and void in a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or any Financial Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary (or the responsible officers of any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), as the case may be, denies in writing that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives written notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture.

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration . If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee by written notice to the Issuers or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes by written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal of and premium, if any, and interest will be due and payable immediately. The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Trustee will have no obligation to accelerate the Notes.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Company, all outstanding Notes shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.

The Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Trustee, may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder (except a continuing Default with respect to non-payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) will be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if:

(1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged;

(2) the requisite holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, waived or is no longer continuing.

SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies . If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults . Subject to Section 6.02 hereof, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Trustee, may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder (except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority . Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits . Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

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

(2) Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes have requested in writing the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) Holders of the Notes have offered (and if requested, provided) the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such written request within such 60-day period.

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).

SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to bring suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer), shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee . If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

SECTION 6.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies . If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

 

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SECTION 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative . Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver . No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

SECTION 6.12. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee on behalf of such Holder, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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SECTION 6.13. Priorities . If the Trustee or any Agent collects any money or property pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

(i) to the Trustee, such Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.06 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or such Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

(ii) to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

(iii) to the Issuers or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct including a Guarantor, if applicable.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.13.

SECTION 6.14. Undertaking for Costs . In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee .

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

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

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(ii) in the absence of willful misconduct or bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

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

(i) this paragraph (c) does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

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

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.02, 6.04 or 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01 and Section 7.01(f).

(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless the Holders have offered (and if requested, provide) to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee .

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuers and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

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(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

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

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

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuers shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer thereof.

(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

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

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

(k) The permissive rights of the Trustee to take certain actions under this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

 

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(l) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuers, and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

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

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

SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee . The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any of their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.09 hereof.

SECTION 7.04. Trustee s Disclaimer . The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers’ direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults . If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders; and provided further, that in the case of any default with respect to the Notes, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term ‘Default’ means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

SECTION 7.06. Compensation and Indemnity . The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

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The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the reasonable costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company or the Co-Issuer or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.06) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor, or any other Person or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder) (but excluding taxes imposed on such persons in connection with compensation for such administration or performance). The Trustee shall notify the Issuers of any claim for which it may seek indemnity in a reasonably timely manner. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers shall not relieve the Issuers of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Issuers nor any Guarantor need reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence. Neither the Issuers nor any Guarantor need to pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

The obligations of the Issuers under this Section 7.06 and the immunities of the Trustee contained in Article VII shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

To secure the payment obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors in this Section 7.06, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except for money or property held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 7.07. Replacement of Trustee . A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.07. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing not less than 30 days prior to the effective date of such removal. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:

(A) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.09 hereof;

(B) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

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(C) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(D) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuers’ expense), the Issuers or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.09 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided that all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.06 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.07, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.06 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

The resigning Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability for any action or inaction of a successor Trustee.

SECTION 7.08. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc . If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

SECTION 7.09. Eligibility; Disqualification . There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has, together with its parent, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors with respect to the Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII.

SECTION 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge . Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof, to have cured all then existing Events of Default and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors with each Guarantor released from all of its obligations with respect to its Guarantee (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute such instruments requested by the Issuers acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(A) the rights of Holders to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(B) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(D) this Section 8.02.

Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

SECTION 8.03. Covenant Defeasance . Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15 and 4.17 hereof and Sections 5.01(a)(1)(d) and (e), and Section

 

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5.01(b) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and the Guarantees, the Issuers and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document, and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. If the Issuers exercise the Covenant Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Guarantee. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3), 6.01(4) (solely with respect to the covenants that are released upon a Covenant Defeasance), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(7) (solely with respect to the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries), 6.01(8) (solely with respect to the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries) and 6.01(9) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

SECTION 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance . In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Notes:

(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of an Independent Financial Advisor to the extent such amounts consist of U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Notes on the stated maturity date or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Issuers must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular Redemption Date; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited will be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as of the date of redemption (any such amount, the “ Applicable Premium Deficit ”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit will be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit will be applied toward such redemption;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers will have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions:

 

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(A) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(B) since the issuance of the Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers will have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to such tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens and the consummation of other transactions in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facility or any other material agreement, instrument or documents (other than this Indenture) to which, the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness to be redeemed, and, in each case, the granting of Liens and the consummation of other transactions in connection therewith);

(6) the Issuers will have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor or others; and

(7) the Issuers will have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Opinion of Counsel required by clause (2) of the immediately preceding paragraph with respect to Legal Defeasance need not be delivered if all of the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers.

SECTION 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “ Trustee ”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article VIII to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of an Independent Financial Advisor expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee to the extent such requested amount consists of Government Securities (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 8.06. Repayment to Issuers . Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their request or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

SECTION 8.07. Reinstatement . If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived

 

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and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders . Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Company, the Co-Issuer, any Guarantor (with respect to a Guarantee to which it is a party) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and any Guarantee or Notes without the consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code);

(3) to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;

(4) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders;

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not materially adversely affect (as determined in good faith by the Company) the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(6) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor;

(7) at the Company’s election, to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable (it being agreed that this Indenture need not qualify under the Trust Indenture Act);

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee hereunder pursuant to the requirements hereof;

(9) to add a Guarantor or co-obligor under this Indenture or to release a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(10) to conform the text of this Indenture, Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in such “Description of Notes” section was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, Guarantee or Notes, as provided to the Trustee in an Officer’s Certificate;

 

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(11) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided that (a) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes;

(12) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(13) to secure the Notes and/or the related Guarantees.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof (to the extent requested by the Trustee), the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall have the right, but not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto.

SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders . Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company, the Co-Issuer, the Guarantors (solely with respect to the Guarantee to which it is a party) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any), other than Notes beneficially owned by the Company or its Affiliates, voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer or offer to purchase with respect to the Notes); provided that (x) if any such amendment or waiver will only affect one series of Notes (or less than all series of Notes) then outstanding hereunder, then only the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of such series then outstanding (including, in each case, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer or offer to purchase with respect to the Notes) shall be required and (y) if any such amendment or waiver by its terms will affect a

 

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series of Notes in a manner different and materially adverse relative to the manner such amendment or waiver affects other series of Notes, then the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of such adversely affected series then outstanding (including, in each case, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer or offer to purchase with respect to the Notes) shall be required. Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company, the Co-Issuer and the Guarantors (solely with respect to the Guarantee to which it is a party) in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuers shall deliver to the Holders affected thereby (with a copy to the Trustee) a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers to deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

Without the consent of each affected Holder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Notes held by Affiliates), an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not, with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder:

(1) reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of such Notes on any date (other than the provisions relating to Section 3.09, Section 4.10 and Section 4.14); provided that any amendment to the notice requirements may be made with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Notes;

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(4) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all affected Holders;

 

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(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated therein;

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults;

(7) make any change in this Article IX that is materially adverse to the Holders;

(8) modify the contractual right hereunder of any Holder to institute suit for the payment of principal, interest or premium (if any) on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes on or after the respective due dates;

(9) make any change to or modify the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or

(10) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Guarantor, in any manner materially adverse to the Holders.

SECTION 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consents . Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

SECTION 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Notes . The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

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SECTION 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc . The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company or the Co-Issuer may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the Board of Directors of the Company or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall receive, and shall be fully protected in relying conclusively upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.03 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuers and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel will be required for the Trustee to execute any amendment or supplement in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture.

ARTICLE X

GUARANTEES

SECTION 10.01. Guarantee . Subject to this Article X, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, on an unsecured basis, to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the Obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that (a) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, including for expenses, indemnification or otherwise, shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same promptly. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (other than payment in full of all of the Obligations of the Issuers hereunder and under the Notes).

 

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Each Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture or by release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to any of the Company or the Co-Issuer or the Guarantors, then any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, then this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article VI hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any nonpaying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees.

Each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation, reorganization, should any of the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers’ assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

In case any provision of any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

The Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guarantor and shall be pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, if any.

 

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Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without setoff, counter-claim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

SECTION 10.02. Limitation on Guarantor Liability . Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of the Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article X, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 10.03. Execution and Delivery . To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture (or, in the case of each Guarantor that becomes a party hereto after the date hereof, a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D ) shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its authorized Officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantee of such Guarantor shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Company shall cause any newly created or acquired Restricted Subsidiary to comply with Section 4.15 and this Article X, to the extent applicable.

SECTION 10.04. Subrogation . Until its Guarantee is terminated in accordance with Section 10.06, each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to exercise any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Company under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

 

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SECTION 10.05. Benefits Acknowledged . Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

SECTION 10.06. Release of Guarantees . (a) Each Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor will provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged and shall thereupon terminate and be of no further force and effect, and no further action by such Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee, upon:

(1) any sale, exchange, issuance, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) of (a) the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor, after which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including to any of the Issuers or another Subsidiary Guarantor), in each case if such sale, exchange, issuance, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(2) (a) the release or discharge of the guarantee by, or direct obligation of, such Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility or Capital Markets Indebtedness of any Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, or (b) the release or discharge of such other guarantee or direct obligation that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except, in each case, a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee or direct obligation (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still a release);

(3) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; or

(4) (a) the exercise by the Issuers of their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article VIII hereof or (b) the discharge of the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(5) the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into the Company, the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor that is the surviving Person in such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, or upon the liquidation of a Subsidiary Guarantor following the transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, in each case in a transaction that complies with the applicable provisions hereof;

(6) as described under Article IX; or

(7) the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any guarantee by a Parent Company, including the Parent Guarantors, may be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged for any reason by the Company by the delivery of an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee.

(b) The Company will have the right, upon delivery of an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee, to cause any Guarantor that has not guaranteed any Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility or Capital Markets Indebtedness of an Issuer or Guarantor, and is not otherwise required by the applicable terms of this Indenture to provide a Guarantee, to be unconditionally released and discharged from all obligations under its Guarantee, and such Guarantee will thereupon automatically and unconditionally terminate and be discharged and of no further force or effect.

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge . This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:

(1) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) (A) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of one or more notices of redemption or otherwise, will become due and payable within one year or may be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers, and the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of interest), in the opinion of an Independent Financial Advisor to the extent such amounts consist of U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption; provided that (i) upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited will be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption and (ii) any Applicable Premium Deficit will be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit will be applied toward such redemption;

 

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(B) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(C) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuers must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied. Such Opinion of Counsel may rely on such Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact, including clauses (2)(A), (B) and (C) above.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, Section 7.06 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (A) of clause (2) of this Section 11.01, Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

SECTION 11.02. Application of Trust Money . Subject to Section 8.06, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 12.01. Notices . Any notice or communication by the Company, the Co-Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile, electronically (in “.pdf” or other format) or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

 

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If to the Company, the Co-Issuer and/or any Guarantor on or after the Issue Date:

Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 400

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

Email: cstavros@mgyoil.com

Phone: (713) 842-9041

in each case, with a copy to:

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

666 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor

New York, NY 10103-0040

Attention: David Wicklund

Tel: (212) 237-0021

Fax: (212) 237-0100

Email: dwicklund@velaw.com

If to the Trustee:

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

Trust and Agency Services

60 Wall Street, 16th Floor

Mail Stop: NYC60-1630

New York, New York 10005

Attn: Corporates Team, Magnolia Oil & Gas

Facsimile: (732) 578-4635

With a copy to:

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company

for Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

Trust and Agency Services

100 Plaza One – 8th Floor

MSJCY03-0801

Jersey City, NJ 07311-3901

Attn: Corporates Team, Magnolia Oil & Gas

Facsimile: (732) 578-4635

The Issuers, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured email, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that (a) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions or

 

166


directions to the Trustee in a timely manner, and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions. If the party elects to give the Trustee email or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; on the first date on which publication is made or electronic delivery made; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be electronically delivered, mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the Note Register kept by the Registrar.

Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary.

If a notice or communication is mailed or otherwise delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, such notice or communication shall be deemed duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Issuers deliver or mail a notice or communication to Holders, they shall deliver or mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

SECTION 12.02. Communication with Holders of a Global Note . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event or any other communication (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at the Depositary.

SECTION 12.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent . Upon any request or application by the Issuers or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture (other than as set forth in the last sentence of Section 9.05 and with respect to clause (B) below, in connection with the initial issuance of Notes on the Issue Date), the Issuers or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

167


(A) An Officer’s Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.04 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(B) An Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.04 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

SECTION 12.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion . Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(A) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(B) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(C) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(D) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided , however , that with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

SECTION 12.05. Exercise of Rights is Not Assumption of Duties . The exercise by the Trustee of any of its rights, remedies or powers hereunder shall not release the Issuers from any of their respective duties or obligations, and the Trustee shall not have any obligation or liability except as expressly provided herein

SECTION 12.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents . The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

SECTION 12.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders . No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or equity holder of the Company, the Co-Issuer, any Guarantor or any Parent Company will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees, this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

168


SECTION 12.08. Governing Law . THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 12.09. Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE CO-ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS, AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY, AND EACH HOLDER OF A NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREBY, IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 12.10. Consent to Jurisdiction . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Issuers hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of any Federal or State court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, New York in any suit, action or proceeding based on or arising out of or relating to this Indenture or any Securities and irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such suit or proceeding may be determined in any such court. The Issuers irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which they may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in an inconvenient forum. The Issuers agree that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding upon the them, and may be enforced in any courts to the jurisdiction of which the Issuers are subject by a suit upon such judgment, provided, that service of process is effected upon the Issuers in the manner specified herein or as otherwise permitted by law.

SECTION 12.11. Force Majeure . In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

SECTION 12.12. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements . This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 12.13. Successors . All agreements of the Issuers in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.06 hereof.

 

169


SECTION 12.14. Severability . In case any provision or any part of any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 12.15. Counterpart Originals . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts, which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or electronic transmissions (in ‘.pdf’ or other format) shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or electronically (in ‘.pdf’ or other format) shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

SECTION 12.16. Table of Contents, Headings, etc . The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 12.17. USA PATRIOT Act . In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including, without limitation, those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, including Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act of the United States (“Applicable Law”), the Trustee is required to obtain, verify, record and update certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee. Accordingly, each of the parties agree to provide to the Trustee, upon their request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Trustee to comply with Applicable Law.

[Signatures on following page]

 

170


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

 

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS OPERATING LLC,

as Company

By:  

/s/ Stephen Chazen

  Name: Stephen Chazen
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS FINANCE CORP.,

as Co-Issuer

By:  

/s/ Stephen Chazen

  Name: Stephen Chazen
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

TPG PACE ENERGY HOLDINGS CORP.,

as Parent Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Stephen Chazen

  Name: Stephen Chazen
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

TPG PACE ENERGY PARENT, LLC,

as Parent Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Stephen Chazen

  Name: Stephen Chazen
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

TPG PACE ENERGY INTERMEDIATE LLC,

as Parent Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Stephen Chazen

  Name: Stephen Chazen
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Indenture]


DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY

AMERICAS, as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Robert S. Peschler

  Name: Robert S. Peschler
  Title: Vice President
By:  

/s/ Annie Jaghatspanyari

  Name: Annie Jaghatspanyari
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the OID Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1


CUSIP [             ]

ISIN [             ]

[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] GLOBAL NOTE

6.00% Senior Notes due 2026

 

No. [     ]          [Up to] $[ ]

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS OPERATING LLC

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS FINANCE CORP.

promise to                         pay to or registered assigns,

[the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Exchange of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [the principal sum of                             DOLLARS] on August 1, 2026.

Interest Payment Dates: February 1 and August 1, beginning February 1, 2019

Record Dates: January 15 and July 15

 

A-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS OPERATING LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS FINANCE CORP.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3


This is one of the Notes referred to

in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
By:                                                                   
Authorized Signatory

Dated:

 

A-4


[Back of Note]

6.00% Senior Note due 2026

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC (the “ Company ”) and Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp. (the “ Co-Issuer ” and together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”) promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of 6.00% from July 31, 2018 until maturity. The Issuers will pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning February 1, 2019 or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “ Interest Payment Date ”). The Issuers will make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15 (each, a “ Record Date ”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be February 1, 2019. The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be payable at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained pursuant to Section 4.02 of the Indenture or, at the option of the Issuers, may be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion), provided that (a) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof and (b) if no notice of wire transfer election is received for such Holder, all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to certificated Notes will be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Note Register. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. If a payment date is on a Legal Holiday, payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

A-5


3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of                 (the “ Indenture ”), among (a) Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC, as the Company, (b) Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp., as the Co-Issuer, (c) certain Parent Companies of the Company, as Parent Guarantors, (d) certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company, as Guarantors, and (e) the Trustee. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 4.09 of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to August 1, 2021, the Issuers may at their option on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as described under Section 3.03 of the Indenture, at a redemption price (as calculated by the Company) equal to the sum of (i) 100.00% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus (ii) the Applicable Premium, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Any notice of redemption made in connection with a related transaction or event (including an Equity Offering, contribution, Change of Control, Asset Sale or other transaction) may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be given prior to the completion or the occurrence thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, the completion or occurrence of the related transaction or event, as the case may be.

(b) At any time prior to August 1, 2021, the Issuers may, at their option and on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40.00% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Additional Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price (as calculated by the Company) equal to the sum of (i) 106.00% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, with an amount equal to or less than the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings to the extent such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to the Company, plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date; provided that (a) at least 50.00% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (b) each such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of closing of the applicable Equity Offering or contribution.

(c) In connection with any Change of Control Offer or other tender offer to purchase all of the Notes, if Holders of not less than 90.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes validly tender and do not validly withdraw such Notes in such Change of Control Offer or other tender offer and the Issuers purchase, or any third party making such Change of Control Offer or other tender offer in lieu of the Issuers purchases, all of the Notes

 

A-6


validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuers or such third party will have the right upon notice, given not more than 60 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such Change of Control Offer or other tender offer, plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Offer or other tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of the Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).

(d) Except pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (c) of Section 3.07 of the Indenture, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to August 1, 2021.

(e) On and after August 1, 2021, the Issuers may at their option redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, on one or more occasions, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on August 1 in each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2021

     103.00

2022

     102.00

2023

     101.00

2024 and thereafter

     100.00

(e) Any redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture shall be made pursuant to Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION; OFFERS TO PURCHASE AND OPEN MARKET PURCHASES. The Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Issuers may be required to offer to purchase Notes as described under Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.14 of the Indenture.

7. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, the Issuers shall deliver electronically, mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be delivered or mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Section 3.03(i), Article VIII or Article XI of the Indenture.

8. OFFERS TO REPURCHASE. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuers shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture. In connection with certain Asset Sales, the Issuers shall make an Asset Sale Offer as and when provided in accordance with Sections 3.09 and 4.10 of the Indenture.

 

A-7


9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes shall be registered and Notes may only be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar, Transfer Agent and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not issue, exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not issue, exchange or register the transfer of any Notes during the period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed or between a Record Date with respect to such Note and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date with respect to such Note.

10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder shall be treated as its owner for all purposes. Only registered Holders shall have rights hereunder.

11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Issuers may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Trustee, may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or and its consequences under the Indenture (except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a nonconsenting Holder). The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required within thirty (30) days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default, its status and what actions the Company is taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

13. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

 

A-8


14. GOVERNING LAW. THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

15. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to the Company at the following address:

Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 400

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

Email: cstavros@mgyoil.com

 

A-9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:    

 

    (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint                                                                              to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:                                                                                 
  Your Signature:                                                                   
 

(Sign exactly as your name

appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[     ] Section 4.10 [     ] Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$

 

Date:                                                                                 
  Your Signature:                                                                       
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
  Tax Identification No.:                                           
Signature Guarantee*:                                                 

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-11


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $ . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

   Amount of
decrease in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
   Amount of
increase in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
   Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
following such
decrease or
increase
   Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee or
Custodian

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-12


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 400

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

Email: cstavros@mgyoil.com

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

Trust and Agency Services

60 Wall Street, 16th Floor

Mail Stop: NYC60-1630

New York, New York 10005

Attn: Corporates Team, Magnolia Oil & Gas

Facsimile: (732) 578-4635

With a copy to:

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company

for Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

Trust and Agency Services

100 Plaza One – 8th Floor

MSJCY03-0801

Jersey City, NJ 07311-3901

Attn: Corporates Team, Magnolia Oil & Gas

Facsimile: (732) 578-4635

Re: 6.00% Senior Notes due 2026

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of July 31, 2018 (the “ Indenture ”), among (a) Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC, as the Company, (b) Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp., as the Co-Issuer, (c) certain Parent Companies of the Company, as Parent Guarantors, (d) certain subsidiaries of the Company, as Guarantors, and (e) the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                (the “ Transferor ”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Transfer ”),                 to             (the “ Transferee ”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

 

B-1


[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person [(other than an initial purchaser)]. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [    ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or

(b) [    ] such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof.

 

B-2


4. [     ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

(a) [     ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) [     ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) [     ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B-3


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                                                                                    

 

B-4


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.

The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

  (a)

[     ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i)

[     ] 144A Global Note ([CUSIP: ]), or

 

  (ii)

[     ] Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP: ]), or

 

  (b)

[     ] a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2.

After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

  (a)

[     ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i)

[     ] 144A Global Note ([CUSIP: ]), or

 

  (ii)

[     ] Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP: ]), or

 

  (iii)

[     ] Unrestricted Global Note ([ ] [ ]), or

 

  (b)

[     ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (c)

[     ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 400

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

Email: cstavros@mgyoil.com

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

Trust and Agency Services

60 Wall Street, 16th Floor

Mail Stop: NYC60-1630

New York, New York 10005

Attn: Corporates Team, Magnolia Oil & Gas

Facsimile: (732) 578-4635

With a copy to:

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company

for Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

Trust and Agency Services

100 Plaza One – 8th Floor

MSJCY03-0801

Jersey City, NJ 07311-3901

Attn: Corporates Team, Magnolia Oil & Gas

Facsimile: (732) 578-4635

Re: 6.00% Senior Notes due 2026

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of July 31, 2018 (the “ Indenture ”), among (a) Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC, as the Company, (b) Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp., as the Co-Issuer, (c) certain Parent Companies of the Company, as Parent Guarantors, (d) certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company, as Guarantors, and (e) the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                         (the “ Owner ”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $         in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Exchange ”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES

 

C-1


a) [     ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

b) [     ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

c) [     ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

d) [     ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-2


2) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OF THE SAME SERIES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES OF THE SAME SERIES

a) [     ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

b) [     ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE]:

[     ] 144A Global Note, or

[     ] Regulation S Global Note

in each case of the same series, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers and are dated

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS

[                 ] Supplemental Indenture (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of [                 ], among [                     ] (the “ New Guarantor ”), a [Subsidiary][Parent Company] of Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company, Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp. and certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), dated as of July 31, 2018, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the New Guarantor shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

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

(2) Agreement to Guarantee . The New Guarantor acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Indenture and all other documents it deems necessary to review in order to enter into this Supplemental Indenture and (i) hereby joins and becomes a party to the Indenture as indicated by its signature below as a [Subsidiary][Parent] Guarantor and (ii) acknowledges and agrees to (x) be bound by the Indenture as a [Subsidiary][Parent] Guarantor and (y) perform all obligations and duties required of a [Subsidiary][Parent] Guarantor pursuant to the Indenture.

(3) No Recourse Against Others . No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or equity holder of the Company or the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor or any Parent Company will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Co-Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

D-1


(4) Governing Law . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(5) Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts, which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or electronic (by ‘.pdf’ or other format) transmissions 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 electronically (by ‘.pdf’ or other format) shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

(6) Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(7) The Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the New Guarantor.

(8) Benefits Acknowledged . Upon execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture the New Guarantor will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The New Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that its obligations as a result of this Supplemental Indenture are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(9) Successors . All agreements of the New Guarantor in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

D-2


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

 

[NEW GUARANTOR]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

D-3

Exhibit 4.2

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of July 31, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and among TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and each of the persons listed under the heading “Holders” on the signature pages attached hereto (the “ Holders ,” and each individually, a “ Holder ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, certain of the Holders previously entered into that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 4, 2017 (the “ Initial Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Initial Agreement, the Company granted certain registration rights with respect to, among other things, certain shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share;

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Contribution and Merger Agreement, dated as March 20, 2018 (the “ Contribution Agreement ”), by and among the Company, TPG Pace Energy Parent LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdco ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ XIV-A ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ XIV-C ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ XIV-WIC ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ XIV-2A ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ XIV-3A ”), and, by subsequent agreement, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C-AIV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ XIV-C-AIV ” and, together with XIV-A, XIV-C, XIV-WIC, XIV-2A, and XIV-3A, EnerVest ”), pursuant to which EnerVest has contributed certain oil and gas assets in the Eagle Ford Shale to Holdco on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Contribution Agreement (the “ Transaction ”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the closing of the Transaction and upon entry into this Agreement, the Initial Agreement and all rights and obligations created pursuant thereto will be terminated; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the foregoing, the parties hereto now desire to execute this Agreement, with effect as of the Effective Date, to replace the Initial Agreement and to set forth the further rights and obligations created hereby.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:


Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any person, any other person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person. The term “control” and its derivatives with respect to any person mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Block Trade ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.4 .

Block Trade Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.4 .

Block Trade Offer Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.4 .

Business Day ” is any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday other than a day on which banks and other financial institutions are authorized or required to be closed for business in the State of New York.

Class  B Shares ” means shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Contribution Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Demand Registration Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1 .

Demand Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1 .

Demanding Holder ” or ““ Demanding Holders ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1 .

$ ” means United States dollars.

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

EnerVest ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

General Disclosure Package ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.1(i) .

Holdco ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Holder ” or “ Holders ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.3 .

 

2


Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.3 .

Initial Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Initiating Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.2 .

Lock-Up Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  6.5 .

Offer Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1 .

Opt-Out Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.2 .

Permitted Transferee ” of a Holder shall mean any person in which the Holder owns a majority of the equity interests or any other investment entity that is controlled, advised or managed by the same person or persons that control the Holder or is an Affiliate of such person.

Piggyback Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.1 .

Registrable Shares ” shall mean, with respect to any Holder, the Shares held by such Holder in the Company or any successor to the Company (including Shares acquired on or after the Effective Date or issuable upon the exercise, conversion, exchange or redemption of any other security therefor), excluding any such Shares that (i) have been disposed of pursuant to any offering or sale in accordance with a Registration Statement, or have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 (or any successor provisions) under the Securities Act or in any other transaction in which the purchaser does not receive “restricted securities” (as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 144), (ii) have been transferred to a transferee that has not agreed in writing and for the benefit of the Company to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or (iii) have ceased to be of a class of securities of the Company that is listed and traded on a recognized national securities exchange or automated quotation system. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Holder, such Holder’s Shares shall not constitute Registrable Shares if all of such Holder’s Shares (together with any Shares held by Affiliates of such Holder) are eligible for immediate sale in a single transaction pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision) with no volume or other restrictions or limitations under Rule 144 (or any such successor provision). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary hereunder, if a Holder and/or its Affiliates then hold Class B Shares, then each Class B Share shall be deemed to have a value equal to the value of one Share for all purposes under this Agreement, including for purposes of determining compliance with the various value thresholds set forth in Section  2 and Section  4 of this Agreement.

Registration Expenses ” shall mean all expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing and distribution of any Registration Statement and Prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto, and any and all expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its registration obligations pursuant to this Agreement, including: (i) all registration, qualification and filing fees; (ii) all fees and expenses associated with a required listing of the Registrable Shares on any securities exchange or market; (iii) fees and expenses with respect to filings required to be made with the New York Stock Exchange (or such other securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then listed or quoted) or FINRA; (iv) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws; (v) fees and expenses related to registration in any non-U.S. jurisdictions, as applicable; (vi) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and

 

3


fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses of any comfort letters, costs associated with the delivery by independent certified public accountants of a comfort letter or comfort letters, and expenses of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration); (vii) all internal expenses of the Company (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties); (viii) the fees and expenses of any person, including special experts, retained by the Company in connection with the preparation of any Registration Statement; (ix) printer, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses; and (x) the reasonable fees and disbursements of one special legal counsel to represent all of the Holders participating in any such registration.

Registration Statement ” and “ Prospectus ” refer, as applicable, to the Demand Registration Statement and related prospectus (including any preliminary prospectus) or the Piggyback Registration Statement and related prospectus (including any preliminary prospectus), whichever is utilized by the Company to satisfy Holders’ registration rights pursuant to this Agreement, including, in each case, any documents incorporated therein by reference.

Rule 144 ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1 .

S-3 Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(b) .

SEC ” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Securities Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Shares ” means shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Shelf Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(a) .

Suspension Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.1 .

Takedown Holder ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(c) .

Takedown Offer Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(d) .

Takedown Request Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(d) .

TPG ” means TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Transaction ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Underwritten Shelf Takedown ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(c) .

XIV-A ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

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XIV-C ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

XIV-C-AIV ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

XIV-WIC ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

XIV-2A ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

XIV-3A ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

SECTION 2. DEMAND REGISTRATION RIGHTS

2.1 Demand Rights .

(a) At any time, and from time to time, after the Effective Date, if any Holder (together with its Affiliates) then holds not less than $25 million of Registrable Shares, as determined by reference to the volume weighted average price for such Registrable Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (or such other securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then listed or quoted) for the five trading days immediately preceding the applicable determination date, then such Holder (the “ Demanding Holder ”) may deliver to the Company a written notice (a “ Demand Registration Notice ”) informing the Company of its desire to have some or all of its Registrable Shares registered for sale. Upon receipt of the Demand Registration Notice, if the Company has not already caused the Registrable Shares to be registered on a Shelf Registration that the Company then has on file with, and has been declared effective by, the SEC and which remains in effect and not subject to any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC (in which event the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied its registration obligation under this Section  2.1 ), then the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be filed with the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the Demand Registration Notice, but in no event more than forty-five (45) calendar days (or thirty (30) calendar days in the case of an S-3 Registration pursuant to Section  2.2(b) ) following receipt of such notice, a registration statement and related prospectus that complies as to form and substance in all material respects with applicable SEC rules providing for the sale by such Demanding Holder or group of Demanding Holders, and any other Holders that elect to register their Registrable Shares as provided below, of all of the Registrable Shares requested to be registered by such Holders (the “ Demand Registration Statement ”), and agrees (subject to Sections  5.1 and 6.2 hereof) to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Demand Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC (i) with respect to the first such Demand Registration Statement, within six (6) months after the Effective Date, and (ii) with respect to subsequent Demand Registration Statements, upon, or as soon as practicable following, the filing thereof. The Company shall give written notice of the proposed filing of the Demand Registration Statement to all Holders holding Registrable Shares as soon as practicable (but in no event less than five (5) calendar days before the anticipated filing date), and such notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to participate in such Demand Registration Statement (the “ Offer Notice ”) and to register such number of Registrable Shares as each such Holder may request. Holders who wish to include their Registrable Shares in the Demand Registration Statement must notify the Company in writing within three (3) calendar days of receiving the Offer Notice and include in such written notice the information requested by the Company in the Offer Notice. Subject to Section  5.1 hereof, the

 

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Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Demand Registration Statement continuously effective (including the preparation and filing of any amendments and supplements necessary for that purpose) until the earlier of (i) the date on which all of the Registrable Shares held by the Holders that are registered for resale under the Demand Registration Statement are eligible for immediate sale in a single transaction pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act (“ Rule 144 ”) without volume or other restrictions or limitations under Rule 144 (or any such successor provision), and (ii) the date on which the Holders consummate the sale of all of the Registrable Shares registered for resale under the Demand Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company is not obligated to take any action upon receipt of a Demand Registration Notice delivered within ninety (90) days of a prior Demand Registration Notice.

(b) If a Demanding Holder intends to distribute the Registrable Shares covered by the Demand Registration Notice by means of an underwritten offering, it shall so advise the Company as a part of the Demand Registration Notice. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section  2.1 , if the underwriter advises the Company that in the opinion of such underwriter, the distribution of all of the Registrable Shares requested to be registered would materially and adversely affect the distribution of all of the securities to be underwritten, then (i) the Company shall deliver to the registering Holders a copy of such underwriter’s opinion, which opinion shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for such opinion, and (ii) the number of Registrable Shares that may be included in such registration shall be allocated (A) first, to the Holders electing to register their Registrable Shares, on a pro rata basis based on the relative number of Registrable Shares then held by each such Holder; provided that any such amount thereby allocated to each such Holder that exceeds such Holder’s request shall be reallocated among the other Holders in like manner, as applicable; and (B) second, to the other persons proposing to register securities in such registration, if any; provided , however , that the number of Registrable Shares to be included in such underwriting shall not be reduced unless all other securities are entirely excluded from such underwriting. Any Registrable Shares excluded or withdrawn from such underwritten offering shall be withdrawn from the registration.

2.2 Shelf Registration .

(a) A Demanding Holder shall be permitted to request that any registration under this Section  2 be made on a form of registration permitting the offer and sale of Registrable Shares under Rule 415 under the Securities Act (such registration, a “ Shelf Registration ”). The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Shelf Registration and to keep it continuously effective until such date on which the Shares covered by such Shelf Registration are no longer Registrable Shares. During the period that the Shelf Registration is effective, the Company shall supplement or make amendments to the Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act or if reasonably requested by a Demanding Holder or an underwriter of Registrable Shares to be sold pursuant thereto, including to reflect any specific plan of distribution or method of sale, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to have such supplements and amendments declared effective, if required, as soon as practicable after filing.

(b) With respect to a Demand Registration Notice to be delivered at any time after the first date on which the Company is eligible to file a registration statement filed under the Securities Act on Form S-3 or such similar or successor form as may be appropriate (an “ S-3

 

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Registration ”), a Demanding Holder may include in the Demand Registration Notice a request that the Company effect an S-3 Registration. In such event, the Company shall be required to effect an S-3 Registration in accordance with the terms hereof, unless at the time of the request Form S-3 or such similar or successor form is not available to the Company for such offering.

(c) At any time and from time to time after the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration or S-3 Registration, any Holder (other than Ms. Acosta and Messrs. Djerejian, Leat and Smith and each of their Permitted Transferees) with Registrable Shares included on such Shelf Registration or S-3 Registration (a “ Takedown Holder ”) may request to sell all or any portion of its Registrable Shares included thereon in an underwritten offering that is registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration or S-3 Registration (an “ Underwritten Shelf Takedown ”);  provided  that in the case of an Underwritten Shelf Takedown such Takedown Holder(s) will be entitled to make such request only if the total offering price of the Shares to be sold in such offering (before deduction of underwriting discounts) is reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $25 million. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company is not obligated to effect an Underwritten Shelf Takedown within ninety (90) days after the closing of an Underwritten Shelf Takedown.

(d) Any requests for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall be made by giving written notice to the Company (a “ Takedown Request Notice ”). The Takedown Request Notice shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Shares to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Within five (5) days after receipt of any Takedown Request Notice, the Company shall give written notice of the requested Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “ Takedown Offer Notice ”) to all other Holders (other than Ms. Acosta and Messrs. Djerejian, Leat and Smith and each of their Permitted Transferees) and, subject to the provisions of  Section  2.2(e)  hereof, shall include in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown all Registrable Shares with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within three (3) days after sending the Takedown Offer Notice.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section  2.2 , if the underwriter advises the Company that in the opinion of such underwriter, the distribution of all of the Registrable Shares requested to be sold in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown would materially and adversely affect the distribution of all of the securities to be underwritten, then (i) the Company shall deliver to the participating Holders a copy of such underwriter’s opinion, which opinion shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for such opinion, and (ii) the number of Registrable Shares that may be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall be allocated (A) first, to the Holders electing to sell their Registrable Shares, on a pro rata basis based on the relative number of Registrable Shares then held by each such Holder; provided that any such amount thereby allocated to each such Holder that exceeds such Holder’s request shall be reallocated among the other Holders in like manner, as applicable; and (B) second, to the other persons proposing to sell securities in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, if any; provided, however, that the number of Registrable Shares to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall not be reduced unless all other securities are entirely excluded from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown.

2.3 Selection of Underwriter . A Demanding Holder or Takedown Holder shall have the right to select the underwriter or underwriters to administer any underwritten demand registration offering or Underwritten Shelf Takedown under a Demand Registration Statement, including any Shelf Registration or S-3 Registration; provided that such underwriter or underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

 

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2.4 Block Trades. Notwithstanding anything contained in this  Section  2 , in the event of a sale of Registrable Shares in an underwritten transaction requiring the involvement of the Company but not involving (i) any “road show” or (ii) a lock-up agreement of more than sixty (60) days to which the Company is a party, and which is commonly known as a “block trade” (a “Block Trade”), (1) the Demanding Holder or Takedown Holder, as applicable, shall (i) give at least five (5) Business Days prior notice in writing (the “ Block Trade Notice ”) of such transaction to the Company and (ii) identify the potential underwriter(s) in such notice with contact information for such underwriter(s); and (2) the Company shall cooperate with such requesting Holder or Holders to the extent it is reasonably able to effect such Block Trade. The Company shall give written notice (the “ Block Trade Offer Notice ”) of the proposed Block Trade to all Holders holding Registrable Shares as soon as practicable (but in no event more than two (2) Business Days following the Company’s receipt of the Block Trade Notice), and such notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to participate in such Block Trade by providing written notice of intent to so participate within two (2) Business Days following receipt of the Block Trade Offer Notice. Any Block Trade shall be for at least $25 million in expected gross proceeds. The Company shall not be required to effectuate more than two (2) Block Trades in any 90-day period. For the avoidance of doubt, a Block Trade shall not constitute an Underwritten Shelf Takedown. The Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Shares being sold in any Block Trade shall select the underwriter(s) to administer such Block Trade; provided that such underwriter(s) shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

SECTION 3. INCIDENTAL OR “PIGGY-BACK” REGISTRATION.

3.1 Piggy-Back Rights . If the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of its Shares, whether to be sold by the Company or by one or more selling security holders, other than (A) a Demand Registration Statement (in which case the ability of a Holder to participate in such Demand Registration Statement shall be governed by Section  2 ) or (B) a registration statement (i) on Form S-8 or any successor form to Form S-8 or in connection with any employee or director welfare, benefit or compensation plan, (ii) in connection with an exchange offer or an offering of securities exclusively to existing security holders of the Company or its subsidiaries or (iii) relating to a transaction pursuant to Rule 145 under the Securities Act, the Company shall give written notice of the proposed registration to all Holders holding Registrable Shares at least five (5) calendar days prior to the filing of the Registration Statement. Each Holder holding Registrable Shares shall have the right to request that all or any part of its Registrable Shares be included in the Registration Statement by giving written notice to the Company within three (3) calendar days after receipt of the foregoing notice by the Company. Subject to the provisions of Sections  3.2 , 3.3 and 6.2 the Company will include all such Registrable Shares requested to be included by the Holders in the Piggyback Registration Statement. For purposes of this Agreement, any registration statement of the Company in which Registrable Shares are included pursuant to this Section  3 shall be referred to as a “ Piggyback Registration Statement .”

 

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3.2 Withdrawal of Exercise of Rights . If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any securities and prior to the effective date of the Piggyback Registration Statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company or any other holder of securities that initiated such registration (an “ Initiating Holder ”) shall determine for any reason not to proceed with the proposed registration, the Company may at its election (or the election of such Initiating Holder(s), as applicable) give written notice of such determination to the Holders and thereupon shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Shares in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses incurred in connection therewith).

3.3 Underwritten Offering . If a registration pursuant to this Section  3 involves an underwritten offering and the managing underwriter advises the Company in writing that, in its opinion, the number of securities which the Company and the holders of the Registrable Shares and any other persons intend to include in such registration exceeds the largest number of securities that can be sold in such offering without having an adverse effect on such offering (including the price at which such securities can be sold), then the number of such securities to be included in such registration shall be reduced to such extent, and the Company will include in such registration such maximum number of securities as follows: (i) first, all of the securities the Company proposes to sell for its own account, if any; provided that the registration of such securities was initiated by the Company with respect to securities intended to be registered for sale for its own account; and (ii) second, such number of Registrable Shares requested to be included in such registration by the Holders which, in the opinion of such managing underwriter can be sold without having the adverse effect described above, which number of Registrable Shares shall be allocated pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the relative number of Registrable Shares then held by each such Holder; provided that any such amount thereby allocated to each such Holder that exceeds such Holder’s request shall be reallocated among the other Holders in like manner, as applicable.

3.4 Selection of Underwriter . Except to the extent Section  2.3 applies, Registrable Shares proposed to be registered and sold under this Section  3 pursuant to an underwritten offering for the account of the Holders holding Registrable Shares shall be sold to prospective underwriters selected by the Company, provided that such underwriter or underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to the Holders participating in such offering, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of one or more underwriting agreements negotiated between the Company, the Holders participating in such offering and any other Holders demanding registration and the prospective underwriters.

SECTION 4. LIMITATIONS ON REGISTRATION RIGHTS

4.1 Limitations on Registration Rights . Each Holder, together with all Permitted Transferees of such Holder, shall be entitled, collectively, to continue to exercise the registration rights under Section  2 of this Agreement until such Holder (and its Permitted Transferees) no longer holds Registrable Shares representing at least $10 million, as determined by reference to the volume weighted average price for such Registrable Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (or such other securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then listed or quoted) for the five trading days immediately preceding the applicable determination date, and each such exercise of a registration right under this Agreement shall be with respect to a minimum of $10 million of the outstanding Registrable Shares of the Company (or all of the Registrable Shares of such Holder or Holders, if less than $10 million of the outstanding Registrable Shares of

 

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the Company are held by such Holder or Holders), as determined by reference to the volume weighted average price for such Registrable Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (or such other securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then listed or quoted) for the five trading days immediately preceding the applicable determination date.

4.2 Opt-Out Notices . Any Holder may deliver written notice (an “ Opt-Out Notice ”) to the Company requesting that such Holder not receive notice from the Company of the proposed filing of any Demand Registration Statement pursuant to Section  2.1 , the proposed filing of any Piggyback Registration Statement pursuant to Section  3.1 , the withdrawal of any Piggyback Registration Statement pursuant to Section  3.1 or any Suspension Event pursuant to Section  5.1 ; provided , however, that such Holder may later revoke any such Opt-Out Notice in writing. Following receipt of an Opt-Out Notice from a Holder (unless subsequently revoked), (i) the Company shall not deliver any such notice to such Holder pursuant to Sections 2.1 , 3.1 , 3.2 or 5.1 , as applicable, and such Holder shall no longer be entitled to the rights associated with any such notice and (ii) each time prior to a Holder’s intended use of an effective Registration Statement, such Holder will notify the Company in writing at least two (2) Business Days in advance of such intended use, and if a notice of a Suspension Event was previously delivered (or would have been delivered but for the provisions of this Section  4.2 and the related suspension period remains in effect, the Company will so notify such Holder, within one (1) Business Day of such Holder’s notification to the Company, by delivering to such Holder a copy of such previous notice of Suspension Event, and thereafter will provide such Holder with the related notice of the conclusion of such Suspension Event immediately upon its availability.

SECTION 5. SUSPENSION OF OFFERING

5.1 Suspension of Offering . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section  2 or 3 , the Company shall be entitled to postpone the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and from time to time to require Holders not to sell under the Registration Statement or to suspend the effectiveness thereof, if the negotiation or consummation of a transaction by the Company or its subsidiaries is pending or an event has occurred, which negotiation, consummation or event the Company’s board of directors reasonably believes, upon the advice of legal counsel, would require additional disclosure by the Company in the Registration Statement of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for keeping confidential and the non-disclosure of which in the Registration Statement would be expected, in the reasonable determination of the Company’s board of directors, upon the advice of legal counsel, to cause the Registration Statement to fail to comply with applicable disclosure requirements (each such circumstance, a “ Suspension Event ”); provided , however , that the Company may not delay or suspend the Registration Statement on more than two occasions or for more than sixty (60) consecutive calendar days, or more than ninety (90) total calendar days, in each case during any twelve-month period. Upon receipt of any written notice from the Company of the happening of any Suspension Event during the period that the Registration Statement is effective or if as a result of a Suspension Event the Registration Statement or related Prospectus contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made (in the case of the Prospectus) not misleading, each Holder agrees that (i) it will immediately discontinue offers and sales of the Registrable Shares under the Registration Statement until the Holder receives copies of a supplemental or amended Prospectus (which the Company agrees to promptly prepare) that

 

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corrects the misstatement(s) or omission(s) referred to above and receives notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective or unless otherwise notified by the Company that it may resume such offers and sales, and (ii) it will maintain the confidentiality of any information included in such written notice delivered by the Company in accordance with Section  10.1 unless otherwise required by law or subpoena. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company or, in each such Holder’s sole discretion destroy, all copies of the Prospectus covering the Registrable Shares in such Holder’s possession.

SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

6.1 Obligations of the Company . When the Company is required to effect the registration of Registrable Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall:

(i) use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Shares by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC under all applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder may reasonably request in writing, to keep each such registration or qualification effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective pursuant to this Agreement, and to do any and all other similar acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Holders to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Shares owned by the Holders in each such jurisdiction; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction or to register as a broker or dealer in such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Agreement, (B) take any action that would cause it to become subject to any taxation in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be subject to such taxation or (C) take any action that would subject it to the general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements as to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary (A) to keep such Registration Statement effective and (B) to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of the Registrable Shares covered by such Registration Statement, in each case for such time as is contemplated in the applicable provisions above;

(iii) promptly furnish, without charge, to the Holders such number of copies of the Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits), and the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus) in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, the documents incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement or Prospectus, and such other documents as the Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Shares owned by the Holders;

 

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(iv) promptly notify the Holders: (A) when the Registration Statement, any pre-effective amendment, the Prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed, and, with respect to the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation or threat of any proceedings for that purpose, (C) of any delisting or pending delisting of the Shares by any national securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then listed or quoted, and (D) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Shares for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose;

(v) use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, and, if any such order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement is issued, shall promptly use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the earliest possible moment;

(vi) until the expiration of the period during which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement as set forth in the applicable sections hereof, promptly notify the Holders: (A) of the existence of any fact of which the Company is aware or the happening of any event that has resulted, or could reasonably be expected to result, in (x) the Registration Statement, as is then in effect, containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statements therein not misleading or (y) the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (B) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate or that there exist circumstances not yet disclosed to the public which make further sales under such Registration Statement inadvisable pending such disclosure and post-effective amendment;

(vii) if any event or occurrence giving rise to an obligation of the Company to notify the Holders pursuant to Section  6.1(vi) takes place, subject to Section  5.1 , the Company shall prepare and, to the extent the exemption from prospectus delivery requirements in Rule 172 under the Securities Act is not available, furnish to the Holders a reasonable number of copies of a supplement or post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have such supplement or amendment declared effective, if required, as soon as practicable following the filing thereof, so that (A) such Registration Statement shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (B) as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Shares being sold thereunder, such Prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

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(viii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Shares to be listed or quoted on the national securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then listed or quoted, if the listing or quotation of such Registrable Shares is then permitted under the rules of such national securities exchange or market;

(ix) if requested by any Holder participating in an offering of Registrable Shares, as soon as practicable after such request, but in no event later than five (5) calendar days after such request, incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information concerning the Holder or the intended method of distribution as the Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and is reasonably necessary to permit the sale of the Registrable Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement, including information with respect to the number of Registrable Shares being sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other material terms of the offering of the Registrable Shares to be sold in such offering; provided , however , that the Company shall not be obligated to include in any such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment any requested information that is not required by the rules of the SEC and is unreasonable in scope compared with the Company’s most recent prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a primary or secondary offering of equity securities by the Company;

(x) in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement, the Company will give the Holders offering and selling thereunder and their respective counsels the opportunity to review and provide comments on such Registration Statement, each Prospectus included therein or filed with the SEC, and each amendment thereof or supplement thereto (other than amendments or supplements that do not make any material change in the information related to the Company) ( provided that the Company shall not file any such Registration Statement including Registrable Shares or an amendment thereto or any related prospectus or any supplement thereto to which such Holders or the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object in writing), and give each of them such access to its books and records and such opportunities to discuss the business of the Company and its subsidiaries with its officers, its counsel and the independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements as shall be necessary, in the opinion of the Holder’s and such underwriters’ respective counsel, to conduct a reasonable due diligence investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act;

(xi) provide a transfer agent and registrar, which may be a single entity, and a CUSIP number for the Registrable Shares not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement filed hereunder;

(xii) cooperate with the Holders who hold Registrable Shares being offered to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates for the Registrable Shares to be offered pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement and enable such certificates for the Registrable Shares to be in such denominations or amounts as the case may be, as the Holders may reasonably request, and, within two (2) Business Days after a Registration Statement which includes Registrable Shares is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, or shall cause legal counsel selected by the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for the Registrable Shares (with copies to the Holders whose Registrable Shares are included in such Registration Statement) an appropriate instruction and opinion of such counsel;

 

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(xiii) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, the Holders and the managing underwriter or underwriters of the public offering of Registrable Shares, if the offering is to be underwritten, in whole or in part; provided that the Holders may, at their option, require that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of the Holders. The Holders shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreement with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding the Holders and their intended method of distribution and any other representation or warranty required by law. The Company shall cooperate and participate in the marketing of Registrable Shares, including participating in customary “roadshow” presentations, as the Holders and/or the managing underwriters may reasonably request; provided that the Company shall not be required to participate in any such presentation in connection with an offering of Registrable Shares for anticipated aggregate gross proceeds of less than $100 million; provided further that the Company and members of its management team will participate in customary investor conference calls related to a contemplated public offering of Registrable Shares (including any Block Trade) reasonably requested by the Holders and/or the managing underwriter without regard to the anticipated aggregate gross proceeds of such contemplated offering;

(xiv) furnish, at the request of a Holder on the date that any Registrable Shares are to be delivered to the underwriters for sale in connection with a registration pursuant to this Agreement, if such Shares are being sold through underwriters, or, if such Shares are not being sold through underwriters, on the date that the Registration Statement with respect to such Shares becomes effective, (A) an opinion, dated such date, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters, if any, to such Holder and (B) a letter dated such date, from the independent certified public accountants of the Company who have certified the Company’s financial statements included in such Registration Statement, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to such Holder;

(xv) make available to the Holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months, but not more than eighteen (18) months, beginning with the first month of the first fiscal quarter after the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act, including Rule 158 promulgated thereunder; provided that such requirement will be deemed to be satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K under the Securities Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto; and

 

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(xvi) take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Holders of the Registrable Shares pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement.

6.2 Obligations of the Holders . In connection with any Registration Statement utilized by the Company to satisfy the provisions of this Agreement, each Holder agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement, and each Holder agrees that such cooperation shall include (i) responding within five (5) Business Days to any written request by the Company to provide or verify information regarding the Holder or the Holder’s Registrable Shares (including the proposed manner of sale) that may be required to be included in any such Registration Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, and (ii) providing in a timely manner information regarding the proposed distribution by the Holder of the Registrable Shares and such other information as may be requested by the Company from time to time in connection with the preparation of and for inclusion in any Registration Statement and related Prospectus.

6.3 Participation in Underwritten Registrations . No Holder may participate in any underwritten registration, Underwritten Shelf Takedown or Block Trade hereunder unless such Holder (i) agrees to sell his or its Registrable Shares on the basis provided in the applicable underwriting arrangements (which shall include a customary form of underwriting agreement, which shall provide that the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of the underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of the participating Holders) and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents in customary form as reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided , however , that, in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, if the provisions of such underwriting arrangements, or the terms or provisions of such questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements or other documents, are less favorable in any respect to such Holder than to any other person or entity that is party to such underwriting arrangements, then the Company shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the parties to such underwriting arrangements to amend such arrangements so that such Holder receives the benefit of any provisions thereof that are more favorable to any other person or entity that is party thereto. If any Holder does not approve of the terms of such underwriting arrangements, such Holder may elect to withdraw from such offering by providing written notice to the Company and the underwriter.

6.4 Offers and Sales . All offers and sales by a Holder under any Registration Statement shall be completed within the period during which the Registration Statement is required to remain effective pursuant to the applicable provision above and not the subject of any stop order, injunction or other order of the SEC. Upon expiration of such period, no Holder will offer or sell the Registrable Shares under the Registration Statement. If directed in writing by the Company, each Holder will return or, in each such Holder’s sole discretion destroy, all undistributed copies of the applicable Prospectus in its possession upon the expiration of such period.

6.5 Lockup . In connection with any underwritten public offering of securities of the Company, each Holder (other than Ms. Acosta and Messrs. Djerejian, Leat and Smith and each of their Permitted Transferees) agrees (a “ Lock-Up Agreement ”) not to effect any sale or distribution, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144, of any Registrable Shares, and not to effect

 

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any sale or distribution of other securities of the Company or of any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other securities of the Company (in each case, other than as part of such underwritten public offering), in each case, during the seven (7) calendar days prior to, and during such period as the managing underwriter may require (not to exceed ninety (90) calendar days) (or such other period as may be requested by the Company or the managing underwriter to comply with regulatory restrictions on (i) the publication or other distribution of research reports and (ii) analyst recommendations and opinions, including, but not limited to, the restrictions contained in FINRA Rule 2711(f)(4), or any successor provisions or amendments thereto)) beginning on, the closing date of the sale of such securities pursuant to such an effective registration statement, except as part of such registration; provided that all executive officers and directors of the Company are bound by and have entered into substantially similar Lock-Up Agreements; and provided further that the foregoing provisions shall only be applicable to such Holders if all such Holders, officers and directors are treated similarly with respect to any release prior to the termination of the lock-up period such that if any such persons are released, then all Holders shall also be released to the same extent on a pro rata basis. In the event that all or any portion of the provisions of this Section  6.5 is waived with respect to EnerVest or TPG, such provisions of this Section  6.5 shall also be waived with respect to all such Holders.

SECTION 7. INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRIBUTION

7.1 Indemnification by the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder and each person, if any, who controls any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act, and any of their partners, members, managers, officers, directors, trustees, employees or representatives, as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment and expense whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to such Holders), arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which the Registrable Shares were registered under the Securities Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (within the meaning of Rule 433 of the Securities Act, and together with any preliminary Prospectus and other information conveyed to the purchaser of Registrable Shares at the time of sale (as such terms are used in Rule 159(a) of the Securities Act), the “ General Disclosure Package ”), the General Disclosure Package, or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

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(ii) against any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act, any state securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act or any state securities law;

(iii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment and expense whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to such Holders), and to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, any such alleged untrue statement or omission, or any such violation or alleged violation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); and

(iv) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to such Holders), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing, defending against or participating in (as a witness or otherwise) any litigation, arbitration, action, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, in each case whether or not a party, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, any such alleged untrue statement or omission or any such violation or alleged violation, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) above;

provided , however , that the indemnity provided pursuant to Sections  7.1 through 7.3 does not apply to any Holder with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment or expense to the extent arising out of (A) any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or (B) such Holder’s failure to deliver an amended or supplemental Prospectus furnished to such Holder by the Company, if required by law to have been delivered, if such loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment or expense would not have arisen had such delivery occurred.

7.2 Indemnification by Holder . Each Holder severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each of its directors and officers (including each director and officer of the Company who signed a Registration Statement), and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act, as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment and expense whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which the Registrable Shares of such Holder were registered under the Securities Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (within the meaning of Rule 433 of the Securities Act), the General Disclosure Package, or

 

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any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment and expense whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), and to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Holder; and

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing, defending or participating in (as a witness or otherwise) against any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, in each case whether or not a party, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) above;

provided , however , that a Holder shall only be liable under the indemnity provided pursuant to Sections  7.1 through 7.3 with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment or expense to the extent arising out of (A) any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or (B) such Holder’s failure to deliver an amended or supplemental Prospectus furnished to such Holder by the Company, if required by law to have been delivered, if such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense would not have arisen had such delivery occurred. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections  7.1 through 7.3 , a Holder and any permitted assignee shall not be required to indemnify the Company, its officers, directors or control persons with respect to any amount in excess of the amount of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by such Holder or such permitted assignee, as the case may be, from sales of the Registrable Shares of such Holder under the Registration Statement that is the subject of the indemnification claim.

7.3 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings . An indemnified party hereunder (the “ Indemnified Party ”) shall give reasonably prompt notice to the indemnifying party (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) of any action or proceeding commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party (i) shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under the indemnity provisions of Section  7.1 or 7.2 above, unless and only to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and the lack of notice by the Indemnified Party results in the forfeiture by the Indemnifying Party of substantial rights and defenses, and (ii) shall not, in any event, relieve the Indemnifying Party from any obligations to any Indemnified Party other than the indemnification obligation provided under Section  7.1 or 7.2 above. If the Indemnifying Party so elects within a reasonable time after receipt of such notice, the Indemnifying Party may assume the defense of such action or proceeding at such Indemnifying

 

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Party’s own expense with counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and approved by the Indemnified Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided , however , that the Indemnifying Party will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any such action or proceeding without the written consent of the Indemnified Party unless such settlement, compromise or consent secures the unconditional release of the Indemnified Party; and provided further , that, if the Indemnified Party reasonably determines that a conflict of interest exists where it is advisable for the Indemnified Party to be represented by separate counsel or that, upon advice of counsel, there may be legal defenses available to the Indemnified Party which are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume such defense and the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to separate counsel at the Indemnifying Party’s expense. If the Indemnifying Party is not entitled to assume the defense of such action or proceeding as a result of the second proviso to the preceding sentence, the Indemnifying Party’s counsel shall be entitled to conduct the Indemnifying Party’s defense and counsel for the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to conduct the defense of the Indemnified Party, it being understood that both such counsel will cooperate with each other to conduct the defense of such action or proceeding as efficiently as possible. If the Indemnifying Party is not so entitled to assume the defense of such action or does not assume such defense, after having received the notice referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph, the Indemnifying Party will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Indemnified Party. In such event, however, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable for any settlement effected without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If an Indemnifying Party is entitled to assume, and assumes, the defense of such action or proceeding in accordance with this paragraph, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any fees and expenses of counsel for the Indemnified Party incurred thereafter in connection with such action or proceeding.

7.4 Contribution .

(i) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in Sections 7.1 through 7.3 is for any reason held to be unenforceable by the Indemnified Party although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnity agreement incurred by the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnified Party on the one hand and the Indemnifying Party on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses. The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by, the Indemnifying Party or the Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action.

 

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(ii) The parties hereto agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section  7.4 were determined by pro  rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section  7.4 , a Holder shall not be required to contribute any amount (together with the amount of any indemnification payments made by such Holder pursuant to Section  7.2 ) in excess of the amount of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by such Holder from sales of the Registrable Shares of such Holder under the Registration Statement that is the subject of the indemnification claim.

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section  7.4 , each person, if any, who controls a Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act, and any of their partners, members, officers, directors, trustees, employees or representatives, shall have the same rights to contribution as such Holder, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed a Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

SECTION 8. EXPENSES

8.1 Expenses . The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each registration of Registrable Shares pursuant to Section  2 or 3 . Each Holder shall be responsible for the payment of any and all brokerage and sales commissions, fees and disbursements of the Holder’s counsel that are not Registration Expenses, accountants and other advisors, and any transfer taxes relating to the sale or disposition of the Registrable Shares by such Holder pursuant to any Registration Statement or otherwise.

SECTION 9. RULE 144 REPORTING

9.1 Rule 144 Reporting . With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration statement, if the Shares of the Company are registered under the Securities Exchange Act, the Company agrees to:

(i) make and keep public information available as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 at all times after ninety (90) calendar days after the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the Company;

(ii) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements);

(iii) furnish to any Holder, so long as the Holder owns any Registrable Shares, upon request, (A) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) calendar days after

 

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the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the Company), the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), or that it qualifies as a registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to a registration statement (at any time after it so qualifies) and (B) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (C) such other information as may be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the SEC which permits the selling of any such securities without registration or pursuant to such form; and

(iv) provide notice in writing to each Holder that then has one or more designees on the Company’s board of directors of the beginning and ending of any “blackout period” in connection with the Company’s publicly issuances from time to time of earnings releases for fiscal quarter or fiscal years.

SECTION 10. CONFIDENTIALITY

10.1 Confidentiality . To the extent that the information and other material in connection with the registration rights contemplated in this Agreement (in any case, whether furnished before, on or after the date hereof) constitutes or contains confidential business, financial or other information of the Company or the Holders or their respective Affiliates, each party hereto covenants for itself and its directors, officers, employees and shareholders that it shall use due care to prevent its officers, directors, partners, employees, counsel, accountants and other representatives from disclosing such information to persons other than to their respective authorized employees, counsel, accountants, advisers, shareholders, partners, limited partners or members (or proposed shareholders, partners, limited partners or members or advisers of such persons), and other authorized representatives, in each case, so long as such person agrees to keep such information confidential in accordance with the terms hereof; provided , however , that each Holder or the Company may disclose or deliver any information or other material disclosed to or received by it should such Holder or the Company be advised by its counsel that such disclosure or delivery is required by law, regulation or judicial or administrative order or process and in any such instance the Holder or the Company, as the case may be, making such disclosure shall use reasonable efforts to consult with the Company prior to making any such disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Holder will be permitted to disclose any information or other material disclosed to or received by it hereunder and not be required to provide the aforementioned notice, if such disclosure is in connection with (i) such Holder’s reporting obligations pursuant to Section 13 or Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act or (ii) a routine audit by a regulatory or self-regulatory authority that maintains jurisdiction over the Holder; provided , however , that such Holder agrees, in the case of (ii) in the preceding clause, to undertake to file an appropriate request seeking to have any information disclosed in connection with such routine audit treated confidentially. For purposes of this Section  10.1 , “due care” means at least the same level of care that such Holder would use to protect the confidentiality of its own sensitive or proprietary information. This Section  10.1 shall not apply to information that is or becomes publicly available (other than to a person who by breach of this Agreement has caused such information to become publicly available).

 

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SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS

11.1 Waivers . No waiver by a party hereto shall be effective unless made in a written instrument duly executed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced, and only to the extent set forth in such instrument. Neither the waiver by any of the parties hereto of a breach or a default under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor the failure of any of the parties, on one or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder shall thereafter be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of a similar nature, or as a waiver of any such provisions, rights or privileges hereunder.

11.2 Notices . Notices to the Company and to the Holders shall be sent to their respective addresses as set forth on Schedule I attached to this Agreement. The Company or any Holder may require notices to be sent to a different address by giving notice to the other parties in accordance with this Section  11.2 . Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given upon receipt if and when delivered personally, sent by facsimile transmission (the confirmation being deemed conclusive evidence of such delivery) or by courier service or five calendar days after being sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), to such parties at such address.

11.3 Public Announcements and Other Disclosure . No Holder shall make any press release, public announcement or other disclosure with respect to this Agreement without obtaining the prior written consent of the Company, except as permitted pursuant to Section  10.1 or as may be required by law or by the regulations of any securities exchange or national market system upon which the securities of any such Holder shall be listed or quoted; provided , that in the case of any such disclosure required by law or regulation, the Holder making such disclosure shall use all reasonable efforts to consult with the Company prior to making any such disclosure.

11.4 Headings and Interpretation . All section and subsection headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not intended to qualify the meaning, construction or scope of any of the provisions hereof. The Holders hereby disclaim any defense or assertion in any litigation or arbitration that any ambiguity herein should be construed against the draftsman.

11.5 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement (including all schedules) constitutes the entire and only agreement among the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof. From and after the Effective Date, the provisions of the Initial Agreement granting registration rights to the Holders party thereto are superseded and replaced in their entirety with this Agreement. Any oral statements or representations or prior written matter with respect thereto not contained herein shall have no force and effect. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no amendment, modification or discharge of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless set forth in writing and duly executed by the Company and the Holders that, in the aggregate, hold not less than 90% of the then remaining Registrable Shares; provided further that no provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless any and each Holder adversely affected by such amendment or modification in a manner different than other Holders has expressly consented in writing to such amendment or modification.

 

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11.6 Assignment; Successors and Assigns . This Agreement and the rights granted hereunder may not be assigned by any Holder without the written consent of the Company; provided , however , that the rights to cause the Company to register Registrable Shares pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned by a Holder to a Permitted Transferee of such Holder’s Registrable Shares; provided that such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto, their successors, heirs, legatees, devisees, permitted assigns, legal representatives, executors and administrators, except as otherwise provided herein.

11.7 Saving Clause . If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby. If the operation of any provision of this Agreement would contravene the provisions of any applicable law, such provision shall be void and ineffectual. In the event that applicable law is subsequently amended or interpreted in such a way to make any provision of this Agreement that was formerly invalid valid, such provision shall be considered to be valid from the effective date of such interpretation or amendment.

11.8 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, and all so executed shall constitute one agreement, binding on all the parties hereto, even though all parties are not signatory to the original or the same counterpart.

11.9 Representations . Each of the parties hereto, as to itself only, represents that this Agreement has been duly authorized and executed by it and that all necessary corporate actions have been taken by it in order for this Agreement to be enforceable against it under all applicable laws. Each party hereto, as to itself only, further represents that all persons signing this Agreement on such party’s behalf have been duly authorized to do so.

11.10 Governing Law . The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without application of the conflict of laws principles thereof.

11.11 Service of Process and Venue . Each of the parties hereto (i) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, the Supreme Court of the State of New York and the federal courts of the United States of America located in the State of New York in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement, (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court, (iii) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement in any court other than any court of the United States located in the State of New York and (iv) consents to service being made through the notice procedures set forth in Section  11.2 hereof. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail pursuant to Section  11.2 hereof shall be effective service of process for any suit or proceeding in connection with this Agreement.

11.12 Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof, and that the Holders and the Company shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity.

 

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11.13 No Third Party Beneficiaries . It is the explicit intention of the parties hereto that no person or entity other than the parties hereto is or shall be entitled to bring any action to enforce any provision of this Agreement against any of the parties hereto, and the covenants, undertakings and agreements set forth in this Agreement shall be solely for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable only by, the parties hereto or their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

11.14 General Interpretive Principles . For purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(i) the terms defined in this Agreement include the plural as well as the singular, and the use of any gender or neuter form herein shall be deemed to include the other gender and the neuter form;

(ii) references herein to “Sections”, “subsections,” “paragraphs”, and other subdivisions without reference to a document are to designated Sections, paragraphs and other subdivisions of this Agreement;

(iii) a reference to a paragraph without further reference to a Section is a reference to such paragraph as contained in the same Section in which the reference appears, and this rule shall also apply to other subdivisions;

(iv) the words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision;

(v) the term “include”, includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and

(vi) the term “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, an association, a joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, governmental or political subdivision or agency, or any other entity of whatever nature.

11.15 Termination . This Agreement shall terminate and be void and of no further force and effect, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate without any further liability on the part of any party in respect thereof, upon the earlier to occur of (a) the mutual written agreement of each of the parties hereto to terminate this Agreement or (b) such date as no Registrable Shares remain outstanding.

11.16 Restriction on Transfer After Transaction . Each Holder (other than Ms. Acosta and Messrs. Djerejian, Leat and Smith and each of their Permitted Transferees) agrees not to effect any sale or distribution, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144, of any Registrable Shares, and not to effect any sale or distribution of other securities of the Company or of any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other securities of the Company, in each case, until the date that is six (6) months after the Effective Date. Further, each Holder (other than Ms. Acosta and Messrs. Djerejian, Leat and Smith and each of their Permitted Transferees) agrees not to effect any sale or distribution, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144, of any Registrable Shares, and not to effect any sale or distribution of other securities of the

 

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Company or of any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other securities of the Company, in each case for so long as this Agreement remains in effect with respect to such Holder, if such sale or distribution would or would reasonably be expected to constitute or result in a “change of control” or similar event, as defined under the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ loan, credit or other debt facilities in place on the Effective Date or that may be entered into from time to time, provided that any such future loan, credit or other debt facilities contain substantially similar change of control definitions as those in the loan, credit or other debt facilities in place on the Effective Date. In the event that all or any portion of the provisions of this Section  11.16 is waived with respect to EnerVest or TPG, such provisions of this Section  11.16 shall also be waived with respect to all such Holders.

11.17 No Inconsistent Agreements; Additional Rights. The Company shall not hereafter enter into, and is not currently a party to, any agreement (other than the Initial Agreement, which will be terminated on the Effective Date) with respect to its securities that is inconsistent in any material respect with, or superior to, the registration rights granted to the Holders by this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other rights and remedies the Holders may have in respect of the Company or such other party pursuant to this Agreement, if the Company enters into any other registration rights or similar agreement with respect to any of its securities that contains provisions that violate the preceding sentence, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall immediately be deemed to have been amended without further action by the Company or any of the Holders of Registrable Shares so that such Holders of such Registrable Shares shall each be entitled to the benefit of any such more favorable or less restrictive terms or conditions, as the case may be.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
TPG PACE ENERGY HOLDINGS CORP.
By:  

/s/ Eduardo Tamraz

Name: Eduardo Tamraz

Title: Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Secretary

HOLDERS :
TPG PACE ENERGY SPONSOR, LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael LaGatta

Name: Michael LaGatta
Title: Vice President
By:  

/s/ Arcilia Acosta

Name: Arcilia Acosta
By:  

/s/ Edward Djerejian

Name: Edward Djerejian
By:  

/s/ Chad Leat

Name: Chad Leat
By:  

/s/ Dan F. Smith

Name: Dan F. Smith

Signature Page to

Registration Rights Agreement


ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-A, L.P.
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name: Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President
ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-C, L.P.
By:   EVFC GP XIV, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President
ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-C-AIV, L.P.
By:   EVFC GP XIV, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name: Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President

Signature Page to

Registration Rights Agreement


ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-WIC, L.P.
By:   EnerVest Holding XIV, LLC,
  its General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name: Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President
ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-2A, L.P.
By:   EVFA XIV-2A, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President
ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-3A, L.P.
By:   EVFA XIV-3A, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name: Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President

Signature Page to

Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit 4.3

STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT

THIS STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of July 31, 2018, is made by and among TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ TPG Pace ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-A ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-WIC ”), Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-2A ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-3A ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-C ”), and, by subsequent agreement, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C-AIV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-C-AIV ” and, together with EV XIV-A, EV XIV-WIC, EV XIV-2A, EV XIV-3A, and EV XIV-C collectively, the “ EnerVest Funds ”). TPG Pace and the EnerVest Funds shall be referred to herein as the “ Sponsors ” and each a “ Sponsor .” The Company, the Sponsors and any other Stockholders may be referred to herein each as a “ Party ” and together as the “ Parties .”

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company, TPG Pace Energy Parent LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company (“ Operating ”), and the EnerVest Funds have entered into that certain Contribution and Merger Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2018 (as it may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Contribution Agreement ”), pursuant to which, among other things, the EnerVest Funds will contribute certain assets to Operating in exchange for certain membership interests in Operating (the “ Units ”) and certain shares of Common Stock (the “ Transaction ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10.3 of the Contribution Agreement, each EnerVest Fund and the Company is required, and the Company is required to cause TPG Pace, to execute and deliver this Agreement at the closing of the Transaction (the “ Closing ”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual promises, covenants and agreements of the Parties, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another Person. The term “ control ” and its derivatives with respect to any Person mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; provided that no Stockholder shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for purposes of this Agreement.


Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Amended Parent Charter ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Contribution Agreement.

beneficial ownership ,” including the correlative term “ beneficially own ,” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

Board ” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

Charter Amendment Proposals ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Contribution Agreement, but shall not include any Necessary Charter Amendment Proposal (as defined in the Contribution Agreement).

Chief Executive Officer ” shall mean the chief executive officer of the Company.

Closing ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Closing Date ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Contribution Agreement.

Common Stock ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Company Charter.

Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Company Charter ” shall mean that Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated as of May 4, 2017.

Confidential Information ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3.7 .

Contribution Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

EnerVest ” shall mean, collectively, each of the EnerVest Funds (so long as such Person is a Stockholder hereunder) and each of their respective Affiliates that is or becomes a Stockholder hereunder.

EnerVest Director ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3.2(a) .

EnerVest Funds ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

EV XIV-A ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

EV XIV-2A ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

EV XIV-3A ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

EV XIV-C ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

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EV XIV-C-AIV ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

EV XIV-WIC ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Governmental Entity ” shall mean any federal, state, local, municipal, tribal or other government; any governmental, regulatory or administrative agency, commission, body or other authority exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, regulatory or taxing authority or power, and any court or governmental tribunal, including any tribal authority having or asserting jurisdiction.

Indemnity Agreement ” shall mean an Indemnity Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit 10.7 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 28, 2017.

Initial TPG Share Ownership ” shall mean the shares of Common Stock owned by TPG immediately following the Closing (including any shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of any Sponsor Warrants held by TPG immediately following the Closing).

Law ” shall mean any applicable statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, order, code, ruling, writ, injunction, decree, or other official act of or by any Governmental Entity.

LTIP Proposal ” shall mean a proposal to have a new incentive equity plan of the Company approved.

Necessary Action ” shall mean, with respect to any Party and a specified result, all actions (to the extent such actions are permitted by Law and within such Party’s control) necessary to cause such result, including (i) voting or providing a written consent or proxy with respect to the shares of Common Stock, (ii) causing the adoption of stockholders’ resolutions and amendments to the organizational documents of the Company, (iii) executing agreements and instruments, and (iv) making, or causing to be made, with governmental, administrative or regulatory authorities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result.

Nominating and Governance Committee ” shall mean the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board.

Non-Compete Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.

Non-Private Equity Business ” shall mean any business or investment of a Stockholder and its Affiliates distinct from the private equity business of such Stockholder and its Affiliates to the extent not under the control of such Stockholder, its controlled Affiliate or Affiliated management vehicle; provided , that such business or investment shall not be deemed to be distinct from such private equity business if and at such time that (a) any confidential information with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries is made available to investment professionals of such Stockholder and its Affiliates who are not involved in the private equity business and who are involved in such other business or investment or (b) such Stockholder or any of its Affiliates instructs any such business or investment to take any action that would violate any provision of this Agreement had such action been taken directly by such Stockholder.

 

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NYSE ” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange or any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is traded following the date of this Agreement.

NYSE Rules ” shall mean the rules and regulations of the NYSE.

Operating ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Party and “ Parties ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph herein.

Permitted Transferee ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) the direct or indirect partners, members, equity holders or other Affiliates of such Person, or (ii) any of such Person’s related investment funds or vehicles controlled or managed by such Person or Affiliate of such Person.

Person ” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Entity or any other entity.

Proxy Statement ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Contribution Agreement.

Registration Rights Agreement ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Contribution Agreement.

Representatives ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants, actuaries, consultants, equity financing partners or financial advisors or other Person associated with, or acting on behalf of, such Person.

SEC ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency having jurisdiction under the Securities Act.

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

SOX ” shall mean the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Stockholder ” shall mean any holder of Common Stock that is or becomes a party to this Agreement from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.

Sponsor ” or “ Sponsors ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Sponsor Director ” shall mean any director designated for nomination by EnerVest or TPG.

 

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Sponsor Warrants ” means the 10,000,000 private placement warrants issued to TPG Pace in connection with the closing of the initial public offering of the Company.

Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to a specified Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint venture, or other legal entity of which the specified Person (either alone or through or together with any other Subsidiary) owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting stock or other equity or partnership interests, the holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other governing body of such legal entity, or of which the specified Person controls the management

Transaction ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Transfer ” shall mean the (a) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, encumber, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly (including through the transfer of the equity interests in any Person), or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause  (a) or (b) ; and “Transferred” and “Transferee” shall each have a correlative meaning.

TPG ” shall mean TPG Pace (so long as it is a Stockholder hereunder) and each of its Affiliates that is or becomes a Stockholder hereunder.

TPG Pace ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

TPG Director ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3.2(a) .

Transaction Proposals ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Contribution Agreement.

Unaffiliated Director ” shall mean a director that is independent for purposes of the Audit Committee of the Board under the NYSE Rules, the Exchange Act and SOX.

Units ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Section 1.2 Construction . The rules of construction set forth in this Section  1.2 shall apply to the interpretation of this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to Annexes, Articles, Sections, subsections, and other subdivisions of or to this Agreement refer to the corresponding Annexes, Articles, Sections, subsections, and other subdivisions of or to this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise. Titles appearing at the beginning of any Articles, Sections, subsections, and other subdivisions of or to this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute any part of this Agreement, and shall be disregarded in construing the language hereof. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and “hereof,” and words of similar import, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section, subsection, or other subdivision of or to this Agreement unless expressly so limited. The words

 

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“this Article,” “this Section,” and “this subsection,” and words of similar import, refer only to the Article, Section or subsection hereof in which such words occur. Wherever the words “including” and “excluding” (in their various forms) are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limiting the foregoing in any respect.” Unless expressly provided to the contrary, if a word or phrase is defined, its other grammatical forms have a corresponding meaning. The words “shall” and “will” have the equal force and effect. Pronouns in masculine, feminine, or neuter genders shall be construed to state and include any other gender, and words, terms, and titles (including terms defined herein) in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. Reference herein to any federal, state, local, or foreign Law shall be deemed to also refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise, and reference herein to any agreement, instrument, or Law means such agreement, instrument, or Law as from time to time amended, modified, or supplemented, including, in the case of agreements or instruments, by waiver or consent and, in the case of Laws, by succession of comparable successor Laws.

ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each of the Parties hereby represents and warrants to each other Party to this Agreement that as of the date such Party executes this Agreement:

Section 2.1 Existence; Authority; Enforceability . Such Party has the power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder. Such Party is duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization, and the execution of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, have been authorized by all necessary action, and no other act or proceeding on its part is necessary to authorize the execution of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

Section 2.2 Absence of Conflicts . The execution and delivery by such Party of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder does not and will not (a) conflict with, or result in the breach of any provision of the constitutive documents of such Party; (b) result in any violation, breach, conflict, default or event of default (or an event which with notice, lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default or event of default), or give rise to any right of acceleration or termination or any additional payment obligation, under the terms of any contract, agreement or permit to which such Party is a party or by which such Party’s assets or operations are bound or affected; or (c) violate any Law applicable to such Party.

Section 2.3 Consents . Other than any consents which have already been obtained, no consent, waiver, approval, authorization, exemption, registration, license or declaration is required to be made or obtained by such Party in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or (b) the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein.

 

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ARTICLE III

GOVERNANCE

Section 3.1 [Reserved .]

Section 3.2 Board .

(a) Proposals. It is the intention of the Stockholders and the Company that the Company be obligated to cooperate with the Stockholders to cause certain amendments to the Company Charter to be effected in connection with the Transactions and to approve the LTIP Proposal. Accordingly, in the event that the Transactions are approved but any Charter Amendment Proposal or the LTIP Proposal is not, the Company shall, upon the written request of TPG or EnerVest, cooperate with respect to the calling and holding of any additional meetings of the stockholders of the Company, and the preparation, filing and mailing of any additional proxy materials, to seek the approval of the holders of Common Stock necessary to effect any of the Charter Amendment Proposals or the LTIP Proposal, as applicable; provided , however , that in no event shall the obligation of the Company set forth in this Section  3.2(a) require the Company to cooperate with respect to the calling and holding of more than two special meetings of the Company’s stockholders to effect the Charter Amendment Proposals or the LTIP Proposal, as applicable. The Stockholders shall vote, and shall cause each of their Affiliates to vote, all of their shares of Common Stock in favor of any such proposal or action in furtherance of any Charter Amendment Proposal or the LTIP Proposal.

(b) Composition of the Board . The Stockholders and the Company shall take all Necessary Action to cause the Board to be comprised at the Closing of eight directors, (A) two of whom were initially designated by EnerVest before the mailing of the Proxy Statement and thereafter shall be designated pursuant to Section  3.2(c) of this Agreement (each, a “ EnerVest Director ”), (B) two of whom were initially designated by TPG before the mailing of the Proxy Statement and thereafter shall be designated pursuant to Section  3.2(d) of this Agreement (each, a “ TPG Director ”), provided that (i) subject to the penultimate sentence of Section  3.2(d) , one of the TPG Directors shall be an “independent director” under the NYSE Rules and (ii) subject to the last sentence of Section  3.1(c) , one of the EnerVest Directors shall be independent for purposes of the Audit Committee of the Board under the NYSE Rules, the Exchange Act and SOX, (C) one of whom shall be the Chief Executive Officer, initially Stephen Chazen and (D) three of whom shall be Unaffiliated Directors, initially mutually designated by TPG and EnerVest before the mailing of the Proxy Statement.

(c) EnerVest Representation . For so long as EnerVest holds at least the percentage of Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis, including equity securities exercisable into Common Stock, and on a combined basis) shown below, the Company shall, and the Stockholders shall take all Necessary Action to, include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election as directors at each applicable annual or special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected that number of individuals designated by EnerVest that, if elected, will result in EnerVest having the number of directors serving on the Board that is shown below. In the event that EnerVest shall be entitled to designate only one director, such director may be, but shall not be required to be, an “independent director” under NYSE Rules.

 

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Percent of Common Stock Owned

   Number of
EnerVest
Directors
 

15% or greater

     2  

2% or greater

     1  

(d) TPG Representation . For so long as TPG holds at least the percentage of the Initial TPG Share Ownership (including any shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of any Sponsor Warrants held by TPG) shown below, the Company shall, and the Stockholders shall take all Necessary Action to, include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election as directors at each applicable annual or special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected that number of individuals designated by TPG that, if elected, will result in TPG having the number of directors serving on the Board that is shown below. In the event that TPG shall be entitled to designate only one director, such director may be, but shall not be required to be, an “independent director” under the NYSE Rules. For purposes of calculating the Percent of Initial TPG Share Ownership Owned below, if TPG holds Sponsor Warrants that expire pursuant to their terms while held by TPG, then the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of such Sponsor Warrants shall be excluded for all purposes from the Initial TPG Share Ownership from and after such expiration.

 

Percent of Initial TPG Share Ownership Owned

   Number
of TPG
Directors
 

60% or greater

     2  

25% or greater

     1  

(e) Unaffiliated Directors . Following the closing of the Transaction, except as set forth in Section  3.2(c) and Section  3.2(d) , the nomination of directors (including Unaffiliated Directors) at annual meetings will be the responsibility of the Nominating and Governance Committee.

(f) Decrease in Directors . Upon any decrease in the number of directors that a Sponsor is entitled to designate for nomination to the Board, such Sponsor shall take all Necessary Action to cause the appropriate number of Sponsor Directors to offer to tender their resignation, effective as of the Company’s next annual meeting. For the avoidance of doubt, any Sponsor Director resigning pursuant to this Section  3.2(f) shall be permitted to continue serving as a Sponsor Director until the Company’s next annual meeting.

(g) Removal; Vacancies . Except as provided in Section  3.2(f) , and subject to the Company Charter, (i) each Sponsor shall have the exclusive right to remove its designees from the Board (including any committees thereof), and the Company and the Sponsors shall take all Necessary Action to cause the removal of any such designee at the request of the designating Sponsor and (ii) each Sponsor shall have the exclusive right to designate directors for election to the Board to fill vacancies created by reason of death, removal or resignation of its designees to the Board (including any committees thereof), and the Company and the Sponsors shall take all Necessary Action to cause any such vacancies to be filled by replacement directors designated by such designating Sponsor as promptly as reasonably practicable. For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph, no Sponsor shall have the right to

 

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designate a replacement director, and the Company and the Sponsors shall not be required to take any action to cause any vacancy to be filled by any such designee, to the extent that election or appointment of such designee to the Board would result in a number of directors designated by such Sponsor in excess of the number of directors that such Sponsor is then entitled to designate for membership on the Board pursuant to this Agreement.

(h) Forced Resignation . Each Sponsor shall take all Necessary Action to cause any of its Sponsor Directors, to resign promptly from the Board if such Sponsor Director, as determined by the Board in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel, (i) is prohibited or disqualified from serving as a director of the Company under any rule or regulation of the SEC, the NYSE, or by applicable Law, (ii) has engaged in acts or omissions constituting a breach of the Sponsor Director’s fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders, (iii) has engaged in acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or an intentional violation of Law or (iv) has engaged in any transaction involving the Company from which the Sponsor Director derived an improper personal benefit that was not disclosed to the Board prior to the authorization of such transaction; provided, however, that, subject to the limitations set forth in Section  3.2(b) , 3 .2(c) or 3 .2(d) , the applicable Sponsor shall have the right to replace such resigning Sponsor Director with a new Sponsor Director, such newly named Sponsor Director to be appointed promptly to the Board in place of the resigning Sponsor Director in the manner set forth in the Company’s governing documents for filling vacancies on the Board and in Section  2.2(g) . Nothing in this paragraph (h) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall confer any third-party beneficiary or other rights upon any person designated hereunder as a Sponsor Director, whether during or after such person’s service on the Board.

(i) Size of Board . The Company will take all Necessary Action to ensure that the number of directors serving on the Board shall not exceed ten directors; provided , that the number of directors may be increased if necessary to satisfy the requirements of applicable Laws or the NYSE Rules.

(j) Committees . Subject to applicable Laws and the NYSE Rules, each of EnerVest and TPG shall have the right to have a representative appointed to serve on each committee of the Board (other than the audit committee) for which any such representative is eligible pursuant to applicable Laws and the NYSE Rules so long as such Sponsor has the right to designate at least one director for election to the Board. Subject to applicable Laws and the NYSE Rules, if a TPG Director is a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee, such TPG Director shall be the chairman thereof.

Section 3.3 The Company shall reimburse any Stockholder for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of any Necessary Action required to be taken under the foregoing provisions of Section  3.2 .

Section 3.4 Voting Agreement . Each of the Company and the Stockholders agrees not to take any actions that would interfere with the intention of the Parties with respect to the composition of the Board as herein stated. Each Stockholder agrees to cast all votes to which such Stockholder is entitled in respect of its shares of Common Stock, whether at any annual or special meeting, by written consent or otherwise, so as to cause to be elected to the Board those individuals designated or nominated in accordance with this Article  III and to otherwise effect the intent of

 

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this Article  III . Each Stockholder agrees not to take action to remove each other’s or the Nominating and Governance Committee’s director nominees from office. Except as set forth in Section  3.2(c) and Section  3.2(d) , each Stockholder agrees to cast all votes to which such Stockholder is entitled in respect of its shares of Common Stock, whether at any annual or special meeting, by written consent or otherwise, so as to cause to be elected to the Board those individuals recommended by the Nominating and Governance Committee (to the extent those individuals are recommended in a manner consistent with the terms hereof).

Section 3.5 Standstill Agreement .

(a) Except as required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and as otherwise required or expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Contribution Agreement, each Stockholder agrees that, for so long as such Stockholder or any of its Affiliates has the right to designate two individuals for nomination to the Board under this Agreement, without the prior written approval of at least a majority of the disinterested members of the Board, such Stockholder shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to (other than, with respect to TPG Pace, any Non-Private Equity Business of TPG Pace or its Affiliates), directly or indirectly:

(i) acquire, agree to acquire, propose or offer to acquire beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock or any warrants of the Company exercisable into shares of Common Stock, other than (A) as a result of any stock split, stock dividend or subdivision of shares of Common Stock, (B) in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement or the Company Charter, (C) in connection with any exercise of the Sponsor Warrants or (D) acquisitions involving no more than 3% of the fully diluted voting power of the Common Stock;

(ii) other than any internal agreement or arrangement solely among the EnerVest Funds and their respective Affiliates that is otherwise permitted by this Agreement, deposit any Common Stock into a voting trust or subject any shares of Common Stock to any voting agreement, pooling arrangement or similar arrangement, or grant any proxy with respect to any Common Stock other than to a person designated by the Board;

(iii) agree to enter or propose or offer to enter into any merger, business combination, recapitalization, restructuring, change in control transaction or other similar extraordinary transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or an acquisition of any of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(iv) make or participate or engage in any “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are defined under Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, disregarding clause (iv) of Rule 14a-1(l)(2) and including any otherwise exempt solicitation pursuant to Rule 14a-2(b)) to vote any Common Stock (x) in opposition to the recommendation or proposal of the Board or (y) with respect to any matter with respect to which the Board has not yet made a recommendation;

(v) publicly disclose any intention, plan, arrangement or other contract prohibited by, or inconsistent with, the foregoing;

 

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(vi) advise, assist or encourage or enter into any negotiations or agreements or other contracts with any other persons in connection with the foregoing;

(vii) otherwise act, alone or in concert with offers, to seek control of the management or policies of the Company; or

(viii) with respect to any of the foregoing, (x) form, join or in any way participate in a “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder) with respect to any Common Stock other than any “group” made up of solely the EnerVest Funds and their Affiliates; (y) call, or seek to call, a meeting of the stockholders of the Company or initiate any stockholder proposal for action by stockholders of the Company with respect to any of the foregoing or (z) directly or indirectly, take any action that would reasonably be expected to require the Company to make a public announcement regarding the possibility of a business combination, merger, sale of assets or other type of transaction or matter described in this Section  3.5 .

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section  3.5 , the foregoing provisions shall not, and are not intended to:

(i) prohibit or otherwise limit or restrict a Stockholder or its Affiliates from privately communicating with, including making any offer or proposal to, the Board in a manner that does not require a public announcement by the Company;

(ii) restrict the manner in which any EnerVest Director or TPG Director, as the case may be, may (A) vote on any matter submitted to the Board or the stockholders of the Company, (B) participate in deliberations or discussions of the Board or members of the Board (including making suggestions or raising issues to the Board) in his or her capacity as a member of the Board, or (C) take actions required by his or her exercise of legal duties and obligations as a member of the Board or refrain from taking any action prohibited by his or her legal duties and obligations as a member of the Board, provided that foregoing shall not limit Stockholder’s obligations hereunder; or

(iii) apply to the acquisition (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) by any Stockholder or an Affiliate thereof of any Person that beneficially owns Common Stock at the time of the consummation of such acquisition, provided that (x) in connection with any such acquisition such Stockholder or its Affiliate, as the case may be, divests the Common Stock beneficially owned by the acquired Person within a reasonable period of time after the consummation of such acquisition and (y) the shares of Common Stock that such Person beneficially owns do not constitute a material portion of such Person’s assets.

Section 3.6 Restrictions on Transferability .

(a) Each Sponsor agrees that, without the prior written approval of at least a majority of the disinterested members of the Board, it shall not knowingly (after due inquiry) Transfer any shares of Common Stock pursuant to a block sale, market transaction or private sale: (i) to any Person that, after giving effect to such Transfer, would be required to file with the SEC a Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act relating to ownership of Common Stock, or (ii) that would result in a Person (together with its Affiliates and associates) acquiring beneficial ownership of

 

11


such number of shares of Common Stock that, when combined with the number of shares beneficially owned thereby immediately prior to such sale or transaction, will cause such Person to beneficially own in excess of 15% of the Common Stock outstanding at such time, unless in the case of each of clause (i) and (ii), such Person agrees in writing to be bound by substantially the same obligations as such Stockholder is bound by pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Sponsor Director shall not be deemed to be interested for purposes of this Section  3.6(a) solely as a result of the fact that such Sponsor Director was appointed by a Sponsor. The foregoing restrictions of this Section  3.6(a) shall not apply to (x) any Underwritten Shelf Takedown, Block Trade, or Transfers of shares of Common Stock included on a Piggyback Registration Statement in an underwritten offering (each as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) effected in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement or (y) any planned trading program effected pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act.

(b) Subject to any other agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to which any Stockholder (or any of its Affiliates) may be bound (including the Registration Rights Agreement), each Stockholder shall be permitted to Transfer shares of Common Stock to a Permitted Transferee of such Stockholder following notice of such transfer to the Company and if at the time of and as a condition to such Transfer, such Permitted Transferee agrees to become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering such documents as may be necessary to make such Transferee a party hereto, whereupon such Transferee will be treated as a Stockholder (with the same rights and obligations as its Transferring Stockholder) for all purposes of this Agreement.

(c) In the event that any Affiliate of any Stockholder acquires shares of Common Stock (pursuant to the Non-Compete Agreement or otherwise), such Stockholder shall cause such Affiliate to agree to become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering such documents as may be necessary to make such Affiliate a party hereto, whereupon such Affiliate will be treated as a Stockholder (with the same rights and obligations as its Affiliated Stockholder) for all purposes of this Agreement. This Section  3.6(c) shall not apply to any Affiliate of any Stockholder who is a natural person (other than John Walker).

(d) Any attempted transaction in violation of this Section  3.4 shall be null and void.

Section 3.7 Sharing of Information . Each Stockholder recognizes that it, or its Affiliates and Representatives, has acquired or will acquire confidential, non-public information (“ Confidential Information ”) about the Company and its Subsidiaries the use or disclosure of which could cause the Company substantial loss and damages that could not be readily calculated and for which no remedy at law would be adequate. Accordingly, each Stockholder covenants and agrees with the Company that it will not (and will cause its respective Affiliates and Representatives not to) at any time, except with the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, disclose any Confidential Information known to it, unless (i) such information becomes known to the public through no fault of such Stockholder, (ii) disclosure is required by applicable Law or court of competent jurisdiction or requested by a Governmental Entity, provided that such Stockholder promptly notifies the Company of such disclosure and takes reasonable steps to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure, (iii) such information does not relate to the assets, business or liabilities that were contributed or sold to the Company at the Closing and was available or becomes available to such Stockholder before, on or after the date hereof, without

 

12


restriction, from a source (other than the Company) without any breach of duty to the Company or (iv) such information was independently developed by the Stockholder or its representatives without the use of the Confidential Information. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent permitted by antitrust, competition or any other applicable Law, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit a Stockholder from disclosing Confidential Information to any Affiliate, Representative, limited partner, member or shareholder of such Stockholder; provided , that such Stockholder shall be responsible for any breach of this Section  3.7 by any such person.

Section 3.8 Reimbursement of Expenses . The Company shall reimburse the directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at meetings of the Board and any committees thereof, including travel, lodging and meal expenses.

Section 3.9 Indemnity Agreements . Simultaneously with any person becoming a Sponsor Director, the Company shall execute and deliver to each such Sponsor Director an Indemnity Agreement dated the date such Sponsor Director becomes a director of the Company.

Section 3.10 Chief Executive Officer Succession . The Company shall consult with each Sponsor with respect to candidates for successor to the Chief Executive Officer.

ARTICLE IV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 4.1 Assignment; Benefit . The rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable without the prior written consent of the other Parties except as provided in Section  3.6 . Any such assignee may not again assign those rights, other than in accordance with this Article  IV . Any attempted assignment of rights or obligations in violation of this Article  IV shall be null and void. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties, and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and there shall be no third-party beneficiaries to this Agreement other than the Sponsor Directors under Section  3.9 .

Section 4.2 Freedom to Pursue Opportunities . Subject to any other agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to which any Stockholder (or any of its Affiliates) or any Sponsor Director may be bound (including the Non-Compete Agreement), the Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that: (i) each Stockholder and Sponsor Director (and each Affiliate thereof) has the right to, and shall have no duty (contractual or otherwise) not to, (x) directly or indirectly engage in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including those deemed to be competing with the Company or any of their Subsidiaries, or (y) directly or indirectly do business with any client or customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (ii) in the event that a Stockholder or Sponsor Director (or any Affiliate thereof) acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and such Stockholder or any other Person, the Stockholder and Sponsor Director (and any such Affiliate) shall have no duty (contractual or otherwise) to communicate or present such corporate opportunity to the Company or any of their Subsidiaries, as the case may be, and, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, shall not be liable to the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates or Stockholders for breach of any duty (contractual or otherwise) by reason of the fact that such Stockholder or Sponsor Director (or such Affiliate thereof), directly or indirectly, pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person, or does not present such opportunity to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

13


Section 4.3 Termination . This Agreement shall terminate automatically (without any action by any Party) as to each Stockholder upon the later of the time at which such Stockholder or any of its Affiliates no longer has the right to designate an individual for nomination to the Board under this Agreement; provided , that the provisions in Section  3.6 and this Article IV shall survive such termination; provided , further , this Agreement shall terminate automatically (without any action by any Party) on December 31, 2022.

Section 4.4 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any adverse manner to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.

Section 4.5 Entire Agreement; Amendment .

(a) This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated herein and supersedes and replaces any prior understanding, agreement or statement of intent, in each case written or oral, of any kind and every nature with respect hereto. No provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived in whole or in part at any time without the express written consent of the Company and the Stockholders. Except as set forth above, there are no other agreements with respect to the governance of the Company between any Stockholders or any of their Affiliates.

(b) No waiver of any breach of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be effective unless such waiver is expressly made in writing and executed and delivered by the party against whom such waiver is claimed. The waiver by any Party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no failure on the part of any Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder, or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity, shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such Party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.

Section 4.6 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all of such counterparts shall constitute for all purposes one agreement. Any signature hereto delivered by a Party by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be deemed an original signature hereto. No Party shall be bound until such time as all of the Parties have executed counterparts of this Agreement.

 

14


Section 4.7 Notices . All notices and communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, or sent by overnight courier or mailed by certified or registered United States Mail with all postage fully prepaid, or sent by electronic mail (“ email ”) transmission ( provided that a receipt of such email is requested by the notifying party and affirmatively acknowledged by the receiving party), addressed to the appropriate Party at the address for such Party shown below or at such other address as such Party shall have theretofore designated by written notice delivered to the Party giving such notice:

if to EnerVest, to:

E NER V EST , L TD .

Attention: Philip Berry

Vice President – Business Development & Transactions

1001 Fannin, Ste. 800

Houston, Texas 77002

Email: PBerry@EnerVest.net

and

E NER V EST , L TD .

Attention: J. Andrew West

Vice President & General Counsel

1001 Fannin, Ste. 800

Houston, Texas 77002

Email: AWest@EnerVest.net

if to TPG, to:

TPG Global, LLC

301 Commerce St., Suite 3300

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Attention: Jerry Neugebauer

Email: GNeugebauer@tpg.com

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

Vinson & Elkins LLP

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Keith Fullenweider

Email: kfullenweider@velaw.com

 

15


if to the Company to:

TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp.

301 Commerce St., Suite 3300

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Attention: Jerry Neugebauer

Email: GNeugebauer@tpg.com

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

Vinson & Elkins LLP

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Keith Fullenweider and Lande Spottswood

Email: kfullenweider@velaw.com; lspottswood@velaw.com

Section 4.8 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED DISPUTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Section 4.9 Jurisdiction . ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE PARTIES RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR (TO THE EXTENT SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION EXISTS THEREFORE) THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, AND THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF BOTH SUCH COURTS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING. ANY ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT ISSUED BY ONE OF THE FOREGOING COURTS MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY JURISDICTION.

Section 4.10 Waiver of Jury Trial . TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH STOCKHOLDER WAIVES, AND COVENANTS THAT SUCH PARTY WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE), ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE, CLAIM OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE DEALINGS OF ANY STOCKHOLDER OR THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE. The Company or any Stockholder may file an original counterpart or a copy of this Section  4.10 with any court as written evidence of the consent of the Stockholders to the waiver of their rights to trial by jury.

Section 4.11 Specific Performance . Each Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that the rights of each Party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby are special, unique, and of extraordinary character and that, if any Party violates or fails or refuses to perform any covenant or agreement made by it herein, the non-breaching Party may be without an adequate remedy at

 

16


Law. If any Party violates or fails or refuses to perform any covenant or agreement made by such Party herein to be performed, the non-breaching Party, subject to the terms hereof and in addition to any remedy at Law for damages or other relief permitted under this Agreement, may institute and prosecute an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce specific performance of such covenant or agreement or seek any other equitable relief, without the necessity of proving actual damages or posting of a bond.

Section 4.12 Subsequent Acquisition of Shares . Any Common Stock of the Company acquired subsequent to the date hereof by a Stockholder shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

17


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

TPG PACE ENERGY HOLDINGS CORP.
By:  

/s/ Eduardo Tamraz

Name:   Eduardo Tamraz
Title:   Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Secretary
TPG PACE ENERGY SPONSOR LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael LaGatta

Name:   Michael LaGatta
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page to Stockholder Agreement


ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-A, L.P.
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President
ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-C, L.P.
By:   EVFC GP XIV, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President

 

 

Signature Page to Stockholder Agreement


ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-C-AIV, L.P.
By:   EVFC GP XIV, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President
ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-WIC, L.P.
By:   EnerVest Holding XIV, LLC,
  its General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President

 

Signature Page to Stockholder Agreement


ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL

FUND XIV-2A, L.P.

By:   EVFA XIV-2A, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President

ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL

FUND XIV-3A, L.P.

By:   EVFA XIV-3A, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Jud Walker

Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President

 

Signature Page to Stockholder Agreement

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of July 31, 2018

among

TPG PACE ENERGY INTERMEDIATE LLC,

as Holdings

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS OPERATING LLC

as the Borrower,

The Several Lenders

from Time to Time Parties Hereto,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent,

Swingline Lender, an Issuing Bank and a Lender,

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Syndication Agent

and

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

BMO HARRIS BANK N.A.,

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, HOUSTON BRANCH

and

SOCIETE GENERALE

as Documentation Agents

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

as Lead Arrangers

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1

 

Defined Terms

     3  

Section 1.2

 

Other Interpretive Provisions

     52  

Section 1.3

 

Accounting Terms

     53  

Section 1.4

 

Rounding

     54  

Section 1.5

 

References to Agreements, Laws, Etc.

     54  

Section 1.6

 

Times of Day

     54  

Section 1.7

 

Timing of Payment or Performance

     54  

Section 1.8

 

Currency Equivalents Generally

     54  

Section 1.9

 

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

     55  

Section 1.10

 

Hedging Requirements Generally

     55  

Section 1.11

 

Certain Determinations

     55  

Section 1.12

 

Pro Forma and Other Calculations

     55  

Section 1.13

 

LIBOR Discontinuation

     59  
ARTICLE 2

 

AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT

 

Section 2.1

 

Commitments

     59  

Section 2.2

 

Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing; Maximum Number of Borrowings

     61  

Section 2.3

 

Notice of Borrowing

     61  

Section 2.4

 

Disbursement of Funds

     62  

Section 2.5

 

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

     62  

Section 2.6

 

Conversions and Continuations

     63  

Section 2.7

 

Pro Rata Borrowings

     64  

Section 2.8

 

Interest

     64  

Section 2.9

 

Interest Periods

     65  

Section 2.10

 

Increased Costs, Illegality, Etc.

     66  

Section 2.11

 

Compensation

     67  

Section 2.12

 

Change of Lending Office

     67  

Section 2.13

 

Notice of Certain Costs

     68  

Section 2.14

 

Borrowing Base

     68  

Section 2.15

 

Defaulting Lenders

     71  

Section 2.16

 

Increase of Total Commitment

     73  

Section 2.17

 

Extension Offers

     74  
ARTICLE 3

 

LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

Section 3.1

 

Letters of Credit

     76  

Section 3.2

 

Letter of Credit Applications

     77  

Section 3.3

 

Letter of Credit Participations

     78  

Section 3.4

 

Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings

     79  

Section 3.5

 

New or Successor Issuing Bank

     81  

Section 3.6

 

Role of Issuing Bank

     82  

 

i


Section 3.7

 

Cash Collateral

     82  

Section 3.8

 

Applicability of ISP and UCP

     83  

Section 3.9

 

Conflict with Issuer Documents

     83  

Section 3.10

 

Letters of Credit Issued for Restricted Subsidiaries

     83  

Section 3.11

 

Increased Costs

     83  
ARTICLE 4

 

FEES; COMMITMENTS

 

Section 4.1

 

Fees

     84  

Section 4.2

 

Voluntary Reduction of Commitments

     84  

Section 4.3

 

Mandatory Termination of Commitments

     85  
ARTICLE 5

 

PAYMENTS

 

Section 5.1

 

Voluntary Prepayments

     86  

Section 5.2

 

Mandatory Prepayments

     86  

Section 5.3

 

Method and Place of Payment

     88  

Section 5.4

 

Net Payments

     88  

Section 5.5

 

Computations of Interest and Fees

     92  

Section 5.6

 

Limit on Rate of Interest

     92  
ARTICLE 6

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS AND INITIAL BORROWING

 

ARTICLE 7

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ALL SUBSEQUENT CREDIT EVENTS

 

ARTICLE 8

 

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS

 

Section 8.1

 

Corporate Status

     97  

Section 8.2

 

Corporate Power and Authority; Enforceability

     97  

Section 8.3

 

No Violation

     98  

Section 8.4

 

Litigation

     98  

Section 8.5

 

Margin Regulations

     98  

Section 8.6

 

Governmental Approvals

     98  

Section 8.7

 

Investment Company Act

     98  

Section 8.8

 

True and Complete Disclosure

     98  

Section 8.9

 

Tax Matters

     99  

Section 8.10

 

Compliance with ERISA

     99  

Section 8.11

 

Subsidiaries

     99  

Section 8.12

 

Intellectual Property

     100  

Section 8.13

 

Environmental Laws

     100  

Section 8.14

 

Properties

     100  

Section 8.15

 

Solvency

     101  

Section 8.16

 

Accounts

     101  

Section 8.17

 

Gas Imbalances, Prepayments

     101  

Section 8.18

 

Marketing of Production

     101  

Section 8.19

 

Hedge Agreements

     101  

 

ii


Section 8.20

 

PATRIOT Act; OFAC

     101  

Section 8.21

 

No Material Adverse Effect

     101  

Section 8.22

 

Well Bores

     102  

Section 8.23

 

Effective Date Financials

     102  

Section 8.24

 

Security Documents

     102  
ARTICLE 9

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Section 9.1

 

Information Covenants

     103  

Section 9.2

 

Books, Records and Inspections

     106  

Section 9.3

 

Maintenance of Insurance

     107  

Section 9.4

 

Payment of Taxes

     107  

Section 9.5

 

Consolidated Corporate Franchises

     107  

Section 9.6

 

Compliance with Statutes, Regulations, Etc.

     108  

Section 9.7

 

ERISA

     108  

Section 9.8

 

Maintenance of Properties

     108  

Section 9.9

 

Transactions with Affiliates

     109  

Section 9.10

 

End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters

     112  

Section 9.11

 

Additional Guarantors, Grantors and Collateral

     112  

Section 9.12

 

Use of Proceeds

     113  

Section 9.13

 

Further Assurances

     113  

Section 9.14

 

Reserve Reports

     114  

Section 9.15

 

Change in Business

     116  

Section 9.16

 

Title Information

     116  

Section 9.17

 

Holdings Covenant

     116  

Section 9.18

 

Accounts

     118  

Section 9.19

 

Post-Closing Items

     118  
ARTICLE 10

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Section 10.1

 

Limitation on Indebtedness

     118  

Section 10.2

 

Limitation on Liens

     123  

Section 10.3

 

Limitation on Fundamental Changes

     126  

Section 10.4

 

Limitation on Sale of Assets

     128  

Section 10.5

 

Limitation on Investments

     130  

Section 10.6

 

Limitation on Restricted Payments

     134  

Section 10.7

 

Limitations on Debt Payments and Amendments

     138  

Section 10.8

 

Negative Pledge Agreements

     139  

Section 10.9

 

Limitation on Subsidiary Distributions

     141  

Section 10.10

 

Hedge Agreements

     142  

Section 10.11

 

Financial Performance Covenants

     143  
ARTICLE 11

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

Section 11.1

 

Payments

     144  

Section 11.2

 

Representations, Etc.

     144  

Section 11.3

 

Covenants

     144  

Section 11.4

 

Default Under Other Agreements

     144  

 

iii


Section 11.5

 

Bankruptcy, Etc.

     145  

Section 11.6

 

ERISA

     145  

Section 11.7

 

Guarantee

     145  

Section 11.8

 

Security Documents

     145  

Section 11.9

 

Judgments

     146  

Section 11.10

 

Change of Control

     146  

Section 11.11

 

Application of Proceeds

     146  

Section 11.12

 

Equity Cure

     147  
ARTICLE 12

 

THE AGENTS

 

Section 12.1

 

Appointment

     149  

Section 12.2

 

Delegation of Duties

     149  

Section 12.3

 

Exculpatory Provisions

     149  

Section 12.4

 

Reliance by Agents

     150  

Section 12.5

 

Notice of Default

     150  

Section 12.6

 

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Other Lenders

     151  

Section 12.7

 

Indemnification

     151  

Section 12.8

 

Agents in Its Individual Capacities

     152  

Section 12.9

 

Successor Agents

     152  

Section 12.10

 

Withholding Tax

     153  

Section 12.11

 

Security Documents and Collateral Agent under Security Documents and Guarantee

     153  

Section 12.12

 

Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantee

     154  

Section 12.13

 

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

     155  
ARTICLE 13

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 13.1

 

Amendments, Waivers and Releases

     155  

Section 13.2

 

Notices

     158  

Section 13.3

 

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

     159  

Section 13.4

 

Survival of Representations and Warranties

     159  

Section 13.5

 

Payment of Expenses; Indemnification

     159  

Section 13.6

 

Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments

     161  

Section 13.7

 

Replacements of Lenders under Certain Circumstances

     165  

Section 13.8

 

Adjustments; Set-off

     166  

Section 13.9

 

Counterparts

     167  

Section 13.10

 

Severability

     167  

Section 13.11

 

Integration

     167  

Section 13.12

 

GOVERNING LAW

     167  

Section 13.13

 

Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers

     168  

Section 13.14

 

Acknowledgments

     168  

Section 13.15

 

WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL

     169  

Section 13.16

 

Confidentiality

     169  

Section 13.17

 

Release of Collateral and Guarantee Obligations

     170  

Section 13.18

 

USA PATRIOT Act

     171  

Section 13.19

 

Payments Set Aside

     171  

Section 13.20

 

Reinstatement

     172  

Section 13.21

 

Disposition of Proceeds

     172  

Section 13.22

 

Collateral Matters; Hedge Agreements

     172  

Section 13.23

 

Agency of the Borrower for the Other Credit Parties

     172  

Section 13.24

 

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions

     172  

 

iv


Exhibits and Schedules

 

Exhibit A   Form of Reserve Report Certificate
Exhibit B   Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit C   Form of Guarantee
Exhibit D   Form of Mortgage/Deed of Trust
Exhibit E   Form of Collateral Agreement
Exhibit F   Form of Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit G   Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit H-1   Form of Promissory Note (Loan)
Exhibit H-2   Form of Promissory Note (Swingline Loan)
Exhibit I   Form of Intercompany Note
Exhibit J   Form of Solvency Certificate
Exhibit K-1   Form of Non-Bank Tax Certificate (Non-U.S. Non-Partnership Lenders)
Exhibit K-2   Form of Non-Bank Tax Certificate (Non-U.S. Partnership Lenders)
Exhibit K-3   Form of Non-Bank Tax Certificate (Non-U.S. Non-Partnership Participants)
Exhibit K-4   Form of Non-Bank Tax Certificate (Non-U.S. Partnership Participants)
Schedule 1.1(a)   Commitments
Schedule 1.1(b)   Excluded Equity Interests
Schedule 1.1(c)   Effective Date Subsidiary Guarantors
Schedule 8.4   Litigation
Schedule 8.11   Subsidiaries
Schedule 8.14   Properties
Schedule 8.16   Accounts
Schedule 8.17   Effective Date Gas Imbalance
Schedule 8.18   Effective Date Marketing Agreements
Schedule 8.19   Effective Date Hedge Agreements
Schedule 9.9   Effective Date Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 10.1   Effective Date Indebtedness
Schedule 10.2(d)   Effective Date Liens
Schedule 10.5(d)   Effective Date Investments
Schedule 10.8   Effective Date Negative Pledge Agreements
Schedule 13.2   Notice Addresses

 

v


CREDIT AGREEMENT , dated as of July 31, 2018, among TPG Pace Energy Intermediate LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (to be renamed Magnolia Oil & Gas Intermediate LLC on or around the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions) (“ Holdings ”), Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (f/k/a TPG Pace Energy Operating LLC) (the “ Borrower ”), the banks, financial institutions and other lending institutions from time to time parties as lenders hereto (each a “ Lender ” and, collectively, the “ Lenders ”), Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for the Lenders, as the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party hereto.

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2018 (including the schedules and exhibits thereto and as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Purchase and Sale Agreement ”) among TPG Pace Energy Parent LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (to be renamed Magnolia Oil & Gas Parent LLC on or about the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions) (“ Opco Parent ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XI-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XI-A ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XI-WI, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XI-WI ”), EnerVest Holdings, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“ EV H ”) and EnerVest Wachovia Co-Investment Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Co-Invest Seller ” and, together with EV XI-A, EV XI-WI and EV H, the “ Giddings Sellers ”), the Borrower will, among other things, directly or indirectly acquire (the “ Giddings Acquisition ”) certain oil and gas assets from the Giddings Sellers, as more fully described in the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ Giddings Acquired Business ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Contribution and Merger Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2018 (including the schedules and exhibits thereto and as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Contribution Agreement ” and, together with the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the “ Acquisition Agreements ”), among Opco Parent, TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp. (to be renamed Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation on or about the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions) (“ Parent ”), the Ironwood Sellers (as defined below), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-2A ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-C ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-3A ” and, together with the Ironwood Sellers, EV XIV-2A and EV XIV-C, the “ South Texas Contributors ” and, together with the Giddings Sellers, the “ Sellers ”), the Borrower will, among other things, directly or indirectly acquire, including, through a series of mergers whereby one or more wholly owned domestic subsidiaries of the South Texas Contributors are merged with and into the Borrower in accordance with the Contribution Agreement, as applicable (the “ South Texas Contribution ” and, together with the Giddings Acquisition, the “ Acquisition ”) certain oil and gas assets from the South Texas Contributors (the “ South Texas Contributed Business ” and, together with the Giddings Acquired Business, the “ Acquired Business ”), as more fully described in the Contribution Agreement;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2018 (including the schedules and exhibits thereto and as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ MIPA ”) among Opco Parent, EV XIV-C, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-A ”) and EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-WIC ” and, together with EV XIV-C, EV XIV-A, the “ Ironwood Sellers ”), the Borrower will, among other things, directly or indirectly acquire (the “ Ironwood Acquisition ”) certain membership interests (the “ Ironwood Acquired Interests ”) in Ironwood Eagle Ford Midstream, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“ Ironwood ”), as more fully described in the MIPA;


WHEREAS, it is intended that, on or prior to the Effective Date, Parent shall have privately placed its common stock with certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors resulting in gross proceeds of up to $355,000,000 (the “ PIPE Offering ”);

WHEREAS, to fund, among other things, part of the Acquisition, following the closing of the Offer (as defined in the Contribution Agreement), the PIPE Offering and the payment of the Parent Stockholder Redemption Amount (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) and on or prior to the Effective Date, it is intended that Parent will contribute, directly or indirectly, the entire amount of cash that Parent owns to the Borrower (such amount, the “ Contributed Amount ”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the foregoing, (a) the Borrower has requested that (i) on the Effective Date, the Lenders provide Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of up to $385,000,000 (the “ Effective Date Loans ”) and (ii) at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date and prior to the Maturity Date, the Lenders provide Loans to the Borrower subject to the Available Commitment, (b) the Borrower has requested that each Issuing Bank issue Letters of Credit (subject to the Available Commitment) at any time and from time to time prior to the L/C Maturity Date, in an aggregate Stated Amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $100,000,000 and (c) the Borrower has requested that the Swingline Lender extend credit in the form of Swingline Loans (subject to the Available Commitment) at any time and from time to time prior to the Swingline Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $25,000,000;

WHEREAS, the Borrower will issue an aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes generating up to $400,000,000 in gross proceeds in a Rule 144A or other placement;

WHEREAS, the net proceeds of the Effective Date Loans, together with the Senior Notes and the net proceeds of the Contributed Amount (together with Parent Class A Common Stock, Parent Class B Common Stock and Company Units (each, as defined in the Contribution Agreement)), will be used on the Effective Date for (a) the payment of consideration to the Sellers pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Acquisition Agreements and the MIPA and the other payments contemplated by the Acquisition Agreements and the MIPA, including the payment of any Parent Stockholder Redemption Amount, (b) the payment of the Transaction Expenses and (c) working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Letters of Credit may be issued on the Effective Date to backstop or replace existing letters of credit of the Acquired Business and its affiliates and for other general corporate purposes.

WHEREAS, following the Effective Date, (a) the proceeds of the Loans will be used by the Borrower for the acquisition, development and exploration of Oil and Gas Properties and for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, Permitted Acquisitions, Investments and other transactions permitted hereunder) and (b) Letters of Credit will be used by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for general corporate purposes and to support deposits required under purchase agreements pursuant to which the Borrower or one or more Subsidiaries may acquire Oil and Gas Properties; and

WHEREAS, the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks are willing to make available to the Borrower such revolving credit, swingline and letter of credit facilities upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

2


ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS.

Section 1.1 Defined Terms .

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

ABR ” shall mean for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus  1 2 of 1.0%, (b) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (c) the LIBOR Rate for a one (1)-month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1.0%, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the LIBOR Rate for any day shall be based on the rate appearing on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or on any successor or substitute page of such page) at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day; provided , that if ABR shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement. Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such LIBOR Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such LIBOR Rate, respectively.

ABR Loan ” shall mean each Loan bearing interest based on the ABR.

Acquired Business ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

Acceptable Counterparty ” shall mean (i) any Person identified in writing to the Administrative Agent that has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non credit-enhanced debt obligations of BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor’s or Fitch Ratings Ltd or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s or a comparable rating from an internationally recognized credit rating agency (or has a credit support provider which has such a rating) or (ii) any other Person reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Acquisition ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

Acquisition Agreement ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

Additional Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.16(a) .

Adjusted Total Commitment ” shall mean, at any time, the Total Commitment less the aggregate amount of Commitments of all Defaulting Lenders.

Administrative Agent ” shall mean Citibank, N.A., as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, or any successor administrative agent appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section  12.9 .

Administrative Agent’s Office ” shall mean the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 13.2 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify in writing to the Borrower and the Lenders.

Administrative Questionnaire ” shall mean, for each Lender, an administrative questionnaire in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. “ Controllin g” and “ controlled ” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

 

3


Agent-Related Party ” shall mean, with respect to any Agent, its Affiliates and the officers, directors, employees, agents, attorney-in-fact, partners, trustees and advisors of such Agent and of such Agent’s Affiliates.

Agents ” shall mean the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

Agreement ” shall mean this Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

All-In Yield ” shall mean, as to any Indebtedness, the yield thereof, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, original issue discount, upfront fees, a LIBOR Rate or ABR floor, or other fees paid ratably to all lenders of such Indebtedness, in each case, incurred or payable by the Credit Parties generally to all the lenders of such Indebtedness; provided that (a) original issue discount and upfront fees shall be equated to interest rate assuming a four (4)-year life to maturity (or, if less, the stated life to maturity at the time of its incurrence of the applicable Indebtedness), and (b) “All-In Yield” shall not include arrangement fees, structuring fees, commitment fees, underwriting fees, success fees, ticking fees, consent or amendment fees and any similar fees (regardless of whether shared with, or paid to, in whole or in part, any or all lenders) and any other fees not paid ratably to all lenders of such Indebtedness.

Applicable Equity Amount ” shall mean, at any time (the “ Applicable Equity Amount Reference Time ”), an amount equal to, without duplication,

(a) the amount of any capital contributions made in cash or Permitted Investments to, or any proceeds of an equity issuance received by, the Borrower during the period from and including the Business Day immediately following the Effective Date through and including the Applicable Equity Amount Reference Time, in each case including proceeds from the issuance of Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, but excluding all proceeds from the issuance of Disqualified Stock and the Contributed Amount;

minus

(b) the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) the aggregate amount of any Investments made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section  10.5(h)(ii)(C) and Section  10.5(j)(ii)(C) after the Effective Date, and prior to the Applicable Equity Amount Reference Time;

(ii) the aggregate amount of any Restricted Payments made by the Borrower pursuant to Section  10.6(m) after the Effective Date, and prior to the Applicable Equity Amount Reference Time; and

(iii) the aggregate amount of prepayments, repurchases, redemptions and defeasances made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section  10.7(a)(iv) after the Effective Date and prior to the Applicable Equity Amount Reference Time.

 

4


Applicable Margin ” shall mean, for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan or LIBOR Loan, as the case may be, the rate per annum set forth in the grid below based upon the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage in effect on such day:

 

Borrowing Base Utilization Grid

Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage

   X < 25%   

25%  £  X

< 50%

  

50%  £  X

< 75%

  

75%  £  X

< 90%

   ³  90%

LIBOR Loans

   1.75%    2.00%    2.25%    2.50%    2.75%

ABR Loans

   0.75%    1.00%    1.25%    1.50%    1.75%

Commitment Fee Rate

   0.375%    0.375%    0.375%    0.50%    0.50%

Each change in the Commitment Fee Rate or Applicable Margin shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change.

Approved Petroleum Engineers ” shall mean (a) Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., (b) Ryder Scott Company, L.P., (c) W. D. Van Gonten & Co. Petroleum Engineering, (d) Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. and (e) at the Borrower’s option, any other independent petroleum engineers selected by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Assignment and Assumption ” shall mean an assignment and acceptance substantially in the form of Exhibit G or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent.

Attorney Costs ” shall mean all reasonable and documented fees, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external legal counsel.

Authorized Officer ” shall mean as to any Person, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Controller, the Treasurer, the Assistant or Vice Treasurer, the Vice President-Finance, the General Counsel and any manager, managing member or general partner, in each case, of such Person, and any other senior officer designated as such in writing to the Administrative Agent by such Person. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by an Authorized Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company, partnership and/or other action on the part of the Borrower or any other Credit Party and such Authorized Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Person.

Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.2(b) .

Available Commitment ” shall mean, at any time, (a) the Loan Limit at such time minus (b) the aggregate Total Exposures of all Lenders at such time.

Bail-In Action ” shall mean the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

5


Bank Price Deck ” shall mean the Administrative Agent’s forward curve for each of oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons, as applicable, furnished to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Bankruptcy Code ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  11.5 .

Basket ” shall mean any amount, threshold, exception or value (including any Fixed Basket and Non-Fixed Basket) permitted or prescribed with respect to any Lien, Indebtedness, Disposition, Investment, Restricted Payment, transaction, action, judgment or amount under any provision in this Agreement or any other Credit Document.

Beneficial Ownership Certification ” shall mean a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation ” shall mean 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

benefited Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.8(a) .

Board ” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America (or any successor).

Board of Directors ” shall mean, as to any Person, the board of directors or other governing body of such Person, or if such Person is owned or managed by a single entity, the board of directors or other governing body of such entity.

Borrower ” shall have the meaning provided in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Borrowing ” shall mean the incurrence of one Type of Loan on a given date (or resulting from conversions on a given date) having, in the case of LIBOR Loans, the same Interest Period ( provided that ABR Loans incurred pursuant to Section  2.10(b) shall be considered part of any related Borrowing of LIBOR Loans).

Borrowing Base ” shall mean, at any time, an amount equal to the amount determined in accordance with Section  2.14 , as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the provisions thereof and/or pursuant to Section  9.16 . As of the Effective Date, the Borrowing Base shall be deemed to be equal to $550,000,000.

Borrowing Base Properties ” shall mean the Oil and Gas Properties of the Credit Parties (other than Holdings) included in the Initial Reserve Report and thereafter in the Reserve Report most recently delivered pursuant to Section  9.14 .

Borrowing Base Reduction Debt ” shall mean Permitted Additional Debt issued or incurred by a Credit Party in accordance with Section  10.1(p) (excluding $100,000,000 of additional Indebtedness issued or incurred under Section  10.1(p) ).

Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage ” shall mean, as of any day, the fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the sum of the aggregate Total Exposures of all Lenders on such day, and the denominator of which is the Borrowing Base in effect on such day.

 

6


Borrowing Base Value ” shall mean, with respect to any Oil and Gas Property of a Credit Party or any Hedge Agreement in respect of commodities, the value attributed to such asset in connection with the most recent determination of the Borrowing Base.

Business Day ” shall mean any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Houston, Texas are authorized by law or other governmental actions to close, and, if such day relates to (a) any interest rate settings as to a LIBOR Loan, (b) any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in respect of any such LIBOR Loan, or (c) any other dealings pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such LIBOR Loan, such day shall be a day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

Capital Lease ” shall mean, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP, is, or is required to be, accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person; provided that any lease that would be characterized as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP on the Effective Date (whether or not such operating lease was in effect on such date) shall continue to be accounted for as an operating lease (and not as a Capitalized Lease) for purposes of this Agreement regardless of any change in GAAP following the Effective Date that would otherwise require such lease to be re-characterized (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) as a Capitalized Lease.

Capitalized Software Expenditures ” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Captive Insurance Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is subject to regulation as an insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereof).

Cash Collateral ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.7(c) .

Cash Collateralization ” shall have a correlative meaning to the term “Cash Collateralize”.

Cash Collateralize ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.7(c) .

Cash Management Agreement ” shall mean any agreement entered into from time to time by the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with cash management services for collections, other Cash Management Services and for operating, payroll and trust accounts of such Person, including automatic clearing house services, controlled disbursement services, electronic funds transfer services, lockbox services, stop payment services and wire transfer services.

Cash Management Bank ” shall mean any Person that either (a) at the time it provides Cash Management Services, (b) on the Effective Date or (c) at any time after it has provided any Cash Management Services, is a Lender or an Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Agent.

Cash Management Obligations ” shall mean obligations owed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Cash Management Bank in connection with, or in respect of, any Cash Management Services.

 

7


Cash Management Services ” shall mean (a) commercial credit cards, merchant card services, purchase or debit cards, including non-card e-payables services, (b) treasury management services (including controlled disbursement, overdraft, automated clearing house fund transfer services, return items and interstate depository network services) and (c) any other demand deposit or operating account relationships or other cash management services, including any Cash Management Agreement.

Casualty Event ” shall mean, with respect to any Collateral, (a) any damage to, destruction of, or other casualty or loss involving, any property or asset or (b) any seizure, condemnation, confiscation or taking under the power of eminent domain of, or any requisition of title or use of, or relating to, or any similar event in respect of, any property or asset.

CFC ” shall mean a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

Change in Law ” shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, treaty, order, policy, rule or regulation after the Effective Date, (b) any change in any law, treaty, order, policy, rule or regulation or in the interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Effective Date or (c) compliance by any Lender with any guideline, request, directive or order enacted or promulgated after the Effective Date by any central bank or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law); provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Basel Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices (or any successor or similar authority) and all guidelines, requests, directives, orders, rules and regulations adopted, enacted or promulgated in connection therewith shall be deemed to have gone into effect after the Effective Date regardless of the date adopted, enacted or promulgated and shall be included as a Change in Law but solely for such costs that would have been included if they would have otherwise been imposed under clauses (a)(ii) and (c)  of Section  2.10 or Section  3.11 and only to the extent a Lender is imposing applicable increased costs or costs in connection with capital adequacy requirements similar to those described in clauses (a)(ii) and (c)  of Section  2.10 or Section  3.11 generally on other borrowers of comparable loans under United States reserve based credit facilities under credit agreements having similar reimbursement provisions.

Change of Control ” shall mean and be deemed to have occurred if:

(a) the Borrower shall cease to be a direct Wholly owned Subsidiary of Holdings (or any successor);

(b) Holdings shall cease to be a direct Wholly owned Subsidiary of Opco Parent (or any successor);

(c) Parent shall cease to (i) be the managing member of Opco Parent or (ii) have, in its capacity as the managing member of Opco Parent, the power to exercise control over and direct the management policies and decisions of Opco Parent;

(d) any Person or Persons constituting a “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) (excluding (i) any employee benefit plan of such Person or “group” and its Subsidiaries and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan, (ii) one or more Permitted Holders, whether individually or as a group, (iii) any “group” which includes any one or more of the Permitted Holders (the Permitted Holders in such “group”, the “ Group Members ”) if such Group Members collectively are the record holders of Equity Interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Parent that are beneficially owned by such “group” in the aggregate or (iv) any

 

8


corporation or other Person owned, directly or indirectly, by the holders of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Parent in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of such Equity Interests in Parent) shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of Equity Interests representing more than forty percent (40%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Parent and the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power so held is greater than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the Equity Interests of Parent beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate by the Permitted Holders, unless the Permitted Holders have, at such time, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings or the Borrower; or

(e) a “Change of Control” (as defined in the documentation governing the Senior Unsecured Notes or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in respect thereof), in each case to the extent then constituting Material Indebtedness shall have occurred.

Class ” shall mean (i) with respect to Commitments or Loans, those of such Commitments or Loans that have the same terms and conditions (without regard to differences in the Type of Loan, Interest Period, upfront fees, original issue discount or similar fees paid or payable in connection with such Commitments or Loans, or differences in tax treatment ( e.g. , “fungibility”)); provided that such Commitments or Loans may be designated in writing by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and Lenders holding such Commitments or Loans as a separate Class from other Commitments or Loans that have the same terms and conditions and (ii) with respect to Lenders, those of such Lenders that have Commitments or Loans of a particular Class.

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Collateral ” shall have the meaning provided for such term in each of the Security Documents and shall include any and all assets securing or intended to secure any or all of the Obligations; provided that with respect to any Mortgages, “Collateral”, as defined herein, shall include “Mortgaged Property” as defined therein.

Collateral Agent ” shall mean Citibank, N.A., as collateral agent under the Security Documents, or any successor collateral agent appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section  12.9 .

Collateral Agreement ” shall mean the Collateral Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2018, by and among the Borrower, the other Grantors party thereto and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.

Collateral Coverage Minimum ” shall mean that the Mortgaged Properties shall represent (a) from the date that is ninety (90) days following the Effective Date until the date that is one hundred twenty (120) days following the Effective Date, at least 50% of the PV-9 of the Credit Parties’ total Proved Reserves and (b) from the date that is one hundred twenty (120) days after the Effective Date and thereafter, at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Credit Parties’ total Proved Reserves, in each case, included either in the Initial Reserve Report or in the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section  9.14 ; provided that such timeline set forth above may be extended with the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied or conditioned).

Commitment ” shall mean, (a) with respect to each Lender that is a Lender on the Effective Date, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1(a) as such Lender’s “Commitment” and (b) in the case of any Lender that becomes a Lender after the Effective Date, the amount specified as such

 

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Lender’s “Commitment” in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender assumed a portion of the Total Commitment, in each case as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The aggregate amount of the Commitments as of the Effective Date is $1,000,000,000.

Commitment Fee ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  4.1(a) .

Commitment Fee Rate ” shall mean, for any day, with respect to the Available Commitment on such day, the applicable rate per annum set forth next to the row heading “Commitment Fee Rate” in the definition of “Applicable Margin” and based upon the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage in effect on such day.

Commitment Percentage ” shall mean, at any time, for each Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) such Lender’s Commitment at such time by (b) the amount of the Total Commitment at such time; provided that at any time when the Total Commitment shall have been terminated, each Lender’s Commitment Percentage shall be the percentage obtained by dividing (i) such Lender’s Total Exposure at such time by (ii) the aggregate Total Exposures of all Lenders at such time (with such Total Exposure, and the component thereof, calculated using any applicable Lender’s Commitment Percentage immediately prior to the termination of the Total Commitment).

Commodity Account ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

Commodity Exchange Act ” shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq .), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Confidential Information ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.16 .

Consolidated Current Assets ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the sum of (a) all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, plus (b) the Available Commitment as of such date, but excluding (i) all non-cash assets under ASC 815, (ii) the current portion of current and deferred income tax assets, and (iii) assets to the extent resulting from non-cash gains required under ASC 410, plus (c) to the extent not constituting current assets, any marketable securities, treasury bonds and bills, certificates of deposit, investments in money market funds and commercial paper of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date.

Consolidated Current Liabilities ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the sum of all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on such date, but excluding, without duplication, (a) all non-cash obligations under ASC 815, (b) the current portion of current and deferred income tax liabilities or any amounts payable as tax distributions in accordance with Section  10.6(f)(i) or (ii) , (c) the current portion of any Loans and other long-term liabilities (including, without limitation, Hedging Obligations), (d) liabilities resulting from the current maturity of the RBL Facility, the Senior Unsecured Notes or other Indebtedness for borrowed money, (e) the current portion of interest, (f) liabilities in respect of unpaid earn-outs and accrued litigation settlement costs, (g) current liabilities consisting of deferred revenue, (h) any non-cash liabilities recorded in connection with stock-based or similar incentive-based compensation awards or arrangements, (i) liabilities to the extent resulting from non-cash losses or charges required under ASC 410 and (j) any non-cash liabilities recorded in connection with the assumption of gathering or firm transportation contracts under ASC 805.

 

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Consolidated Current Ratio ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Current Assets to (b) Consolidated Current Liabilities; provided that the Consolidated Current Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense ” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, and commissions, fees and expenses and amortization of Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses to pensions and other post-employment benefits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated EBITDAX ” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period:

(a) increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case (other than in the case of clauses (a)(vii) , (a)(viii) , (a)(xi) and (a)(xiii) ) to the extent deducted (and not added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(i) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, federal, state, franchise, excise, property and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes (including (i) any future taxes or other levies which replace or are intended to be in lieu of such taxes and any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations and (ii) the amount of distributions actually made to any Parent Entity in respect of such period in accordance with Section  10.6(f)(i) or (ii)  and the net tax expense associated with any adjustments made pursuant to clauses (a)  through (u) of the definition of Consolidated Net Income), plus

(ii) Fixed Charges for such period (including (x) bank fees and other deferred financing fees and (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities), plus amounts excluded from Consolidated Interest Expense as set forth in clauses (i)(q) through (y)  in the definition of Consolidated Interest Expense, plus

(iii) Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense for such period, plus

(iv) any other non-cash charges, including any write-offs or write-downs reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period ( provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, (1) the Borrower may determine not to add back such non-cash charge in the current period and (2) to the extent the Borrower does decide to add back such non-cash charge, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDAX to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period), plus

(v) the amount of any reductions in arriving at Net Income resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 810, Consolidation, plus

(vi) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting, transaction, advisory and other fees (including termination fees) and indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period to the extent permitted under Section  9.9 , plus

 

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(vii) the amount of “run rate” net cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions related to (x) the Transactions that are reasonably identifiable and projected by the Borrower in good faith to result from (and are reasonably attributable to (in the good faith determination of the Borrower)) actions that have been taken or committed to be taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrower) within eighteen (18) months after the Effective Date and (y) acquisitions, Investments, Dispositions, discontinuance of activities or operations or other Specified Transactions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, acquisitions or Investments occurring prior to the Effective Date), restructurings, cost savings initiatives, operational changes and other initiatives that are reasonably identifiable and projected by the Borrower in good faith to result from (and are reasonably attributable to (in the good faith determination of the Borrower)) actions taken or committed to be taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrower) no later than eighteen (18) months after such acquisition, Investment, Disposition or other Specified Transaction, restructuring, cost savings initiative, operational change or other initiative (or undertaken or implemented prior to consummation of the acquisition or other applicable transaction) (including any actions taken on or prior to the Effective Date), in each case for foregoing clauses (x)  and (y) , calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies had been realized on the first day of the period for which Consolidated EBITDAX is being determined and if such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies were realized during the entirety of such period, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such action (it is understood and agreed that “run rate” means the full recurring benefit for a period that is associated with any action taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken or committed to be taken within the timeframe described above) (which adjustments may be incremental to (but not duplicative of) pro forma cost savings, synergies or operating expense reduction adjustments made pursuant to Section  1.12 ), plus

(viii) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing Consolidated EBITDAX or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDAX pursuant to paragraph (b)  below for any previous period and not added back, plus

(ix) any costs or expenses incurred pursuant to any management equity plan, stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, agreement or any stock subscription or stockholders agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of such Person or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of such Person (other than Disqualified Stock), plus

(x) any net loss from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations (excluding held-for-sale discontinued operations until actually disposed of), plus

(xi) the amount of net cost savings and net cash flow effect of revenue enhancements related to executed and enforceable new agreements or amendments to existing agreements with customers and/or vendors projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of such new agreements or amendments, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period; provided that (A) such cost savings or revenue enhancements are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and (B) such actions have been taken or are to be taken within twelve (12) months after the date of determination to take such action, plus

(xii) exploration expenses or costs (to the extent the Borrower adopts the successful efforts method of accounting), plus

 

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(xiii) adjustments consistent with Regulation S-X of the Securities Act or contained in a quality of earnings report made available to the Administrative Agent conducted by financial advisors (which are either nationally recognized or reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (it being understood and agreed that any of the “Big Four” accounting firms are acceptable)), plus

(xiv) adjustments, exclusions and add-backs identified in the Sponsor Model; plus

(xv) the amount of any non-cash interest expense of non-wholly owned Subsidiaries attributable to minority Equity Interests of third parties; and

(b) decreased (without duplication) by the following, in each case to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(i) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period, excluding any non-cash gains that represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for any anticipated cash charges in any prior period (other than any such accrual or reserve that has been added back to Consolidated Net Income in calculating Consolidated EBITDAX in accordance with this definition), plus

(ii) any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period unless such cash did not increase Consolidated EBITDAX in such prior period, plus

(iii) any net income from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations (excluding held-for-sale discontinued operations until actually disposed of).

For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated EBITDAX shall be calculated, including pro forma adjustments, in accordance with Section  1.12 .

Consolidated Interest Expense ” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:

(i) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (a) amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (b) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (c) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of obligations under Hedge Agreements or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (d) the interest component of obligations under Capitalized Leases, and (e) net payments, if any, made (less net payments, if any, received), pursuant to interest rate Hedge Agreements with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (q) any prepayment premium or penalty, (r) annual agency fees paid to the administrative agents and collateral agents under any credit facilities or other debt instruments or document, (s) costs associated with Hedge Agreements and breakage costs in respect of Hedge Agreements related to interest rates, (t) any expense resulting from the discounting of any Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, recapitalization or purchase accounting in connection with the Transactions or any acquisition (or purchase of assets), (u) penalties and interest relating to taxes and any other fees related to the Transactions or any acquisitions (or purchases of assets) after the Effective Date, (v) any “additional interest” with respect to any securities, (w) amortization or expensing of deferred financing fees, amendment and consent fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, (x) any amortization or expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees and any other

 

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fees related to the Transactions or related to any acquisitions (or purchases of assets) after the Effective Date and (y) any accretion of accrued interest on discounted liabilities (other than Indebtedness except to the extent arising from the application of purchase or recapitalization accounting); plus

(ii) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less

(iii) interest income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

For purposes of this definition, interest on obligations in respect of Capitalized Leases shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such obligations in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income ” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided , however , that, without duplication:

(a) any net after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains, losses, charges or expenses or losses, charges or expenses relating to any strategic initiatives (including multi-year strategic initiatives), Transaction Expenses, restructuring costs and reserves, duplicative running costs, relocation costs, expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternative uses, Public Company Costs, facility consolidation and closing costs, severance costs and expenses, one-time compensation charges, costs relating to pre-opening, opening, closing and consolidation costs for facilities, signing, retention or completion bonuses, executive recruiting and retention costs, costs incurred in connection with any strategic initiatives, transition costs, costs incurred in connection with non-ordinary course product and intellectual property development, costs incurred in connection with acquisitions (or purchases of assets) prior to or after the Effective Date (including integration costs), other business optimization expenses (including costs and expenses relating to business optimization programs, tax savings and optimization initiatives, and new systems design, retention charges, system establishment costs (including information technology systems) and implementation costs and project start-up costs), operating expenses attributable to the implementation of cost-savings initiatives, consulting fees and curtailments and modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans shall be excluded; provided that the aggregate amount of restructuring costs and reserves and similar charges excluded pursuant to this clause (a)  shall not exceed 25% of Consolidated Net Income for such period;

(b) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period whether effected through a cumulative effect adjustment or a retroactive application, in each case in accordance with GAAP, shall be excluded;

(c) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses on disposal, abandonment (including asset retirement costs) or discontinuance of disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations, as applicable, shall be excluded; provided that any exclusion for the discontinuance of discontinued operations held for sale shall be at the option of the Borrower pending the consummation of such sale;

(d) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees, expenses and charges relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by the Borrower, shall be excluded;

 

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(e) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of a Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash or Permitted Investments (or to the extent converted into cash or Permitted Investments) to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;

(f) [reserved];

(g) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP attributable to the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in relation to the Transactions or any consummated acquisition, joint venture or similar investment permitted under this Agreement consummated prior to or after the Effective Date or the amortization or write-off or write-down of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

(h) any net after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or conversion of (a) Indebtedness, (b) Hedge Agreements or (c) other derivative instruments shall be excluded;

(i) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down in each case, pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP, and any impairment charges, asset write-offs or write-down, including ceiling test write-downs, on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines shall be excluded;

(j) (a) any equity based or non-cash compensation charge or expense, including any such charge or expense arising from grants of stock appreciation, equity incentive programs or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights to, and any cash charges associated with the rollover, acceleration or payout of, Equity Interests by management of such Person or of a Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Entity, (b) non-cash compensation expense resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation or Accounting Standards Codification Topic 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees, and (c) any income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts;

(k) any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Disposition or other transfer, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (including such fees, expenses or charges related to the syndication and incurrence of any securities or credit facilities), issuance of Equity Interests (including by any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower), recapitalization, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (including any amendment or other modification of any securities and any credit facilities) and including, in each case, any such transaction whether consummated on, after or prior to the Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed, and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each case whether or not successful or consummated (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the effects of expensing all transaction related expenses in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 805, Business Combinations), shall be excluded;

(l) any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with the entry into or termination of any Hedge Agreements shall be excluded;

(m) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve (12) months after the Effective Date that are so required to be established or adjusted as a result of the Transactions (or within twelve (12) months after the closing of any acquisition that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition) in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded;

 

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(n) any expenses, charges or losses to the extent covered by insurance or indemnity and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer or indemnifying party and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within three hundred sixty-five (365) days of the date of such determination (net of any amount so added back in any prior period to the extent not so reimbursed within the applicable 365-day period), shall be excluded;

(o) [reserved];

(p) any noncash compensation expense resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation or Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees, shall be excluded;

(q) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretations shall be excluded;

(r) (i) the non-cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense shall be excluded and (ii) the cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense which exceeds the amount expensed in respect of such rent expense shall be included;

(s) without duplication, an amount equal to the amount of distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such Person in respect of income taxes for of such period in accordance with Section  10.6(f)(i) or (ii)  shall be included as an expense as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person for such period;

(t) non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded (except to the extent reversing a previously recognized increase to net income);

(u) the following items shall be excluded:

(i) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Hedge Agreements and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging;

(ii)any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency transaction or translation gains or losses including those related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from (A) Hedge Agreements for currency exchange risk and (B) resulting from intercompany indebtedness) and any other foreign currency transaction or translation gains and losses, to the extent such gain or losses are non-cash items;

(iii)any adjustments resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 460, Guarantees, or any comparable regulation; and

(iv)earn-out and contingent consideration obligations (including to the extent accounted for as bonuses or otherwise) and adjustments thereof and purchase price adjustments.

 

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In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition, Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement.

Consolidated Total Assets ” shall mean the total assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower (and, in the case of any determination relating to any incurrence of Indebtedness or any Investment or other acquisition, on a Pro Forma Basis including any property or assets being acquired in connection therewith).

Consolidated Total Debt ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, (a) the sum of (without duplication) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, in an amount that would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet (excluding the notes thereto) prepared as of such date on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but excluding the effects of any discounting of Indebtedness resulting from the application of recapitalization or purchase accounting in connection with the Transactions, any Permitted Acquisition, Investment or any other acquisition permitted hereunder), consisting only of Indebtedness for borrowed money, obligations in respect of Capitalized Leases, and debt obligations evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures, promissory notes or similar instruments (including, for the avoidance of doubt, deferred purchase price obligations that would be reflected as debt on a consolidated balance sheet (excluding the notes thereto) prepared as of such date on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, to the extent such deferred purchase price obligations are then due and payable), and any obligations in respect of drawn letters of credit (which have not been reimbursed within two (2) Business Days after such amount is drawn); provided that Consolidated Total Debt shall not include Indebtedness in respect of obligations under Hedge Agreements (but shall include unpaid termination payments under Hedge Agreements) minus (b) (i) the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash on such date and (ii) to the extent included in such Indebtedness, undrawn (or if drawn, to the extent cash collateralized or not reimbursed within two (2) Business Days after such amount is drawn) letters of credit, bank guarantees and performance or similar bonds.

Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of the last day of the most recent Test Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDAX of the Borrower for such Test Period; provided that the Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

Contractual Requirement ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  8.3 .

Contributed Amount ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

Contribution Agreement ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

Control Agreement ” shall mean a control agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, providing for the Administrative Agent’s exclusive control of a Deposit Account or Securities Account, as applicable, after notice of an Event of Default, executed and delivered by the Borrower or another Credit Party, as applicable, and the applicable securities intermediary (with respect to a Securities Account) or bank (with respect to a Deposit Account), in each case at which such relevant account is maintained.

Control Agreement Delivery Date ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  9.19(a) .

 

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Controlled Investment Affiliate ” shall mean, as to any Person, any other Person, other than any Sponsor, which directly or indirectly is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person and is organized by such Person (or any Person controlling such Person) primarily for making direct or indirect equity or debt investments in the Borrower and/or other companies.

Credit Documents ” shall mean this Agreement, the Guarantee, the Security Documents, each Letter of Credit, any promissory notes issued by the Borrower under this Agreement, any Extension Amendment, any Incremental Agreement and any intercreditor agreement with respect to the RBL Facility entered into on or after the Effective Date to which the Collateral Agent is party.

Credit Event ” shall mean and include the making (but not the conversion or continuation) of a Loan and the issuance, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit.

Credit Party ” shall mean each of the Borrower and the Guarantors.

Cure Amount ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  11.12(a) .

Cure Deadline ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  11.12(a) .

Cure Right ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  11.12(a) .

Customary Intercreditor Agreement ” means any of (a) an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit F , together with any changes thereto which are reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, (b) a customary intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, which agreement shall provide that the Liens on the Collateral securing such Indebtedness shall rank junior in priority to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations under this Agreement, in each case with such modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent and the Borrower may agree or (c) a customary intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, which agreement shall provide that the Liens on the Collateral securing such Indebtedness shall rank in equal priority to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations under this Agreement (but without regard to the control of remedies), in each case with such modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent and the Borrower may agree. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of clause (c), such agreement shall be posted to the Lenders not less than three (3) Business Days before execution thereof and, if the Required Lenders shall not have objected in writing within three (3) Business Days after posting, then the Required Lenders shall be deemed to have agreed that the Administrative Agent’s and/or Collateral Agent’s entry into such intercreditor agreement is reasonable and to have consented to such intercreditor agreement and to the Administrative Agent’s and/or Collateral Agent’s execution thereof.

Debt Fund Affiliate ” shall mean any Affiliate of the Sponsor that is a bona fide diversified debt fund that is not (a) a natural person or (b) Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

Default ” shall mean any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Default Rate ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.8(c) .

Defaulting Lender ” shall mean any Lender whose acts or failures to act, whether directly or indirectly, cause it to meet any part of the definition of “Lender Default”.

Deposit Account ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

 

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Dispose ” or “ Disposed of ” shall have a correlative meaning to the defined term of “Disposition”.

Disposition ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  10.4 .

Disqualified Institution ” shall mean any competitor of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and any Affiliate of such competitor (other than their respective financial investors that are not operating companies and other than any Affiliate that is a bona fide diversified debt fund that invests in newly issued syndicated loans), identified in writing from time to time by the Borrower or the Sponsor to the Administrative Agent (together with any Affiliates thereof that are reasonably identifiable on the basis of their names (other than any such competitors’ respective financial investors that are not operating companies and other than any Affiliate that is a bona fide diversified debt fund that invests in newly issued syndicated loans); provided that no updates to the Disqualified Institution list shall be deemed to retroactively disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation or entered into a trade for either of the foregoing in respect of the Loans from continuing to hold or vote such previously acquired assignments and participations on the terms set forth herein for Lenders that are not Disqualified Institutions. Supplements to the list of Disqualified Institutions shall not be effective until after at least one (1) Business Day following receipt thereof by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower or the Sponsor, as applicable. The list of Disqualified Institutions shall be made available to any Lender upon request to the Administrative Agent, subject to customary confidentiality requirements.

Disqualified Stock ” shall mean any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation, scheduled redemption or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations (other than (i) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (ii) Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements) and the termination of the Commitments and (to the extent not cash collateralized or backstopped in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Issuing Bank) outstanding Letters of Credit, (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests and other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations (other than (i) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (ii) Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements) and the termination of the Commitments and (to the extent not cash collateralized or backstopped in a matter feasible acceptable to the Issuing Bank) outstanding Letters of Credit, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Stock, in the case of each of clauses (a) , (b) , (c) and (d) , prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of issuance of such Equity Interests; provided , that if such Equity Interests are issued pursuant to any plan for the benefit of future, current or former employees, directors, officers, members of management or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, directors, officers, members of management or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members), such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because they may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s, director’s, officer’s, management member’s or consultant’s termination, death or disability; provided , further , that any Equity Interests held by any future, current or former employee, director, officer, member of management or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the

 

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Borrower, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any other entity in which the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment and is designated in good faith as an “affiliate” by the Board of Directors (or the compensation committee thereof), in each case pursuant to any stock subscription or shareholders’ agreement, management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s, director’s, officer’s, management member’s or consultant’s termination, death or disability.

Distressed Person ” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Lender-Related Distress Event”.

Dollars ” and “ $ ” shall mean dollars in lawful currency of the United States.

Domestic Subsidiary ” shall mean each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, or the District of Columbia.

Draw Limit ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.14(h) .

Drawing ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.4(b) .

EEA Financial Institution ” shall mean (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a)  of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a)  or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country ” shall mean any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority ” shall mean any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Date ” shall mean July 31, 2018.

Effective Date Financials ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  6(d)(iv) .

Effective Date Loans ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

Engineering Reports ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.14(c)(i) .

Environmental Claims ” shall mean any and all written actions, suits, orders, decrees, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance, violation or proceedings arising under or based upon any Environmental Law or any permit issued, or any approval given, under any such Environmental Law (hereinafter, “ Claims ”), including, without limitation, (i) any and all Claims by any Governmental Authority for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law and (ii) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief regarding the presence, release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to health or safety (to the extent relating to human exposure to Hazardous Materials), or the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface and subsurface strata and natural resources such as wetlands.

 

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Environmental Law ” shall mean any applicable Federal, state, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code and common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, and any binding judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any binding judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, relating to the protection of the environment, including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface and subsurface strata and natural resources such as wetlands, or human health or safety (to the extent relating to human exposure to Hazardous Materials).

Equity Interests ” of any person shall mean any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity or ownership of such person, including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest and any limited liability company membership interest, and any securities or other rights or interests convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing, excluding any debt security that is convertible or exchangeable into any Equity Interests ( provided that any instrument evidencing Indebtedness convertible or exchangeable into Equity Interests, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Equity Interests, shall not be deemed to be Equity Interests unless and until such instrument is so converted or exchanged, except, solely for purposes of a pledge of Equity Interests in connection with this Agreement, to the extent such instrument could be treated as “stock” of a CFC for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.956-2(c)(2)).

ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

ERISA Affiliate ” shall mean each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) that together with the Borrower would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(m) of the Code.

ERISA Event ” shall mean (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) the failure of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Plan; (d) a failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, or the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard, in each case with respect to a Plan, whether or not waived, or a failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (e) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or that is in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA; (f) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, respectively, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Plan; (g) the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan; (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, including the imposition of a lien under Section 412 or 430(k) of the Code or Section 303 or 4068 of ERISA on any property (or rights to property, whether real or personal) of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, but excluding PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate; (i) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at-risk” status (within the meaning of Section 303(i)(4)(A) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4)(A) of the Code) or (j) the occurrence of a non-exempt prohibited transaction with respect to any Plan maintained or contributed to by any Borrower (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which could result in material liability to the Borrower, except in each of (a)—(j) with respect to Foreign Plans.

 

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EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” shall mean the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

Euro ” shall mean the lawful single currency unit of the Participating Member States.

Event of Default ” shall have the meaning provided in Article 11 .

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Rate ” shall mean on any day with respect to any currency (other than Dollars), the rate at which such currency may be exchanged into any other currency (including Dollars), as set forth at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such day on the applicable Bloomberg screen page for such currency. In the event that such rate does not appear on any applicable Bloomberg screen page, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, or, in the absence of such agreement, such Exchange Rate shall instead be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such currency are then being conducted, at or about 11:00 a.m., local time, on such date for the purchase of the relevant currency for delivery two (2) Business Days later.

Excluded Accounts ” shall mean (a) Deposit Accounts constituting (and the balance of which consists solely of funds set aside in connection with) payroll accounts and accounts dedicated to the payment of accrued employee benefits, medical, dental and employee benefits claims to employees of any Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary, (b) Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodity Accounts containing cash or other property with a maximum average value of less than $3,750,000 individually; provided , that no Deposit Account, Securities Account or Commodity Accounts shall be an Excluded Account pursuant to this clause (b)  if it has a value of more than $1,500,000 for a continuous period of sixty (60) days; provided , further , that the aggregate value of the Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodity Accounts described in this clause (b)  must be less than $15,000,000 at all times, (c) Deposit Accounts which are used solely as an escrow account or as a fiduciary or trust account or other account that is contractually obligated to be segregated from the other assets of the Credit Parties, in each case, for the benefit of unaffiliated third parties, (d) operator suspense accounts relating to oil and gas production to satisfy royalty and working interest obligations owed to third persons, (e) cash collateral accounts subject to Permitted Liens and (f) “zero balance” accounts.

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

Excluded Contribution Asset ” means any asset that is used or useful in, or Equity Interests of any Person engaged in, the Oil and Gas Business, in each case, received by the Borrower since the Effective Date from (a) the issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Borrower) of its Qualified Equity Interests (or the Qualified Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to the extent contributed as common equity to the Borrower) and/or (b) contributions to its common equity, in each case, only to the extent designated as an Excluded Contribution Asset in a certificate of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent within sixty (60) days after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Qualified Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be.

 

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Excluded Equity Interests ” shall mean (a) any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom, (b) solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO (in each case, that is a direct Wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or a Grantor) to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interest that is Voting Stock of such Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO in excess of 65% of the Voting Stock of such Subsidiary, (c) any Equity Interests to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law, (d) in the case of (i) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent the pledge of such Equity Interests is prohibited by Contractual Requirements existing on the Effective Date or at the time such Subsidiary is acquired ( provided that such Contractual Requirements have not been entered into in contemplation of such Subsidiary being acquired) or (ii) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly owned Subsidiary at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, any Equity Interests of each such Subsidiary described in clause (i)  or (ii) to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by any applicable Contractual Requirement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, applicable Organization Documents) (other than customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under the UCC or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any Contractual Requirement prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided that this clause (B)  shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Credit Party or a Wholly owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent)) and for so long as such Contractual Requirement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Credit Party or a Wholly owned Subsidiary) to any Contractual Requirement governing such Equity Interests the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than customary non-assignment provisions that are ineffective under the UCC or other applicable Requirement of Law), (e) the Equity Interests of any Immaterial Subsidiary (unless a security interest in such Immaterial Subsidiary’s Equity Interests may be perfected by filing an “all assets” UCC financing statement) and any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (f) the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO, (g) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests would result in materially adverse tax consequences to the Borrower, any Parent Entity or any Subsidiary of the Borrower as reasonably determined by the Borrower in consultation with the Administrative Agent (such consultation limited to the tax consequences of such pledge of such Equity Interests), (h) any Equity Interests set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) which have been identified on or prior to the Effective Date in writing to the Administrative Agent by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent and (i) Margin Stock.

Excluded Subsidiary ” shall mean (a) each Immaterial Subsidiary, for so long as any such Subsidiary constitutes an Immaterial Subsidiary pursuant to the terms hereof, (b) each Domestic Subsidiary that is not a Wholly owned Subsidiary (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary), (c) each Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited by any applicable Contractual Requirement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, applicable Organization Documents) (not entered into in contemplation of such Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary) or Requirement of Law from guaranteeing or granting Liens to secure the Obligations on the Effective Date or at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and for so long as such restriction or any replacement or renewal thereof is in effect and was not entered into in contemplation of such Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary) or that would require consent, approval, license or authorization of a Governmental Authority to guarantee or grant Liens to secure the Obligations on the Effective Date or at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received), (d) any Foreign Subsidiary, (e) any Domestic Subsidiary that is (i) a FSHCO or (ii) owned directly or indirectly by a CFC or a FSHCO, (f) each other Domestic Subsidiary acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder financed with Indebtedness of the type incurred pursuant to Section  10.1(k) and each Restricted Subsidiary thereof that guarantees such Indebtedness to the extent and so long

 

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as the financing documentation relating to such Permitted Acquisition to which such Restricted Subsidiary is a party prohibits such Restricted Subsidiary from guaranteeing or granting a Lien on any of its assets to secure the Obligations, (g) any other Domestic Subsidiary with respect to which, (x) in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the cost or other consequences of providing a Guarantee of or granting Liens to secure the Obligations shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom or (y) providing such a Guarantee or granting such Liens would result in materially adverse tax consequences to the Borrower, any Parent Entity or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries as reasonably determined by the Borrower in consultation with the Administrative Agent (such consultation limited to the tax consequences of such Guarantee), (h) each Unrestricted Subsidiary, (i) each Captive Insurance Subsidiary, (j) each not-for-profit Subsidiary; and (k) any special purpose vehicle or receivables subsidiary.

Excluded Swap Obligation ” shall mean with respect to any Guarantor or Parent Entity Guarantor, any Hedging Obligation if, and to the extent that, and only for so long as, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor or Parent Entity Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor or Parent Entity Guarantor (if applicable) of a security interest to secure, as applicable, such Hedging Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) or any other applicable Requirement of Law.

Excluded Taxes ” shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Credit Document, (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by its net income (however denominated, and including (for the avoidance of doubt) any backup withholding in respect thereof under Section 3406 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), branch profits Taxes and franchise Taxes imposed on it, in each case by a jurisdiction (including any political subdivision thereof) as a result of such recipient being organized in, having its principal office in, or in the case of any Lender, having its applicable lending office in, such jurisdiction, or as a result of any other present or former connection with such jurisdiction (other than any such connection arising solely from such recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Credit Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Credit Document), (ii) U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Credit Document that is required to be imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of a Lender (including any Issuing Bank and any Swingline Lender) pursuant to laws in force at the time (a) such Lender acquires an interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment, other than to the extent such Lender is an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section  13.7 , or (b) such Lender designates a new lending office, except, in each case, to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts or indemnification payments from any Credit Party with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section  5.4 , (iii) any Tax attributable to the Administrative Agent’s, any Lender’s or any other recipient’s failure to comply with Section  5.4(d) , (e) , (h) or (i) , and (iv) any Tax imposed under FATCA.

Existing Class ” shall mean a Class of Existing Commitments and related Existing Loans.

Existing Commitment ” shall mean, with respect to a Class of Commitments, the Commitments of such Class at the time a Loan Extension Request is made.

Existing Loans ” shall mean, with respect to a Class of Loans, the Loans of such Class at the time a Loan Extension Request is made.

 

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Expected Cure Amount ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  11.12(a)(ii) .

Extended Class ” shall mean a Class of Extended Commitments and related Extended Loans.

Extended Commitments ” shall mean, with respect to a Class of Commitments, all or the portion of such Class extended pursuant to Section  2.17 , as applicable.

Extended Loans ” shall mean, with respect to a Class of Loans, all or the portion of such Class of Loans extended pursuant to Section  2.17 , as applicable.

Extending Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.17(b) .

Extension Amendment ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.17(c) .

Extension Election ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.17(b) .

Extension Minimum Condition ” shall mean a condition to consummating any extension of a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Loan Extension Request, in the Borrower’s sole discretion) of any or all applicable Classes to be submitted for extension.

Extension Series ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.17(a) .

Fair Market Value ” shall mean, with respect to any asset or group of assets on any date of determination, the value of the consideration obtainable in a Disposition of such asset at such date of determination assuming a Disposition by a willing seller to a willing purchaser dealing at arm’s length and arranged in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time having regard to the nature and characteristics of such asset, as determined by the Borrower in good faith.

Farm-In Agreement ” shall mean an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of one or more exploratory or development wells (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interests therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well or wells as all or a part of the consideration provided in exchange for an ownership interest in an Oil and Gas Property.

Farm-Out Agreement ” shall mean a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

FATCA ” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices included in or adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities entered into in connection with the implementation of the foregoing.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the per annum rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System on such day, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, if such rate is not so published for any date that is a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal Funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it; provided , that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Financial Officer ” of any Person shall mean the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, principal accounting officer, Controller, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of such Person.

Financial Incurrence Test ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  1.12(f) .

Financial Performance Covenants ” shall mean the covenants of the Borrower set forth in Section  10.11 .

Fixed Basket ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  1.12(f) .

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

(a) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;

(b) all cash dividends or other cash distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock during such period; and

(c) all cash dividends or other cash distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.

Foreign Plan ” shall mean any employee benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to employees employed outside the United States.

Foreign Subsidiary ” shall mean each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

Fronting Fee ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  4.1(c) .

FSHCO ” shall mean any Domestic Subsidiary (including a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests and/or Indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs (held directly or through Subsidiaries).

Fund ” shall mean any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course.

GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time; provided , however , that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.

 

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Governmental Authority ” shall mean any nation, sovereign or government, any state, province, territory or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity or authority exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including a central bank or stock exchange (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Granting Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.6(g) .

Grantors ” shall mean, except to the extent released therefrom in accordance with the terms hereof, Holdings and each Domestic Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.1(c) that becomes a party to the Collateral Agreement on the Effective Date and each other Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary (except to the extent provided below)) that becomes a party to the Collateral Agreement after the Effective Date pursuant to Section  9.11 or otherwise; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower in its sole discretion may cause any Restricted Subsidiary or other Person that is not required to be a Grantor hereunder or pursuant to the Security Documents to provide Collateral by causing such Restricted Subsidiary or other Person to execute a joinder to the Collateral Agreement and such Restricted Subsidiary or other Person shall be Grantor and Credit Party for all purposes hereunder except to the extent released from the Collateral Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

Guarantee ” shall mean, collectively, the guarantee made by any Guarantor in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit C .

Guarantee Obligations ” shall mean, as to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such Indebtedness or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such Indebtedness or (ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain financial condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness, (c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such Indebtedness of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such Indebtedness or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof; provided , however , that the term “Guarantee Obligations” shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.

Guarantors ” shall mean Holdings and each Domestic Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.1(c) that becomes a party to the Guarantee on the Effective Date (except to the extent released therefrom in accordance with the terms hereof) and each other Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary (except to the extent provided below)) that becomes a party to the Guarantee after the Effective Date pursuant to Section  9.11 or otherwise; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower in its sole discretion may cause any Restricted Subsidiary or other Person that is not required to be a Guarantor hereunder or pursuant to the Security Documents to provide a guarantee by causing such Restricted Subsidiary or other Person to execute a guarantee and such Restricted Subsidiary shall be Guarantor and Credit Party for all purposes hereunder except to the extent released from such guarantee in accordance with the terms hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms “Guarantor” and “Credit Party” shall not include any Parent Entity (other than Holdings) that guarantees the Obligations.

 

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Hazardous Materials ” shall mean (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, natural gas or natural gas liquids, radioactive materials, friable asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon gas and (b) any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous waste”, “hazardous materials”, “extremely hazardous waste”, “restricted hazardous waste”, “toxic substances”, “toxic pollutants”, “contaminants”, or “pollutants”, or words of similar import, under any applicable Environmental Law or that would otherwise reasonably be expected to result in liability under any applicable Environmental Law.

Hedge Agreements ” shall mean (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, future contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, total return swap, credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reserve repurchase transaction, securities lending transaction, weather index transaction, spot contracts, fixed-price physical delivery contracts, whether or not exchange traded, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedge Agreements.

Hedge Bank ” shall mean (a) any Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) that (x) at the time it enters into a Hedge Agreement is a Lender, Lead Arranger or Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender. Lead Arranger or Agent, or (y) at any time after it enters into a Hedge Agreement it becomes a Lender, Lead Arranger or Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender, Lead Arranger or Agent or (b) any Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) that at the time it enters into a Hedge Agreement is an Acceptable Counterparty.

Hedging Obligations ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under Hedge Agreements.

Highest Lawful Rate ” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Loans under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws allow as of the date hereof.

Holdings ” shall have the meaning provided in the preamble to this Agreement.

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

Hydrocarbons ” shall mean oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all products refined or separated therefrom.

 

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Immaterial Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary.

Immediate Family Members ” shall mean with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, qualified domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including adoptive relationships) and any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals or any private foundation or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised fund of which any such individual is the donor.

Increasing Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.16(a) .

Incremental Agreement ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.16(c) .

Incremental Increase ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.16(a) .

Indebtedness ” of any Person shall mean the following, if and only to the extent (other than with respect to clause (g)  below) the same would constitute indebtedness or a liability in accordance with GAAP, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments, (c) the deferred purchase price of assets or services that in accordance with GAAP would be required to be shown as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person (other than (i) any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and (ii) obligations resulting under firm transportation contracts or take or pay contracts), (d) the face amount of all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder, (e) the principal component of all obligations in respect of Capitalized Leases of such Person, (f) net Hedging Obligations of such Person, (g) all indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) of any other Person secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person, (h) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase in respect of Disqualified Stock (excluding accrued dividends that have not increased the liquidation preference of such Disqualified Stock), (i) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly received payment and (j) without duplication, all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of the items described in clauses (a)  through (i) above; provided that Indebtedness shall not include (i) trade and other ordinary-course payables and accrued expenses, (ii) deferred or prepaid revenues, (iii) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller, (iv) in the case of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (A) all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding three hundred sixty-four (364) days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and (B) intercompany liabilities in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (v) obligations under any Acquisition Agreement or the MIPA and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as amended, restated supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, (vi) Production Payments and Reserve Sales, (vii) in-kind obligations relating to net oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business, (viii) any obligation in respect of a Farm-In Agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property, and (ix) any Guarantee Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business to the extent not guaranteeing Indebtedness.

 

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For purposes hereof, the amount of any net Hedging Obligations on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (g)  above shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the Fair Market Value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

Indemnified Liabilities ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.5(b) .

Indemnified Taxes ” shall mean all Taxes imposed on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Credit Document other than (a) Excluded Taxes and (b) Other Taxes.

Indemnitees ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.5(b) .

Independent Assets or Operations ” means, with respect to any Parent Entity, that Parent Entity’s total assets, revenues, income from continuing operations before income taxes and cash flows from operating activities (excluding in each case amounts related to its investment in the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries), determined in accordance with GAAP and as shown on the most recent balance sheet of such Parent Entity, is more than 3.0% of such Parent Entity’s corresponding consolidated amount.

Industry Investment ” shall mean Investments and/or expenditures made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business as a means of actively engaging therein through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements that permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including: (1) ownership interests (directly or through equity) in oil and gas properties or gathering, transportation, processing, or related systems and (2) Investments and/or expenditures in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, processing agreements, Farm In Agreements, Farm Out Agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties.

Information ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  8.8(a) .

Initial Loans ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.1(a)(i) .

Initial Maturity Date ” shall mean July 31, 2023, or, if such date is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately following such anniversary.

Initial Reserve Report ” shall mean the reserve engineers’ report with respect to the Acquired Business of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. as of December 31, 2017.

Intercompany Note ” shall mean a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit I .

Interest Period ” shall mean, with respect to any Loan, the interest period applicable thereto, as determined pursuant to Section  2.9 .

Interim Redetermination ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.14(b) .

Interim Redetermination Date ” shall mean the date on which a Borrowing Base that has been redetermined pursuant to an Interim Redetermination becomes effective as provided in Section  2.14 .

 

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Investment ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  10.5 .

Investment Grade Rating ” shall mean a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other rating agency selected by the Borrower.

IRS ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  5.4(e)(i) .

ISP ” shall mean, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

Issuer Documents ” shall mean, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the applicable Issuing Bank and the Borrower (or any Restricted Subsidiary) or in favor of the applicable Issuing Bank and relating to such Letter of Credit.

Issuing Bank ” shall mean (a) Citibank, N.A. and any of its Affiliates, (b) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and any of its Affiliates, and (c) if requested by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, any other Person who is a Lender at the time of such request and who accepts such appointment (it being understood that, if any such Person ceases to be a Lender hereunder, such Person will remain an Issuing Bank with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by such Person that remained outstanding as of the date such Person ceased to be a Lender). References herein and in the other Credit Documents to an Issuing Bank shall be deemed to refer to the Issuing Bank in respect of the applicable Letter of Credit or to all Issuing Banks, as the context requires. Any Lender may, from time to time, become an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with the protections and rights afforded to Issuing Banks hereunder by executing a joinder, in a form reasonably satisfactory to (and acknowledged and accepted by) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, indicating such Lender’s “Maximum Letter of Credit Commitment” and upon the execution and delivery of any such joinder, such Lender shall be an Issuing Bank for all purposes hereof.

Junior Debt ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  10.7(a) .

Junior Liens ” shall mean Liens on the Collateral (other than Liens securing the Obligations) that are subordinated to the Liens granted under the Credit Documents pursuant to a Customary Intercreditor Agreement (it being understood that Junior Liens are not required to be pari passu with other Junior Liens, and that Indebtedness secured by Junior Liens may have Liens that are senior in priority to, or pari passu with, or junior in priority to, other Liens constituting Junior Liens).

Last Borrowing Base Hedge Reduction ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.14(f) .

Latest Maturity Date ” shall mean, at any date of determination, the latest Maturity Date applicable to any Class of Commitments or Loans that is outstanding hereunder on such date of determination.

L/C Borrowing ” shall mean an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Borrowing. All L/C Borrowings shall be denominated in Dollars.

L/C Maturity Date ” shall mean the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

 

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L/C Obligations ” shall mean, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unpaid Drawings, including all L/C Borrowings. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

L/C Participant ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.3(a) .

L/C Participation ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.3(a) .

LCT Election ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  1.12(i) .

LCT Test Date ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  1.12(i) .

Lead Arrangers ” shall mean Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, each in its capacity as a lead arranger in respect of the RBL Facility.

Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in the preamble to this Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender. For avoidance of doubt, each Additional Lender shall be deemed a “Lender” for purposes of this Agreement and each other Credit Document.

Lender Default ” shall mean (i) the refusal or failure of any Lender to make available its portion of any incurrence of Loans or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans, which refusal or failure is not cured within two (2) Business Days after the date of such refusal or failure; (ii) the failure of any Lender to pay over to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute; (iii) a Lender has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations under the RBL Facility, (iv) the failure by a Lender to confirm in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its obligations under the RBL Facility, which failure is not cured after the date of such failure, (v) a Distressed Person has admitted in writing that it is insolvent or such Distressed Person becomes subject to a Lender-Related Distress Event or (vi) a Lender has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, become the subject of a Bail-In Action.

Lender-Related Distress Event ” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, that such Lender or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender (each, a “ Distressed Person ”), as the case may be, is or becomes subject to a voluntary or involuntary case with respect to such Distressed Person under any debt relief law, or a custodian, conservator, receiver or similar official is appointed for such Distressed Person or any substantial part of such Distressed Person’s assets, or such Distressed Person or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Distressed Person is subject to a forced liquidation, or such Distressed Person makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or is otherwise adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Distressed Person or its assets to be, insolvent or bankrupt; provided that a Lender-Related Distress Event shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interests in any Lender or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

 

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Letter of Credit ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.1 .

Letter of Credit Application ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.2(a) .

Letter of Credit Commitment ” shall mean $100,000,000, as the same may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section  3.1 .

Letter of Credit Exposure ” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, at any time, the sum of (a) the principal amount of any Unpaid Drawings in respect of which such Lender has made (or is required to have made) payments to the applicable Issuing Bank pursuant to Section  3.4(a) at such time and (b) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Letters of Credit Outstanding at such time (excluding the portion thereof consisting of Unpaid Drawings in respect of which the Lenders have made (or are required to have made) payments to the applicable Issuing Bank pursuant to Section  3.4(a) ) minus the amount of cash or deposit account balances held by the Administrative Agent to Cash Collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit and Unpaid Drawings under Section  3.7 .

Letter of Credit Fee ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  4.1(b) .

Letters of Credit Outstanding ” shall mean, at any time, the sum of, without duplication, (a) the aggregate Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all Unpaid Drawings in respect of all Letters of Credit.

Leverage Ratio Covenant ” shall mean the covenant of the Borrower set forth in Section  10.11(a) .

LIBOR Loan ” shall mean any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate (other than an ABR Loan bearing interest by reference to the LIBOR Rate by virtue of clause (c)  of the definition of ABR).

LIBOR Rate ” shall mean, for any Interest Period with respect to any Borrowing of a LIBOR Loan, the London interbank offered rate as administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for Dollars for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the applicable Bloomberg screen page that displays such rate (or, in the event that such rate does not appear on a Bloomberg screen page, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion; in each case, the “ Screen Rate ”) at approximately 11:00 A.M. London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided , that with respect to any Interest Period for which there is no corresponding Screen Rate, then the “LIBOR Rate” for such Interest Period shall be (a) a successor or alternative index rate as the Administrative Agent (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any other Lender) and the Borrower may reasonably determine, so long as the Administrative Agent shall not have received within five (5) Business Days of the date on which the Administrative Agent provides notice of such alternate rate of interest to the Lenders, a written notice from the Majority Lenders stating that such Majority Lenders object to such determination or (b) absent such mutual selection by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, a comparable successor or alternative interbank rate for deposits in Dollars that is, at such time, broadly accepted as the prevailing market practice for syndicated loans of this type in lieu of the “LIBOR Rate” as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower; provided , further if the LIBOR Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Lien ” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, preferred mortgage, deed of trust, lien, notice of claim of lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance in or on such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset or (c) Production Payments and Reserve Sales and the like payable out of Oil and Gas Properties; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to be a Lien.

Limited Condition Transaction ” shall mean any (a) Permitted Acquisition or other Investment or similar transaction (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or the acquisition of capital stock or otherwise), (b) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness and (c) any Restricted Payment requiring irrevocable notice in advance thereof (other than any Restricted Payment in respect of common Equity Interests to the Sponsor that is not to be concurrently made to all other holders of such common Equity Interests).

Liquidity ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the Available Commitment on such date (if positive) and (b) the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries at such date.

Loan ” shall mean any Initial Loan, Extended Loan or Swingline Loan made by any Lender hereunder.

Loan Extension Request ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.17(a) .

Loan Limit ” shall mean, at any time, the least of (a) the Total Commitment at such time, (b) the Borrowing Base at such time (including as it may be reduced pursuant to Section  2.14(h) ) and (c) the Draw Limit.

Loan Limit Deficiency ” occurs if, at any time, the aggregate Total Exposure of all Lenders exceeds the Loan Limit then in effect. The amount of the Loan Limit Deficiency is the amount by which the aggregate Total Exposure of all Lenders exceeds the Loan Limit then in effect.

Majority Lenders ” shall mean, at any date, (a) Non-Defaulting Lenders having or holding a majority of the Adjusted Total Commitment at such date, or (b) if the Total Commitment has been terminated or for the purposes of acceleration pursuant to Article 11 , Non-Defaulting Lenders having or holding a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans, the Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure (excluding the Loans, Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure of Defaulting Lenders) in the aggregate at such date.

Mandatory Borrowing ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.1(c) .

Margin Stock ” shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in Regulation U.

Material Adverse Effect ” shall mean a circumstance or condition affecting the business, assets, operations, properties or financial condition of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that, individually or in the aggregate, would materially adversely affect (a) the ability of the Borrower and the other Credit Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under the Credit Documents or (b) the rights and remedies of the Agents and the Lenders under the Credit Documents; provided , that, to the extent that any Specified Representation made on, or as of, the Effective Date (or a date prior thereto) is qualified by or subject to Material Adverse Effect, “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean “Material Adverse Effect” as defined in the applicable Acquisition Agreements for purposes of such representations and warranties.

 

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Material Indebtedness ” shall mean Indebtedness (other than Loans and Letters of Credit) of any one or more of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75,000,000.

Material Subsidiary ” shall mean, at any date of determination, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) whose total assets (when combined with the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations and determined as if references to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of “Consolidated Total Assets” were references to such Restricted Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries) at the last day of the Test Period were equal to or greater than 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets at such date or (b) whose revenues (when combined with the revenues of such Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations) during such Test Period were equal to or greater than 5.0% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that if, at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries have, in the aggregate, (i) total assets (when combined with the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations and determined as if references to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of “Consolidated Total Assets” were references to such Restricted Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries) at the last day of such Test Period equal to or greater than 10.0% of Consolidated Total Assets at such date or (ii) revenues (when combined with the revenues of such Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations) during such Test Period equal to or greater than 10.0% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP, then the Borrower shall, on the date on which financial statements for such fiscal quarter are delivered pursuant to this Agreement, designate in writing to the Administrative Agent one or more of such Restricted Subsidiaries as “Material Subsidiaries”.

Maturity Date ” shall mean, as to the applicable Loan, the Initial Maturity Date, any maturity date related to any Extension Series of Extended Commitments, or the Swingline Maturity Date, as applicable.

Maximum Letter of Credit Commitment ” shall mean with respect to each Issuing Bank, the amount set forth opposite such Issuing Bank’s name in Schedule 1.1(a) hereto, as such schedule may be amended or modified from time to time by the Borrower, each Issuing Bank affected by such amendment or modification thereto and by the Administrative Agent.

Minimum Borrowing Amount ” shall mean, with respect to any Borrowing of Loans, $500,000 (or, if less, the entire remaining Commitments at the time of such Borrowing).

Minority Investment ” shall mean any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owns Equity Interests.

MIPA ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

Moody’s ” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor by merger or consolidation to its business.

Mortgage ” shall mean a mortgage or a deed of trust, deed to secure debt, trust deed, assignment of as-extracted collateral, fixture filing or other security document entered into by the owner of a Mortgaged Property and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in respect of that Mortgaged Property, substantially in the form of Exhibit D (with such changes thereto as may be necessary to account for local law matters) or otherwise in such form as agreed between the Borrower and the Collateral Agent.

 

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Mortgaged Property ” shall mean, each parcel of real estate and improvements thereto, and assets integral to oil and gas production located therein owned by a Credit Party with respect to which a Mortgage has been granted. However, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, any Mortgage, or any other Security Document to the contrary, in no event shall any Building (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) or Manufactured (Mobile) Home (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) be included in the definition of “Mortgaged Property” and no Building or Manufactured (Mobile) Home shall be encumbered by any Mortgage. As used herein, “ Flood Insurance Regulations ” shall mean (i) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statue thereto, (iii) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (amending 42 USC 4001, et seq .), as the same may be amended or recodified from time to time, (iv) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 and (v) the Biggert Waters Flood Reform Act of 2012 and, in each case, any regulations promulgated thereunder.

Multiemployer Plan ” shall mean a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Necessary Cure Amount ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  11.12(a)(ii) .

Net Income ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends.

New Borrowing Base Notice ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.14(d) .

Non-Bank Tax Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit K-1 , K-2 , K-3 or K-4 , as applicable.

Non-Consenting Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.7(b) .

Non-Defaulting Lender ” shall mean and include each Lender other than a Defaulting Lender.

Non-Extension Notice Date ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.2(b) .

Non-Fixed Basket ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  1.12(f) .

Non-U.S. Lender ” shall mean any Lender (a) that is not disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that is not a “United States person” as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (b) that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and whose regarded owner is not a “United States person” as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Notice of Borrowing ” shall mean a request of the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section  2.3(a) and substantially in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent (acting reasonably).

Notice of Conversion or Continuation ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.6(a) .

Obligations ” shall mean all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Credit Party arising under any Credit Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit or under any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement, in each case, entered into with the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter

 

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arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof in any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Credit Parties under the Credit Documents (and any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent they have obligations under the Credit Documents) include the obligation (including Guarantee Obligations) to pay principal, interest, charges, expenses, fees, Attorney Costs, indemnities and other amounts payable by any Credit Party under any Credit Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) Excluded Swap Obligations shall not constitute Obligations, (b) the obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary under any Secured Hedge Agreement and under any Secured Cash Management Agreement that has been secured at the option of the Borrower (such option shall be deemed exercised as reflected in the documents related to any such Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement among the Borrower and the applicable Hedge Bank or Cash Management Bank) shall be secured and guaranteed pursuant to the Security Documents and the Guarantee only to the extent that, and for so long as, the other Obligations are so secured and guaranteed and (c) any release of Collateral or Guarantors effected in the manner permitted by this Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall not require the consent of the holders of Hedging Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements or of the holders of Cash Management Obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements.

OFAC ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  8.20 .

Oil and Gas Business ” shall mean:

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

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

(c) any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate, incidental or ancillary to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (a)  and (b) of this definition.

Oil and Gas Properties ” shall mean (a) Hydrocarbon Interests, (b) the properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests, (c) all presently existing or future unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority) which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests, (d) all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including production sharing contracts and agreements, which relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests, (e) all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests and (g) all properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all property, real or personal, now owned or hereafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or property (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment, rental equipment or other personal property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including

 

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any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, gas processing plants and pipeline systems and any related infrastructure to any thereof, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.

Ongoing Hedges ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  10.10(a) .

Opco Guarantee ” shall mean the Guarantee, dated as of July 31, 2018, by and among Opco Parent and the Collateral Agent.

Opco Parent ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

Organization Documents ” shall mean (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

Other Taxes ” shall mean any and all present or future stamp, registration, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes arising from any payment made hereunder or made under any other Credit Document or from the execution or delivery of, registration or enforcement of, consummation or administration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document; provided that such term shall not include any of the foregoing Taxes (i) that result from an assignment, grant of a participation pursuant to Section  13.6(c) or transfer or assignment to or designation of a new lending office or other office for receiving payments under any Credit Document (“ Assignment Taxes ”) to the extent such Assignment Taxes are imposed as a result of a connection between the assignor/participating Lender and/or the assignee/Participant and the taxing jurisdiction (other than a connection arising solely from any Credit Documents or any transactions contemplated thereunder), except to the extent that any such action described in this proviso is requested or required by the Borrower pursuant to Section  13.7 , or (ii) Excluded Taxes.

Overnight Rate ” shall mean, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (b) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

Parent ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

Parent Entity ” shall mean any Person that is a direct or indirect parent company (which may be organized as a partnership) of Holdings and/or the Borrower, as applicable.

Parent Entity Guarantor ” shall mean (a) Parent in its capacity as guarantor under the Parent Guarantee and/or (b) Opco Parent in its capacity as guarantor under the Opco Guarantee, as applicable.

 

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Parent Guarantee ” shall mean the Guarantee, dated as of July 31, 2018, by and among Parent and the Collateral Agent.

Participant ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.6(c)(i) .

Participant Register ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.6(c)(ii) .

Participating Member States ” shall mean, together, each member state of the European Union that adopts or has adopted the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to the Economic and Monetary Union (as amended or re-enacted from time to time).

PATRIOT Act ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.18 .

PBGC ” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Section 4002 of ERISA, or any successor thereto.

Permitted Acquisition ” shall mean the acquisition, by merger or otherwise, by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of assets (including any assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division) or Equity Interests, so long as (a) if such acquisition involves the acquisition of Equity Interests of a Person that upon such acquisition would become a Subsidiary, such acquisition shall result in the issuer of such Equity Interests becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and, to the extent required by Section  9.11 , a Guarantor; (b) such acquisition shall result in the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, being granted a security interest in any Equity Interests or any assets so acquired to the extent required by Section  9.11 ; (c) immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, no Event of Default pursuant to Section  11.1 or 11.5 shall have occurred and be continuing; and (d) immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with Section  9.15 .

Permitted Additional Debt ” shall mean any unsecured senior, senior subordinated, Junior Lien or subordinated loans or notes issued by the Borrower or a Grantor, (a) the terms of which do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligation prior to the 91st day after the Latest Maturity Date as in effect on the date of determination (other than (i) customary offers to purchase upon a change of control, AHYDO payments, asset sale or casualty or condemnation event and customary acceleration rights after an event of default and (ii) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a customary bridge facility if the Indebtedness pursuant to such customary bridge facility converts at maturity to Indebtedness which does not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligation (except to the extent permitted pursuant to clause (i) ) prior to the 91st day after the Latest Maturity Date as in effect on the date of determination), (b) if such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, the terms of such Indebtedness provide for customary subordination of such Indebtedness to the Obligations and (c) no Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than a Guarantor) is an obligor under such Indebtedness.

Permitted Holders ” shall mean any of (i) the Sponsor; (ii) EnerVest, Ltd. and any of its successors, Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed or advised by it or any of its Affiliates; and (iii) officers, directors, employees and other members of management of the Borrower (or any of its Parent Entities, including Parent) or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries who are or become holders of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity, including Parent) (and their Controlled Investment Affiliates and Immediate Family Members); provided that for purposes of the definition of “Change of Control” the Persons described in clause (iii)  above shall not constitute Permitted Holders at any time they hold voting power equal to or more than fifty percent (50%) of all Equity Interests collectively and beneficially held by the Persons described in clauses (i)  through (iii) above.

 

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Permitted Investments ” shall mean:

(1) Dollars;

(2) (a) Euros, Yen, Canadian Dollars, Pound Sterling or any national currency of any Participating Member State of the EMU; or

(b)in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary or any jurisdiction in which the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries conducts business, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business and not for speculation;

(3) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of thirty-six (36) months or less from the date of acquisition;

(4) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of thirty-six (36) months or less from the date of acquisition, demand deposits, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding three (3) years and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic or foreign commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 in the case of U.S. banks and $100,000,000 (or the Dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks (any such bank in the forgoing an “ Approved Bank ”);

(5) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (3)  and (4) above or clauses (7)  and (8) below entered into with any financial institution or recognized securities dealer meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4)  above;

(6) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by an Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable or fixed rate note issued by, or guaranteed by, a corporation by, a corporation (other than structured investment vehicles and other than corporations used in structured financing transactions) rated A-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better rated at least P-2 by Moody’s or at least A-2 by S&P or P-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Issuer Borrower) and in each case maturing within thirty-six (36) months after the date of acquisition thereof;

(7) marketable short-term money market and similar liquid funds having a rating of at least P-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or A-2 (or the equivalent thereof) from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Borrower);

(8) readily marketable direct obligations issued or fully guaranteed by (i) any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or (ii) any foreign government or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof; provided , that each such readily marketable direct obligation shall have an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P or Moody’s (or the equivalent thereof) (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P or Moody’s (or the equivalent thereof) shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Borrower) with maturities of thirty-six (36) months or less from the date of acquisition;

 

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(9) Investments with average maturities of thirty-six (36) months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA-(or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Borrower);

(10) investment funds investing substantially all of their assets in securities of the types de-scribed in clauses (1)  through (9) above; and

(11) solely with respect to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, any Investment in connection with its provision of insurance, which Investment is permitted to be made in accordance with applicable law, rule, regulation or order or that is required or approved by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Captive Insurance Subsidiary or its business, as applicable.

In the case of Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary or Investments made in a country outside the United States, Permitted Investments shall also include (i) investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (1)  through (7) and clauses (8)(i) and (9)  above of foreign obligors, which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies and (ii) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments analogous to the foregoing investments in clauses (1)  through (11) and in this paragraph.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Permitted Investments shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (1)  and (2) above; provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clause (1)  or (2) above as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

Permitted Liens ” shall mean:

(a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims not yet overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which appropriate reserves have been established to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP (or in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, the comparable accounting principles in the relevant jurisdiction), or for property taxes on property that the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries has determined to abandon if the sole recourse for such tax, assessment, charge or claim is to such property;

(b) Liens in respect of property or assets of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries imposed by law, such as landlords’, vendors’, suppliers’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, construction contractors’, workers’ and mechanics’ Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business or incidental to the exploration, development, operation or maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties, in each case so long as such Liens arise in the ordinary course of business and do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) Liens arising from judgments or decrees in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section  11.9 ;

(d) Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, old age pension, public liability obligations or similar legislation, and deposits securing liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations, or to secure (or secure the Liens securing) liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank

 

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guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(e) deposits and other Liens securing (or securing the bonds or similar instruments securing) the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, plugging and abandonment obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (including letters of credit issued in lieu of such bonds or to support the issuance thereof) incurred in the ordinary course of business or in a manner consistent with past practice, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business, or otherwise constituting Investments permitted by Section  10.5 ;

(f) ground leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries are located;

(g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictive covenants, licenses, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), title defects, exceptions, deficiencies or irregularities in title, encroachments, protrusions, servitudes, permits, conditions and covenants and other similar charges or encumbrances (including in any rights-of-way or other property of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries for the purpose of roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil or other minerals or timber, and other like purposes, or for joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment) not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(h) (i) any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor under any lease, liens reserved in oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons, minerals, leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such lease and (ii) any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor or secured by a lessor’s, sublessor’s, licensor’s or sublicensor’s interest under any lease, sublease, license or sublicense entered into by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or otherwise permitted by this Agreement;

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

(j) Liens on goods or inventory the purchase, shipment or storage price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance issued for the account of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance to the extent permitted under Section  10.1 ;

(k) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(l) Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement or similar filings made in respect of operating leases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(m) Liens created in the ordinary course of business in favor of banks and other financial institutions over credit balances of any bank accounts, commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries held at such banks or financial institutions, as the case may be, in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(n) Liens which arise in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, Farm-Out Agreements, Farm-In Agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements that are usual or customary in the Oil and Gas Business and are for claims which are not delinquent or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which appropriate reserves have been established to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP; provided that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair the use of the property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such property is held by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(o) Liens on pipelines and pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business and incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties;

(p) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property that does not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(q) Liens on equipment of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary’s client at which such equipment is located;

(r) security given to a public utility or any municipality or governmental authority when required by such utility or authority in connection with the operations of that Person in the ordinary course of business;

(s) Liens on Equity Interests in joint ventures; provided that any such Lien is in favor of a creditor of such joint venture and such creditor is not an Affiliate of any partner to such joint venture; and

(t) Liens on Permitted Investments that are earmarked to be used to satisfy or discharge Indebtedness; provided that (x) such Permitted Investments are deposited into an account from which payment is to be made, directly or indirectly, to the Person or Persons holding the Indebtedness that is to be satisfied or discharged, (y) such Liens extend solely to the account in which such Permitted Investments are deposited and are solely in favor of the Person or Persons holding the Indebtedness (or any agent or trustee for such Person or Persons) that is to be satisfied or discharged and (z) the satisfaction or discharge of such Indebtedness is permitted hereunder.

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ” shall mean, with respect to any Indebtedness (the “ Refinanced Indebtedness ”), any Indebtedness issued or incurred in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to modify, extend, refinance, renew, replace or refund (collectively to “ Refinance ” or a “ Refinancing ” or “ Refinanced ”), such Refinanced Indebtedness (or previous refinancing thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided that (A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of any such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Refinanced Indebtedness outstanding immediately prior to such Refinancing except by an amount equal to the unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon and other amounts paid in connection with the defeasance or discharge of such Indebtedness plus other amounts paid (including any tender premium) and fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Refinancing plus

 

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an amount equal to any existing commitment unutilized and letters of credit undrawn thereunder, (B) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is Indebtedness permitted by Section  10.1(c) , 10.1(i) or 10.1(k) , the direct and contingent obligors with respect to such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness immediately prior to such Refinancing are not changed as a result of such Refinancing (except that a Credit Party may be added as an additional obligor), (C) other than with respect to a Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section  10.1(h) , such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Refinanced Indebtedness, (D) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is Indebtedness permitted by Sections 10.1(c) , (i) or (k) , the terms and conditions of any such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Refinanced Indebtedness being Refinanced (including, if applicable, as to collateral priority and subordination, but excluding as to interest rates, fees, floors, funding discounts and redemption or prepayment premiums) or are customary for similar Indebtedness in light of current market conditions; provided that a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent at least three (3) Business Days prior to the incurrence or issuance of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement and (E) if the Refinanced Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment or security such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated on terms no less favorable to the Secured Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Permitted Additional Debt must constitute Permitted Additional Debt.

Person ” shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise or any Governmental Authority.

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

Plan ” shall mean any multiemployer or single-employer plan, as defined in Section 4001 of ERISA and subject to Title IV of ERISA, that is or was within any of the preceding six (6) plan years maintained for or contributed to by (or to which there is or was an obligation to contribute or to make payments to) the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate.

Preferred Stock ” shall mean any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

Prime Rate ” shall mean the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Citibank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by Citibank, N.A. in connection with extensions of credit to debtors).

Pro Forma Basis ” shall mean, with respect to compliance with any test or covenant or calculation of any ratio hereunder, the determination or calculation of such test, covenant or ratio (including in connection with Specified Transactions) in accordance with Section  1.12 .

Proceeding ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  12.7 .

 

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Production Payments and Reserve Sales ” shall mean the grant or transfer by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or Dollar-denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers.

Projections ” shall mean financial estimates, forecasts and other forward-looking information prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its representatives and that have been made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

Proposed Acquisition ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  10.10(a) .

Proposed Borrowing Base ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.14(c)(i) .

Proposed Borrowing Base Notice ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.14(c)(ii) .

Proved Developed Producing Reserves ” shall mean oil and gas mineral interests that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and “Developed Producing Reserves.”

Proved Developed Reserves ” shall mean oil and gas mineral interests that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and one of the following: (a) “Developed Producing Reserves” or (b) “Developed Non-Producing Reserves.”

Proved Reserves ” shall mean oil and gas mineral interests that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and one of the following: (a) “Developed Producing Reserves”, (b) “Developed Non-Producing Reserves” or (c) “Undeveloped Reserves”.

Proxy Statement ” shall mean the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A of Parent to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Acquisition.

Public Company Costs ” shall mean costs relating to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and other expenses arising out of or incidental to being a public reporting company, including costs, fees and expenses (including legal, accounting and other professional fees) relating to compliance with provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, the rules of national securities exchange companies with listed equity securities, directors’ compensation, fees and expense reimbursement shareholder meetings and reports to shareholders, directors’ and officers’ insurance and other executive costs, legal and other professional fees, and listing fees.

PV-9 ” shall mean, with respect to any Proved Reserves expected to be produced from any Borrowing Base Properties, the net present value, discounted at 9% per annum , of the future net revenues expected to accrue to the Borrower’s and the Credit Parties’ collective interests in such reserves during the remaining expected economic lives of such reserves, calculated in accordance with the most recent Bank Price Deck provided to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section  2.14(i) .

Qualified Equity Interests ” shall mean any Equity Interests of Holdings or the Borrower or any Parent Entity other than Disqualified Stock.

 

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RBL Facility ” shall mean this Agreement and the Commitments and the extensions of credit made hereunder.

Redetermination Date ” shall mean, with respect to any Scheduled Redetermination or any Interim Redetermination, the date that the redetermined Borrowing Base related thereto becomes effective pursuant to Section  2.14(d) .

Refinance ” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.”

Register ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.6(b)(iv) .

Regulation T ” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

Regulation U ” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

Regulation X ” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

Reimbursement Date ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.4(a) .

Related Indemnified Person ” shall mean, with respect to an Indemnitee, (1) any controlling Person or controlled Affiliate of such Indemnitee, (2) the respective directors, officers, or employees of such Indemnitee or any of its controlling Persons or controlled Affiliates and (3) the respective agents and representatives of such Indemnitee or any of its controlling Persons or controlled Affiliates, in the case of this clause (3) , acting at the instructions of such Indemnitee, controlling Person or such controlled Affiliate.

Replaced Loans ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.1(f) .

Replacement Loans ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.1(f) .

Reportable Event ” shall mean an event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, other than any event as to which the thirty (30)-day notice period has been waived.

Required Cash Collateral Amount ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.7(c) .

Required Lenders ” shall mean, at any date, (a) Non-Defaulting Lenders having or holding at least 66% of the Adjusted Total Commitment at such date or (b) if the Total Commitment has been terminated, Non-Defaulting Lenders having or holding at least 66% of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans, the Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure (excluding the Loans, Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure of Defaulting Lenders) in the aggregate at such date.

Requirement of Law ” shall mean, as to any Person, any law, treaty, rule, regulation, statute, order, ordinance, decree, judgment, consent decree, writ, injunction, settlement agreement or governmental requirement enacted, promulgated or imposed or entered into or agreed by any Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or assets or to which such Person or any of its property or assets is subject.

 

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Reserve Report ” shall mean the Initial Reserve Report and any other subsequent report, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth, as of each June 30th or December 31st (or such other date in the event of certain Interim Redeterminations) the Proved Reserves and the Proved Developed Reserves attributable to the Borrowing Base Properties of the Borrower and the Credit Parties, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net revenues, operating expenses (including production taxes and ad valorem expenses) and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, based upon the most recent Bank Price Deck provided to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section  2.14(i) ; provided that in connection with any Interim Redeterminations of the Borrowing Base pursuant to the last sentence of Section  2.14(b) , ( i.e. , as a result of the Borrower having acquired Oil and Gas Properties with Proved Reserves which are to be Borrowing Base Properties having a PV-9 (calculated at the time of acquisition) in excess of 5.0% of the Borrowing Base in effect immediately prior to such acquisition), the Borrower shall be required, for purposes of updating the Reserve Report, to set forth only such additional Proved Reserves and related information as are the subject of such acquisition. For the avoidance of doubt all Reserve Reports, including those delivered in connection with any redetermination, may be prepared internally by petroleum engineers that are employees of the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiaries thereof, the Sellers or any of each of their respective Affiliates (subject to any applicable audit requirement set forth in Section  9.14(a) ).

Reserve Report Certificate ” shall mean a certificate of an Authorized Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit A certifying as to the matters set forth in Section  9.14(c) .

Restricted Payments ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  10.6 .

Restricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

S&P ” shall mean S&P Global Ratings or any successor thereto.

Sanctions ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  8.20 .

Scheduled Redetermination ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.14(b) .

Scheduled Redetermination Date ” shall mean the date on which a Borrowing Base that has been redetermined pursuant to a Scheduled Redetermination becomes effective as provided in Section  2.14 .

SEC ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

Secured Cash Management Agreement ” shall mean any agreement related to Cash Management Services by and between the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Cash Management Bank.

Secured Hedge Agreement ” shall mean any Hedge Agreement by and between the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Hedge Bank.

Secured Parties ” shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Lender, each Hedge Bank that is party to any Secured Hedge Agreement, each Cash Management Bank that is a party to any Secured Cash Management Agreement and each sub-agent pursuant to Section  12.2 appointed by the Administrative Agent with respect to matters relating to the Credit Documents or by the Collateral Agent with respect to matters relating to any Security Document.

Securities Account ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

 

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

Security Documents ” shall mean, collectively, (a) the Collateral Agreement, (b) the Mortgages, (c) the Control Agreements and (d) each other security agreement or other instrument or document executed and delivered pursuant to Section  9.11 or 9.13 or pursuant to any other such Security Documents or otherwise to secure or perfect the security interest in any or all of the Obligations.

Sellers ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

Senior Unsecured Notes ” shall mean $400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Borrower’s Senior Notes due 2026, issued pursuant to the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture.

Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture ” shall mean the Indenture, dated as of July 31, 2018, under which the Senior Unsecured Notes were issued, among the Borrower and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Solvent ” shall mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, exceeds their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability, on a consolidated basis, of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured, (c) such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such liabilities become absolute and matured and (d) such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are not engaged in, and are not about to engage in, business for which they have unreasonably small capital. The amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that would reasonably be expected to become an actual and matured liability.

Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations ” shall mean the representations and warranties made by the Sellers or with respect to the Acquired Business in the Acquisition Agreements as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that the Borrower (or any of its Affiliates) has the right (taking into account any applicable cure provisions), pursuant to the applicable Acquisition Agreement, to terminate the obligations of the Borrower (or its Affiliates) under such Acquisition Agreement or decline to consummate either Acquisition, in each case, in accordance with the terms thereof as a result of a breach of such representations and warranties.

Specified Existing Commitment ” shall mean any Existing Commitments belonging to a Specified Existing Commitment Class.

Specified Existing Commitment Class ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.17(a) .

Specified Representations ” shall mean the representations and warranties with respect to the Borrower set forth in Sections 8.1 (to the extent relating to the existence of the Borrower and the Guarantors), 8.2 , 8.3(c) , 8.5 , 8.7 , 8.15 and (with respect to the first and third sentences thereof only) 8.20 of this Agreement and in Section  3.02(c) of the Collateral Agreement.

Specified Subsidiary ” shall mean, at any date of determination any Restricted Subsidiary (i) whose total assets (determined as if references to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of “Consolidated Total Assets” were references to such Restricted Subsidiary) at the last day of the applicable Test Period were equal to or greater than 15.0% of Consolidated Total Assets at such date, or (ii) whose revenues during such Test Period were equal to or greater than 15.0% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Specified Transaction ” shall mean (a) solely for the purposes of determining the applicable cash balance, any contribution of capital, including as a result of an equity issuance, to the Borrower, in each case, in connection with an acquisition or Investment, (b) any designation of operations or assets of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary as discontinued operations (as defined under GAAP) (excluding held-for-sale discontinued operations until actually disposed of), (c) any Investment that results in a Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (d) any designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with this Agreement, (e) any purchase or other acquisition of a business of any Person, of assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of any Person or the purchase or acquisition of any material Oil and Gas Properties (as determined by the Borrower in good faith), (f) any Disposition (i) that results in a Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower or (ii) of a business, business unit, line of business or division of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or material Oil and Gas Properties (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) or (g) any Restricted Payment that by the terms of this Agreement requires a financial ratio to be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Sponsor ” shall mean TPG Capital, L.P. and any of their respective successors, Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed or advised by any of them or any of their respective Affiliates but not including, however, any portfolio company of any of the foregoing.

Sponsor Model ” shall mean the financial model delivered to the Administrative Agent on February 23, 2018 (together with any updates or modifications thereto reasonably agreed by the Lead Arrangers).

SPV ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.6(g) .

Stated Amount ” of any Letter of Credit shall mean the maximum amount from time to time available to be drawn thereunder, determined without regard to whether any conditions to drawing could then be met.

Subagent ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  12.2 .

Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person: (1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50.0% of the total voting power of shares of Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, members of management or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and (2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which: (a) more than 50.0% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and (b) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

Subsidiary Guarantor ” shall mean each Subsidiary that is a Guarantor.

Subsidiary Redesignation ” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”.

 

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Successor Borrower ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  10.3(a) .

Successor Holdings ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  9.17(b) .

Swap ” shall mean a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Swap Termination Value ” shall mean, in respect of any one or more Hedge Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Hedge Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Hedge Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a) , the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Hedge Agreements, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Hedge Agreements (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

Swingline Commitment ” shall mean the obligation of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section  2.1 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $25,000,000.

Swingline Exposure ” shall mean at any time the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Swingline Loans. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall equal its Commitment Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender ” shall mean Citibank, N.A., in its capacity as the lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Swingline Loan ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.1(b) .

Swingline Maturity Date ” shall mean, with respect to any Swingline Loan, the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Initial Maturity Date.

Taxes ” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments, deductions, withholdings or other similar charges imposed by any Governmental Authority and any interest, fines, penalties or additions to tax with respect to the foregoing.

Termination Date ” shall mean the earlier to occur of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the date on which the Total Commitment shall have terminated.

Test Period ” shall mean (subject to Section  1.12(a) ), as of any date of determination, the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then last ended and for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with clause (a)  or (b) of Section  9.1 .

Total Commitment ” shall mean the sum of the Commitments of the Lenders.

Total Exposure ” shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Lender then outstanding, (b) such Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure at such time and (c) such Lender’s Swingline Exposure at such time.

 

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Transaction Agreements ” means, collectively, (i) the Acquisition Agreements, (ii) the MIPA, (iii) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, among Parent and each of the stockholders of Parent whose name appears on the signature pages thereof and any person who becomes a party thereto, (iv) the Services Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, among Parent, the Borrower and EnerVest Operating L.L.C., (v) the Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, among Parent and EnerVest Ltd., (vi) the Subscription Agreements, dated as of March 20, 2018, between Parent and certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors, and (vii) the Stockholder Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, among Parent, TPG Pace Energy Sponsor, LLC and certain affiliates of EnerVest Ltd., in each case as in effect on the date hereof.

Transaction Expenses ” means any fees, expenses, costs or charges incurred or paid by the Permitted Holders, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions, whether prior to, on or after the Effective Date, including expenses in connection with the initial public offering of Parent’s stock.

Transactions ” means the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreements and the MIPA, the issuance of the Senior Unsecured Notes and borrowings under this Agreement, the payment of the Transaction Expenses and transactions related or incidental to, or in connection with, such transactions.

Transferee ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  13.6(e) .

Type ” shall mean, as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a LIBOR Loan.

UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York or of any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the perfection of security interests in any Collateral.

Unfunded Current Liability ” of any Plan shall mean the amount, if any, by which the Accumulated Benefit Obligation (as defined under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 (“ SFAS 87 ”)) under the Plan as of the close of its most recent plan year, determined in accordance with SFAS 87 as in effect on the date hereof, exceeds the Fair Market Value of the assets allocable thereto.

Uniform Customs ” shall mean, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits as approved by the International Chamber of Commerce, commencing on July 1, 2007 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

United States ” and “ U.S. ” shall mean the United States of America.

Unpaid Drawing ” shall have the meaning provided in Section  3.4(a) .

Unrestricted Cash ” shall mean cash or Permitted Investments of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that would not appear as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” shall mean (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is formed or acquired after the Effective Date if, at such time or promptly thereafter, the Borrower designates such Subsidiary as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” in a written notice to the Administrative Agent, (b) any Restricted Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided that in the case of each of clauses (a)  and (b) , (i) such designation shall be deemed to be an Investment (or reduction in an outstanding Investment, in the case of a designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary) on the date of such designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Borrower’s investment therein on such date and such designation shall be permitted only to the extent such Investment is permitted under Section  10.5 on the date of such designation, (ii) in the case

 

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of clause (b) , such designation shall be deemed to be a Disposition pursuant to which the provisions of Section  2.14(g) will apply to the extent contemplated thereby and (iii) no Default or Event of Default would result from such designation immediately after giving effect thereto and (c) each Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. No Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, after such designation, it would be a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of any Permitted Additional Debt, the Senior Unsecured Notes or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing, in each case, to the extent applicable. The Borrower may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (each, a “ Subsidiary Redesignation ”), and thereafter, such Subsidiary shall no longer constitute an Unrestricted Subsidiary, but only if (A) to the extent such Subsidiary has outstanding Indebtedness on the date of such designation, immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower shall be in compliance with the Leverage Ratio Covenant on a Pro Forma Basis and (B) no Default or Event of Default would result from such Subsidiary Redesignation.

U.S. Lender ” shall mean any Lender that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30).

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

Voting Stock ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Equity Interests having the right to vote for the election of directors of such Person under ordinary circumstances.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” shall mean, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing : (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining scheduled installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required scheduled payments of principal, including payment at final scheduled maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness; provided that the effects of any prepayments made on such Indebtedness shall be disregarded in making such calculation.

Wholly owned Subsidiary ” of any person shall mean a subsidiary of such person, all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or nominee or other similar shares required pursuant to applicable law) are owned by such person or another Wholly owned Subsidiary of such person.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Section 1.2 Other Interpretive Provisions . With reference to this Agreement and each other Credit Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Credit Document:

(a) The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

(b) The words “herein”, “hereto”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any Credit Document shall refer to such Credit Document as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.

 

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(c) Article, Section, Exhibit and Schedule references are to the Credit Document in which such reference appears.

(d) The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation.

(e) The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.

(f) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”; and the word “through” means “to and including”.

(g) Section headings herein and in the other Credit Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Credit Document.

(h) Any reference to any Person shall be constructed to include such Person’s successors or assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all of the functions thereof.

(i) Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.

(j) The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning as the word “shall”.

(k) The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

(l) The principal amount of any non-interest bearing Indebtedness or other discount security constituting Indebtedness at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Borrower dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Section 1.3 Accounting Terms . All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (i) without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein, (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof and (iii) unless the Borrower has requested an amendment pursuant to the definition of “ GAAP ” with respect to the treatment of operating leases and Capital Leases under GAAP and until such amendment has become effective, all obligations of any Person that are or would have been treated as operating leases

 

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for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board on February 25, 2016 of an Accounting Standards Update (the “ ASU ”) shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for purposes of all financial definitions and calculations for purpose of this Agreement (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as obligations with respect to Capital Leases in the financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section  9.1 .

Section 1.4 Rounding . Any financial ratios required to be maintained or complied with by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement (or required to be satisfied in order for a specific action to be permitted under this Agreement) shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

Section 1.5 References to Agreements, Laws, Etc . Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to organizational documents, agreements (including the Credit Documents) and other Contractual Requirements shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, amendment and restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, amendment and restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are permitted by any Credit Document and (b) references to any Requirement of Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Requirement of Law.

Section 1.6 Times of Day . Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to New York City (daylight saving or standard, as applicable).

Section 1.7 Timing of Payment or Performance . When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment (other than as described in Section  2.9 ) or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

Section 1.8 Currency Equivalents Generally .

(a) For purposes of any determination under Article 9 , Article 10 (other than Section  10.11 ) or Article 11 or any determination under any other provision of this Agreement requiring the use of a current exchange rate, all amounts incurred, outstanding or proposed to be incurred or outstanding in currencies other than Dollars shall be translated into Dollars at the Exchange Rate then in effect on the date of such determination; provided , however , that (x) for purposes of determining compliance with Article 10 with respect to the amount of any Indebtedness, Investment, Disposition, Restricted Payment or payment under Section  10.7 in a currency other than Dollars, no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of changes in rates of exchange occurring after the time such Indebtedness or Investment is incurred or Disposition, Restricted Payment or payment under Section  10.7 is made, (y) for purposes of determining compliance with any Dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the Dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first incurred (whichever yields the lower Dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt ( provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable Dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such Refinancing, such Dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Refinanced Indebtedness does not exceed (i) the principal

 

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amount of such Indebtedness being Refinanced plus (ii) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums (including tender premiums) and other costs and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with such refinancing) and (z) for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing provisions of this Section  1.8 shall otherwise apply to such Sections, including with respect to determining whether any Indebtedness or Investment may be incurred or Disposition, Restricted Payment or payment under Section  10.7 may be made at any time under such Sections. For purposes of Section  10.11 , amounts in currencies other than Dollars shall be translated into Dollars at the applicable exchange rates used in preparing the most recently delivered financial statements pursuant to Section  9.1(a) or (b) .

(b) Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify with the Borrower’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) to appropriately reflect a change in currency of any country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to such change in currency.

Section 1.9 Classification of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g. , an “Extended Loan”) or by Type ( e.g. , a “LIBOR Loan”) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a “LIBOR Extended Loan”).

Section 1.10 Hedging Requirements Generally . For purposes of any determination with respect to compliance with Sections 8.19 or 10.10 or any other calculation under or requirement of this Agreement in respect of hedging shall be calculated separately for crude, gas and natural gas liquid.

Section 1.11 Certain Determinations . For purposes of determining compliance with any of the covenants set forth in Article 9 or Article 10 (including in connection with the Incremental Increase), but subject to any limitation expressly set forth therein, as applicable, at any time (whether at the time of incurrence or thereafter), any Lien, Investment, Indebtedness, Disposition, Restricted Payment, Affiliate transaction, prepayment, redemption or the consummation of any other transaction meets the criteria of one, or more than one, of the categories permitted pursuant to Article 9 or Article 10 (including in connection with any Incremental Increase), as applicable, the Borrower shall, in its sole discretion, determine under which category such Lien, Investment, Indebtedness, Asset Sale, Restricted Payment, Affiliate transaction, prepayment, redemption or the consummation of any other transaction (or, in each case, any portion thereof) is permitted.

Section 1.12 Pro Forma and Other Calculations .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, financial ratios and tests, including the Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio and the Consolidated Current Ratio shall be calculated in the manner prescribed by this Section  1.12 ; provided , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in clause (b) , (c) or (d)  of this Section  1.12 , when calculating the Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio or the Consolidated Current Ratio, as applicable, for purposes of Section  10.11 (other than for the purpose of determining pro forma compliance with Section  10.11 ), the events described in this Section  1.12 that occurred subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period shall not be given pro forma effect. In addition, whenever a financial ratio or test is to be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, the reference to the “Test Period” for purposes of calculating such financial ratio or test shall be deemed to be a reference to, and shall be based on, the most recently ended Test Period for which internal financial statements of the Borrower (or applicable Parent Entity, as applicable) are available (as determined in good faith by the Borrower).

(b) For purposes of calculating any financial ratio or test or compliance with any covenant determined by reference to Consolidated EBITDAX (or Consolidated Total Assets), Specified

 

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Transactions (with any incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness in connection therewith to be subject to clause (d)  of this Section  1.12 ) that have been made (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) if applicable as described in clause (a)  above, subsequent to such Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made, shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis assuming that all such Specified Transactions (and any increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDAX and the component financial definitions used therein attributable to any Specified Transaction) had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period (or, in the case of Consolidated Total Assets, on the last day of the applicable Test Period). If since the beginning of any applicable Test Period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such Test Period shall have made any Specified Transaction that would have required adjustment pursuant to this Section  1.12 , then such financial ratio or test (or Consolidated Total Assets) shall be calculated to give pro forma effect thereto in accordance with this Section  1.12 ; provided that with respect to any pro forma calculations to be made in connection with any acquisition or investment in respect of which financial statements for the relevant target are not available for the same Test Period for which internal financial statements of the Borrower are available, the Borrower shall determine such pro forma calculations on the basis of the available financial statements (even if for differing periods) or such other basis as determined on a commercially reasonable basis by the Borrower.

(c) Whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a Specified Transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, the amount of “run-rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies projected by the Borrower in good faith to result from, or relating to, any Specified Transaction (including the Transactions and, for the avoidance of doubt, acquisitions and investments occurring prior to the Effective Date) which is being given pro forma effect that have been realized or are expected to be realized and for which the actions necessary to realize such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies are taken, committed to be taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrower) (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period and as if such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies were realized during the entirety of such period) and “run-rate” means the full recurring benefit for a period that is associated with any action taken, committed to be taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (including any savings expected to result from the elimination of a public target’s Public Company Costs) net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that (A) such amounts are reasonably identifiable (in the good faith determination of the Borrower), (B) such actions are taken, committed to be taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken no later than eighteen (18) months after the date of such Specified Transaction (or actions undertaken or implemented prior to the consummation of the Specified Transaction), (C) no amounts shall be added pursuant to this clause (c)  to the extent duplicative of any amounts that are otherwise added back in computing Consolidated EBITDAX (or any other components thereof), whether through a pro forma adjustment or otherwise, with respect to such period and (D) it is understood and agreed that subject to compliance with the other provisions of Section  1.12(c) , amounts to be included in pro forma calculations pursuant to this Section  1.12 may be included in Test Periods in which the Specified Transaction to which such amounts related is no longer being given pro forma effect pursuant to Section  1.12(b) .

(d) In the event that (w) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs (including by assumption or guarantees) or repays (including by redemption, repayment, retirement, discharge, defeasance or extinguishment) any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and not replaced), (x) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or (y) any

 

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Restricted Subsidiary issues, repurchases or redeems Preferred Stock, (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made, then such financial ratio or test shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness or such issuance, refinancing or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock to the extent required, as if the same had occurred on the last day of the applicable Test Period.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  1.12 or in any classification under GAAP of any Person, business, assets or operations in respect of which a definitive agreement for the disposition thereof has been entered into, at the election of the Borrower, no pro forma effect shall be given to any discontinued operations (and the Consolidated EBITDAX or Consolidated Total Assets attributable to any such Person, business, assets or operations shall not be excluded for any purposes hereunder) until such disposition shall have been consummated.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any Credit Document to the contrary, in the event any Lien, Indebtedness, Disposition, Investment, Restricted Payment, transaction, action, judgment or amount under any provision in this Agreement or any other Credit Document (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more than one of the categories of permitted Baskets under this Agreement (including within any defined terms), including any Fixed Basket or Non-Fixed Basket, as applicable, the Borrower shall be permitted, in its sole discretion, at the time of incurrence to divide and classify and to later, at any time and from time to time, re-divide and re-classify (including to re-classify utilization of any Fixed Basket as being incurred under any Non-Fixed Basket or other Fixed Basket or utilization of any Non-Fixed Basket as being incurred under any Fixed Basket or other Non-Fixed Basket) on one or more occasions (based on circumstances existing on the date of any such re-division and re-classification) any such Lien, Indebtedness, Disposition, Investment, Restricted Payment, transaction, action, judgment or amount, in whole or in part, among one or more than one applicable Baskets under this Agreement (in the case of re-classification or re-division, so long as the amount so re-classified or re-divided is permitted at the time of such re-classification or re-division to be incurred pursuant to the applicable Basket into which such amount is re-classified or re-divided at such time). For the avoidance of doubt, the amount of any Lien, Indebtedness, Disposition, Investment, Restricted Payment, transaction, action, judgment or other amount that shall be allocated to each such Basket shall be determined by the Borrower at the time of such division, classification, re-division or re-classification, as applicable. For all purposes hereunder, (x) “ Fixed Basket ” shall mean any Basket that is subject to a fixed-Dollar limit (including Baskets based on a percentage of Consolidated EBITDAX or Consolidated Total Assets) and (y) “ Non-Fixed Basket ” shall mean any Basket that is subject to compliance with a financial ratio or test (including any Basket requiring compliance with the Leverage Ratio Covenant on a Pro Forma Basis) (any such ratio or test, a “ Financial Incurrence Test ”).

(g) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any Credit Document to the contrary, with respect to any amounts incurred, or transactions entered into or consummated, in reliance on a Fixed Basket substantially concurrently with any amounts incurred or transactions entered into (or consummated) in reliance on a Non-Fixed Basket, it is understood and agreed that such amounts incurred in reliance on any applicable Fixed Basket (and any cash proceeds thereof) shall be disregarded in the calculation of the financial ratio or test applicable to the Non-Fixed Basket in connection with such substantially concurrent incurrence; provided that full pro forma effect shall be given to all applicable and related transactions (including the use of proceeds of all applicable Indebtedness incurred and any repayments, repurchases and redemptions of Indebtedness) and all other adjustments as to which pro forma effect may be given under this Section  1.12 .

 

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(h) If any Lien, Indebtedness, Disposition, Investment, Restricted Payment, transaction, action, judgment or amount (or any portion thereof) is incurred, issued, taken or consummated in reliance on any Basket which is to be measured as of the date of such incurrence, issuance or consummation by reference to a percentage of Consolidated EBITDAX or Consolidated Total Assets as of such date, then the Credit Parties shall not be deemed to be in violation of this Agreement if such Lien, Indebtedness, Disposition, Investment, Restricted Payment, transaction, action, judgment or amount, would exceed such Basket if calculated based on the Consolidated EBITDAX or Consolidated Total Assets, as applicable, as of a later date (including the date of any Refinancing).

(i) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any Credit Document to the contrary, when (a) calculating any applicable Financial Incurrence Test, the amount or availability under any Basket, (b) determining (x) compliance with any provision of this Agreement which requires that no Default or Event of Default (or any type of Default or Event of Default) has occurred, is continuing or would result therefrom, (y) compliance with any provision of this Agreement which requires compliance with any representations and warranties set forth or referenced herein or (z) the satisfaction of any other conditions precedent to the making of dispositions, acquisitions and investments, the incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, the incurrence of Liens, repayments of Indebtedness, the making of Restricted Payments and/or the designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case under the foregoing clauses (a)  and (b) , in connection with the incurrence of any Limited Condition Transaction, the date of determination of such Financial Incurrence Test, availability under any Basket or other provisions, determination of whether any Default or Event of Default (or any type of Default or Event of Default) has occurred, is continuing or would result therefrom, determination of compliance with any representations or warranties or the satisfaction of any other conditions shall, at the option of the Borrower (in its sole discretion) (the Borrower’s election to exercise such option, an “ LCT Election ,” which LCT Election may be in respect of one or more of clauses (a) , (b)(x) , (b)(y) and (b)(z) above), be deemed to be the date the definitive agreements (or other relevant definitive documentation) for such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into (or, in the case of (x) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, the date on which notice with respect to such Limited Condition Transactions is sent or (y) any Restricted Payment, the date of declaration thereof) (such date, the “ LCT Test Date ”). If, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction, any Indebtedness or other transaction in connection therewith and any actions or transactions related thereto and any related pro forma adjustments, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been permitted to take such actions or consummate such transactions on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such Baskets or other provisions (and any related requirements and conditions), such provisions (and any related requirements and conditions) shall be deemed to have been complied with (or satisfied) for all purposes; provided , that (A) if financial statements for one or more subsequent fiscal quarters shall have become available, the Borrower may elect, in its sole discretion, to re-determine availability under such Baskets or other provisions on the basis of such financial statements, in which case, such date of redetermination shall thereafter be deemed to be the applicable LCT Test Date for purposes of such Baskets or other provisions, (B) if the Borrowing Base shall have been subsequently re-determined or adjusted, the Borrower may elect, in its sole discretion, to re-determine availability under such Baskets or other provisions on the basis of such redetermined or adjusted Borrowing Base, in which case, such date of redetermination shall thereafter be deemed to be the applicable LCT Test Date for purposes of such Baskets or other provisions, and (C) compliance with such Baskets or other provisions (and any related requirements and conditions) shall not be determined or tested at any time after the applicable LCT Test Date for such Limited Condition Transaction, any Indebtedness or other transaction incurred in connection therewith and any actions or transactions related thereto (unless, for the avoidance of doubt, otherwise elected by the Borrower in its sole discretion in accordance with the foregoing clause (A) ).

(j) For the avoidance of doubt, if the Borrower has made an LCT Election, (1) if any of the ratios, tests or baskets for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date have been exceeded or otherwise failed to have been complied with as

 

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a result of fluctuations in any such Financial Incurrence Test or Basket, including due to fluctuations in the Borrowing Base, Consolidated EBITDAX or Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Transaction, such baskets, tests or ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded or failed to have been complied with as a result of such fluctuations, (2) if any related requirements and conditions (including as to the absence of any (or any type of) continuing Default or Event of Default and satisfaction of any representations and warranties) for which compliance or satisfaction was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date not have been complied with or satisfied (including due to the occurrence or continuation of any Default or Event of Default, failure to satisfy any representations and warranties or any re-determination or adjustment of the Borrowing Base), such requirements and conditions will not be deemed to have been failed to be complied with or satisfied (and such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed not to have occurred or be continuing and such representations and warranties shall be deemed to have been satisfied) and (3) in calculating the availability under any Financial Incurrence Test or Basket in connection with any action or transaction following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement or date for redemption, purchase or repayment specified in an irrevocable notice or declaration for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated, expires or passes, as applicable, without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such Financial Incurrence Test or Basket (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any calculation, determination or re-determination of the Borrowing Base) shall be determined or tested giving pro forma effect to such Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto.

Section 1.13 LIBOR Discontinuation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, this Agreement and the other Credit Documents may be amended to replace the LIBOR Rate with (a) a successor or alternative index rate as the Administrative Agent (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any other Lender) and the Borrower may reasonably determine, so long as the Administrative Agent shall not have received within five (5) Business Days of the date on which the Administrative Agent provides notice of such alternate rate of interest to the Lenders, a written notice from the Majority Lenders stating that such Majority Lenders object to such determination or (b) absent such mutual selection by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, a comparable successor or alternative interbank rate for deposits in Dollars that is, at such time, broadly accepted as the prevailing market practice for syndicated leveraged loans of this type in lieu of the “ LIBOR Rate ” as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent; provided that (i) any such successor or alternative rate shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in a manner consistent with market practice and (ii) to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such successor or alternative rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower.

ARTICLE 2

AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT

Section 2.1 Commitments .

(a) (i) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, each Lender severally, but not jointly, agrees to make a loan or loans denominated in Dollars (each an “ Initial Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Initial Loans ”) to the Borrower, which Loans (i) shall be made at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date and prior to the Termination Date, (ii) may, at the option of the Borrower, be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, ABR Loans or LIBOR Loans; provided that all Loans made by each of the Lenders pursuant to the same Borrowing shall, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, consist entirely of Loans of the same Type, (iii) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof, (iv) shall not, for any Lender at any time, after giving effect

 

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thereto and to the application of the proceeds thereof, result in such Lender’s Total Exposure at such time exceeding such Lender’s Commitment Percentage at such time of the Loan Limit, (v) shall not, after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds thereof, result in the aggregate amount of all Lenders’ Total Exposures at such time exceeding the Loan Limit and (vi) in the case of the Effective Date Loans made on the Effective Date, shall not exceed $385,000,000 in aggregate principal amount (for the avoidance of doubt, no Loans other than the Effective Date Loans shall be made on the Effective Date).

(ii) Each Lender may at its option make any LIBOR Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan, provided that (i) any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan and (ii) in exercising such option, such Lender shall use its reasonable efforts to minimize any increased costs to the Borrower resulting therefrom (which obligation of the Lender shall not require it to take, or refrain from taking, actions that it determines would result in increased costs for which it will not be compensated hereunder or that it determines would be otherwise disadvantageous to it and in the event of such request for costs for which compensation is provided under this Agreement, the provisions of Section  2.10 shall apply).

(b) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Swingline Lender in its individual capacity agrees, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date and prior to the Swingline Maturity Date, to make a loan or loans (each a “ Swingline Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Swingline Loans ”) to the Borrower in Dollars, which Swingline Loans (i) shall be ABR Loans, (ii) shall have the benefit of the provisions of Section  2.1(c) , (iii) shall not exceed at any time outstanding the Swingline Commitment, (iv) shall not, after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds thereof, result at any time in the aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Total Exposure at such time exceeding the Loan Limit then in effect and (v) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof. Each outstanding Swingline Loan shall be repaid in full on the earlier of (a) five (5) Business Days after such Swingline Loan is initially borrowed and (b) the Swingline Maturity Date; provided , that on each date a Loan is borrowed, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding and the proceeds of any such Loans shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to repay any Swingline Loans outstanding. The Swingline Lender shall not make any Swingline Loan after receiving a written notice from the Borrower or the Administrative Agent stating that an Event of Default exists and is continuing until such time as the Swingline Lender shall have received written notice of (i) rescission of all such notices from the party or parties originally delivering such notice or (ii) the waiver of such Event of Default in accordance with the provisions of Section  13.1 .

(c) On any Business Day, the Swingline Lender may, in its sole discretion, give notice to each Lender that all then-outstanding Swingline Loans shall be funded with a Borrowing of Loans, in which case Loans constituting ABR Loans (each such Borrowing, a “ Mandatory Borrowing ”) shall be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day by each Lender pro rata based on each Lender’s Commitment Percentage, and the proceeds thereof shall be applied directly to the Swingline Lender to repay the Swingline Lender for such outstanding Swingline Loans. Each Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make such Loans upon one (1) Business Day’s notice pursuant to each Mandatory Borrowing in the amount and in the manner specified in the preceding sentence and on the date specified to it in writing by the Swingline Lender notwithstanding (i) that the amount of the Mandatory Borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for each Borrowing specified in Section  2.2 , (ii) whether any conditions specified in Article 7 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (iv) the date of such Mandatory Borrowing, (v) any reduction in the Total Commitment after any such Swingline Loans were made or (vi) any other event, circumstance or condition whatsoever, whether or not similar to the foregoing. In the event that, in the sole judgment of each Swingline Lender, any Mandatory Borrowing cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code in respect of the Borrower), each Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase from the Swingline Lender (without recourse or warranty)

 

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such participation of the outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary to cause the Lenders to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon their respective Commitment Percentages; provided that all principal and interest payable on such Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date the respective participation is purchased and, to the extent attributable to the purchased participation, shall be payable to such Lender purchasing same from and after such date of purchase.

Section 2.2 Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing; Maximum Number of Borrowings . The aggregate principal amount of each Borrowing shall be in a minimum amount of at least the Minimum Borrowing Amount for such Type of Loans and in a multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof and Swingline Loans shall be in a minimum amount of $100,000 and in a multiple of $10,000 in excess thereof (except that Mandatory Borrowings shall be made in the amounts required by Section  2.1(c) and Loans to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank with respect to any Unpaid Drawing shall be made in the amounts required by Section  3.3 or Section  3.4 , as applicable). More than one Borrowing may be incurred on any date; provided , that at no time shall there be outstanding more than ten Borrowings of LIBOR Loans under this Agreement.

Section 2.3 Notice of Borrowing .

(a) Whenever the Borrower desires to incur Loans (other than Swingline Loans, Mandatory Borrowings or borrowings to repay Unpaid Drawings), the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office, (i) prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing of Loans if such Loans are to be initially LIBOR Loans (or prior to 12:00 p.m. noon (New York City time) three (3) Business Days prior written notice in the case of a Borrowing of Loans to be made on the Effective Date initially as LIBOR Loans) and (ii) written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date of each Borrowing of Loans that are to be ABR Loans. Such notice (together with each notice of a Borrowing of Swingline Loans pursuant to Section  2.3(b) , a “ Notice of Borrowing ”) shall specify (A) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans to be made pursuant to such Borrowing, (B) the date of the Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and (C) whether the respective Borrowing shall consist of ABR Loans and/or LIBOR Loans and, if LIBOR Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto (if no Interest Period is selected, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one (1) month’s duration). The Administrative Agent shall promptly give each Lender written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing of Loans, of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage thereof and of the other matters covered by the related Notice of Borrowing.

(b) Whenever the Borrower desires to incur Swingline Loans hereunder, it shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing of Swingline Loans prior to 3:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of such Borrowing. Each such notice shall specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline Loans to be made pursuant to such Borrowing and (ii) the date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day). The Administrative Agent shall promptly give the Swingline Lender written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing of Swingline Loans and of the other matters covered by the related Notice of Borrowing.

(c) Mandatory Borrowings shall be made upon the notice specified in Section  2.1(c) , with the Borrower irrevocably agreeing, by its incurrence of any Swingline Loan, to the making of Mandatory Borrowings as set forth in such Section.

(d) Borrowings to reimburse Unpaid Drawings shall be made upon the notice specified in Section  3.4(a) .

 

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(e) Without in any way limiting the obligation of the Borrower to confirm in writing any notice it may give hereunder by telephone, the Administrative Agent may act prior to receipt of written confirmation without liability upon the basis of such telephonic notice believed by the Administrative Agent in good faith to be from an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

Section 2.4 Disbursement of Funds .

(a) No later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date specified in each Notice of Borrowing (including Mandatory Borrowings), each Lender will make available its pro rata portion of each Borrowing requested to be made on such date in the manner provided below; provided that on the Effective Date, such funds shall be made available by 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) or such earlier time as may be agreed among the Lenders, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent for the purpose of consummating the Transactions; provided , further , that all Swingline Loans shall be made available in the full amount thereof by the Swingline Lender no later than 3:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the date requested.

(b) Each Lender shall make available all amounts it is to fund to the Borrower under any Borrowing in immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars, and the Administrative Agent will (except in the case of Mandatory Borrowings and Borrowings to repay Unpaid Drawings) make available to the Borrower, by depositing or wiring to an account as designated by the Borrower in the Borrowing Notice to the Administrative Agent the aggregate of the amounts so made available in Dollars. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the date of any such Borrowing (or, with respect to an ABR Loan, the date of such Borrowing prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time)) that such Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent its portion of the Borrowing or Borrowings to be made on such date, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such date of Borrowing, and the Administrative Agent, in reliance upon such assumption, may (in its sole discretion and without any obligation to do so) make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender and the Administrative Agent has made available such amount to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount from such Lender. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent in Dollars. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Lender or the Borrower, as the case may be, interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if paid by such Lender, the Overnight Rate or (ii) if paid by the Borrower, the then-applicable rate of interest or fees, calculated in accordance with Section  2.8 , for the respective Loans.

(c) Nothing in this Section  2.4 shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its commitments hereunder).

Section 2.5 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

(a) The Borrower agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the applicable Lenders, on the earlier of (X) the Termination Date and (Y) (i) on the Initial Maturity Date, the then outstanding Initial Loans, (ii) on the relevant maturity date for any Extended Class, all then outstanding Extended Loans in respect of such Extension Series and (iii) on the Swingline Maturity Date, the then outstanding Swingline Loans.

 

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(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to the appropriate lending office of such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such lending office from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such lending office from time to time under this Agreement.

(c) The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Borrower, shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section  13.6(b)(iv) , and a subaccount for each Lender, in which Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder (whether such Loan is an Initial Loan, an Extended Loan or Swingline Loan, as applicable), the Type of each Loan made and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender or the Swingline Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d) The entries made in the Register and accounts and subaccounts maintained pursuant to clauses (b)  and (c) of this Section  2.5 shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided , however , that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such account, such Register or such subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to the Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the Register and the Lender’s accounts described in Section  2.5(b) , the Register shall control.

Section 2.6 Conversions and Continuations .

(a) Subject to the penultimate sentence of this clause (a) , (i) the Borrower shall have the option on any Business Day to convert all or a portion equal to at least the Minimum Borrowing Amount (and in multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof) of the outstanding principal amount of Loans of one Type into a Borrowing or Borrowings of another Type and (ii) the Borrower shall have the option on any Business Day to continue the outstanding principal amount of any LIBOR Loans as LIBOR Loans for an additional Interest Period; provided that (A) no partial conversion of LIBOR Loans shall reduce the outstanding principal amount of LIBOR Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing to less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount, (B) ABR Loans may not be converted into LIBOR Loans if an Event of Default is in existence on the date of the conversion and the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such conversion, (C) LIBOR Loans may not be continued as LIBOR Loans for an additional Interest Period if an Event of Default is in existence on the date of the proposed continuation and the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuation, and (D) Borrowings resulting from conversions pursuant to this Section  2.6 shall be limited in number as provided in Section  2.2 . Each such conversion or continuation shall be effected by the Borrower by giving the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office prior to 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least (1) three (3) Business Days’, in the case of a continuation of or conversion to LIBOR Loans or (2) the date of conversion, in the case of a conversion into ABR Loans, prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) (each, a “ Notice of Conversion or Continuation ”) specifying the Loans to be so converted or continued, the Type of Loans to be converted into or continued and, if such Loans are to be converted into or continued as LIBOR Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto (if no Interest Period is selected, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one (1) month’s duration). The Administrative Agent shall give each applicable Lender notice as promptly as practicable of any such proposed conversion or continuation affecting any of its Loans.

 

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(b) If any Event of Default is in existence at the time of any proposed continuation of any LIBOR Loans and the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuation, such LIBOR Loans shall be automatically converted on the last day of the current Interest Period into ABR Loans. If upon the expiration of any Interest Period in respect of LIBOR Loans, the Borrower has failed to elect a new Interest Period to be applicable thereto as provided in clause (a)  above, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to continue such Borrowing of LIBOR Loans into a Borrowing of LIBOR Loans having an interest period of one (1) month, effective as of the expiration date of such current Interest Period.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Borrower may deliver a Notice of Conversion or Continuation pursuant to which the Borrower elects to irrevocably continue the outstanding principal amount of any Loan subject to an interest rate Hedge Agreement as LIBOR Loans for each Interest Period until the expiration of the term of such applicable Hedge Agreement; provided that any Notice of Conversion or Continuation delivered pursuant to this Section  2.6(c) shall include a schedule attaching the relevant interest rate Hedge Agreement or related trade confirmation.

Section 2.7 Pro Rata Borrowings . Each Borrowing of Initial Loans under this Agreement shall be made by the Lenders pro rata on the basis of their then applicable Commitment Percentages with respect to the applicable Class. Each Borrowing of Extended Loans under this Agreement shall be granted by the Lenders of the relevant Extension Series thereof pro rata on the basis of their then-applicable Extended Commitments for the applicable Extension Series. It is understood that (a) no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in its obligation to make Loans hereunder and that each Lender severally but not jointly shall be obligated to make the Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its commitments hereunder and (b) failure by a Lender to perform any of its obligations under any of the Credit Documents shall not release any Person from performance of its obligation under any Credit Document.

Section 2.8 Interest .

(a) The unpaid principal amount of each ABR Loan shall bear interest from the date of the Borrowing thereof until maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum that shall at all times be the Applicable Margin plus the ABR, in each case, in effect from time to time.

(b) The unpaid principal amount of each LIBOR Loan shall bear interest from the date of the Borrowing thereof until maturity thereof (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum that shall at all times be the Applicable Margin plus the relevant LIBOR Rate, in each case, in effect from time to time.

(c) If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan or (ii) any other amount payable under the Credit Documents (including, without limitation, interest payable thereon and premium, if any) shall not be paid when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount (other than with respect to any such amount payable to a Defaulting Lender) shall bear interest at a rate per annum that is (the “ Default Rate ”) (A) in the case of overdue principal, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto plus 2.0%, (B) in the case of any overdue interest, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, the rate described in Section  2.8(a) plus 2.0% from and including the date of such non-payment to the date on which such amount is paid in full (after as well as before judgment) and (C) in the case of any overdue amount not specified in subclause (A)  or (B) above, a rate per annum equal to the rate per annum otherwise payable at such time on ABR Loans.

(d) Interest on each Loan shall accrue from and including the date of any Borrowing to but excluding the date of any repayment thereof and shall be payable in Dollars; provided that any Loan

 

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that is repaid on the same date on which it is made shall bear interest for one day. Except as provided below, interest shall be payable (i) in respect of each ABR Loan, quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, (ii) in respect of each LIBOR Loan, on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto and, in the case of an Interest Period in excess of three (3) months, on each date occurring at three (3)-month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period, (iii) in respect of each Loan, (A) on any prepayment (on the amount prepaid), (B) at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) and (C) after such maturity, on demand.

(e) All computations of interest hereunder shall be made in accordance with Section  5.5 .

(f) The Administrative Agent, upon determining the interest rate for any Borrowing of LIBOR Loans, shall promptly notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders thereof. Each such determination shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

Section 2.9 Interest Periods . At the time the Borrower gives a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion or Continuation in respect of the making of, or conversion into or continuation as, a Borrowing of LIBOR Loans in accordance with Section  2.6(a) , the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of the Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, which Interest Period shall, at the option of the Borrower be (i) a one-, two-, three- or six- or (if available to all the Lenders making such LIBOR Loans as determined by such Lenders in good faith based on prevailing market conditions) a twelve (12)-month period or (ii) any period shorter than one (1) month (if available to all the Lenders making such LIBOR Loans as determined by such Lenders in good faith based on prevailing market conditions) as requested by the Borrower.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above:

(a) the initial Interest Period for any Borrowing of LIBOR Loans shall commence on the date of such Borrowing (including the date of any conversion from a Borrowing of ABR Loans) and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;

(b) if any Interest Period relating to a Borrowing of LIBOR Loans begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month or begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;

(c) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided that, if any Interest Period in respect of a LIBOR Loan would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day; and

(d) the Borrower shall not be entitled to elect any Interest Period in respect of any LIBOR Loan if such Interest Period would extend beyond the Maturity Date.

 

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Section 2.10 Increased Costs, Illegality, Etc .

(a) In the event that (x) in the case of clause (i)  below, the Majority Lenders or (y) in the case of clauses (ii)  and (iii) below, any Lender, shall have reasonably determined (which determination shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto):

(i) on any date for determining the LIBOR Rate for any Interest Period that (A) deposits in the principal amounts of the Loans comprising such LIBOR Borrowing are not generally available in the relevant market or (B) by reason of any changes arising on or after the Effective Date affecting the interbank LIBOR market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in the definition of LIBOR Rate; or

(ii) that a Change in Law occurring at any time after the Effective Date shall (A) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender, (B) subject any Lender to any Tax (other than (i) Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes indemnifiable under Section  5.4 , or (ii) Excluded Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto, or (C) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (in each case, other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Loans made by such Lender, which results in the cost to such Lender of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining LIBOR Loans or participating in Letters of Credit (in each case hereunder) increasing by an amount which such Lender reasonably deems material or the amounts received or receivable by such Lender hereunder with respect to the foregoing shall be reduced; or

(iii) at any time, that the making or continuance of any LIBOR Loan has become unlawful as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any Requirement of Law (or would conflict with any such Requirement of Law not having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful);

then, and in any such event, such Lenders (or the Administrative Agent, in the case of clause (i)  above) shall within a reasonable time thereafter give notice (if by telephone, confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the other Lenders). Thereafter (x) in the case of clause (i)  above, LIBOR Loans shall no longer be available until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by the Administrative Agent no longer exist (which notice the Administrative Agent agrees to give at such time when such circumstances no longer exist), and any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion given by the Borrower with respect to LIBOR Loans that have not yet been incurred shall be deemed rescinded by the Borrower, (y) in the case of clause (ii)  above, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender, promptly (but no later than fifteen (15) days) after receipt of written demand therefor such additional amounts as shall be required to compensate such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amounts receivable hereunder (it being agreed that a written notice as to the additional amounts owed to such Lender, showing in reasonable detail the basis for the calculation thereof, submitted to the Borrower by such Lender shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto and (z) in the case of clause (iii)  above, the Borrower shall take one of the actions specified in Section  2.10(b) as promptly as possible and, in any event, within the time period required by applicable Requirements of Law.

(b) At any time that any LIBOR Loan is affected by the circumstances described in Section  2.10(a)(ii) or (iii) , the Borrower may (and in the case of a LIBOR Loan affected pursuant to Section  2.10(a)(iii) shall) either if the affected LIBOR Loan is then being made pursuant to a Borrowing, cancel

 

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such Borrowing by giving the Administrative Agent telephonic notice (confirmed promptly in writing) thereof on the same date that the Borrower was notified by a Lender pursuant to Section  2.10(a)(ii) or (iii)  or if the affected LIBOR Loan is then outstanding, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, require the affected Lender to convert each such LIBOR Loan into an ABR Loan; provided that if more than one Lender are affected at any time, then all affected Lenders must be treated in the same manner pursuant to this Section  2.10(b) .

(c) If, after the Effective Date, any Change in Law relating to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements of any Lender or compliance by any Lender or its parent with any Change in Law relating to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements occurring after the Effective Date, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or its parent’s capital or assets as a consequence of such Lender’s commitments or obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or its parent could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or its parent’s policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements), then from time to time, promptly (but in any event no later than fifteen (15) days) after written demand by such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or its parent for such reduction, it being understood and agreed, however, that a Lender shall not be entitled to such compensation as a result of such Lender’s compliance with, or pursuant to any request or directive to comply with, any applicable Requirement of Law as in effect on the Effective Date. Each Lender, upon determining in good faith that any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section  2.10(c) , will give prompt written notice thereof to the Borrower, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis of the calculation of such additional amounts, although the failure to give any such notice shall not, subject to Section  2.13 , release or diminish the Borrower’s obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section  2.10(c) upon receipt of such notice.

Section 2.11 Compensation . If (a) any payment of principal of any LIBOR Loan is made by the Borrower to or for the account of a Lender other than on the last day of the Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan as a result of a payment or conversion pursuant to Section  2.5 , 2.6 , 2.10 , 5.1 , 5.2 or 13.7 , as a result of acceleration of the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Article 11 or for any other reason, (b) any Borrowing of LIBOR Loans is not made on the date specified in a Notice of Borrowing, (c) any ABR Loan is not converted into a LIBOR Loan on the date specified in a Notice of Conversion or Continuation, (d) any LIBOR Loan is not continued as a LIBOR Loan on the date specified in a Notice of Conversion or Continuation or (e) any prepayment of principal of any LIBOR Loan is not made as a result of a withdrawn notice of prepayment pursuant to Section  5.1 or 5.2 , the Borrower shall after the Borrower’s receipt of a written request by such Lender (which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount), pay to the Administrative Agent (within fifteen (15) days after such request) for the account of such Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for any additional losses, costs or expenses that such Lender may reasonably incur as a result of such payment, failure to convert, failure to continue or failure to prepay, including any loss, cost or expense (excluding loss of anticipated profits) actually incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by any Lender to fund or maintain such LIBOR Loan.

Section 2.12 Change of Lending Office . Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section  2.10(a)(ii) , 2.10(a)(iii) , 2.10(c) , 3.11 or 5.4 with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event; provided that such designation does not cause such Lender or its lending office to suffer any economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, with the object of avoiding the consequence of the event giving rise to the operation of any such Section. Nothing in this Section  2.12 shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrower or the right of any Lender provided in Section  2.10 , 3.11 or 5.4 .

 

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Section 2.13 Notice of Certain Costs . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent any notice required by Section  2.10 , 2.11 or 5.4 is given by any Lender more than one hundred eighty (180) days after such Lender has knowledge (or should have had knowledge) of the occurrence of the event giving rise to the additional cost, reduction in amounts, loss, Tax or other additional amounts described in such Sections, such Lender shall not be entitled to compensation under Section  2.10 , 2.11 or 5.4 , as the case may be, for any such amounts incurred or accruing prior to the 181st day prior to the giving of such notice to the Borrower; provided that if the circumstance giving rise to such claim is retroactive, then such one hundred eighty (180)-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

Section 2.14 Borrowing Base .

(a) Initial Borrowing Base . For the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the first Redetermination Date, the amount of the Borrowing Base shall be $550,000,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowing Base may be subject to further adjustments from time to time pursuant to Section  2.14(b) , (e) , (f) , (g) , and (h)  and Section  9.16 .

(b) Scheduled and Interim Redeterminations . The Borrowing Base shall be redetermined semi-annually in accordance with this Section  2.14 (a “ Scheduled Redetermination ”), and, subject to Section  2.14(d) , such redetermined Borrowing Base shall become effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders on April 1st and October 1st of each year (or as promptly as possible thereafter); provided that the first Scheduled Redetermination shall occur no earlier than November 1, 2018. In addition, the Borrower may at any time (including prior to the first Scheduled Redetermination date), by notifying the Administrative Agent thereof not more than twice during any period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months, and the Administrative Agent, following the first Scheduled Redetermination date on or about November 1, 2018, may, at the direction of the Required Lenders, by notifying the Borrower thereof, one time during any period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months ( provided that such limitation shall not apply to any redetermination requested by the Borrower in connection with any Incremental Increase pursuant to Section  2.16 ), in each case, elect to cause the Borrowing Base to be redetermined between Scheduled Redeterminations (an “ Interim Redetermination ”) in accordance with this Section  2.14 . In addition to, and not including and/or limited by the annual Interim Redeterminations allowed above, the Borrower may, by notifying the Administrative Agent thereof, at any time between Scheduled Redeterminations, request additional Interim Redeterminations of the Borrowing Base in the event it acquires Oil and Gas Properties with Proved Reserves which are to be Borrowing Base Properties having a PV-9 (calculated at the time of acquisition) in excess of 5.0% of the Borrowing Base in effect immediately prior to such acquisition; provided that for purposes of the foregoing, the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties with Proved Reserves as a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to constitute an acquisition by the Borrower of Oil and Gas Properties with Proved Reserves.

(c) Scheduled and Interim Redetermination Procedure .

(i) Each Scheduled Redetermination and each Interim Redetermination shall be effectuated as follows: Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of (A) the Reserve Report and the Reserve Report Certificate, and (B) such other reports, data and supplemental information, including the information provided pursuant to Section  9.14(c) , as may, from time to time, be reasonably requested by the Required Lenders (the Reserve Report, such Reserve Report Certificate and such other reports, data and supplemental information being the “ Engineering Reports ”), the Administrative Agent shall evaluate the information contained in the Engineering Reports and shall in good faith propose a new Borrowing Base (the “ Proposed Borrowing Base ”) based upon such information and such other information (including the status of title information with respect to the Borrowing Base Properties as described in the Engineering Reports and the existence of any Hedge Agreements or any other Indebtedness) as the Administrative Agent deems appropriate in good faith in accordance with its usual and customary oil and gas lending criteria as they exist at the particular time.

 

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(ii) The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Proposed Borrowing Base (the “ Proposed Borrowing Base Notice ”):

(A) in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination, (1) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 9.14(a) and (c)  in a timely manner, then on or before the March 15th and September 15th of such year following the date of delivery or (2) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 9.14(a) and (c)  in a timely manner, then promptly after the Administrative Agent has received complete Engineering Reports from the Borrower and has had a reasonable opportunity to determine the Proposed Borrowing Base in accordance with Section  2.14(c)(i) ; and

(B) in the case of an Interim Redetermination, promptly, and in any event, within fifteen (15) days after the Administrative Agent has received the required Engineering Reports.

(iii) Any Proposed Borrowing Base that would increase the Borrowing Base then in effect must be approved or deemed to have been approved by all Non-Defaulting Lenders in each such Lender’s sole discretion and consistent with each such Lender’s normal and customary oil and gas lending criteria as they exist at the particular time as provided in this Section  2.14(c)(iii) and any Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect must be approved or be deemed to have been approved by Lenders constituting at least the Required Lenders in each such Lender’s sole discretion and consistent with each such Lender’s normal and customary oil and gas lending criteria as they exist at the particular time as provided in this Section  2.14(c)(iii) . Upon receipt of the Proposed Borrowing Base Notice, each Lender shall have fifteen (15) days to agree with the Proposed Borrowing Base or disagree with the Proposed Borrowing Base by proposing an alternate Borrowing Base. If at the end of such fifteen (15)-day period, any Lender has not communicated its approval or disapproval in writing to the Administrative Agent, such silence shall be deemed to be an approval of the Proposed Borrowing Base. If, at the end of such fifteen (15)-day period, all Non-Defaulting Lenders, in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would increase the Borrowing Base then in effect, or the Required Lenders, in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect, have approved or deemed to have approved, as aforesaid, then the Proposed Borrowing Base shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective on the date specified in Section  2.14(d) . If, however, at the end of such fifteen (15)-day period, all Non-Defaulting Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, have not approved or deemed to have approved, as aforesaid, then the Administrative Agent shall promptly thereafter poll the Lenders to ascertain the highest Borrowing Base then acceptable to all Non-Defaulting Lenders (in the case of any increase to the Borrowing Base) or a number of Lenders sufficient to constitute the Required Lenders (in any other case) and such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective on the date specified in Section  2.14(d) .

(d) Effectiveness of a Redetermined Borrowing Base . Subject to Section  2.14(h) , after a redetermined Borrowing Base is approved or is deemed to have been approved by all Non-Defaulting Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, pursuant to Section  2.14(c)(iii) , the Administrative Agent shall promptly thereafter notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the amount of the redetermined Borrowing Base (the “ New Borrowing Base Notice ”), and such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders:

 

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(i) in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination, (A) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 9.14(a) and (c)  in a timely and complete manner, on the April 1st or October 1st, as applicable, following such notice, or (B) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 9.14(a) and (c)  in a timely and complete manner, then on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of such New Borrowing Base Notice; and

(ii) in the case of an Interim Redetermination, on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of such New Borrowing Base Notice.

Subject to Section  2.14(i) , such amount shall then become the Borrowing Base until the next Scheduled Redetermination Date, the next Interim Redetermination Date or the next adjustment to the Borrowing Base under Section  2.14(e) , (f) , (g) or (h)  or Section  9.16 , whichever occurs first. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Scheduled Redetermination or Interim Redetermination shall become effective until the New Borrowing Base Notice related thereto is received by the Borrower in accordance with Section  13.2 .

(e) Reduction of Borrowing Base Upon Incurrence of Borrowing Base Reduction Debt . Upon the issuance or incurrence of any Borrowing Base Reduction Debt (other than any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness, but (subject to the parenthetical set forth in the definition of “Borrowing Base Reduction Debt”) only to the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness does not result in an increase in the principal amount thereof above (i) the principal amount originally incurred or issued up to the original principal amount of the Refinanced Indebtedness plus (ii) any additional amounts payable in connection with such refinancing, including any accrued interest, premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs, fees and other expenses), the Borrowing Base then in effect shall be reduced by an amount equal to the product of 0.25 multiplied by the stated principal amount of such Borrowing Base Reduction Debt (without regard to any original issue discount), and the Borrowing Base as so reduced shall become the new Borrowing Base immediately upon the date of such issuance or incurrence, effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders on such date until the next redetermination or modification thereof hereunder.

(f) Reduction of Borrowing Base Upon Termination of Hedge Positions . If the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall terminate or create any off-setting positions in respect of any commodity hedge positions (whether evidenced by a floor, put or Hedge Agreement) upon which (i) the Lenders relied in determining the Borrowing Base and (ii) since the later of (A) the last redetermination date and (B) the last adjustment made pursuant to this clause (f) (the later of (A) and (B), the “ Last Borrowing Base Hedge Reduction ”), the Borrowing Base Value of such terminated and/or offsetting positions (after taking into account any other Hedge Agreement executed since the Last Borrowing Base Hedge Reduction, including those executed substantially concurrently with the taking of any such action) exceeds 5.0% of the then-effective Borrowing Base, then, the Required Lenders shall have the right to adjust the Borrowing Base in an amount equal to the Borrowing Base Value, if any, attributable to such terminated or off-setting hedge positions in the calculation of the then-effective Borrowing Base (after taking into account any other Hedge Agreement executed since the Last Borrowing Base Hedge Reduction, including those executed substantially concurrently with the taking of any such action) and (if the Required Lenders in fact make any such adjustment) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of the Borrowing Base Value, if any, attributable to such hedge positions in the calculation of the then-effective Borrowing Base and upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowing Base shall be simultaneously reduced by such amount.

 

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(g) Reduction of Borrowing Base Upon Asset Dispositions . If (i) the Borrower or one of the other Credit Parties Disposes of Oil and Gas Properties or Disposes of any Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary or Minority Investment owning Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) such Disposition described in clause (i)  involves Borrowing Base Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and (iii) the aggregate Borrowing Base Value of all such Borrowing Base Properties Disposed of since the later of (A) the last redetermination date and (B) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base made pursuant to this Section  2.14(g) exceeds 5.0% of the then-effective Borrowing Base, then, after the Administrative Agent has received the notice required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section  10.4(b) or Section  10.6(i) , no later than two (2) Business Days after the date of consummation of any such Disposition, the Required Lenders shall have the right to adjust the Borrowing Base in an amount equal to the Borrowing Base Value, if any, attributable to such Disposed of Borrowing Base Properties in the calculation of the then-effective Borrowing Base and, if the Required Lenders in fact make any such adjustment, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of the Borrowing Base Value, if any, attributable to such Disposed of Borrowing Base Properties in the calculation of the then-effective Borrowing Base and upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowing Base shall be simultaneously reduced by such amount. For the purposes of this Section  2.14(g) a “Disposition” of Oil and Gas Properties shall be deemed to include the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and the Disposition or other transfer of Oil and Gas Properties or the Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary or Minority Investment owning Oil and Gas Properties to an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(h) Borrower’s Right to Elect Reduced Borrowing Base . Within three (3) Business Days of its receipt of a New Borrowing Base Notice, the Borrower may provide written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that specifies for the period from the effective date of the New Borrowing Base Notice until the next succeeding Scheduled Redetermination Date, the Borrowing Base will be a lesser amount than the amount set forth in such New Borrowing Base Notice, whereupon such specified lesser amount (the “ Draw Limit ”) will become the new Borrowing Base. The Borrower’s notice under this Section  2.14(h) shall be irrevocable, but without prejudice to its rights to initiate Interim Redeterminations.

(i) Administrative Agent Data . The Administrative Agent hereby agrees to provide, promptly, and in any event within three (3) Business Days, following its receipt of a request by the Borrower, an updated Bank Price Deck. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree, upon request, to meet with the Borrower to discuss their evaluation of the reservoir engineering of the Oil and Gas Properties included in the Reserve Report and their respective methodologies for valuing such properties and the other factors considered in calculating the Borrowing Base.

Section 2.15 Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) Commitment Fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to

Section  4.1(a) ;

(b) The Commitment and Total Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders, the Majority Lenders or the Required Lenders or all Non-Defaulting Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section  13.1 ); provided that (i) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders pursuant to Section  13.1 (other than Section  13.1(a)(B)(x) ) or requiring the consent of each affected Lender pursuant to Section  13.1(a)(B)(i) or (ix)  shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender (which for the avoidance of doubt would include any change to the Maturity Date applicable to such

 

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Defaulting Lender, decreasing or forgiving any principal or interest due to such Defaulting Lender, any decrease of any interest rate applicable to Loans made by such Defaulting Lender (other than the waiving of post-default interest rates) and any increase in or extension of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) and (ii) any redetermination, whether an increase, decrease or affirmation, of the Borrowing Base shall occur without the participation of a Defaulting Lender, but the Commitment ( i.e. , the Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing Base) of a Defaulting Lender may not be increased without the consent of such Defaulting Lender;

(c) If any Swingline Exposure or Letter of Credit Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then (i) all or any part of such Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender will, subject to the limitation in the first proviso below, automatically be reallocated (effective on the day such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender) among the Non-Defaulting Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages; provided that (A) each Non-Defaulting Lender’s Total Exposure may not in any event exceed the Commitment Percentage of the Loan Limit of such Non-Defaulting Lender as in effect at the time of such reallocation and (B) neither such reallocation nor any payment by a Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant thereto will constitute a waiver or release of any claim the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or any other Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender or cause such Defaulting Lender to be a Non-Defaulting Lender, (ii) to the extent that all or any portion (the “ unreallocated portion ”) of the Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure or Letter of Credit Exposure cannot, or can only partially, be so reallocated to Non-Defaulting Lenders, whether by reason of the first proviso in Section  2.15(c)(i) or otherwise, the Borrower shall within two (2) Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent (x)  first , prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y)  second , Cash Collateralize for the benefit of the applicable Issuing Bank only the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i)  above), in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section  3.7 for so long as such Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding, (iii) if the Borrower Cash Collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure pursuant to this Section  2.15(c) , the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section  4.1(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is Cash Collateralized (and such fees shall be payable to the Issuing Banks), (iv) if the Letter of Credit Exposure of the Non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to this Section  2.15(c) , then the Letter of Credit Fees payable for the account of the Lenders pursuant to Section  4.1(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitment Percentages and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any Swingline Loan fees (if any) or Letter of Credit Fees to the Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section  4.1(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure during the period that such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is reallocated, or (v) if any Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is neither Cash Collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section  2.15(c) , then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of any Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all Letter of Credit Fees payable under Section  4.1(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure shall be payable to such Issuing Bank until such Letter of Credit Exposure is Cash Collateralized and/or reallocated;

(d) So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and no Issuing Bank will be required to issue any new Letter of Credit or amend any outstanding Letter of Credit to increase the Stated Amount thereof, alter the drawing terms thereunder or extend the expiry date thereof, unless each Issuing Bank is reasonably satisfied that any exposure that would result from the exposure to such Defaulting Lender is eliminated or fully covered by the Commitments of the Non-Defaulting Lenders or by Cash Collateralization or a combination thereof in accordance with clause (c)  above or otherwise in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank, and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit or newly made Swingline Loan shall be allocated among Non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section  2.15(c)(i) (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein);

 

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(e) If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agree in writing in their discretion that a Lender that is a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon, as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender and will be a Non-Defaulting Lender and any applicable Cash Collateral shall be promptly returned to the Borrower and any Letter of Credit Exposure of such Lender reallocated pursuant to Section  2.15(c) shall be reallocated back to such Lender; provided that, except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Non-Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender; and

(f) Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article 11 or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section  13.8 ), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender hereunder; third , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fourth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; fifth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, each Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as a result of any final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; sixth , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and seventh , to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or Unpaid Drawings, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the relevant Loans of, and Unpaid Drawings owed to, the relevant Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied in the manner set forth in this Section  2.15(f) . Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to Section  3.7 shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

Section 2.16 Increase of Total Commitment .

(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in Section  2.16(b) , the Borrower may increase the Total Commitment then in effect (any such increase an “ Incremental Increase ”) by increasing the Commitment of a Lender (an “ Increasing Lender ”) or by causing a Person that at such time is not a Lender to become a Lender (an “ Additional Lender ”).

(b) Any increase in the Total Commitment shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

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(i) such increase shall not be less than $10,000,000 (and increments of $1,000,000 above that minimum) unless the Administrative Agent otherwise consents;

(ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing immediately after giving effect to such increase;

(iii) no Lender’s Commitment may be increased without the consent of such Lender and no Issuing Bank’s Maximum Letter of Credit Commitment may be increased without the consent of such Issuing Bank;

(iv) the maturity date of such increase shall be the same as the Maturity Date;

(v) for the avoidance of doubt, such increase shall be subject to the Borrowing Base (which may, subject to and in accordance with Section  2.14(b) , be redetermined at the Borrower’s option immediately after giving effect to any acquisition of Borrowing Base Properties);

(vi) the increase shall be on the exact same terms and pursuant to the exact same documentation applicable to this Agreement (other than with respect to any arrangement, structuring, upfront or other fees or discounts payable in connection with such Incremental Increase) ( provided that the Applicable Margin of the RBL Facility shall be increased to be consistent with that for such Incremental Increases); and

(vii) the Borrower may seek commitments in respect of an Incremental Increase, in its sole discretion, from either existing Lenders (each of which shall be entitled to agree or decline to participate in its sole discretion) or from additional banks, financial institutions or other institutional lenders or investors who will become Lenders hereunder with the consent of the Administrative Agent, each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank (in each case, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, conditioned or denied).

(c) Any increase in the Total Commitment shall be implemented using customary documentation (any such documentation, an “ Incremental Agreement ”). Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that this Agreement and the other Credit Documents may be amended pursuant to an Incremental Agreement, without the consent of Lenders other than the Lenders providing such Incremental Increase, to the extent necessary to (i) reflect the existence and terms of an Incremental Increase and (ii) address technical issues relating to funding and payments, and the Required Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such Incremental Agreement.

Section 2.17 Extension Offers .

(a) The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Commitments and related Loans of a given Class be amended to extend the scheduled Maturity Date thereof and to provide for other terms consistent with this Section  2.17 . In order to establish an Extended Class, the Borrower shall provide a notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall provide a copy of such notice to each of the Lenders under the applicable Existing Class) (each, a “ Loan Extension Request ”) setting forth the proposed terms of the Extended Class to be established, which shall (x) be identical as offered to each Lender under such Existing Class (including as to the proposed interest rates and fees payable, but excluding any arrangement, structuring or other similar fees payable in connection therewith that are not generally shared with all relevant Lenders) and offered pro rata to each Lender under such Existing Class and (y) be identical to the Commitments and Loans under the Existing Class from which such Extended Class is to be amended (the “ Specified Existing Commitment Class ”), except that: (i) the fees with respect to the Extended Commitments of any Extended Class may be different than the fees for

 

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the Commitments of such Existing Class, in each case to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Amendment, (ii) the yield with respect to the Extended Loans of any Extended Class (whether in the form of interest rate margin, upfront fees, original issue discount or otherwise) may be different than the yield for the Loans of such Existing Class, in each case, to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Amendment; (iii) the Extension Amendment may provide for other covenants and terms that apply solely to any period after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the effective date of the Extension Amendment (immediately prior to the establishment of such Extended Class); provided that (A) in no event shall the final Maturity Date of any Extended Class of a given Extension Series at the time of establishment thereof be earlier than the Maturity Date of the Existing Class, (B) all documentation in respect of such Extension Amendment shall be consistent with the foregoing and (C) any Extended Loans of an Extended Class may participate on a pro rata basis or less than or greater than pro rata basis in any voluntary repayments or prepayments of principal of the Loans hereunder and on a pro rata basis or less than a pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) in any mandatory repayments or prepayments of Loans hereunder, in each case as specified in the respective Loan Extension Request. Any Class of Loans and Commitments amended pursuant to any Loan Extension Request shall be designated a series (each, an “ Extension Series ”) of Extended Commitments and Extended Loans for all purposes of this Agreement; provided that any Extended Commitments and Extended Loans amended from an Existing Class may, to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Amendment, be designated as an increase in any previously established Extension Series with respect to an Existing Class. Each request for an Extension Series of Extended Commitments and Extended Loans proposed to be incurred under this Section  2.17 shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $10,000,000 (it being understood that the actual principal amount thereof provided by the applicable Lenders may be lower than such minimum amount) and the Borrower may impose an Extension Minimum Condition with respect to any Loan Extension Request, which may be waived by the Borrower in its sole discretion.

(b) The Borrower shall provide the applicable Loan Extension Request at least five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) prior to the date on which Lenders under the Existing Class are requested to respond, and shall agree to such procedures, if any, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case acting reasonably to accomplish the purposes of this Section  2.17 . No Lender shall have any obligation to agree to have any of its Commitments and Loans of any Existing Class amended into an Extended Class pursuant to any Loan Extension Request. Any Lender holding a Commitment or Loan under an Existing Class (each, an “ Extending Lender ”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Commitments and Loans under the Existing Class subject to such Loan Extension Request amended into Extended Commitments and Extended Loans shall notify the Administrative Agent (each, an “ Extension Election ”) on or prior to the date specified in such Loan Extension Request of the amount of its Commitments and Loans under the Existing Class, which it has elected to request be amended into an Extended Class (subject to any minimum denomination requirements imposed by the Administrative Agent). In the event that the aggregate principal amount of Commitments and Loans under the Existing Class in respect of which applicable Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Loan Extension Request exceeds the amount of Extended Commitments and Extended Loans requested to be extended pursuant to the Loan Extension Request, Commitments and Loans subject to Extension Elections shall be amended to Extended Commitments and Extended Loans on a pro rata basis (subject to rounding by the Administrative Agent) based on the aggregate principal amount of Commitments and Loans included in each such Extension Election. Notwithstanding the conversion of any Existing Commitment into an Extended Commitment, such Extended Commitment shall be treated identically to all Existing Commitments of the Specified Existing Commitment Class for purposes of the obligations of a Lender in respect of Swingline Loans under Section  2.1(c) and Letters of Credit under Article 3 , except that the applicable Extension Amendment may provide that the Swingline Maturity Date and/or the last day for issuing Letters of Credit may be extended and the related obligations to make Swingline Loans and issue Letters of Credit may be continued (pursuant to mechanics to be specified in the applicable Extension Amendment) so long as the applicable Swingline Lender and/or the applicable Issuing

 

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Bank, as applicable, have consented to such extensions. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Swingline Maturity Date and/or the last day for issuing Letters of Credit may be extended (and the related obligations to make Swingline Loans or issue Letters of Credit may not be continued) without the express consent of the Swingline Lender or applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable.

(c) Extended Commitments and Extended Loans shall be established pursuant to an amendment (each, a “ Extension Amendment ”) to this Agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Extending Lender providing an Extended Commitment and Extended Loan thereunder (and the Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, if applicable), which shall be consistent with the provisions set forth in Sections 2.17(a) and (b)  above (but which shall not require the consent of any other Lender). The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Extension Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that this Agreement and the other Credit Documents may be amended pursuant to an Extension Amendment, without the consent of any other Lenders, to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to (i) reflect the existence and terms of the Extended Commitment and Extended Loans incurred pursuant thereto, (ii) modify the prepayments set forth in Section  5.2 to reflect the existence of the Extended Commitments and Extended Loans and the application of prepayments with respect thereto, (iii) address technical issues relating to funding and payments and (iv) effect such other amendments to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section  2.17 , and the Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such Extension Amendment. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, no Extension Amendment shall be effective unless (i) all Letter of Credit Exposure will be covered on terms reasonably acceptable to the Issuing Bank, (ii) all Swingline Exposure will be covered on terms reasonably acceptable to the Swingline Lender and (iii) the Available Commitment shall not exceed the Borrowing Base.

(d) No conversion of Commitments and Loans pursuant to any extension in accordance with this Section  2.17 shall constitute a voluntary or mandatory payment or prepayment for purposes of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 3

LETTERS OF CREDIT

Section 3.1 Letters of Credit .

(a) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date and prior to the L/C Maturity Date, each Issuing Bank, severally, and not jointly, agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Article 3 , to issue upon the request of the Borrower and for the direct or indirect benefit of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, a letter of credit or letters of credit (the “ Letters of Credit ” and each, a “ Letter of Credit ”) in such form and with such Issuer Documents as may be approved by the applicable Issuing Bank in its reasonable discretion; provided that the Borrower shall be a co-applicant of, and jointly and severally liable with respect to, each Letter of Credit issued for the account of a Restricted Subsidiary.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Letter of Credit shall be issued the Stated Amount of which, when added to the Letters of Credit Outstanding at such time, would exceed the Letter of Credit Commitment then in effect, (ii) no Letter of Credit shall be issued the Stated Amount of which would cause the aggregate amount of all Lenders’ Total Exposures at such time to exceed the Loan Limit then in effect, (iii) each Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date occurring no later than one (1) year after the date of issuance or such longer period of time as may be agreed by the applicable Issuing Bank, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank or as provided under Section  3.2(b) ; provided that any Letter of Credit may provide for automatic renewal thereof for

 

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additional periods of up to twelve (12) months or such longer period of time as may be agreed upon by the applicable Issuing Bank, subject to the provisions of Section  3.2(b) ; provided , further , that in no event shall such expiration date occur later than the L/C Maturity Date unless arrangements which are reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank to Cash Collateralize (or backstop) such Letter of Credit have been made, (iv) no Letter of Credit shall be issued if it would be illegal under any applicable Requirement of Law for the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit to have a Letter of Credit issued in its favor, (v) no Letter of Credit shall be issued by an Issuing Bank after it has received a written notice from any Credit Party or the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders stating that a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing until such time as such Issuing Bank shall have received a written notice (A) of rescission of such notice from the party or parties originally delivering such notice, (B) of the waiver of such Default or Event of Default in accordance with the provisions of Section  13.1 or (C) that such Default or Event of Default is no longer continuing, (vi) no Issuing Bank shall have an obligation to issue a Letter of Credit in a Stated Amount which, when added to the outstanding Letters of Credit issues by such Issuing Bank, would exceed such Issuing Bank’s Maximum Letter of Credit Commitment, and (vii) without the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank, no Letter of Credit shall be issued in any currency other than Dollars.

(c) Upon at least one (1) Business Day’s prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the applicable Lenders), the Borrower shall have the right, on any day, permanently to terminate or reduce the Letter of Credit Commitment in whole or in part; provided that, after giving effect to such termination or reduction, the Letters of Credit Outstanding shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Commitment.

Section 3.2 Letter of Credit Applications .

(a) Whenever the Borrower desires that a Letter of Credit be issued, amended or renewed for its account on its own behalf, or on behalf of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent a Letter of Credit application, amendment request or any such document as may be approved by the applicable Issuing Bank (each, a “ Letter of Credit Application ”). Upon receipt of any Letter of Credit Application or amendment request, (A) the applicable Issuing Bank will use its best efforts to process such Letter of Credit Application on the Business Day on which such Letter of Credit Application is received, provided that such Letter of Credit Application is received no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such Business Day, or (B) otherwise, the first Business Day next succeeding receipt of such Letter of Credit Application. No Issuing Bank shall issue any Letters of Credit unless such Issuing Bank shall have received notice from the Administrative Agent that the conditions to such issuance have been met.

(b) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “ Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit such Issuing Bank to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve (12)-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “ Non-Extension Notice Date ”) in each such twelve (12)-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to such Issuing Bank for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the applicable Issuing Bank to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the L/C Maturity Date; provided , however , that such Issuing Bank shall not permit any such extension if (i) such Issuing Bank has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of

 

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Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (b)  of Section  3.1 or otherwise), or (ii) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is five (5) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from the Administrative Agent that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article 7 are not then satisfied, and in each such case directing such Issuing Bank not to permit such extension.

(c) Each Issuing Bank (other than the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates) shall, at least once each week, provide the Administrative Agent with a list of all Letters of Credit issued by it that are outstanding at such time; provided that, upon written request from the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank shall thereafter notify the Administrative Agent in writing on each Business Day of all Letters of Credit issued on the prior Business Day by such Issuing Bank.

Section 3.3 Letter of Credit Participations .

(a) Immediately upon the issuance by an Issuing Bank of any Letter of Credit, such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each Lender (each such Lender, in its capacity under this Section  3.3 , an “ L/C Participant ”), and each such L/C Participant shall be deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received from such Issuing Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation (each an “ L/C Participation ”), to the extent of such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage, in each Letter of Credit, each substitute therefor, each drawing made thereunder and the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement with respect thereto, and any security therefor or guaranty pertaining thereto.

(b) In determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit, the relevant Issuing Bank shall have no obligation relative to the L/C Participants other than to confirm that (i) any documents required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit have been delivered, (ii) such Issuing Bank has examined the documents with reasonable care and (iii) the documents appear to comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit. Any action taken or omitted to be taken by the relevant Issuing Bank under or in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it, if taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), shall not create for such Issuing Bank any resulting liability.

(c) In the event that an Issuing Bank makes any payment under any Letter of Credit issued by it and the Borrower shall not have repaid such amount in full to such Issuing Bank pursuant to Section  3.4(a) , such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each L/C Participant of such failure, and each such L/C Participant shall promptly and unconditionally pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank, the amount of such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of such unreimbursed payment in Dollars and in immediately available funds. Each L/C Participant shall make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Issuing Bank such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of the amount of such payment no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the first Business Day after the date notified by such Issuing Bank in immediately available funds. If and to the extent such L/C Participant shall not have so made its Commitment Percentage of the amount of such payment available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Issuing Bank, such L/C Participant agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank, forthwith on demand, such amount, together with interest thereon for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate from time to time then in effect, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by such Issuing Bank in connection with the foregoing. The failure of any L/C Participant to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Issuing Bank its Commitment Percentage of any payment under any Letter of Credit shall not relieve any other L/C Participant of its obligation hereunder to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of

 

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such Issuing Bank its Commitment Percentage of any payment under such Letter of Credit on the date required, as specified above, but no L/C Participant shall be responsible for the failure of any other L/C Participant to make available to the Administrative Agent such other L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of any such payment.

(d) Whenever an Issuing Bank receives a payment in respect of an unpaid reimbursement obligation as to which the Administrative Agent has received for the account of such Issuing Bank any payments from the L/C Participants pursuant to clause (c)  above, such Issuing Bank shall pay to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to each L/C Participant that has paid its Commitment Percentage of such reimbursement obligation, in Dollars and in immediately available funds, an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s share (based upon the proportionate aggregate amount originally funded by such L/C Participant to the aggregate amount funded by all L/C Participants) of the principal amount so paid in respect of such reimbursement obligation and interest thereon accruing after the purchase of the respective L/C Participations at the Overnight Rate.

(e) The obligations of the L/C Participants to make payments to the Administrative Agent for the account of an Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of Credit shall be irrevocable and not subject to counterclaim, set-off or other defense or any other qualification or exception whatsoever and shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances, including under any of the following circumstances:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents;

(ii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right that the Borrower or any other Person (including an L/C Participant) may have at any time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit, any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such transferee may be acting), the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions (including any underlying transaction between the Borrower and the beneficiary named in any such Letter of Credit);

(iii) any draft, certificate or any other document presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

(iv) the surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance of any of the terms of any of the Credit Documents; or

(v) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default; or

(vi) any other event, condition of circumstance, whether or not similar to the foregoing.

Section 3.4 Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings .

(a) The Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse the relevant Issuing Bank by making payment in Dollars or to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank (whether with its own funds or with proceeds of the Loans) in immediately available funds, for any payment or disbursement made by such Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit issued by it (each such amount so paid until reimbursed, an “ Unpaid Drawing ”) within one (1) Business Day following the date on which such Issuing

 

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Bank provides written notice to the Borrower of such payment or disbursement (such required date for reimbursement on such Business Day (the “ Reimbursement Date ”)), with interest on the amount so paid or disbursed by such Issuing Bank, from and including the date of such payment or disbursement to but excluding the Reimbursement Date, at the per annum rate for each day equal to the rate described in Section  2.8(a) ; provided that, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, with respect to any Letter of Credit, (i) unless the Borrower shall have notified the Administrative Agent and such Issuing Bank prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Reimbursement Date that the Borrower intends to reimburse such Issuing Bank for the amount of such drawing with funds other than the proceeds of Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have given a Notice of Borrowing requesting that the Lenders make Loans (which shall be ABR Loans) on the Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to the amount at such drawing, and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each L/C Participant of such drawing and the amount of its Loan to be made in respect thereof, and each L/C Participant shall be irrevocably obligated to make a Loan to the Borrower in the manner deemed to have been requested in the amount of its Commitment Percentage of the applicable Unpaid Drawing by 12:00 noon (New York City time) on such Reimbursement Date by making the amount of such Loan available to the Administrative Agent. Such Loans made in respect of such Unpaid Drawing on such Reimbursement Date shall be made without regard to the Minimum Borrowing Amount and without regard to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article 7 . The Administrative Agent shall use the proceeds of such Loans solely for purpose of reimbursing the relevant Issuing Bank for the related Unpaid Drawing. In the event that the Borrower fails to Cash Collateralize any Letter of Credit that is outstanding on the L/C Maturity Date, the full amount of the Letters of Credit Outstanding in respect of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be an Unpaid Drawing subject to the provisions of this Section  3.4 except that such Issuing Bank shall hold the proceeds received from the Lenders as contemplated above as cash collateral for such Letter of Credit to reimburse any Drawing under such Letter of Credit and shall use such proceeds first , to reimburse itself for any Drawings made in respect of such Letter of Credit following the L/C Maturity Date, second , to the extent such Letter of Credit expires or is returned undrawn while any such cash collateral remains, to the repayment of obligations in respect of any Loans that have not paid at such time and third , to the Borrower or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing in this Section  3.4(a) shall affect the Borrower’s obligation to repay all outstanding Loans when due in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b) The obligations of the Borrower under this Section  3.4 to reimburse the relevant Issuing Bank with respect to Unpaid Drawings (including, in each case, interest thereon) shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any set-off, counterclaim or defense to payment that the Borrower or any other Person may have or have had against such Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including in its capacity as an L/C Participant), including any defense based upon (i) the failure of any drawing under a Letter of Credit (each a “ Drawing ”) to conform to the terms of the Letter of Credit, (ii) any non-application or misapplication by the beneficiary of the proceeds of such Drawing, (iii) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (iv) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect or (v) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section  3.4 , constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the relevant Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted to be taken by an Issuing Bank under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), shall be binding on the Borrower

 

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and shall not result in any liability of such Issuing Bank to the Borrower; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse such Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care, when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. In furtherance of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank that issued such Letter of Credit may in its sole discretion either accept or make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit (unless the Borrower shall consent to payment thereon not withstanding such lack of strict compliance).

Section 3.5 New or Successor Issuing Bank .

(a) Any Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower. The Borrower may replace any Issuing Bank for any reason upon written notice to such Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent and may add Issuing Banks at any time upon notice to the Administrative Agent. If an Issuing Bank shall resign or be replaced, or if the Borrower shall decide to add a new Issuing Bank under this Agreement, then the Borrower may appoint from among the Lenders (who have agreed to act as successor issuer of Letters of Credit or a new Issuing Bank) a successor issuer of Letters of Credit or a new Issuing Bank, as the case may be, or, with the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) and such new Issuing Bank, another successor or new issuer of Letters of Credit, whereupon such successor issuer shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the replaced or resigning Issuing Bank under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, or such new issuer of Letters of Credit shall be granted the rights, powers and duties of an Issuing Bank hereunder, and the term “ Issuing Bank ” shall mean such successor or such new issuer of Letters of Credit effective upon such appointment. The acceptance of any appointment as an Issuing Bank hereunder whether as a successor issuer or new issuer of Letters of Credit in accordance with this Agreement, shall be evidenced by an agreement entered into by such new or successor issuer of Letters of Credit, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, such new or successor issuer of Letters of Credit shall become an “Issuing Bank” hereunder. After the resignation or replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation or replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit. In connection with any resignation or replacement pursuant to this clause (a) (but, in case of any such resignation, only to the extent that a successor issuer of Letters of Credit shall have been appointed), either (i) the Borrower, the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank and the successor issuer of Letters of Credit shall arrange to have any outstanding Letters of Credit issued by the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank replaced with Letters of Credit issued by the successor issuer of Letters of Credit or (ii) the Borrower shall cause the successor issuer of Letters of Credit, if such successor issuer is reasonably satisfactory to the replaced or resigning Issuing Bank, to issue “back-stop” Letters of Credit naming the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank as beneficiary for each outstanding Letter of Credit issued by the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank, which new Letters of Credit shall have a Stated Amount equal to the Letters of Credit being back-stopped and the sole requirement for drawing on such new Letters of Credit shall be a drawing on the corresponding back- stopped Letters of Credit. After any resigning or replaced Issuing Bank’s resignation or replacement as Issuing Bank, the provisions of this Agreement relating to an Issuing Bank shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it (A) while it was an Issuing Bank under this Agreement or (B) at any time with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.

 

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(b) To the extent that there are, at the time of any resignation or replacement as set forth in clause (a)  above, any outstanding Letters of Credit, nothing herein shall be deemed to impact or impair any rights and obligations of any of the parties hereto with respect to such outstanding Letters of Credit (including any obligations related to the payment of fees or the reimbursement or funding of amounts drawn), except that the Borrower, the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank and the successor issuer of Letters of Credit shall have the obligations regarding outstanding Letters of Credit described in clause (a)  above.

Section 3.6 Role of Issuing Bank . Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, no Issuing Bank shall have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the Issuing Banks, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective affiliates nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of any Issuing Bank shall be liable to any Lender for (a) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Majority Lenders, (b) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct or (c) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the Issuing Banks, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective affiliates nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of any Issuing Bank shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in Section  3.3(e) ; provided that anything in such Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against an Issuing Bank, and such Issuing Bank may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by such Issuing Bank’s willful misconduct or gross negligence (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction) or such Issuing Bank’s unlawful failure (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction) to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, any Issuing Bank may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and no Issuing Bank shall be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.

Section 3.7 Cash Collateral .

(a) Upon the request of the Majority Lenders if, as of the L/C Maturity Date, there are any Letters of Credit Outstanding, the Borrower shall immediately Cash Collateralize the then Letters of Credit Outstanding.

(b) If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Majority Lenders may require that the L/C Obligations be Cash Collateralized; provided that, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default referred to in Section  11.5 with respect to the Borrower, the Borrower shall immediately Cash Collateralize the Letters of Credit then outstanding and no notice or request by or consent from the Majority Lenders shall be required.

(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cash Collateralize ” shall mean to (i) pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Banks and the Lenders, as collateral for the L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances (“ Cash Collateral ”) in an amount

 

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equal to the amount of the Letters of Credit Outstanding required to be Cash Collateralized (the “ Required Cash Collateral Amount ”) or (ii) if the relevant Issuing Bank benefiting from such collateral shall agree in its reasonable discretion, other forms of credit support (including any backstop letter of credit) in a face amount equal to 105% of the Required Cash Collateral Amount from an issuer reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank, in each case under clause (i)  and (ii) above pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Issuing Bank (which documents are hereby consented to by the Lenders). Derivatives of such term have corresponding meanings. The Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Banks and the L/C Participants, a security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing. Such cash Collateral shall be maintained in blocked, interest bearing deposit accounts established by and in the name of the Borrower, but under the “control” (as defined in Section 9-104 of the UCC) of the Administrative Agent.

Section 3.8 Applicability of ISP and UCP . Unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the relevant Issuing Bank and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (a) the rules of the ISP or the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit and (b) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of issuance, shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.

Section 3.9 Conflict with Issuer Documents . In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.

Section 3.10 Letters of Credit Issued for Restricted Subsidiaries . Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Restricted Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the relevant Issuing Bank hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Restricted Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 3.11 Increased Costs . If, after the Effective Date, the adoption of any Change in Law shall either (a) impose, modify or make applicable any reserve, deposit, capital adequacy or similar requirement against Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank, or any L/C Participant’s L/C Participation therein, or (b) impose on any Issuing Bank or any L/C Participant any other conditions, costs or expenses affecting its obligations under this Agreement in respect of Letters of Credit or L/C Participations therein or any Letter of Credit or such L/C Participant’s L/C Participation therein, and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant of issuing, maintaining or participating in any Letter of Credit, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant hereunder (other than (i) Taxes indemnifiable under Section  5.4 , or (ii) Excluded Taxes) in respect of Letters of Credit or L/C Participations therein, then, promptly (and in any event no later than fifteen (15) days) after receipt of written demand to the Borrower by such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant, as the case may be (a copy of which notice shall be sent by such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant for such increased cost or reduction, it being understood and agreed, however, that no Issuing Bank or L/C Participant shall be entitled to such compensation as a result of such Person’s compliance with, or pursuant to any request or directive to comply with, any such Requirement of Law as in effect on the Effective Date. A certificate submitted to the Borrower by the relevant Issuing Bank or an L/C Participant, as the case may be (a copy of which certificate shall be sent by such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant to the Administrative Agent), setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for the determination of such additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant as aforesaid shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower absent clearly demonstrable error.

 

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ARTICLE 4

FEES; COMMITMENTS.

Section 4.1 Fees .

(a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in Dollars, for the account of each Lender (in each case pro rata according to the respective Commitment Percentages of the Lenders), a commitment fee (the “ Commitment Fee ”) for each day from the Effective Date until but excluding the Termination Date. Each Commitment Fee shall be payable by the Borrower quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December (for the three (3)-month period (or portion thereof) ended on such day for which no payment has been received) and on the Termination Date (for the period ended on such date for which no payment has been received pursuant to clause (i)  above), and shall be computed for each day during such period at a rate per annum equal to the Commitment Fee Rate in effect on such day on the Available Commitment (assuming for this purpose that there is no reference to “Swingline Exposure” in the definition of Total Exposure) in effect on such day.

(b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in Dollars for the account of the Lenders pro rata on the basis of their respective Letter of Credit Exposure, a fee in respect of each Letter of Credit (the “ Letter of Credit Fee ”), for the period from the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit until the termination or expiration date of such Letter of Credit computed at the per annum rate for each day equal to the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans on the average daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit. Such Letter of Credit Fees shall be due and payable (i) quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and (ii) on the Termination Date (for the period for which no payment has been received pursuant to clause (i)  above).

(c) The Borrower agrees to pay to each Issuing Bank a fee in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by it (the “ Fronting Fee ”), for the period from the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to the termination or expiration date of such Letter of Credit, computed at the rate for each day equal to 0.125% per annum (or such other amount as may be agreed in a separate writing between the Borrower and the relevant Issuing Bank) on the average daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit (or at such other rate per annum as agreed in writing between the Borrower and the relevant Issuing Bank). Such Fronting Fees shall be due and payable by the Borrower (i) quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and (ii) on the Termination Date (for the period for which no payment has been received pursuant to clause (i)  above).

(d) The Borrower agrees to pay directly to each Issuing Bank upon each issuance of, drawing under, and/or amendment of, a Letter of Credit issued by it such amount as the relevant Issuing Bank and the Borrower shall have agreed upon for issuances of, drawings under or amendments of, letters of credit issued by it.

(e) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the administrative agent fees in the amounts and on the dates as set forth in writing from time to time between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

Section 4.2 Voluntary Reduction of Commitments .

(a) Upon at least two (2) Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office (which

 

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notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders), the Borrower shall have the right, without premium or penalty, on any day, permanently to terminate or reduce the Commitments of any Class, as determined by the Borrower, in whole or in part; provided that (a) with respect to the Commitments, any such termination or reduction shall apply proportionately and permanently to reduce the Commitments of each of the Lenders of such Class, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the Borrower may allocate any termination or reduction of Commitments among Classes of Commitments either (A) ratably among Classes or (B) first to the Commitments with respect to any Existing Commitments and second to any Extended Commitments and (2) in connection with the establishment on any date of any Extended Commitments pursuant to Section  2.17 , (i) the Existing Commitments of each Lender providing any such Extended Commitments on such date shall be reduced in an amount equal to the amount of Specified Existing Commitments so extended on such date by such Lender and (ii) the Existing Commitments of any Lender not providing such Extended Commitments shall be reduced, solely to the extent elected to be reduced by the Borrower pursuant to Section  2.17 , among the Class or Classes of Commitments elected by the Borrower ( provided that (x) after giving effect to any such reduction and to the repayment of any Loans made on such date, the Total Exposure of any such Lender does not exceed the Commitment of such Lender (such Total Exposure and Commitment in the case of an Extending Lender being determined for purposes of this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, exclusive of such Extending Lender’s Extended Commitment and any exposure in respect thereof) and (y) for the avoidance of doubt, any such repayment of Loans contemplated by the preceding clause (x)  shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section  5.3(a) with respect to the ratable allocation of payments hereunder, with such allocation being determined after giving effect to any conversion pursuant to Section  2.17 of Existing Commitments and Existing Loans into Extended Commitments and Extended Loans respectively, and prior to any reduction being made to the Commitment of any other Lender), (b) any partial reduction pursuant to this Section  4.2 shall be in the amount of at least $1,000,000 and (c) after giving effect to such termination or reduction and to any prepayments of Loans or cancellation or Cash Collateralization of Letters of Credit made on the date thereof in accordance with this Agreement, the aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Total Exposures shall not exceed the Loan Limit.

(b) The Borrower may terminate the unused amount of the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender upon not less than two (2) Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly notify the Lenders thereof), and in such event the provisions of Section  2.15(f) will apply to all amounts thereafter paid by the Borrower for the account of such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement (whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnity or other amounts), provided that such termination will not be deemed to be a waiver or release of any claim the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any such notice of commitment termination pursuant to Section  4.2 may state that it is conditioned upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event specified therein (including the effectiveness of other credit facilities), in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by written notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.

Section 4.3 Mandatory Termination of Commitments .

(a) The Total Commitment shall terminate at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Termination Date.

(b) The Swingline Commitment shall terminate at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the earlier of (x) the Swingline Maturity Date and (y) the Termination Date.

 

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ARTICLE 5

PAYMENTS.

Section 5.1 Voluntary Prepayments . The Borrower shall have the right to prepay Loans and Swingline Loans, in each case, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part from time to time on the following terms and conditions:

(a) the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of its intent to make such prepayment, the amount of such prepayment and (in the case of LIBOR Loans) the specific Borrowing(s) being prepaid, which notice shall be given by the Borrower no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) (i) in the case of LIBOR Loans, two (2) Business Days prior to and (ii) in the case of ABR Loans on the date of such prepayment and shall promptly be transmitted by the Administrative Agent to each of the Lenders;

(b) each partial prepayment of (i) LIBOR Loans shall be in a minimum amount of $500,000 and in multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof or a lesser amount to the extent such lesser amount represents the entire aggregate outstanding LIBOR Loans at such time, and (ii) any ABR Loans shall be in a minimum amount of $500,000 and in multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof or a lesser amount to the extent such lesser amount represents the entire aggregate outstanding ABR Loans at such time; provided that no partial prepayment of LIBOR Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding LIBOR Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than the applicable Minimum Borrowing Amount for such LIBOR Loans; and

(c) any prepayment of LIBOR Loans pursuant to this Section  5.1 on any day other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto shall be subject to compliance by the Borrower with the applicable provisions of Section  2.11 .

Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type and Class of Loans to be prepaid. At the Borrower’s election in connection with any prepayment pursuant to this Section  5.1 , such prepayment shall not be applied to any Loans of a Defaulting Lender.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any such notice of prepayment pursuant to Section  5.1 may state that it is conditioned upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event specified therein (including the effectiveness of other credit facilities), in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by written notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.

Section 5.2 Mandatory Prepayments .

(a) Repayment following Optional Reduction of Commitments . If, after giving effect to any termination or reduction of the Commitments pursuant to Section  4.2(a) , a Loan Limit Deficiency exists, then the Borrower shall on the same Business Day (i) prepay the Swingline Loans and, after all Swingline Loans have been paid in full, the remaining Loans on the date of such termination or reduction in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Loan Limit Deficiency and (ii) if any Loan Limit Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Loans as a result of any Letter of Credit Exposure, pay to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Issuing Banks and the L/C Participants an amount in cash or otherwise Cash Collateralize an amount equal to such Loan Limit Deficiency as provided in Section  3.7 .

(b) Repayment of Loans Following Redetermination or Adjustment of Borrowing Base .

 

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(i) Upon any redetermination of the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section  2.14(b) , if a Loan Limit Deficiency exists, then the Borrower shall, within ten (10) Business Days after its receipt of a New Borrowing Base Notice indicating such Loan Limit Deficiency, inform the Administrative Agent that it intends to take one or more of the following actions: (A) within thirty (30) days following such election prepay the Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Loan Limit Deficiency, (B) prepay the Loans in six (6) equal monthly installments, commencing on the 30th day following such election with each payment being equal to l/6th of the aggregate principal amount of such Loan Limit Deficiency (as such Loan Limit Deficiency may be reduced during such six (6)-month period as a result of any Borrowing Base redetermination or other adjustment to the Borrowing Base described in this Agreement), (C) within thirty (30) days following such election, provide additional Oil and Gas Properties (accompanied by reasonably acceptable engineering reports) not evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (which shall become Mortgaged Properties within the time period prescribed by Section  9.11(d) regardless of whether the Collateral Coverage Minimum is then satisfied) or other Collateral reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent having a Borrowing Base Value (as proposed by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Required Lenders in good faith in accordance with their respective usual and customary oil and gas lending criteria as they exist at the particular time) sufficient, after giving effect to any other actions taken pursuant to this Section  5.2(b)(i) to eliminate any such Loan Limit Deficiency, or (D) undertake a combination of clauses (A) , (B) , and (C) ; provided that if, because of Letter of Credit Exposure, a Loan Limit Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Loans, the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize such remaining Loan Limit Deficiency as provided in Section  3.7 ; provided further , that any Loan Limit Deficiency must be cured on or prior to the Termination Date.

(ii) Upon any adjustment to the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section  2.14(e) , (f) , (g) or (h)  or Section  9.16 , if a Loan Limit Deficiency exists, then the Borrower shall (A) prepay the Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Loan Limit Deficiency and (B) if any Loan Limit Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Loans as a result of any Letter of Credit Exposure, Cash Collateralize such Loan Limit Deficiency as provided in Section  3.7 . The Borrower shall be obligated to make such prepayment and/or deposit of cash collateral no later than three (3) Business Days following the date it receives written notice from the Administrative Agent of the adjustment of the Borrowing Base and the resulting Loan Limit Deficiency; provided that all payments required to be made pursuant to this clause (ii)  must be made on or prior to the Termination Date.

(c) Application to Loans . With respect to each prepayment of Loans elected under Section  5.1 or required by Section  5.2 , the Borrower may designate (i) the Types and Class of Loans that are to be prepaid and the specific Borrowing(s) being repaid and (ii) the Loans to be prepaid; provided that (A) each prepayment of any Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall be applied pro rata among such Loans, and (B) notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding clause (A) , no prepayment of Loans shall be applied to the Loans of any Defaulting Lender unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Borrower. In the absence of a designation by the Borrower as described in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the above, make such designation in its reasonable discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section  2.11 .

(d) LIBOR Interest Periods . In lieu of making any payment pursuant to this Section  5.2 in respect of any LIBOR Loan, other than on the last day of the Interest Period therefor so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower at its option may deposit, on behalf of the Borrower, with the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the amount of the LIBOR Loan to be prepaid and such LIBOR Loan shall be repaid on the last day of the Interest Period therefor in the required amount. Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent in a corporate time deposit account established on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, earning interest at the then customary rate for accounts of such type. The Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing. Such deposit shall constitute cash collateral for the LIBOR Loans to be so prepaid; provided that the Borrower may at any time direct that such deposit be applied to make the applicable payment required pursuant to this Section  5.2 .

 

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(e) Application of Proceeds . The application of proceeds pursuant to this Section  5.2 shall not reduce the aggregate amount of Commitments under the RBL Facility and amounts prepaid may be reborrowed subject to the Available Commitment.

Section 5.3 Method and Place of Payment .

(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement shall be made by the Borrower without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders entitled thereto or the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender entitled thereto, as the case may be, not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time), in each case, on the date when due and shall be made in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office or at such other office as the Administrative Agent shall specify for such purpose by notice to the Borrower, it being understood that written or facsimile notice by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to make a payment from the funds in the Borrower’s account at the Administrative Agent’s Office shall constitute the making of such payment to the extent of such funds held in such account. All repayments or prepayments of any Loans (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) hereunder and all other payments under each Credit Document shall be made in Dollars. The Administrative Agent will thereafter cause to be distributed on the same day (if payment was actually received by the Administrative Agent prior to 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) or, otherwise, on the next Business Day in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent) like funds relating to the payment of principal or interest or fees ratably to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as applicable, entitled thereto.

(b) For purposes of computing interest or fees, any payments under this Agreement that are made later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent. Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal, interest shall be payable during such extension at the applicable rate in effect immediately prior to such extension.

Section 5.4 Net Payments .

(a) Any and all payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Guarantor under this Agreement or any other Credit Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any Taxes; provided that if the Borrower, any Guarantor or the Administrative Agent (such applicable Person, the “ applicable withholding agent ”) shall be required by applicable Requirements of Law to deduct or withhold any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions or withholdings as are reasonably determined by the applicable withholding agent to be required by any applicable Requirement of Law, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law, and (iii) to the extent withholding or deduction is required to be made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower or such Guarantor shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions and withholdings of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes have been made (including deductions or withholdings of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes applicable to additional sums payable under this Section  5.4 ) the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, or the applicable Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made. After any payment of Taxes by any Credit Party or the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as

 

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provided in this Section  5.4 , the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by law to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

(b) The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, any Other Taxes (whether or not such Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority).

(c) The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender within fifteen (15) Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes payable or paid by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or such Lender, as the case may be (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section  5.4 ), and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (as applicable) on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error and shall constitute a required notice for purposes of Section  2.13 .

(d) Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not any payments made hereunder or under any other Credit Document are subject to Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable Taxes in respect of any payments to be made to such Lender by any Credit Party pursuant to any Credit Document or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.

(e) Without limiting the generality of Section  5.4(d) , each Non-U.S. Lender with respect to any Loan made to the Borrower shall, to the extent it is legally eligible to do so:

(i) deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement, two copies of (A) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest”, United States Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”) Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or any applicable successor form) (together with a Non-Bank Tax Certificate) representing that such Non-U.S. Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, is not a “10-percent shareholder” (within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code) of the Borrower or Opco Parent, is not a CFC described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code) and the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the conduct by such Lender of a trade or business within the United States), (B) IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E, or Form W-8ECI (or any applicable successor form), in each case properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming

 

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complete exemption from, or reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on payments by the Borrower under this Agreement, (C) IRS Form W-8IMY (or any applicable successor form) and all necessary attachments (including the forms described in clauses (A)  and (B) above, provided that if the Non-U.S. Lender is a partnership and not a participating Lender, and one or more of the partners is claiming portfolio interest treatment, a Non-Bank Tax Certificate may be provided by such Non-U.S. Lender on behalf of such partners) or (D) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; provided , however , that such other form and supplementary documentation described in this clause (D) (other than forms and documentation also described in clauses (A) , (B) , or (C) ) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender; and

(ii) deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further copies of any such form or certification (or any applicable successor form) (A) promptly after such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete, invalid or inaccurate in any respect, (B) promptly after the occurrence of any change in the Non-U.S. Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (C) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, or promptly notify in writing the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such Non-U.S. Lender’s legal inability to do so.

Each Person that shall become a Participant pursuant to Section  13.6 or a Lender pursuant to Section  13.6 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all the forms and statements required pursuant to this Section  5.4(e) , Section  5.4(h) and Section  5.4(i) ; provided that in the case of a Participant such Participant shall furnish all such required forms and statements to the Person from which the related participation shall have been purchased.

In addition, each Agent shall deliver to the Borrower (x)(I) prior to the date on which the first payment by the Borrower is due hereunder or (II) prior to the first date on or after the date on which such Agent becomes a successor Agent pursuant to Section  12.9 on which payment by the Borrower is due hereunder, as applicable, two copies of either (i) a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 certifying its exemption from U.S. Federal backup withholding or (ii) a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI (with respect to any payments to be received on its own behalf) and IRS Form W-8IMY (certifying that it is either a “qualified intermediary” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1441-1(e)(5) that has assumed primary withholding obligations under the Code, including Chapters 3 and 4 of the Code, or a “U.S. branch” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) that is treated as a U.S. person for purposes of withholding obligations under the Code) (with respect to any payments received by the Agent on the account of others), and (y) on or before the date on which any such previously delivered documentation expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent documentation previously delivered by it to the Borrower, and from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrower, two further copies of such documentation (or prompt notification in writing of its legal inability to do so).

(f) If any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section  5.4 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section  5.4 ), then the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Borrower or such Guarantor for such amount (net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, and without interest other than any interest received thereon from the relevant Governmental

 

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Authority with respect to such refund) as the Lender, Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, determines in its sole discretion exercised in good faith to be the proportion of the refund as will leave it, after such reimbursement, in no better or worse net after-Tax position (taking into account expenses or any taxes imposed on the refund) than it would have been in if the payment had not been required; provided that the Borrower or such Guarantor, upon the request of the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower or such Guarantor ( plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in the event the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. In such event, such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall, at the Borrower’s request, provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant Governmental Authority ( provided that such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may delete any information therein that it deems confidential). A Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall claim any refund that it determines is available to it, unless it concludes in its sole discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim. No Lender nor the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be obliged to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Credit Party in connection with this clause (f)  or any other provision of this Section  5.4 .

(g) If the Borrower determines that a reasonable basis exists for contesting an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a Credit Party has paid additional amounts or indemnification payments, each Lender or Agent, as the case may be, shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower as the Borrower may reasonably request in challenging such Tax. The Borrower shall indemnify and hold each Lender and Agent harmless against any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Person in connection with any request made by the Borrower pursuant to this Section  5.4(g) . Nothing in this Section  5.4(g) shall obligate any Lender or Agent to take any action that such Person, in its sole judgment, determines may result in a material detriment to such Person.

(h) Each U.S. Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two IRS Forms W-9 (or substitute or successor form), properly completed and duly executed, certifying that such U.S. Lender is exempt from United States federal backup withholding (i) on or prior to the Effective Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), (ii) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete, invalid or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) after the occurrence of a change in the U.S. Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (iv) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

(i) If a payment made to any Lender or any Agent under this Agreement or any other Credit Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender or such Agent were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender or such Agent shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section  5.4(i) , “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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(j) For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Section  5.4 , the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and any Swingline Lender and the term “applicable law” or “Requirement of Law” includes FATCA.

(k) The agreements in this Section  5.4 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

Section 5.5 Computations of Interest and Fees .

(a) Except as provided in the next succeeding sentence, Interest on LIBOR Loans and ABR Loans shall be calculated on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360)-day year for the actual days elapsed. Interest on ABR Loans in respect of which the rate of interest is calculated on the basis of the Administrative Agent’s prime rate and interest on overdue interest shall be calculated on the basis of a three hundred sixty-five (365)- (or three hundred sixty-six (366)-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed.

(b) Fees and the average daily Stated Amount of Letters of Credit shall be calculated on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360)-day year for the actual days elapsed.

Section 5.6 Limit on Rate of Interest .

(a) No Payment Shall Exceed Lawful Rate . Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay any interest or other amounts under or in connection with this Agreement or otherwise in respect to any of the Obligations in excess of the amount or rate permitted under or consistent with any applicable law, rule or regulation.

(b) Payment at Highest Lawful Rate . If the Borrower is not obliged to make a payment that it would otherwise be required to make, as a result of Section  5.6(a) , the Borrower shall make such payment to the maximum extent permitted by or consistent with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

(c) Adjustment if Any Payment Exceeds Lawful Rate . If any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents would obligate the Borrower or any other Credit Party to make any payment of interest or other amount payable to any Lender in an amount or calculated at a rate that would be prohibited by any applicable Requirement of Law, then notwithstanding such provision, such amount or rate shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by applicable Requirements of Law, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary, by reducing the amount or rate of interest required to be paid by the Borrower to the affected Lender under Section  2.8 .

(d) Rebate of Excess Interest . Notwithstanding the foregoing, and after giving effect to all adjustments contemplated thereby, if any Lender shall have received from the Borrower an amount in excess of the maximum permitted by any applicable Requirement of Law, then the Borrower shall be entitled, by notice in writing to the Administrative Agent to obtain reimbursement from that Lender in an amount equal to such excess, and pending such reimbursement, such amount shall be deemed to be an amount payable by that Lender to the Borrower.

 

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ARTICLE 6

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS AND INITIAL BORROWING.

The effectiveness of, and the initial Borrowing under, this Agreement on the Effective Date is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent, except as otherwise agreed or waived pursuant to Section  13.1 .

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from the Borrower and Holdings (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include e-mail transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

(b) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, a written opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to the Credit Parties, (i) dated the Effective Date, (ii) addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders and each Issuing Bank and (iii) in form and substance customary for transactions of this type. The Borrower, the other Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent hereby instruct such counsel to deliver such legal opinion.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of each Credit Party, Parent and Opco Parent, each of the items referred to in subclauses (i)  and (ii) below:

(i) a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation or certificate of formation, including all amendments thereto, of such Person, in each case, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) of the jurisdiction of its organization, and a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) of each such Person as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official);

(ii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer of each Credit Party, Parent and Opco Parent dated the Effective Date and certifying:

(A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the bylaws (or limited liability company agreement or other equivalent governing documents) of such Person as in effect on the Effective Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (B)  below,

(B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or managing member or equivalent) of such Person authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which such person is a party (and in the case of Parent, the Parent Guarantee and in the case of Opco Parent ,the Opco Guarantee) and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Effective Date,

(C) that the certificate or articles of incorporation or certificate of formation of such Person has not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto disclosed pursuant to subclause (i)  above,

(D) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Credit Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Credit Party, Parent or Opco Parent,

 

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(E) as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Person, and

(F) a certificate of a director or an officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer executing the certificate pursuant to subclause (ii)  above.

(d) (i) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received copies of insurance certificates evidencing the insurance required to be maintained by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant to Section  9.3 .

(ii) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received executed copies of the Collateral Agreement and the Guarantee, the Parent Guarantee and the Opco Guarantee, in each case, executed by the Borrower and each Person which will be a Guarantor on the Effective Date, Parent and Opco Parent (as applicable), together with, subject to the last paragraph of this Article 6 , evidence that all other actions, recordings and filings required by the Security Documents as of the Effective Date or that the Collateral Agent may deem reasonably necessary to (A) create the Liens intended to be created by any Security Document and perfect such Liens to the extent required by such Security Document shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing, registration or recording and (B) comply with Section  9.11 , in each case shall have been taken, completed or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(iii) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received customary UCC lien searches with respect to the Borrower and the Guarantors in their applicable jurisdictions of organization.

(iv) The Administrative Agent shall have received unaudited interim financial statements of Parent, Alta Mesa Eagle, LLC, the Karnes County Business (as defined in the Proxy Statement), the Giddings Assets (as defined in the Proxy Statement), the BlackBrush Assets (as defined in the Proxy Statement) and GulfTex Karnes EFS, LP for each subsequent fiscal quarter ending after December 31, 2017, together with corresponding information in respect of the comparable period in the prior fiscal year, to the extent that such unaudited interim financial statements are or would be required to be set forth in the Proxy Statement pursuant to the age of financial statement requirements of Rule 3-12 under Regulation S-X of the Securities Act (the “ Effective Date Financial Statements ”).

(e) The Acquisition shall have been consummated, or shall be consummated substantially concurrently with the initial Borrowing under this Agreement. No provision of either Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 20, 2018 and provided to the Lead Arrangers prior to the date hereof shall have been amended or waived in any material respect by Opco Parent or Parent, as applicable, and Opco Parent or Parent, as applicable, shall not have granted any consent under either Acquisition Agreement, in each case, in a manner materially adverse to the Lenders (in their capacity as such) without the consent of the Lead Arrangers (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied or conditioned) (it being understood that any Borrowings in excess of the minimum Available Debt Proceeds (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) shall not constitute the granting of a consent under any Acquisition Agreement), provided that any amendment or modification to the defined term “Material Adverse Effect”, shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the Lenders and shall require the consent of the Lead Arrangers (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied or conditioned); provided , further , that any change in the amount of consideration required to consummate the Acquisition shall be deemed not to be materially adverse to the Lenders.

 

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(f) The Contributed Amount, in an aggregate amount not less than $325,000,000, shall have been contributed to the Borrower, or shall be contributed substantially concurrently with the Borrowing of the Effective Date Loans hereunder.

(g) On the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received a solvency certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto and signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower (or, at the sole option of the Borrower, a third party opinion of a nationally recognized valuation firm as to the solvency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis).

(h) All fees and expenses required to be paid to the Agents and the Lenders hereunder on the Effective Date and, in the case of expenses, invoiced at least three (3) Business Days before the Effective Date (except as otherwise reasonably agreed by the Borrower) shall have been paid, or shall be paid concurrently with the Borrowing of the Effective Date Loans, in full in cash (or, at the Borrower’s option, netted from the proceeds of the Effective Date Loans).

(i) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received at least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date all documentation and other information about Holdings, the Borrower, the Guarantors, Parent and Opco Parent required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer”, anti-money laundering rules and regulations and Beneficial Ownership Regulation, including without limitation, the PATRIOT Act and if the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in respect of the Borrower, in each case, that has been requested in writing by the Administrative Agent or any Lender not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

(j) The Specified Representations and the Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects, in the case of the Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations, only to the extent that the Borrower or its applicable Affiliate has the right to, pursuant to the applicable Acquisition Agreement, terminate its obligations thereunder or decline to consummate either Acquisition as a result of a breach of such Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations.

(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of a Borrowing, a Notice of Borrowing as required by Section  2.3(a)(i) or, in the case of an extension of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a Letter of Credit Application as required by Section  3.2(a) .

(l) (A) Under the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the sum of (i) all Title Defect Amounts with respect to Title Defects that individually exceed the Individual Title Defect Threshold, plus (ii) all Remediation Amounts with respect to Environmental Defects that individually exceed the Individual Environmental Threshold (excluding any Remediation Amounts with respect to any Assets excluded from the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement pursuant to Section 12.1(c) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement), plus (iii) all Casualty Losses (or adjustments to the Purchase Price in respect thereof) as determined in accordance with Section 11.3 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, plus (iv) the Allocated Value of all Assets excluded from the transactions contemplated hereby pursuant to Section 10.1(b)(iv), Section 11.3(b)(ii)(y), Section 11.4(a), Section 11.5(a), Section 11.5(b), or Section 12.1(c)(ii) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, shall be less than twenty percent (20%) of the Base Purchase Price. (B) Under the Contribution Agreement, the sum of (i) all Title Defect Amounts with respect to Title Defects that individually exceed the Individual Title Defect Threshold, plus (ii) all Remediation Amounts with respect to Environmental Defects that individually exceed the Individual Environmental Threshold (excluding any Remediation Amounts with respect to any Assets excluded from the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement pursuant to Section 13.1(c) of the Contribution Agreement),

 

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plus (iii) all Casualty Losses (or adjustments to the Consideration in respect thereof) as determined in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Contribution Agreement, plus (iv) the Allocated Value of all Assets excluded from the transactions contemplated hereby pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(iv), Section 12.3(b)(ii)(y), Section 12.4(a), Section 12.5(a), Section 12.5(b), or Section 13.1(c)(ii) of the Contribution Agreement, shall be less than twenty percent (20%) of the Consideration. For purposes of clause (A) , the defined terms “Title Defect Amounts,” “Title Defects,” “Individual Title Defect Threshold,”, “Remediation Amounts,” “Environmental Defects,” “Individual Environmental Threshold,” “Assets,” “Casualty Losses,” and “Base Purchase Price” shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Purchase and Sale Agreement as in effect on March 20, 2018. For purposes of clause (B) , the defined terms “Title Defect Amounts,” “Title Defects,” “Individual Title Defect Threshold,”, “Remediation Amounts,” “Environmental Defects,” “Individual Environmental Threshold,” “Assets,” “Casualty Losses,” “Consideration,” “Allocated Value,” shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Contribution Agreement.

(m) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, certifying:

(i) that the conditions precedent set forth in Section  6(e) and 6(l) have been met;

(ii) that the Specified Representations are true and correct in all material respects; and

(iii) the aggregate PV-9 of the Acquired Business included in the Initial Reserve Report but not acquired under the Acquisition Agreements on the Effective Date, as a percentage of the Purchase Price or the Consideration (each, as defined in the applicable Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 20, 2018), as applicable.

(n) On the Effective Date, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, the only outstanding material indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than any capital lease, purchase money and equipment financings, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business) will be the RBL Facility and the Senior Unsecured Notes.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (I) to the extent any security interest in any Collateral (other than any a Lien on Collateral that may be perfected solely (A) by the filing of a financing statement under the UCC or (B) by the delivery of stock certificates of the Borrower and the Borrower’s applicable domestic Wholly owned Subsidiaries that are Material Subsidiaries) is not or cannot be provided and/or perfected on the Effective Date after the Borrower’s use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so without undue burden or expense, the provision and/or perfection of security interests in such Collateral shall not constitute conditions precedent to the effectiveness of, and initial Borrowing under, this Agreement, but shall be required to be delivered, provided, and/or perfected (subject to extensions approved by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) within the later of (x)(i) in the case of Mortgages required to be delivered pursuant to the Collateral Coverage Minimum, by the dates provided in the definition of “Collateral Coverage Minimum” and (ii) in the case of all other Collateral not otherwise described in the preceding clause (i) , ninety (90) days following the Effective Date and (y) the time periods specified in Section  9.19 and (II) for the avoidance of doubt, the consummation of the Ironwood Acquisition shall not constitute a condition precedent to the effectiveness of, or the initial Borrowing under, this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 7

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ALL SUBSEQUENT CREDIT EVENTS.

The agreement of each Lender to make any Loan requested to be made by it on any date after the Effective Date (excluding Mandatory Borrowings and Loans required to be made by the Lenders in respect of Unpaid Drawings pursuant to Sections 3.3 and 3.4 ), and the obligation of any Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit on any date after the Effective Date, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(a) At the time of each such Credit Event and also after giving effect thereto, (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (b) all representations and warranties made by any Credit Party contained herein or in the other Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of such Credit Event (except where such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date and except that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects at such time).

(b) Prior to the making of each Loan (other than any Loan made pursuant to Section  3.4(a) ) and each Swingline Loan, the Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing (whether in writing or by telephone) meeting the requirements of Section  2.3(a) .

(c) Prior to the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank shall have received a Letter of Credit Application meeting the requirements of Section  3.2(a) .

The acceptance of the benefits of each Credit Event after the Effective Date shall constitute a representation and warranty by each Credit Party to each of the Lenders that all the applicable conditions specified in Article 7 above have been satisfied as of that time.

ARTICLE 8

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS

In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement, to make the Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit as provided for herein, the Borrower makes, on the date of each Credit Event (but solely, on the Effective Date, to the extent such representations and warranties are required to be true and correct as a condition to Borrowing pursuant to Article 6 ), the following representations and warranties to, and agreements with, the Lenders, all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit:

Section 8.1 Corporate Status . Each of the Borrower and each Material Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) is a duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact its business as now conducted and (b) has duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing (if applicable) in all jurisdictions where it is required to be so qualified, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.2 Corporate Power and Authority; Enforceability . Each Credit Party has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and

 

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provisions of the Credit Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which it is a party. Each Credit Party has duly executed and delivered each Credit Document to which it is a party and each such Credit Document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

Section 8.3 No Violation . None of the execution, delivery or performance by any Credit Party of the Credit Documents to which it is a party will (a) contravene any Requirement of Law, except to the extent such contravention would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of such Credit Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Liens created under the Credit Documents and Permitted Liens) pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan agreement, lease agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, agreement or other instrument to which such Credit Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound (any such term, covenant, condition or provision, a “ Contractual Requirement ”) except to the extent such breach, default or Lien that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (c) violate any provision of the Organization Documents of such Credit Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 8.4 Litigation . Except as set forth on Schedule 8.4 , there are no actions, suits or proceedings (excluding Environmental Claims) pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing with respect to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.5 Margin Regulations . Neither the making of any Loan hereunder nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate the provisions of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board.

Section 8.6 Governmental Approvals . The execution, delivery and performance of each Credit Document do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or other action by, any Governmental Authority, except for (a) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) filings and recordings in respect of the Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents and (c) such consents, approvals, registrations, filings or actions the failure of which to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.7 Investment Company Act . No Credit Party is required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 8.8 True and Complete Disclosure .

(a) As of the Effective Date, all written factual information delivered on or prior to the Effective Date (other than the Projections, estimates and information of a general economic nature or general industry nature) (the “ Information ”) concerning Holdings, the Borrower, the Restricted Subsidiaries, the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated hereby prepared by or on behalf of the foregoing or their representatives and made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby (with respect to any Information relating to the Acquired Business or the Ironwood Acquired Interests, to Borrower’s knowledge) did not, taken as a whole, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading, taken as a whole, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made (after giving effect to all supplements and updates thereto).

 

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(b) The Projections (with respect to any Projections relating to the Acquired Business or the Ironwood Acquired Interests, to Borrower’s knowledge) have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date thereof (it being understood that actual results may vary materially from the Projections), as of the date such Projections were furnished to the Lenders.

Section 8.9 Tax Matters . Except where the failure of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has filed all federal income Tax returns and all other Tax returns, domestic and foreign, required to be filed by it (including in its capacity as withholding agent) and has paid all Taxes payable by it that have become due, other than those (i) not yet delinquent or (ii) being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP (or in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, the comparable accounting principles in the relevant jurisdiction).

Section 8.10 Compliance with ERISA .

(a) (i) Each Plan (excluding Multiemployer Plans and Foreign Plans) is in compliance with ERISA, the Code and any applicable Requirement of Law; (ii) none of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred (or is reasonably likely to incur) any liability to or on account of a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code nor has the Borrower or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate, been notified in writing that it will incur any liability under any of the foregoing Sections with respect to any Plan; and (iii) no ERISA Event has or is reasonably likely to occur with respect to any Plan, except to the extent that a breach of any of the representations or warranties in this Section  8.10(a) would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in an amount of liability that would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) has an Unfunded Current Liability that would, individually or when taken together with any other liabilities referenced in this Section  8.10(a) , be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. With respect to Plans that are Multiemployer Plans, the representations and warranties in this Section  8.10(a) , other than any made with respect to (i) liability under Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or (ii) liability for “termination” (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA) of such Plans under ERISA, are made to the knowledge of the Borrower.

(b) All Foreign Plans are in compliance with, and have been established, administered and operated in accordance with, the terms of such Foreign Plans and applicable law, except for any failure to so comply, establish, administer or operate the Foreign Plans as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All contributions or other payments which are due with respect to each Foreign Plan have been made in full and there are no funding deficiencies thereunder, except to the extent any such events would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.11 Subsidiaries . Schedule 8.11 lists each Subsidiary of the Borrower (and the direct and indirect ownership interest of the Borrower therein), in each case existing on the Effective Date (after giving effect to the Transactions). Each Subsidiary Guarantor, Material Subsidiary and Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the Effective Date (after giving effect to the Transactions) has been so designated on Schedule 8.11 .

 

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Section 8.12 Intellectual Property . The Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries own or have obtained valid rights to use all intellectual property, free from any burdensome restrictions, that to the knowledge of the Borrower is reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, except where the failure to obtain any such rights would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.13 Environmental Laws . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has received written notice of any Environmental Claim other than those matters that have been fully resolved and for which there is no further outstanding liability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is conducting or has been ordered by a Governmental Agency to conduct any investigation, removal, remedial or other corrective action pursuant to any Environmental Law at any location; and (iv) neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries has treated, stored, transported, released or disposed or arranged for disposal or transport for disposal of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from any currently or formerly owned or leased facility in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under Environmental Law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Section  8.13 contains the sole and exclusive representations and warranties with respect to environmental matters of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

Section 8.14 Properties .

(a) Assuming that all applicable Governmental Authorities have granted approvals, made recordations and taken such other actions as are necessary in connection with the Transactions and any assignments made in connection therewith, except as set forth on Schedule 8.14 hereto, each Credit Party has good and defensible title to the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (other than those (i) disposed of in compliance with Section  10.4 since delivery of such Reserve Report, (ii) leases that have expired in accordance with their terms and (iii) with title defects disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent), and valid title to all its material personal properties, in each case, free and clear of all Liens other than Liens permitted by Section  10.2 , except in each case where the failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. After giving full effect to the Liens permitted by Section  10.2 , (A) the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiary specified as the owner does not fail in any material respects to own the working interests and net revenue interests attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests as such working interests and net revenue interests are reflected in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and (B) the ownership of such properties shall not in any material respect obligate the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each property set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s net revenue interest in such property.

(b) All material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, except to the extent that any such failure to be valid or subsisting would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The rights and properties presently owned, leased or licensed by the Credit Parties including all easements and rights of way, include all rights and properties necessary to permit the Credit Parties to conduct their respective businesses as currently conducted, except to the extent any failure to have any such rights or properties would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(d) All of the properties of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards, except to the extent any failure to satisfy the foregoing would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.15 Solvency . On the Effective Date (after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions (including the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the making of the Effective Date Loans and the use of proceeds of such Effective Date Loans on the Effective Date)), the Borrower on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries will be Solvent.

Section 8.16 Accounts . As of the Effective Date, Schedule 8.16 lists all Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodity Accounts maintained by or for the benefit of any Credit Party together with the deposit bank or securities or commodity intermediary for any such account, the account name, the account type, the account number and whether such account is an Excluded Account (and, if any such account is listed as an Excluded Account, the subcategory in the “Excluded Account” definition to which such account applies).

Section 8.17 Gas Imbalances, Prepayments . On the Effective Date, except as set forth on Schedule 8.17 , on a net basis, there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments exceeding 2.5 Bcfe of Hydrocarbon volumes (stated on a gas equivalent basis) in the aggregate, with respect to the Credit Parties’ Oil and Gas Properties that would require any Credit Party to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from their Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor.

Section 8.18 Marketing of Production . On the Effective Date, except as set forth on Schedule 8.18 , no material agreements exist (which are not cancelable on sixty (60) days’ notice or less without penalty or detriment) for the sale of production of the Credit Parties’ Hydrocarbons at a fixed non-index price (including calls on, or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (i) represent in respect of such agreements 2.5% or more of the Borrower’s average monthly production of Hydrocarbon volumes and (ii) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six (6) months from the Effective Date.

Section 8.19 Hedge Agreements . Schedule 8.19 sets forth, as of the Effective Date, a true and accurate summary of the Credit Parties’ hedging positions.

Section 8.20 PATRIOT Act; OFAC ; FCPA . To the extent applicable, each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries are in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the USA PATRIOT Act, and (ii) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 C.F.R. Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other applicable enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto. Neither Holdings, the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer or employee of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, is currently the subject of any U.S. sanctions (“ Sanctions ”) administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”). No proceeds of the Loans will be used by Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary directly or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, indirectly, (x) for the purpose of financing activities of or with any Person, or in any country, that, at the time of such financing, is the subject of any Sanctions administered by OFAC, except to the extent licensed or otherwise approved by OFAC or (y) in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

Section 8.21 No Material Adverse Effect . Since the Effective Date, there has been no event or circumstance that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 8.22 Well Bores . None of the wells comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties (or properties unitized therewith) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by Requirement of Law, and such wells are, in fact, bottomed under and are producing from, and the well bores are wholly within, the Oil and Gas Properties (or in the case of wells located on properties unitized therewith, such unitized properties) of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, except, in each case, to the extent any failure to satisfy the foregoing would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.23 Effective Date Financials .

The Effective Date Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Persons or assets identified therein, as applicable, in each case, as of the date(s) thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, (i) except as otherwise expressly noted therein and (ii) subject to changes resulting from normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

Section 8.24 Security Documents . Except as otherwise contemplated hereby or under any other Credit Document and subject to the limitations set forth in the Collateral Coverage Minimum:

(a) each Security Document will, upon execution and delivery thereof, be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, legal, valid and enforceable Liens on, and security interests in, the Collateral described therein to the extent intended to be created thereby and (i) when financing statements and other filings in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified in the Collateral Agreement and (ii) upon the taking of possession or control by the Collateral Agent of such Collateral with respect to which a security interest may be perfected only by possession or control (which possession or control shall be given to the Collateral Agent to the extent possession or control by the Collateral Agent is required by the Collateral Agreement), the Liens created by the Security Documents shall constitute fully perfected Liens on, and security interests in (to the extent intended to be created thereby), all right, title and interest of the Grantors in such Collateral to the extent perfection can be obtained by filing financing statements, possession or control, in each case subject to no Liens other than Liens permitted under this Agreement; and

(b) upon recording thereof in the appropriate recording office, each Mortgage is effective to create, in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Secured Parties, legal, valid and enforceable perfected Liens on, and security interest in, all of the Credit Parties’ right, title and interest in and to the Mortgaged Properties thereunder and the proceeds thereof, subject only to Liens permitted under this Agreement, and when such Mortgage is filed in the appropriate office, such Mortgage shall constitute fully perfected Liens on, and security interests in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Mortgaged Properties and the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to any other person, other than Liens permitted under this Agreement.

ARTICLE 9

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that on the Effective Date and thereafter, until the Total Commitment and each Letter of Credit have terminated (unless such Letters of Credit have been collateralized on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to each applicable Issuing Bank following the termination of the Total Commitment) and the Loans, the Swingline Loans and Unpaid Drawings, together with interest, fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder (other than Hedging Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements, Cash Management Obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements or contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable), are paid in full:

 

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Section 9.1 Information Covenants . The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly make such information available to the Lenders in accordance with its customary practice):

(a) Annual Financial Statements . Within the earlier of (i) one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each such fiscal year and (ii) five (5) days after the date on which such financial statements are required to be filed with the SEC (after giving effect to any permitted extensions), the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and, if different, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows and a customary “management’s discussion and analysis” section for such fiscal year setting forth comparative consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal years (or, in lieu of such audited financial statements of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, a reconciliation, reflecting such financial information for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on the other hand, reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements) prepared in accordance with GAAP, and, except with respect to such reconciliation, certified by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing whose opinion shall not be materially qualified with a scope of audit or “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from, (x) the occurrence of an impending maturity date of any Indebtedness, (y) any actual or potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant, including the Financial Performance Covenants or (z) the activities, operations, financial results, assets or liabilities of any Unrestricted Subsidiary). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in this Section  9.1(a) may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of any Parent Entity of the Borrower or (B) the Borrower’s (or any Parent Entity thereof), as applicable, filing of a Form 10-K with the SEC; provided that, with respect to each of clauses (A)  and (B) , (i) to the extent such information relates to a Parent Entity of the Borrower, if and for so long as such Parent Entity has Independent Assets and Operations, such information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such Parent Entity and its consolidated Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries and the Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand and (ii) to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under the first sentence of this Section  9.1(a) , such materials are accompanied by an opinion of an independent registered public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which opinion shall not be materially qualified with a scope of audit or “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from, (x) the occurrence of an impending maturity date of any Indebtedness, (y) any actual or potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant, including the Financial Performance Covenants or (z) the activities, operations, financial results, assets or liabilities of any Unrestricted Subsidiary).

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements . Within the earlier of (i) sixty (60) days after the end of each such fiscal quarter and (ii) five (5) days after the date on which such financial statements are required to be filed with the SEC (after giving effect to any permitted extensions) with respect to each of the first three (3) quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Borrower, the consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and, if different, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case as at the end of such quarterly period and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows and a customary “management’s discussion and analysis” section for such quarterly accounting period and for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the last day of such quarterly period, setting forth comparative consolidated figures for the related periods in the prior fiscal year or, in the case of such consolidated balance sheet, for the last day of the prior fiscal year (or, in lieu of such unaudited financial statements of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, a reconciliation reflecting such financial information for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and

 

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the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on the other hand, reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements), all of which shall be certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in this Section  9.1(b) may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of any Parent Entity of the Borrower or (B) the Borrower’s (or any Parent Entity thereof), as applicable, Form 10-Q filed with the SEC; provided that, with respect to each of clauses (A)  and (B) , to the extent such information relates to a Parent Entity of the Borrower, if and for so long as such Parent Entity has Independent Assets or Operations, such information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such Parent Entity and its consolidated Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries and the Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other.

(c) Officer’s Certificates . At the time of the delivery of the financial statements provided for in Section  9.1(a) and Section  9.1(b) , a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the effect that no Default or Event of Default exists or, if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof, which certificate shall set forth (i) the calculations required to establish whether the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries were in compliance with the applicable Financial Performance Covenants as at the end of such fiscal year or period, as the case may be, and (ii) a specification of any change in the identity of the Restricted Subsidiaries, Guarantors and Unrestricted Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year or period, as the case may be, from the Restricted Subsidiaries, Guarantors and Unrestricted Subsidiaries, respectively, provided to the Lenders on the Effective Date or the most recent fiscal year or period, as the case may be.

(d) Notice of Default; Litigation . Promptly after an Authorized Officer of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries obtains actual knowledge thereof, notice of (i) the occurrence of any continuing Default or Event of Default, which notice shall specify the nature thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto and (ii) any litigation or governmental proceeding pending against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to be determined adversely and, if so determined, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Environmental Matters . Promptly after obtaining actual knowledge of any one or more of the following environmental matters, unless such environmental matters would not, individually, or when aggregated with all other such matters, be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, notice of:

(i) any Environmental Claim brought, filed or threatened in writing against any Credit Party; and

(ii) the actual release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material on, at, under or from any facility owned or leased by a Credit Party in violation of Environmental Laws or as would reasonably be expected to result in liability under Environmental Laws or the conduct of any investigation, or any removal, remedial or other corrective action under Environmental Laws in response to the actual or alleged presence, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material on, at, under or from any facility owned or leased by a Credit Party.

All such notices shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the claim, investigation, removal or remedial action.

 

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(f) Other Information . With reasonable promptness, subject to the limitations set forth in the last sentences of Section  9.2(a) and Section  13.6 , such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and the financial condition of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request in writing from time to time.

(g) Certificate of Authorized Officer—Hedge Agreements . Concurrently with any delivery of each Reserve Report, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, setting forth as of the last Business Day of the most recently ended fiscal year or period, as applicable, a true and complete list of all material commodity Hedge Agreements of the Borrower and each Credit Party, the material terms thereof (in respect of the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark-to-market value thereof (as of the last Business Day of such fiscal year or period, as applicable and for which a mark-to-market value is reasonably available), any new credit support agreements relating thereto not listed on Schedule 8.19 or on any previously delivered certificate delivered pursuant to this clause (g) , any margin required or supplied under any credit support document and the counterparty to each such agreement; provided that such certificate shall be required solely to the extent the foregoing certification is not otherwise included in the applicable Reserve Report Certificate delivered in connection with such Reserve Report.

(h) Certificate of Authorized Officer—Gas Imbalances . Concurrently with any delivery of each Reserve Report, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, certifying that as of the last Business Day of the most recently ended fiscal year or period, as applicable, except as specified in such certificate, on a net basis, there are no gas imbalances, ship or pay obligations or other prepayment obligations exceeding 2.5 Bcfe of Hydrocarbon volumes (stated on a gas equivalent basis) in the aggregate, with respect to the Credit Parties’ Oil and Gas Properties that would require any Credit Party to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from their Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor; provided that such certificate shall be required solely to the extent the foregoing certification is not otherwise included in the applicable Reserve Report Certificate delivered in connection with such Reserve Report.

(i) Certificate of Authorized Officer—Production Report and Lease Operating Statement . Concurrently with any delivery of each Reserve Report in connection with a Scheduled Redetermination, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, setting forth, for each calendar month during the then current fiscal year to date, the volume of production of Hydrocarbons and sales attributable to production of Hydrocarbons (and the prices at which such sales were made and the revenues derived from such sales) for each such calendar month from the Borrowing Base Properties, and setting forth the related ad valorem, severance and production taxes and lease operating expenses attributable thereto for each such calendar month; provided that such certificate shall be required solely to the extent the foregoing certification is not otherwise included in the applicable Reserve Report Certificate delivered in connection with such Reserve Report.

(j) Lists of Purchasers . At the time of the delivery of the financial statements provided for in Section  9.1(a) , a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth a list of Persons purchasing Hydrocarbons from the Borrower or any other Credit Party which account for greater than 25% of the revenues resulting from the sale of all Hydrocarbons from the Borrower and such other Credit Parties during the fiscal year for which such financial statements relate.

(k) [Reserved] .

 

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(l) Certificate of Authorized Officer—Marketing Agreements . Concurrently with any delivery of each Reserve Report, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, setting forth as of the last Business Day of the most recently ended fiscal year or period, as applicable, a true and complete list of all material marketing agreements for the sale of production of the Credit Parties’ Hydrocarbons at a fixed non-index price (including calls on, or other parties rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (i) represent in respect of such agreements 2.5% or more of the Borrower’s average monthly production of Hydrocarbon volumes and (ii) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six (6) months from the last day of such fiscal year or period, as applicable and are not cancellable on sixty (60) days’ notice or less without penalty or detriment; provided that such certificate shall be required solely to the extent the foregoing certification is not otherwise included in the applicable Reserve Report Certificate delivered in connection with such Reserve Report.

(m) Accounts . At the time of the delivery of the financial statements provided for in Section  9.1(a) and Section  9.1(b) , a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth a list of Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodity Accounts that were opened during the fiscal quarter to which such financial statements relate maintained by or for the benefit of any Credit Party together with the deposit bank or securities intermediary for any such account, the account name, the account type, the account number and whether such account is an Excluded Account.

(n) Notice of the Hedge Agreement Termination . To the extent the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary terminates any commodity-price Hedge Agreement or enters into a new Hedge Agreement which has the effect of creating an off-setting position under any such Hedge Agreement since the Last Borrowing Base Hedge Reduction and the Borrowing Base Value of such terminated and/or offsetting positions (as reasonably determined by the Borrower) (after taking into account any other Hedge Agreement executed since the Last Borrowing Base Hedge Reduction, including those executed substantially concurrently with the taking of any such action) exceeds in the aggregate 5.0% of the then effective Borrowing Base, the Borrower will give the Lenders prompt written notice of such event.

It is understood that documents required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 9.1(a) through (e)  and (g) through (n)  may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 13.2 or (ii) on which such documents are transmitted by electronic mail to the Administrative Agent; provided that: (i) upon written request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents delivered pursuant to Sections 9.1(a) , 9.1(b) , 9.1(c) and 9.1(f) to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions ( i.e. , soft copies) of such documents. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Administrative Agent and maintaining its copies of such documents.

Section 9.2 Books, Records and Inspections .

(a) The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, permit officers and designated representatives of the Administrative Agent or officers and designated representatives of the Majority Lenders (as accompanied by the Administrative Agent), to visit and inspect any of the properties or assets of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in whomsoever’s possession to the extent that it is within such party’s control to permit such inspection (and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such inspection to be permitted to the extent that it is not within such party’s control to permit such inspection), and to examine the financial records of the Borrower and any such Restricted Subsidiary and discuss the affairs, finances, accounts and condition of the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary with its and their officers and independent accountants therefor, in each case of the foregoing upon reasonable

 

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advance notice to the Borrower, all at such reasonable times and intervals during normal business hours and to such reasonable extent as the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders may desire (and subject, in the case of any such meetings or advice from such independent accountants, to such accountants’ customary policies and procedures); provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default (i) only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Majority Lenders may exercise rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section  9.2 and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more than two (2) times during any calendar year absent a continuing Event of Default, and (ii) only one such visit per fiscal year shall be at the Borrower’s expense; provided , further , that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent (or any of its representatives or independent contractors) or any representative of the Majority Lenders may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice. The Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders shall give the Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with the Borrower’s independent public accountants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section  9.1(f) or this Section  9.2 , neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary will be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter (i) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their respective representatives or contractors) is prohibited by any Requirement of Law or any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

(b) The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain financial reports as may be required in accordance with GAAP.

Section 9.3 Maintenance of Insurance . The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, at all times maintain in full force and effect, pursuant to self-insurance arrangements or with insurance companies that the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Borrower) are financially sound and reputable at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance in at least such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance which the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of management of the Borrower) is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business) and against at least such risks (and with such risk retentions) as the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of management of the Borrower) is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business; and will furnish to the Administrative Agent, upon written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried. The Secured Parties shall be the additional insureds on any such liability insurance as their interests may appear and, if property insurance is obtained, the Collateral Agent shall be the loss payee under any such property insurance; provided that, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the Secured Parties will provide any proceeds of such property insurance to the Borrower.

Section 9.4 Payment of Taxes . The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy its obligations in respect of all Tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (i) the amount or validity thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP (or in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, the comparable accounting principles in the relevant jurisdiction) or (ii) the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 9.5 Consolidated Corporate Franchises . The Borrower will do, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, corporate rights and authority, except to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided , however , that the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate any transaction permitted under Section  10.3 , 10.4 or 10.5 .

 

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Section 9.6 Compliance with Statutes, Regulations, Etc . The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property, including all governmental approvals or authorizations required to conduct its business, and to maintain all such governmental approvals or authorizations in full force and effect, in each case except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 9.7 ERISA .

(a) Promptly after the Borrower knows or has reason to know of the occurrence of any of the following events that, individually or in the aggregate (including in the aggregate such events previously disclosed or exempt from disclosure hereunder, to the extent the liability therefor remains outstanding), would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer or any other senior officer of the Borrower setting forth details as to such occurrence and the action, if any, that the Borrower or such ERISA Affiliate is required or proposes to take, together with any notices (required, proposed or otherwise) given to or filed with or by the Borrower, such ERISA Affiliate, the PBGC, a Plan participant (other than notices relating to an individual participant’s benefits) or the Plan administrator with respect thereto: (i) that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or will incur (or has been notified in writing that it will incur) any liability (including any contingent or secondary liability) to or on account of a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code or (ii) that any ERISA Event or similar event has occurred with respect to a Plan or Foreign Plan.

(b) Promptly following any request therefor, the Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent copies of (i) any documents described in Section 101(k) of ERISA that the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (ii) any notices described in Section 101(l) of ERISA that the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; provided that if the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiaries shall promptly make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and shall provide copies of such documents and notices promptly after receipt thereof.

Section 9.8 Maintenance of Properties . The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, except in each case, where the failure to so comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (it being understood that this Section  9.8 shall not restrict any transaction otherwise permitted by Section  10.3 , 10.4 or 10.5 ):

(a) operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material properties to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable Contractual Requirements and all applicable Requirements of Law, including applicable proration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all applicable Requirements of Law of every other Governmental Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom;

(b) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and preserve, maintain and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its material Oil and Gas Properties and other material properties, including all equipment, machinery and facilities; and

 

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(c) to the extent a Credit Party is not the operator of any property, the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the operator to operate such property in accordance with customary industry practices.

Section 9.9 Transactions with Affiliates . The Borrower will conduct, and cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to conduct, all transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $20,000,000 with any of its Affiliates (other than the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) on terms that are substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary as it would obtain at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate, as determined by the board of directors or managers of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in good faith; provided that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:

(a) the consummation of the Transactions, including the payment of Transaction Expenses;

(b) the issuance of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof) to the management of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof) or any of its Subsidiaries or the Sponsor (or any Parent Entity thereof) or any of its Subsidiaries;

(c) equity issuances, repurchases, retirements, redemptions or other acquisitions or retirements of Equity Interests by the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof) permitted under Section  10.6 ;

(d) the payment of indemnities and reasonable expenses incurred by any Permitted Holder and its Affiliates in connection with management or monitoring or the provision of other services rendered to the Borrower (or any parent entity thereof) or any of its Subsidiaries;

(e) [reserved];

(f) loans, advances and other transactions between or among the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has invested (and which Subsidiary or joint venture would not be an Affiliate of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, but for the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s ownership of Equity Interests in such joint venture or such Subsidiary) to the extent permitted under Article 10 ;

(g) employment and severance arrangements and health, disability and similar insurance or benefit plans between the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof) and the Subsidiaries and their respective future, current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants (including management and employee benefit plans or agreements, subscription agreements or similar agreements pertaining to the repurchase of Equity Interests pursuant to put/call rights or similar rights with future, current or former employees, officers, directors or consultants and equity option or incentive plans and other compensation arrangements) in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise approved by the board of directors or managers of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof);

(h) transactions pursuant to and any amounts payable under any Transaction Agreement;

 

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(i) transactions pursuant to agreements in existence on the Effective Date set forth on Schedule 9.9 or any amendment thereto or arrangement similar thereto to the extent such an amendment or arrangement is not adverse, taken as a whole, to the Lenders in any material respect (as determined by the Borrower in good faith);

(j) Restricted Payments, redemptions, repurchases and other actions permitted under Section  10.6 ;

(k) payments (including reimbursement of fees and expenses) by the Borrower and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Permitted Holder made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities (including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, whether or not consummated), which payments are approved by the majority of the members of the board of directors or managers or a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors or managers of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof), in good faith;

(l) any issuance of Equity Interests or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities, Equity Interests or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, equity options and equity ownership plans approved by the board of directors or board of managers of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof);

(m) transactions with joint ventures for the purchase or sale of Hydrocarbons, goods, equipment and services entered into in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with prudent business practice followed by companies in the industry of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(n) sales or conveyances of net profits interests for cash at Fair Market Value allowed under Section  10.4 ;

(o) the issuance, sale or transfer of Equity Interests of the Borrower to Holdings in connection with capital contributions by Holdings to the Borrower;

(p) any transaction in respect of which the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter addressed to the board of directors or managers of the Borrower from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm, in each case of nationally-recognized standing that is in the good faith determination of the Borrower qualified to render such letter, which letter states that such transaction is (i) fair, from a financial point of view, to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) on terms, taken as a whole, that are no less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a person that is not an Affiliate;

(q) transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower) for the purpose of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of the Borrower, Holdings and the Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Agreement;

(r) customary agreements and arrangements with oil and gas royalty trusts and master limited partnership agreements that comply with the affiliate transaction provisions of such royalty trust or master limited partnership agreement;

(s) payments and distributions by Holdings (and any Parent Entity thereof) and the Subsidiaries to the extent such payments are permitted under Sections 10.6(f)(i) and (v) ;

(t) Transactions undertaken pursuant to membership in a purchasing consortium;

 

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(u) the payment of customary fees and reasonable out-of-pocket costs to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, future, current or former directors, officers, employees and consultants of Holdings, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity;

(v) Investments permitted under Section  10.5 (other than Sections 10.5(l) , (n) , (x) and (z)  thereof);

(w) (i) investments by the Permitted Holders in securities of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Permitted Holders in connection therewith) so long as (A) the investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (B) the investment constitutes less than 15% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities ( provided , that any investments in debt securities by any Debt Fund Affiliates shall not be subject to the limitation in this clause (B) ), and (ii) payments to the Permitted Holders in respect of securities of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries contemplated in the foregoing subclause (i)  or that were acquired from Persons other than the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, in accordance with the terms of such securities;

(x) the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to registration rights and indemnities provided to shareholders of Holdings or any Parent Entity pursuant to the stockholders agreement or the registration rights agreement entered into on or after the Effective Date in connection therewith or similar equity holders’ agreements or limited liability company agreements;

(y) transactions with customers, clients, joint venture partners, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement that are fair to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Borrower, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

(z) transactions permitted by Section  10.3 solely for the purpose of (a) forming a holding company or (b) reincorporating in a new jurisdiction;

(aa) transactions between the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person that is an Affiliate solely because a director of such Person is also a director of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower; provided , however , that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Borrower or such direct or indirect parent, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

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

(cc) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to officers, directors, employees or consultants which are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in good faith;

(dd) payments to or from, and transactions with, any joint venture or Unrestricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norms (including, without limitation, any cash management activities related thereto);

(ee) any lease entered into between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, as lessee and any Affiliate of the Borrower, as lessor, which is approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors in good faith or, any lease entered into between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, as lessee, and any Affiliate of the Borrower, as lessor, in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(ff) pledges to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries; and

(gg) the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business.

Section 9.10 End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters . The Borrower will, for financial reporting purposes, cause each of its, and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries’, fiscal years and fiscal quarters to end on dates consistent with past practice; provided , however , that the Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent change the financial reporting convention specified above to any other financial reporting convention reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary in order to reflect such change in financial reporting.

Section 9.11 Additional Guarantors, Grantors and Collateral .

(a) Subject to any applicable limitations set forth in the Guarantee or the Security Documents, the Borrower will cause (i) any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) formed or otherwise purchased or acquired after the Effective Date (including pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition) and (ii) any Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, in each case within forty-five (45) days from the date of such formation, acquisition or cessation, as applicable (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) to execute (A) a supplement to the Guarantee, substantially in the form of Exhibit I thereto, in order to become a Guarantor, (B) a supplement to the Collateral Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit I thereto, in order to become a grantor and a pledgor thereunder, and (C) a joinder to the Intercompany Note.

(b) Subject to any applicable limitations set forth in the Collateral Agreement, the Borrower will pledge, and, if applicable, will cause each Subsidiary Guarantor (or Person required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section  9.11(a) ) to pledge, to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, (i) all of the Equity Interests (other than any Excluded Equity Interests) of each Subsidiary directly owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor (or Person required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section  9.11(a) ), in each case, formed or otherwise purchased or acquired after the Effective Date, pursuant to supplements to the Collateral Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit I thereto and (ii) except with respect to intercompany Indebtedness, all evidences of Indebtedness for borrowed money in a principal amount in excess of $10,000,000 (individually) that is owing to the Borrower or any Guarantor (or Person required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section  9.11(a) ) (which shall be evidenced by a promissory note), in each case pursuant to supplements to the Collateral Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit I thereto.

(c) The Borrower agrees that all Indebtedness of the Borrower and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is owing to any Credit Party (or a Person required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section  9.11(a) ) shall be evidenced by the Intercompany Note, which promissory note shall be required to be pledged to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Collateral Agreement.

 

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(d) In connection with each redetermination (but not any adjustment) of the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall review the applicable Reserve Report, if any, and the list of current Mortgaged Properties (as described in Section  9.14(c) ), to ascertain whether the PV-9 of the Mortgaged Properties (calculated at the time of redetermination) meets the Collateral Coverage Minimum after giving effect to exploration and production activities, acquisitions, Dispositions and production. In the event that the PV-9 of the Mortgaged Properties (calculated at the time of redetermination) does not meet the Collateral Coverage Minimum, then the Borrower shall, and shall cause the Credit Parties to, grant, within seventy-five (75) days of delivery of the certificate required under Section  9.14(c) (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), to the Collateral Agent as security for the Obligations a Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section  10.2 ) on additional Oil and Gas Properties not already subject to a Lien of the Security Documents such that, after giving effect thereto, the PV-9 of the Mortgaged Properties (calculated at the time of redetermination) meets the Collateral Coverage Minimum. All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents, including, if applicable, any additional Mortgages. In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Restricted Subsidiary places a Lien on its property and such Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with the provisions of Sections 9.11(a) , (b) and (c) .

Section 9.12 Use of Proceeds .

(a) The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Effective Date Loans, together with the net proceeds of the Contributed Amount and proceeds of the Senior Unsecured Notes, on the Effective Date to consummate the Transactions, including the Acquisition and the Ironwood Acquisition, the payments of Transaction Expenses, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Following the Effective Date, the Borrower will use the proceeds of Loans and any Letters of Credit for the acquisition, development and exploration of Oil and Gas Properties, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, for Permitted Acquisitions and any other transaction expressly permitted hereunder).

(b) On the Effective Date, Letters of Credit may be issued to backstop or replace existing letters of credit of the Acquired Business and its Affiliates and for general corporate purposes. Following the Effective Date, the Borrower will use Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit for general corporate purposes and in the case of Letters of Credit, to support deposits required under purchase agreements pursuant to which the Borrower or one or more Subsidiaries may acquire Oil and Gas Properties.

Section 9.13 Further Assurances .

(a) Subject to the applicable limitations set forth in the Security Documents, the Borrower will, and will cause each other Credit Party to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, assignments of as-extracted collateral arising from the Borrowing Base Properties, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents) that the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and priority of the security interests created or intended to be created by the applicable Security Documents, all at the expense of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) [Reserved].

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Collateral Agent and the Borrower reasonably determine in writing that the cost of creating or perfecting any Lien on any property is excessive in relation to the benefits afforded to the Lenders thereby, then such property may be excluded from the Collateral for all purposes of the Credit Documents. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, or any other Credit Document, (i) the Administrative

 

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Agent may grant extensions of time for or waivers of the requirements of the creation or perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title opinions or other title information, legal opinions, appraisals, flood insurance and surveys with respect to particular assets (including extensions beyond the Effective Date for the perfection of security interests in the assets of the Credit Parties on such date) where it reasonably determines, in consultation with the Borrower, that perfection or obtaining of such items is not required by law or cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required by this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, (ii) Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to this Agreement and the Security Documents shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents and, to the extent appropriate in any applicable jurisdiction, as otherwise agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and (iii) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may make such modifications to the Security Documents, and execute and/or consent to such easements, covenants, rights of way or similar instruments (and Administrative Agent may agree to subordinate the lien of any mortgage to any such easement, covenant, right of way or similar instrument or record or may agree to recognize any tenant pursuant to an agreement in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as are reasonable or necessary and otherwise permitted by this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section  9.13 or anything in this Agreement or any other Credit Document to the contrary: (A) Liens required to be granted from time to time shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Collateral Agreement and the other Credit Documents and, to the extent appropriate in any applicable jurisdictions, as agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower; (B) the Collateral shall not include any Excluded Assets; and (C) no actions in any jurisdiction outside of the United States or that are necessary to comply with any Requirement of Law of any jurisdiction outside of the United States shall be required in order to create any security interest in assets located, titled, registered or filed outside of the United States or to prefect such security interests (it being understood that there shall be no collateral agreements, security agreements, pledge agreements, or share charge (or mortgage) agreements governed under the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States); provided that nothing in this Section  9.13 or any other provision of the Credit Documents shall affect or impair the Borrower’s obligation to meet the Collateral Coverage Minimum.

Section 9.14 Reserve Reports .

(a) On or before March 1st and September 1st of each year ( provided that the Reserve Report with respect to the first Scheduled Redetermination following the Effective Date shall not be required to be delivered until October 1st), the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report evaluating, as of the immediately preceding December 31st and June 30th, respectively, the Proved Reserves of the Borrower and the Credit Parties located within the geographic boundaries of the United States and other applicable Oil and Gas Properties of the Credit Parties that the Borrower desires to have included in any calculation of the Borrowing Base. Each Reserve Report as of December 31 and June 30 shall be prepared, at the sole election of the Borrower, (x) by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers or (y) by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that Reserve Reports as of December 31 of each year that are prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall in each case be accompanied by an audit letter issued by the applicable Approved Petroleum Engineer that has audited at least 85% of the Proved Reserves attributable to the Borrowing Base Properties of the Credit Parties by value.

(b) In the event of an Interim Redetermination, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers or prepared under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary. For any Interim Redetermination pursuant to Section  2.14(b) , the Borrower shall provide such Reserve Report with an “as of” date as required by the Administrative Agent, as soon as possible, but in any event no later than thirty (30) days, in the case of any Interim Redetermination requested by the Borrower or forty-five (45) days, in the case of any Interim Redetermination requested by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, following the receipt of such request.

 

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(c) With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report Certificate from an Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying that in all material respects:

(i) in the case of Reserve Reports prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than December 31 Reserve Reports), such Reserve Report has been prepared, except as otherwise specified therein, in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding December 31 Reserve Report or the Initial Reserve Report, if no December 31 Reserve Report has been delivered;

(ii) the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct in all material respects (it being understood that projections concerning volumes and production and cost estimates contained in each Reserve Report are necessarily based upon opinions, estimates and projections and that neither the Borrower nor such Authorized Officer warrants that such opinions, estimates and projections will ultimately prove to have been accurate);

(iii) assuming that all applicable Governmental Authorities have granted approvals, made recordations and taken such other actions as are necessary in connection with the Transactions and any assignments made in connection therewith, except as set forth in an exhibit to such certificate, to the best of its knowledge, the Borrower or another Credit Party has good and defensible title to the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report (other than those (x) Disposed of in compliance with Section  10.4 since delivery of such Reserve Report, (y) leases that have expired in accordance with their terms and (z) with title defects disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent) and such Borrowing Base Properties are free of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section  10.2 ;

(iv) except as set forth on an exhibit to such certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section  8.17 with respect to the Credit Parties’ Oil and Gas Property evaluated in such Reserve Report that would require the Borrower or any other Credit Party to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor;

(v) none of the Borrowing Base Properties have been Disposed of since the date of the last Borrowing Base determination except those Borrowing Base Properties listed on such certificate as having been Disposed of; and

(vi) the certificate shall also attach, as schedules thereto, a list of (1) all material marketing agreements (which are not cancellable on sixty (60) days’ notice or less without penalty or detriment) entered into subsequent to the later of the Effective Date and the most recently delivered Reserve Report for the sale of production of the Credit Parties’ Hydrocarbons at a fixed non-index price (including calls on, or other parties rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that represent in respect of such agreements 2.5% or more of the Borrower’s average monthly production of Hydrocarbon volumes and that have a maturity date or expiry date of longer than six (6) months from the last day of such fiscal year or period, as applicable and (2) all Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that are Collateral and demonstrating that the PV-9 of the Collateral (calculated at the time of delivery of such Reserve Report) meets the Collateral Coverage Minimum.

 

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Section 9.15 Change in Business . The Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will not fundamentally and substantively alter the character of their business, taken as a whole, from the business conducted by them on the Effective Date, Industry Investments by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and other business activities incidental, reasonably related or ancillary to any of the foregoing and reasonable extensions thereof.

Section 9.16 Title Information .

(a) On or before the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of each Reserve Report required by Section  9.14(a) following the Effective Date, the Borrower will deliver, if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, title information consistent with usual and customary standards for the geographic regions in which the Borrowing Base Properties are located, taking into account the size, scope and number of leases and wells of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as is required to demonstrate satisfactory title on eighty-five percent (85%) of the PV-9 value of the Borrowing Base Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report.

(b) If, within thirty (30) days of the Administrative Agent’s request therefor in accordance with Section  9.16(a) (or such longer period as to which the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), the Borrower does not comply with the requirement to provide title information on eighty-five percent (85%) of the PV-9 value of the Borrowing Base Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report in accordance with Section  9.16(a) , such default shall not be a Default, but instead the Administrative Agent and/or the Required Lenders shall have the right (which may be exercised in their sole discretion from time to time, and any failure to so exercise such remedy at any time shall not be a waiver as to any future exercise of such remedy by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders) to send a written notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or the other Lenders (as applicable) that the affected Borrowing Base Property shall not count towards the 85.0% title requirement and shall be deemed not to have been included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and that the then outstanding Borrowing Base shall be reduced by an amount as determined by the Required Lenders to cause the Borrower to be in compliance with the requirement to provide title on eighty-five percent (85%) of the PV-9 value of the Borrowing Base Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report set forth in Section  9.16(a) . This new Borrowing Base shall become effective immediately after receipt of such notice.

Section 9.17 Holdings Covenant .

(a) Holdings covenants and agrees that on the Effective Date and thereafter, until the Total Commitment and each Letter of Credit have terminated (unless such Letters of Credit have been collateralized on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the relevant Issuing Banks following the termination of the Total Commitment) and the Loans, the Swingline Loans and Unpaid Drawings, together with interest, fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder (other than Hedging Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements, Cash Management Obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements or contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable), are paid in full, unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, Holdings will not engage at any time in any business operating activity other than the following activities which shall not constitute the operation of a business and shall in all cases be permitted to the extent not otherwise restricted under the terms of this Agreement: (i) the ownership of the Equity Interests in the Borrower, (ii) the entry into and performance of its obligations under and in connection with the Credit Documents, the Senior Unsecured Notes, the consummation of the Transactions and the Guarantee and performance of Indebtedness not prohibited by Section  10.1 , (iii) financing activities, including the incurrence and performance of Indebtedness (provided that neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall Guarantee any such Indebtedness), the issuance of securities, the payment of dividends and distribution (including any Tax distributions not prohibited under

 

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this Agreement) and making contributions to the capital of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, (iv) issuing, selling and redeeming its Equity Interests, (v) filing tax reports, paying taxes and performing other customary obligations related thereto (including contesting taxes), (vi) holding directors’ and shareholders’ meetings, preparing corporate and similar records and other activities required to maintain its corporate or other legal structure (including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance and to perform activities relating to its and any of its Parent Entities’ officers, directors, managers and employees) or to comply with applicable laws or to participate in tax, accounting or other administrative matters as a member of the consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group of the Credit Parties, including compliance with applicable law and legal, tax and accounting matters related thereto, (vii) preparing reports to, and preparing and making notices to and filings with, Governmental Authorities and to its holders of Equity Interests, (viii) receiving, and holding proceeds of, Restricted Payments from the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and distributing the proceeds thereof to the extent not prohibited by Section  9.9 or Section  10.6 , (ix) holding any cash and Permitted Investments, (x) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by or scheduled in the Transaction Agreements, (xi) the performance of obligations under and compliance with its organizational documents, any demands or requests from or requirements of a Governmental Authority or any applicable Law, ordinance, regulation, rule, order, judgment, decree or permit, including as a result of or in connection with the activities of its Subsidiaries, (xii) activities in connection with the formation and maintenance of the existence of any Parent Entity (it being understood that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any Credit Document, there shall be no restriction on the formation of any Parent Entity), (xiii) providing indemnification to officers and directors, (xiv) activities permitted hereunder or as otherwise required by Requirements of Law and (xv) the entry into and performance of obligations with respect to contracts and other arrangements in connection with, and activities incidental to, the business or activities described in each foregoing clause of this Section  9.17 or customary for passive holding companies.

(b) Holdings will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any Equity Interests of the Borrower, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than nonconsensual Liens of a type permitted by Section  10.2 or Liens of a type permitted by Section  10.2(a) , (e) (solely to the extent relating to Liens incurred under clause (a) ) or (u) (solely to the extent relating to Indebtedness permitted by Section  10.1(p) ) and (z) .

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Holdings may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person; provided that (i) Holdings shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (ii) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is not Holdings or is a Person into which Holdings has been liquidated (any such Person, the “ Successor Holdings ”), (A) the Successor Holdings shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, (B) the Successor Holdings shall expressly assume all the obligations of Holdings under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which Holdings is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (C) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger or consolidation and such supplement to this Agreement or any Security Document comply with this Agreement and (D) the Administrative Agent shall have received at least five (5) days prior to the date of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation all documentation and other information about Successor Holdings required under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act that has been requested by the Administrative Agent; provided , further , that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Holdings will succeed to, and be substituted for, Holdings under this Agreement.

 

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Section 9.18 Accounts . The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of the other Credit Parties to, in respect of any Deposit Account or Securities Account (in each case, other than any Excluded Account) of the Borrower or such Credit Party (a) in existence on the Effective Date, deliver to the Administrative Agent duly executed Account Control Agreement on the Control Agreement Delivery Date in accordance with Section  9.19 and (b) established after the Effective Date, deliver to the Administrative Agent duly executed Account Control Agreement no later than the 90th day after the date on which such Deposit Account or Securities Account is established (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree).

Section 9.19 Post-Closing Items .

(a) Notwithstanding the requirements set forth in Section  9.18 , with respect to each Deposit Account and Securities Account of the Credit Parties (other than, in each case, Excluded Accounts) in existence on the Effective Date, the Borrower and each other Credit Party, as applicable, shall, no later than the 90th day after the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) (such date, the “ Control Agreement Delivery Date ”), deliver to the Administrative Agent duly executed Account Control Agreements on all such Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts (in each case, other than any Excluded Accounts).

(b) (i) The Credit Parties shall have entered into mortgages encumbering no less than 50% of the PV-9 value of the Credit Parties total Proved Reserves by the date that is ninety (90) days following the Effective Date (as such date may be extended with the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied or conditioned).

(a) (ii) The Credit Parties shall have entered into mortgages encumbering no less than 85% of the PV-9 value of the Credit Parties total Proved Reserves by the date that is one hundred twenty (120) days following the Effective Date (as such date may be extended with the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied or conditioned).

ARTICLE 10

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that on the Effective Date and thereafter, until the Total Commitment and each Letter of Credit have terminated (unless such Letters of Credit have been collateralized on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the relevant Issuing Banks following the termination of the Total Commitment) and the Loans, the Swingline Loans and Unpaid Drawings, together with interest, fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder (other than Hedging Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements, Cash Management Obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements or contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable), are paid in full:

Section 10.1 Limitation on Indebtedness . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness other than the following:

(a) Indebtedness arising under the Credit Documents (including pursuant to Sections 2.16 and 2.17 and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness);

(b) [reserved];

(c) unsecured Indebtedness (including Guarantee Obligations thereunder) in respect of any the Senior Unsecured Notes (and any fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing) and any unsecured Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

 

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(d) Indebtedness of (i) the Borrower or any Guarantor owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing by a Credit Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor shall (x) be evidenced by the Intercompany Note or (y) otherwise be outstanding on the Effective Date so long as such Indebtedness is evidenced by an Intercompany Note or otherwise subject to subordination terms substantially identical to the subordination terms set forth in the Intercompany Note, in each case, to the extent permitted by Requirements of Law and not giving rise to material adverse tax consequences, (ii) any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor owing to any other Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor and (iii) to the extent permitted by Section  10.5 , any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor owing to the Borrower or any Guarantor;

(e) Indebtedness in respect of any bankers’ acceptance, bank guarantees, letter of credit, warehouse receipt or similar facilities entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice (including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims);

(f) subject to compliance with Section  10.5 , Guarantee Obligations incurred by (i) Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Borrower or other Restricted Subsidiaries that is permitted to be incurred under this Agreement (except that a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party may not, by virtue of this Section  10.1(f) , guarantee Indebtedness that such Restricted Subsidiary could not otherwise incur under this Section  10.1 ) and (ii) the Borrower in respect of Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that is permitted to be incurred under this Agreement; provided that (A) if the Indebtedness being guaranteed under this Section  10.1(f) is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee Obligations shall be subordinated to the Guarantee of the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness and (B) no guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Permitted Additional Debt (or Indebtedness under clause (c)  above) shall be permitted unless such Restricted Subsidiary shall have also provided a guarantee of the Obligations substantially on the terms set forth in the Guarantee;

(g) Guarantee Obligations (i) incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of (or to) suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors, licensees or sublicensees or (ii) otherwise constituting Investments permitted by Sections 10.5(d) , (g) , (i) , (j) , (k) , (r) , (s) , (t) and (u) ;

(h) (i) Indebtedness (including Indebtedness arising under Capital Leases) incurred prior to or within three hundred sixty-five (365) days following the acquisition, construction, lease, repair, replacement, expansion or improvement of assets (real or personal, and whether through the direct purchase of property or the Equity Interests of a Person owning such property) to finance the acquisition, construction, lease, repair, replacement expansion, or improvement of such assets; (ii) Indebtedness arising under Capital Leases, other than (A) Capital Leases in effect on the Effective Date and (B) Capital Leases entered into pursuant to subclause (i)  above ( provided that, in the case of each of the foregoing subclauses (i)  and (ii) , the Borrower shall be in Compliance with the Leverage Ratio Covenant on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness (and the use of proceeds thereof); and (iii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance any such Indebtedness;

(i) Indebtedness outstanding on the Effective Date ( provided that any Indebtedness that is in excess of $1,000,000 individually shall only be permitted under this clause (i)  to the extent such Indebtedness is set forth on Schedule 10.1 ) and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

(j) Indebtedness in respect of Hedge Agreements, subject to the limitations set forth in Section  10.10 ;

 

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(k) (i) Indebtedness of a Person or Indebtedness attaching to the assets of a Person that, in either case, becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or is a Restricted Subsidiary that survives a merger with such Person or any of its Subsidiaries) or Indebtedness attaching to the assets that are acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, after the Effective Date as the result of a Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted under Section  10.5 ; provided that:

(A) such Indebtedness existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time such assets were acquired and, in each case, was not created in anticipation thereof,

(B) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed in any respect by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any such Person that so becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is the survivor of a merger with such Person or any of its Subsidiaries),

(C) (1) the Equity Interests of such Person are pledged to the Collateral Agent to the extent required under Section  9.11(b) and (2) such Person executes a supplement to each of the Guarantee and the Collateral Agreement and a joinder to the Intercompany Note, in each case to the extent required under Section  9.11 ; provided that the assets covered by such pledges and security interests may, at the option of the Borrower, to the extent permitted by Section  10.2 , equally and ratably secure such Indebtedness assumed with the Secured Parties subject to a Customary Intercreditor Agreement; provided , further , that the requirements of this clause (C)  shall not apply to any Indebtedness of the type that could have been incurred under Section  10.1(h) , and

(D) immediately after giving effect to the assumption of any such Indebtedness, such acquisition and any related transactions, the Borrower shall be in compliance with the Leverage Ratio Covenant on a Pro Forma Basis; and

(ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

(l) (i) Indebtedness incurred to finance a Permitted Acquisition or other Investment; provided that:

(A) (1) the Equity Interests of such Person acquired in such Permitted Acquisition or other Investment, if any, is pledged to the Collateral Agent to the extent required under Section  9.11(b) and (2) such Person executes supplements to each of the Guarantee and the Collateral Agreement and a joinder to the Intercompany Note, in each case to the extent required under Section  9.11 ;

(B) immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness, such acquisition and any related transactions, the Borrower shall be in compliance with the Leverage Ratio Covenant on a Pro Forma Basis;

(C) the maturity of such Indebtedness is not earlier than, and no mandatory repayment or redemption is required prior to, ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date of the Loans (determined at the time of issuance or incurrence) (other than customary change of control or asset sale offers or upon any event of default or Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a customary “bridge” facility); and

 

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(D) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed in any respect by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor except to the extent such guarantee is permitted under Section  10.5 ; and

(ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

(m) (i) Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary or a Domestic Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness; provided , that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding at any time pursuant to this Section  10.1(m) shall not at the time of incurrence thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, exceed the greater of (A) $100,000,000, and (B) 6.0% of Consolidated Total Assets (subject to Section  1.12(h) with respect to any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section  10.1(m)(ii) , measured as of the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness based upon the financial statements most recently available prior to such date) except, in the case of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section  10.1(m)(ii) , to the extent permitted pursuant to the definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided further , that no Credit Party’s assets are used to secure any such Indebtedness and no Credit Party guarantees such Indebtedness;

(n) Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and completion guarantees and similar obligations not in connection with money borrowed, and obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guaranties or instruments related thereto, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice;

(o) (i) other additional Indebtedness and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding at any time pursuant to this Section  10.1(o) shall not at the time of incurrence thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto and the use of proceeds thereof on a Pro Forma Basis, exceed the greater of $150,000,000 and 7.5% of Consolidated Total Assets (subject to Section  1.12(h) with respect to any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section  10.1(o)(ii) , measured as of the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness based upon the financial statements most recently available prior to such date) except, in the case of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section  10.1(o)(ii) , to the extent permitted pursuant to the definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(p) (i) Indebtedness in respect of Permitted Additional Debt; provided that (x) immediately after giving effect to the incurrence or issuance thereof and the use of proceeds therefrom, the Borrower shall be in compliance with the Leverage Ratio Covenant on a Pro Forma Basis and (y) the Borrowing Base shall be adjusted to the extent required by Section  2.14(e) and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

(q) Cash Management Obligations, Cash Management Services and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, automatic clearing house arrangements, employees’ credit or purchase cards, overdraft protections and similar arrangements in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(r) Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services;

 

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(s) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations (including earn-outs), in each case, whether payable with cash and/or Equity Interests, assumed or entered into in connection with the Transactions (including, without limitation, any amounts payable under the Acquisition Agreements and the MIPA), any Permitted Acquisitions, other Investments permitted by Section  10.5 and the Disposition of any business, assets or Equity Interests not prohibited hereunder;

(t) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (i) obligations to pay insurance premiums or (ii) obligations contained in firm transportation or supply agreements or other take or pay contracts, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business;

(u) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees, consultants or independent contractors of the Borrower or, to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries any direct or indirect parent thereof (it being understood that 100% of such compensation shall be deemed attributable to the ownership and operation of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at all times when Holdings owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower)) and the Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(v) Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by the Borrower or any Guarantor to current or former officers, managers, consultants, directors and employees (or their respective spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legatees or distributees) to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) permitted by Section  10.6 ;

(w) Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred by such Person in connection with the Transactions, Permitted Acquisitions or any other Investment permitted hereunder;

(x) Indebtedness associated with bonds or surety obligations required by Requirements of Law or by Governmental Authorities in connection with the operation of Oil and Gas Properties in the ordinary course of business;

(y) Indebtedness consisting of the undischarged balance of any Volumetric Production Payment, subject to adjustment of the Borrowing Base as set forth in Section  2.14(g) to the extent required under Section  10.4(b) ;

(z) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the Cash Management Services (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(aa) (i) Indebtedness incurred on behalf of, or Guarantee Obligations in respect of the Indebtedness of, joint ventures (regardless of the form of legal entity) that are not Subsidiaries and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness, in principal amount, when aggregated with the outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Section  10.1(aa) , not to exceed, at the time of incurrence thereof, the greater of $50,000,000 and 3.0% of Consolidated Total Assets (subject to Section  1.12(h) with respect to any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section  10.1(aa)(ii) , measured as of the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness based on the financial statements most recently available prior to such date) except, in the case of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section  10.1(aa)(ii) , to the extent permitted pursuant to the definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

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(bb) (i) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 100% of the net cash proceeds received by the Borrower after the Effective Date from the issuance and sale of its Equity Interests or in connection with the contribution of cash to the capital of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock, Cure Amounts and amounts that serve to increase the Applicable Equity Amount); provided that (A) such Indebtedness is incurred within one hundred eighty (180) days after such contribution to the Borrower is made and (B) such Indebtedness is designated as “Contribution Indebtedness” in a certificate from an Authorized Officer on the date incurred; provided further that such net cash proceeds shall not increase the Applicable Equity Amount and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any such Indebtedness; and

(cc) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges, and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a)  through (bb) above.

The accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness of the same class, accretion or amortization of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies, will, in each case, not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section  10.1 . The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, as applicable, being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing. The principal amount of any non-interest bearing Indebtedness or other discount security constituting Indebtedness at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Borrower dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Section 10.2 Limitation on Liens . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any property or assets of any kind (real or personal, tangible or intangible) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

(a) Liens arising under the Credit Documents to secure the Obligations (including Liens in respect of any Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit Application or Liens contemplated by Section  3.7 ) or permitted in respect of any Mortgaged Property by the terms of the applicable Mortgage;

(b) Permitted Liens;

(c) (x) Liens (including liens arising under Capital Leases to secure Capital Lease Obligations) securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section  10.1(h) ; provided that (i) such Liens attach concurrently with or within three hundred sixty-five (365) days after the acquisition, lease, repair, replacement, construction, expansion or improvement (as applicable) financed thereby, (ii) other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, such Liens do not at any time encumber any property, except for replacements thereof and accessions and additions to such property and the proceeds and the products thereof and customary security deposits and (iii) with respect to Capital Leases, such Liens do not at any time extend to or cover any assets (except for accessions and additions to such assets, replacements and products thereof and customary security deposits) other than the assets subject to, or acquired, constructed, repaired, replaced or improved with the proceeds of, such Indebtedness; provided that in each case individual financings provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings provided by such lender (and its Affiliates) and (y) Liens on the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is permitted pursuant to Section  10.1 ;

 

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(d) Liens existing on the Effective Date; provided that any Lien securing Indebtedness in excess of $5,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate (when taken together with all other Liens securing obligations outstanding in reliance on this clause (d)  that are not listed on Schedule 10.2(d) ) shall only be permitted to the extent such Lien is listed on Schedule 10.2(d) ;

(e) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by this Section  10.2 ; provided , however , that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same type of property that secured the original Indebtedness ( plus improvements on and accessions to such property and products and proceeds thereof) (or upon or in after-acquired property (i) that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien or (ii) if the terms of such Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after acquired property), (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the applicable Indebtedness at the time the original Lien became a Lien permitted hereunder, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement and (z) on the date of the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens, the grantors of any such Liens shall not be any different than the grantors of the Liens securing the debt being refinanced, refunded, extended, renewed or replaced;

(f) Liens existing on the assets of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary, or existing on assets acquired, pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted by Section  10.5 ; provided that (1) if the Liens on such assets secure Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is permitted under Section  10.1 and (2) such Liens attach at all times only to the same assets that such Liens (or upon or in after-acquired property that is (i) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (ii) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing Indebtedness permitted under Section  10.1 , the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (iii) the proceeds and products thereof) attached to, and to the extent such Liens secure Indebtedness, secure only the same Indebtedness (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness) that such Liens secured, immediately prior to such Permitted Acquisition or other Investment;

(g) Liens on the Equity Interests of any Person and the assets of such Person, in each case, that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted by Section  10.5 , or the assets of such a Restricted Subsidiary or its Subsidiaries, in each case, to secure Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section  10.1(l) ; provided that such Liens attach at all times only to the Equity Interests or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries;

(h) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations (i) of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of a Credit Party and (ii) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party in favor of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party;

(i) Liens (i) of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-210 of the UCC on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of setoff) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry or arising pursuant to such banking institution’s general terms and conditions;

 

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(j) Liens (i) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Section  10.5 to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment and (ii) consisting of an agreement to Dispose of any property in a transaction permitted under Section  10.4 , in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(k) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale or purchase of goods entered into by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business permitted by this Agreement;

(l) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section  10.5 ;

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

(n) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement;

(p) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(q) Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales, subject to adjustment of the Borrowing Base as set forth in Section  2.14(g) to the extent required under Section  10.4(b) ;

(r) the prior right of consignees and their lenders under consignment arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(s) agreements to subordinate any interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any accounts receivable or other proceeds arising from inventory consigned by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(t) [reserved];

(u) Liens securing any Indebtedness permitted by Sections 10.1(f) (solely and to the same extent that the Indebtedness guaranteed by such Guarantee Obligations is permitted to be subject to a Lien hereunder), (m) (as long as such Liens attach only to assets of Foreign Subsidiaries and Domestic Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors), (n) , (p) ( provided that, in the case of clause (p) , such Liens are Junior Liens on the Collateral and subject a Customary Intercreditor Agreement), (q) , (s) and (x) ;

 

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(v) Liens arising pursuant to Section 107(l) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9607(l), or other Environmental Law, unless such Lien (i) by action of the lienholder, or by operation of law, takes priority over any Liens arising under the Credit Documents on the property upon which it is a Lien, and (ii) such Lien materially impairs the use of the property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such property is held;

(w) Liens of not more than $25,000,000 on deposits securing Hedging Obligations in respect of Hedge Agreements that were not entered into for speculative purposes;

(x) Liens on Equity Interests in a joint venture securing obligations of such joint venture so long as the assets of such joint venture do not constitute Collateral;

(y) any amounts held by a trustee under any indenture or other debt agreement issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions; and

(z) (i) additional Liens on property not constituting Borrowing Base Properties and (ii) Junior Liens on Collateral so long as in the case of this clause (z)(ii) , the outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby, when aggregated with the outstanding principal amount of other obligations secured by Liens permitted under this clause (z)(ii) , at the time of the incurrence thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto and the use of proceeds thereof on a Pro Forma Basis, does not exceed the greater of $150,000,000 and 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets (measured as of the date on which such Lien or the Indebtedness secured is incurred based upon the financial statements most recently available prior to such date).

Section 10.3 Limitation on Fundamental Changes . Except as permitted by Section  10.4 or 10.5 , the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate any merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of, all or substantially all its business units, assets or other properties, except that:

(a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Person may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower; provided that (i) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or, in the case of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Borrower, the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation (if other than the Borrower) shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (the Borrower or such Person, as the case may be, being herein referred to as the “ Successor Borrower ”), (ii) the Successor Borrower (if other than the Borrower) shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (iii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the date of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or would result from such consummation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, (iv) such merger, amalgamation or consolidation does not adversely affect the Collateral in any material respect, (v) if such merger, amalgamation or consolidation involves the Borrower and a Person that, prior to the consummation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, is not a Subsidiary of the Borrower (A) the Successor Borrower shall be in compliance with the Financial Performance Covenant on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, (B) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or unless the Successor Borrower is the Borrower, shall have by a supplement to the Guarantee confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (C) each Subsidiary grantor and each Subsidiary pledgor, unless it is the other party to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or unless the Successor Borrower is the Borrower, shall have by a supplement to the Credit Documents confirmed that its

 

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obligations thereunder shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (D) if requested by the Administrative Agent, each mortgagor of a Mortgaged Property, unless it is the other party to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or unless the Successor Borrower is the Borrower, shall have by an amendment to or restatement of the applicable Mortgage confirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (E) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate stating that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation and any supplements to the Credit Documents preserve the enforceability of the Guarantee and the perfection and priority of the Liens under the Security Documents, (F) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, an opinion of counsel shall be required to be provided to the effect that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation does not violate this Agreement or any other Credit Document; provided , further , that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Borrower (if other than the Borrower) will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement and (G) such merger, amalgamation or consolidation shall comply with all the conditions set forth in the definition of the term “Permitted Acquisition” or is otherwise permitted under Section  10.5 ; and (vi) the Administrative Agent shall have received at least five (5) days prior to the date of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation all documentation and other information about such Subsidiary or other Person required under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act that has been requested by the Administrative Agent;

(b) any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Person may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into any one or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower; provided that (i) in the case of any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, (A) a Restricted Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) the Borrower shall take all steps necessary to cause the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation (if other than a Restricted Subsidiary) to become a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) in the case of any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving one or more Guarantors, unless otherwise permitted by Section  10.5 , a Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation (if other than a Guarantor) shall execute a supplement to the Guarantee, the Collateral Agreement and any applicable Mortgage, and a joinder to the Intercompany Note, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in order for the surviving Person to become a Guarantor, and pledgor, mortgagor and grantor of Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties and to acknowledge and agree to the terms of the Intercompany Note, (iii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or would result from the consummation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, (iv) if such merger, amalgamation or consolidation involves a Subsidiary and a Person that, prior to the consummation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, (A) the Borrower shall be in compliance with the Financial Performance Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, (B) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate stating that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation and such supplements to any Credit Document preserve the enforceability of the Guarantee and the perfection and priority of the Liens under the Collateral Agreement and (C) such merger, amalgamation or consolidation shall comply with all the conditions set forth in the definition of the term “Permitted Acquisition” or is otherwise permitted under Section  10.5 ; and (v) the Administrative Agent shall have received at least five (5) days prior to the date of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation all documentation and other information about such Subsidiary or other Person required under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act that has been requested by the Administrative Agent;

(c) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor may (i) merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) Dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower, a Guarantor or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower;

 

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(d) any Subsidiary Guarantor may (i) merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into the Borrower or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, (ii) merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Subsidiary which is not a Guarantor or Dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to any other Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor; provided that if such Subsidiary Guarantor is not the surviving entity, such merger, amalgamation or consolidation shall be deemed to be, and any such Disposition shall be, an “Investment” and subject to the limitations set forth in Section  10.5 and (iii) Dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or any other Guarantor;

(e) any Restricted Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if (i) the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders and (ii) to the extent such Restricted Subsidiary is a Credit Party, any assets or business of such Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise Disposed of or transferred in accordance with Section  10.4 or 10.5 , in the case of any such business, discontinued, shall be transferred to, or otherwise owned or conducted by, a Credit Party after giving effect to such liquidation or dissolution;

(f) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate the Transactions;

(g) the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate a merger, dissolution, liquidation, amalgamation, consolidation or Disposition, the purpose of which is to effect a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section  10.4 or an Investment permitted by Section  10.5 ; and

(h) any merger the sole purpose of which is to reincorporate or reorganize a Credit Party in another jurisdiction in the United States shall be permitted as long as such merger does not adversely affect the value of the Collateral in any material respect and the surviving entity assumes all Obligations of the applicable Credit Parties under the Credit Documents and delivers any applicable information requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act.

Section 10.4 Limitation on Sale of Assets . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, (x) convey, sell, lease, sell and leaseback, assign, transfer (including via a Farm-Out Agreement) or otherwise dispose (each of the foregoing a “ Disposition ”) of any of its property, business or assets (including receivables and leasehold interests), whether now owned or hereafter acquired or (y) sell to any Person (other than the Borrower or a Guarantor) any shares owned by it of any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests, except that:

(a) the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may Dispose of (i) inventory and other goods held for sale, including Hydrocarbons, obsolete, worn out, used or surplus equipment, vehicles and other assets (other than accounts receivable) in the ordinary course of business, (ii) Permitted Investments, and (iii) assets for the purposes of charitable contributions or similar gifts to the extent such assets are not material to the ability of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to conduct its business in the ordinary course;

(b) the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may Dispose of any Oil and Gas Properties or any interest therein or the Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary or of any Minority Investment owning Oil and Gas Properties (and including, but without limitation, Dispositions in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales and in connection with net profits interests, operating agreements, Farm-In Agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, joint exploration and development agreements and other agreements customary in the oil and gas industry for the purpose of developing such Oil and Gas

 

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Properties); provided that such Disposition is for Fair Market Value; provided , further , that if such Disposition of Oil and Gas Properties or of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary or Minority Investment owning Oil and Gas Properties involves Borrowing Base Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and the aggregate Borrowing Base Value of all such Borrowing Base Properties Disposed of since the later of (i) the last redetermination date and (ii) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base made pursuant to Section  2.14(g) exceeds 5.0% of the then-effective Borrowing Base, then no later than two (2) Business Days after the date of consummation of any such Disposition, the Borrower shall provide notice to the Administrative Agent of such Disposition and the Borrowing Base Properties so Disposed and the Borrowing Base shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of Section  2.14(g) ; provided , further , that to the extent that the Borrower is notified by the Administrative Agent that a Loan Limit Deficiency could result from an adjustment to the Borrowing Base resulting from such Disposition, after the consummation of such Disposition(s), the Borrower shall have received net cash proceeds, or shall have cash on hand, sufficient to eliminate any such potential Loan Limit Deficiency after giving effect to such Disposition;

(c) the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may Dispose of property or assets to the Borrower or to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is a Credit Party (i) the transferee thereof must either be a Credit Party or (ii) such transaction is permitted under Section  10.5 ;

(d) the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary may effect any transaction permitted by Section  10.2 , 10.3 , 10.5 (other than Section  10.5(x) ) or 10.6 ;

(e) the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may lease, sublease, license or sublicense (on a non-exclusive basis with respect to any intellectual property) real, personal or intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

(f) Dispositions (including like-kind exchanges) of property (other than Borrowing Base Properties) to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are applied to the purchase price of such replacement property, in each case under Section 1031 of the Code or otherwise;

(g) Dispositions of Hydrocarbon Interests to which no Proved Reserves are attributable and Farm-Out Agreements with respect to undeveloped acreage to which no Proved Reserves are attributable and assignments in connection with such Farm-Out Agreements;

(h) Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures (regardless of the form of legal entity) to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements to the extent the same would be permitted under Section  10.5(j) ;

(i) any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in connection with the consummation of the Transactions;

(j) transfers of property subject to a Casualty Event or in connection with any condemnation proceeding with respect to Collateral;

(k) Dispositions of accounts receivable in true sale transactions (i) in connection with the collection or compromise thereof or (ii) to the extent the proceeds thereof are used to prepay any Loans then outstanding;

 

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(l) the unwinding of any Hedge Agreement (subject to the terms of Section  2.14(f) );

(m) Dispositions of Oil and Gas Properties or any interest therein or the Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary or of any Minority Investment owning Oil and Gas Properties that are not Borrowing Base Properties and other assets not included in the Borrowing Base;

(n) any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or sale of Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or a Restricted Subsidiary which owns an Unrestricted Subsidiary, so long as such Restricted Subsidiary owns no assets other than the Equity Interests of such Unrestricted Subsidiary) for Fair Market Value;

(o) any swap of assets (other than Permitted Investments) in exchange for assets of the same type of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the management of the Borrower;

(p) (i) the abandonment or lapse of intellectual property that is not material to the operation of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) any Disposition of intellectual property licenses, which, in the aggregate, does not materially impair the operation of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(q) Disposition of any asset between or among the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries as a substantially concurrent interim Disposition in connection with a transaction permitted by Section  10.3 , or in connection with an Investment otherwise permitted pursuant to Section  10.5 or a Disposition otherwise permitted pursuant to clauses (a)  through (p) above.

To the extent any Collateral is Disposed of as expressly permitted by this Section  10.4 to any Person other than a Credit Party, such Collateral shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Credit Documents, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, upon the certification by the Borrower that such Disposition is permitted by this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to take any actions deemed appropriate in order to effect the foregoing.

Section 10.5 Limitation on Investments . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, to (i) purchase or acquire (including pursuant to any merger, consolidation or amalgamation with a person that is not a Wholly owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation) any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of any other Person, (ii) make any loans or advances to or guarantees of the Indebtedness of any other Person, or (iii) purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) (x) all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or (y) assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person (each, an “ Investment ”), except:

(a) extensions of trade credit and purchases of assets and services (including purchases of inventory, supplies and materials) in the ordinary course of business;

(b) Investments in assets that constituted Permitted Investments at the time such Investments were made;

(c) loans and advances to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes (including employee payroll advances), (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof; provided that, to the extent such loans and advances

 

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are made in cash, the amount of such loans and advances used to acquire such Equity Interests shall be contributed to the Borrower in cash) and (iii) for purposes not described in the foregoing subclauses (i)  and (ii); provided that the aggregate principal amount outstanding pursuant to subclause (iii)  shall not exceed $10,000,000;

(d) (i) Investments existing on, or made pursuant to legally binding written commitments in existence on, the Effective Date as set forth on Schedule 10.5(d) , (ii) Investments existing on the Effective Date of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in any other Subsidiary and (iii) any extensions, renewals or reinvestments thereof, so long as the amount of any Investment made pursuant to this clause (d)  is not increased at any time above the amount of such Investment set forth on Schedule 10.5(d) (other than (x) pursuant to an increase as required by the terms of any such Investment as in existence on the Effective Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Section  10.5 );

(e) any Investment acquired by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries: (i) in exchange for any other Investment, accounts receivable or endorsements for collection or deposit held by the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary in each case in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with or judgments against, the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable (including any trade creditor or customer), (ii) in satisfaction of judgments against other Persons, (iii) as a result of a foreclosure by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default or (iv) as a result of the settlement, compromise or resolution of litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

(f) Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made with Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings or a Parent Entity;

(g) Investments (i) by the Borrower in any Guarantor or by any Guarantor in the Borrower, and (ii) by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in Holdings, the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

(h) Investment by the Borrower or any Guarantor in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, provided that, such Investments (i) are made with Excluded Contribution Assets within thirty (30) days after the date such assets were designated as such or (ii) without duplication of the preceding clause (i)  and valued at the Fair Market Value (determined by the Borrower in good faith) of such Investment at the time each such Investment is made, do not exceed an aggregate amount outstanding pursuant to this Section  10.5(h)(ii) equal to the sum of (A) the net cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a Disposition of Excluded Contribution Assets, in each case, to the extent not otherwise applied in determining the permissibility of a transaction under the Credit Documents where such permissibility was or is (or may have been) contingent on receipt of such amount or utilization of such amount for a specified purpose, (B) the greater of (I) $75,000,000 and (II) 4.5% of Consolidated Total Assets (measured as of the date such Investment is made based upon the financial statements most recently available prior to such date), (C) the Applicable Equity Amount at such time and (D) to the extent not otherwise included in the determination of the Applicable Equity Amount, an amount equal to any repayments, interest, returns, profits, distributions, income and similar amounts actually received in cash in respect of any such Investment described in this Section  10.5(h) (which amount shall not exceed the amount of such Investment valued at the Fair Market Value of such Investment at the time such Investment was made) (it being understood that to the extent any Investment made pursuant to this Section  10.5(h) was made by using the Applicable Equity Amount, then the amounts referred to in clause (D)  shall, to the extent of the original usage of the Applicable Equity Amount, be deemed to reconstitute such amounts);

 

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(i) Investments constituting Permitted Acquisitions;

(j) Investments (including but not limited to (i) Minority Investments and Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries, (ii) Investments in joint ventures (regardless of the form of legal entity) or similar Persons that do not constitute Restricted Subsidiaries, (iii) Investments in Subsidiaries that are not Credit Parties and (iv) Investments in respect of royalty trusts and master limited partnerships), in each case valued at the Fair Market Value (determined by the Borrower acting in good faith) of such Investment at the time each such Investment is made; provided that, such Investments (i) are made with Excluded Contribution Assets within thirty (30) days after the date such assets were designated as such or (ii) without duplication of the preceding clause (i) , do not exceed an aggregate amount outstanding pursuant to this Section  10.5(j)(ii) equal to the sum of (A) the net cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a Disposition of Excluded Contribution Assets, in each case, to the extent not otherwise applied in determining the permissibility of a transaction under the Credit Documents where such permissibility was or is (or may have been) contingent on receipt of such amount or utilization of such amount for a specified purpose, (B) the greater of (I) $25,000,000 and (II) 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets (measured as of the date such Investment is made based upon the financial statements most recently available prior to such date), (C) the Applicable Equity Amount at such time, and (D) to the extent not otherwise included in the determination of the Applicable Equity Amount, an amount equal to any repayments, interest, returns, profits, distributions, income and similar amounts actually received in cash in respect of any such Investment described in this Section  10.5(j) (which amount shall not exceed the amount of such Investment valued at the Fair Market Value of such Investment at the time such Investment was made) (it being understood that to the extent any Investment made pursuant to this Section  10.5(j) was made by using the Applicable Equity Amount, then the amounts referred to in clause (D)  shall, to the extent of the original usage of the Applicable Equity Amount, be deemed to reconstitute such amounts);

(k) Investments made at any such time during which, immediately after giving effect to the making of any such Investment on a Pro Forma Basis, (i) no Event of Default or Loan Limit Deficiency shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) Liquidity is not less than 10.0% of the then effective Borrowing Base;

(l) Investments constituting non-cash proceeds of Dispositions of assets to the extent permitted by Section  10.4 or any other disposition of assets not constituting a Disposition;

(m) Investments made to repurchase or retire Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Parent Entity thereof owned by any employee or any stock ownership plan or key employee stock ownership plan of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof);

(n) Investments consisting of Restricted Payments permitted under Section  10.6 (other than Section  10.6(c) );

(o) loans and advances to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of, Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to such parent in accordance with Section  10.6 ;

(p) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

(q) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit and customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

 

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(r) advances of payroll payments to employees, consultants or independent contractors or other advances of salaries or compensation to employees, consultants or independent contractors, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(s) guarantee obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of leases (other than Capital Leases) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(t) Investments held by a Person acquired (including by way of merger, amalgamation or consolidation) after the Effective Date otherwise in accordance with this Section  10.5 to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

(u) Investments in Industry Investments and in interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties and gas gathering systems related thereto or Investments related to Farm-Out Agreements, Farm-In Agreements, joint operating, joint venture, joint development or other area of mutual interest agreements, other similar industry investments, gathering systems, pipelines or other similar oil and gas exploration and production business arrangements whether through direct ownership or ownership through a joint venture or similar arrangement;

(v) to the extent constituting Investments, the Transactions and other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements;

(w) Investments in Hedge Agreements permitted by Section  10.1 and Section  10.10 ;

(x) Investments consisting of Indebtedness, fundamental changes, Dispositions and Restricted Payments permitted under Sections 10.1 (other than Sections 10.1(d)(iii) and (g)(ii) ), 10.3 , 10.4 (other than Section  10.4(d) ) and 10.6 (other than 10.6(c) );

(y) in the case of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, Investments consisting of (i) intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding three hundred sixty-four (364) days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business and (ii) intercompany current liabilities in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(z) Investments resulting from pledges and deposits under clauses (d)  and (e) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and clauses (j) , (o) , (w) and (y)  of Section  10.2 ;

(aa) advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary;

(bb) Investments consisting of licensing of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons in the ordinary course of business;

(cc) Investments made in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client contacts and loans or advances made to distributors in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(dd) Investments made by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party to the extent that such Investments are financed with the proceeds received by such Restricted Subsidiary from an Investment in such Restricted Subsidiary permitted by this Agreement;

(ee) Investments consisting of the contribution of Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO to any other Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO; and

(ff) any Investment constituting a Disposition or transfer of any asset between or among the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries as a substantially concurrent interim Disposition or transfer in connection with an Investment otherwise permitted pursuant to clauses (a)  through (dd) above or in connection with a transaction permitted by Section  10.3 or in connection with a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section  10.4 .

Section 10.6 Limitation on Restricted Payments . The Borrower will not directly or indirectly pay any dividend or make any other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, with respect to any of its Equity Interests (other than dividends and distributions on Equity Interests payable solely by the issuance of additional Qualified Equity Interests) or redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value any of its Equity Interests or the Equity Interests of any Parent Entity (other than through the issuance of additional Qualified Equity Interests), or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration (except in connection with an Investment permitted under Section  10.5 ) any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Parent Entity, now or hereafter outstanding (all of the foregoing, “ Restricted Payments ”); except:

(a) the Borrower may (or may make Restricted Payments to permit any Parent Entity thereof to) redeem in whole or in part any of its or a Parent Entity’s Equity Interests in exchange for another class of its (or such Parent Entity’s) Equity Interests or with proceeds from substantially concurrent equity contributions or issuances of new Equity Interests; provided that such new Equity Interests contain terms and provisions at least as advantageous to the Lenders in all material respects to their interests as those contained in the Equity Interests redeemed thereby, and the Borrower may pay Restricted Payments to Holdings payable solely in the Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock not otherwise permitted by Section  10.1 ) of the Borrower;

(b) the Borrower may (i) (or may make Restricted Payments to permit any Parent Entity thereof to) redeem, acquire, retire or repurchase shares of its (or such Parent Entity’s) Equity Interests held by any present or former officer, manager, consultant, director or employee (or their respective Affiliates, estates, spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legatees, distributees or immediate family members) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity thereof, in connection with the death, disability, retirement or termination of employment of any such Person or otherwise in accordance with any equity option or equity appreciation rights plan, any management, director and/or employee equity ownership, benefit or incentive plan or agreement, equity subscription plan, employment termination agreement or any other employment agreements or equity holders’ agreement; provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made under this clause (b)  does not exceed in any calendar year the sum of (A) $10,000,000 (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the next two succeeding calendar years) plus (B) all net cash proceeds obtained by or contributed to the Borrower during such calendar year from the sales of Equity Interests to other future, present or former officers, consultants, employees, directors and managers in connection with any permitted compensation and incentive arrangements plus (C) all net cash proceeds obtained from any key-man life insurance policies received during such calendar year plus (D) the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to members of management, directors or consultants of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions that are foregone in return for the receipt of Equity Interests; notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may elect to apply all or any portion of

 

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the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (B) , (C) and (D)  above in any calendar year and provided , further , that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, members of management or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members), of the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary, any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parent companies will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provision of this Agreement;

(c) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, the Borrower may make Investments permitted by Section  10.5 (other than Sections 10.5(m) , (n) and (o) );

(d) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, the Borrower may consummate transactions expressly permitted by Section  10.3 ;

(e) the Borrower may repurchase Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof) upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represents all or a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(f) the Borrower may make and pay Restricted Payments to Holdings or any other Parent Entity of the Borrower:

(i) the proceeds of which will be used to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow Holdings or any other Parent Entity to pay) with respect to any taxable period (or a portion thereof) (x) for which the Borrower and any of its subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar income tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable foreign, state or local income Tax purposes (each, a “ Tax Group ”) of which a Parent Entity is the common parent, or (y) for which the Borrower is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal or applicable foreign, state or local income Tax purposes that is wholly owned (directly or indirectly) by a Person that is taxable as a corporation for such income Tax purposes, dividends or distributions by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, to Holdings or any Parent Entity of the Borrower in an amount not to exceed the sum of (A) the amount of any U.S. federal, foreign, state and/or local income Taxes that the Borrower and/or its subsidiaries that are members of the relevant Tax Group, as applicable, would have paid for such taxable period had the Borrower and/or such subsidiaries, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group; provided , taking into account any such income Taxes directly paid or withheld at the level of the Borrower or such subsidiaries and (B) such amounts as are needed to pay any amounts owed by a Parent Entity of the Borrower under any tax receivable agreement with customary terms for similar transactions relating to any assets acquired by the Borrower or its subsidiaries after the Effective Date; provided , further that distributions pursuant to this clause (i)  in respect of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be permitted only to the extent that cash distributions were made by such Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for such purpose;

(ii) with respect to any taxable period (or a portion thereof) ending after the Effective Date during which the Borrower is a pass-through entity (including a partnership or disregarded entity (other than a partnership or disregarded entity described in clause (i)(y) above)), dividends or distributions to any member or partner of the Borrower, on or prior to each estimated Tax payment date as well as each other applicable due date, on a pro rata basis such that each such member or partner (or its direct or indirect members or partners, if applicable) receives, in the aggregate for such period, payments or distributions not to exceed the sum of (A) such member or partner’s U.S. federal, state and/or local income Taxes (as applicable) attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Borrower and its pass-through subsidiaries with respect to such taxable period (assuming that such member or partner is subject

 

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to Tax at the highest combined marginal U.S. federal, state, and/or local income Tax rates (including any Tax rate imposed on “net investment income” by Section 1411 of the Code) applicable to an individual or, if higher, a corporation, resident in New York, New York (for the avoidance of doubt, regardless of the actual rate applicable to such member or partner), determined by taking into account (I) the deductibility of state and local income Taxes for U.S. federal income Tax purposes (disregarding any deduction that is subject to a Dollar limitation), (II) the alternative minimum tax, (III) any U.S. federal, state and/or local (as applicable) loss carryforwards of such member or partner available from losses of such member or partner attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Borrower and its subsidiaries for prior taxable periods ending after the Effective Date to the extent such loss is of a character that would allow such loss to be available to reduce Taxes in the current taxable period (taking into account any limitations on the utilization of such loss to reduce such Taxes and to the extent such loss had not already been utilized), (IV) the character ( e.g. long-term or short-term capital gain or ordinary or exempt) of the applicable income, (V) any adjustments of such member or partner by reason of Section 734(b) or Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to its direct or indirect ownership in the Borrower, and (VI) any adjustment to such member or partner’s taxable income attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as a result of any Tax examination, audit or adjustment with respect to any period or portion thereof ending after the Effective Date and (B) in the case of such member or partner that is a Parent Entity of the Borrower with an obligation under any tax receivable agreement with customary terms for similar transactions relating to any assets acquired by the Borrower or its subsidiaries after the Effective Date, such amounts as are needed by it during the relevant period in excess of the amount that will enable it to satisfy all of its U.S. federal, state and local and foreign Tax liabilities for such taxable period or portion thereof to pay amounts owed by it under such tax receivable agreement; provided that the amounts payable under this clause (ii)(B) shall be reduced by any excess distributions from the Borrower received by the relevant Parent Entity after the Effective Date over the actual income tax liability of such Parent Entity attributable to the Borrower to the extent such excess distributions were not contributed to the Borrower ( provided that distributions pursuant to this clause (ii)  in respect of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be permitted only to the extent that cash distributions were made by such Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for such purpose);

(iii) the proceeds of which shall be used to allow any Parent Entity to pay its operating expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses (including administrative, legal, accounting and other professional costs and expenses) to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower, it being understood that 100% of the foregoing costs and expenses shall be deemed attributable to the ownership and operation of the Borrower at all times when such Parent Entity owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any other Parent Entity;

(iv) the proceeds of which shall be used by such Parent Entities to pay Restricted Payments contemplated by Section  10.6(b) ;

(v) the proceeds of which shall be used to make Restricted Payments to allow any Parent Entity to pay fees and expenses related to any equity issuance or offering or debt issuance, incurrence or offering, Disposition or acquisition or investment transaction permitted by this Agreement, whether or not consummated;

(vi) the proceeds of which shall be used to pay fees and expenses (including real and personal property Taxes, and franchise, excise or similar Taxes) required to maintain its corporate or legal existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers, employees and consultants of any Parent Entity, and any payroll, social security or similar Taxes thereof, to the extent such salaries, bonuses, other benefits and indemnities are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, it being understood that 100% of the foregoing costs and expenses shall be deemed attributable to the ownership and operation of the Borrower at all times when such Parent Entity owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any other Parent Entity;

 

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(vii) in the form of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock not otherwise permitted by Section  10.1 );

(viii) to pay interest, principal and/or other payments (including AHYDO “catch-up payments”) on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise, considered Indebtedness of, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in accordance with Section  10.1 ;

(ix) to finance Permitted Acquisitions and other Investments or other acquisitions in each case otherwise permitted to be made under Section  10.5 if made by the Borrower; provided , that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment or other acquisition, (B) such direct or indirect parent company shall, promptly following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the capital of the Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (2) the merger, amalgamation, consolidation, or sale of the Person formed or acquired into the Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not prohibited by Section  10.3 ) in order to consummate such Investment or other acquisition, (C) such direct or indirect parent company and its Affiliates (other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) receives no consideration or other payment in connection with such transaction except to the extent the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary could have given such consideration or made such payment in compliance herewith, (D) any property received by the Borrower shall not increase the Applicable Equity Amount and (E) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment shall be deemed to be made by Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section  10.5 ; and

(x) the proceeds of which shall be used to pay Public Company Costs; and

(xi) the proceeds of which shall be used to pay obligations arising under or pursuant to the Transaction Agreements;

(g) the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries may (i) pay cash in lieu of fractional shares in connection with (A) any dividend, split or combination thereof or any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted under Section  10.5 and (B) any conversion request by a holder of convertible Indebtedness and (ii) make cash payments in accordance with the terms of convertible Indebtedness in connection with any conversion request by a holder thereof so long as, in the case of the foregoing clauses (i)(B) and (ii), immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, (1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (2) no Loan Limit Deficiency exists,

(h) the Borrower may pay any dividends or distributions within sixty (60) days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement;

(i) so long as, immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, together with any concurrent Restricted Payments being paid under Section  10.6(m) , (i) no Event of Default or Loan Limit Deficiency shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) Liquidity is not less than 10.0% of the then effective Borrowing Base (on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment) and (iii) the Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio shall not be greater than 3.00 to 1.00 (on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment), the Borrower may declare and pay additional Restricted Payments without limit in cash or otherwise to the holders of its or any Parent Entity’s

 

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Equity Interests; provided that if such Restricted Payment includes Borrowing Base Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and the aggregate Borrowing Base Value of all such Borrowing Base Properties Disposed of since the later of (i) the last redetermination date and (ii) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base made pursuant to Section  2.14(g) exceeds 5.0% of the then-effective Borrowing Base, then no later than two (2) Business Days after the date of consummation of any such Restricted Payment, the Borrower shall provide notice to the Administrative Agent of such Restricted Payment and the Borrowing Base Properties so Disposed and the Borrowing Base shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of Section  2.14(g) ;

(j) the Borrower may consummate the Transactions and make Restricted Payments in connection therewith and transactions related thereto (including payment of the Parent Stockholder Redemption Amount) (and pay fees and expenses in connection therewith on or following the Effective Date, including those owed to Affiliates), and make payments described in Sections 9.9(a) , (f) , (g) , (h) , (j) and (l) (subject to the conditions set out therein);

(k) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of Equity Interests of, or Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary by, an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or a Restricted Subsidiary that owns an Unrestricted Subsidiary); provided that such Restricted Subsidiary owns no assets other than Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(l) payments and distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole that complies with the terms of this Agreement or any other transaction that complies with the terms of this Agreement;

(m) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower may declare and pay Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Applicable Equity Amount at the time such Restricted Payment is paid;

(n) Restricted Payments that are (i) made with Excluded Contribution Assets within thirty (30) days after the date such assets were designated as such or (ii) without duplication of the preceding clause (i) , the net cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a Disposition of Excluded Contribution Assets, in each case, to the extent not otherwise applied in determining the permissibility of a transaction under the Credit Documents where such permissibility was or is (or may have been) contingent on receipt of such amount or utilization of such amount for a specified purpose; and

(o) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000.

Section 10.7 Limitations on Debt Payments and Amendments .

(a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to prepay, repurchase or redeem or otherwise defease prior to its scheduled maturity any Indebtedness for borrowed money that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Indebtedness incurred hereunder (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof to the extent constituting Junior Debt) (such other Indebtedness or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, “ Junior Debt ”) (for the avoidance of doubt, it being understood that payments of regularly-scheduled cash interest in respect of Junior Debt and any AHYDO payments shall be permitted); provided , however , that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may prepay, repurchase, redeem or defease prior to its scheduled maturity any Junior Debt (i) in exchange for or with the proceeds of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, (ii) by converting or exchanging any Junior Debt to Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Parent Entity, (iii) so

 

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long as, immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, (A) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) no Loan Limit Deficiency exists and (C) Liquidity is not less than 10.0% of the then effective Borrowing Base (on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance) or (iv) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Applicable Equity Amount; provided , further , that, after giving effect to any adjustment of the Borrowing Base made pursuant to Section  2.14(g) and any repayment of the Loans required in connection therewith, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may make mandatory prepayments in respect of any Junior Debt with the proceeds of the disposition of any assets that have been pledged to secure such Junior Debt;

(b) The Borrower will not amend or modify the terms of any Junior Debt, other than amendments or modifications that (A) would not be materially adverse to the Lenders, taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), (B) otherwise comply with the definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” that may be incurred to Refinance any such Indebtedness, (C) would have the effect of converting any Junior Debt to Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower or a Parent Entity or (D) to the extent such amendment or modification would not have been prohibited under this Agreement at the time such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, Junior Debt or documentation was first issued, incurred or entered into, as applicable; and

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section  10.7 shall prohibit (i) the repayment or prepayment of intercompany subordinated Indebtedness owed among the Borrower and/or the Restricted Subsidiaries, in either case, unless an Event of Default pursuant to Section  11.1 or 11.5 has occurred and is continuing and the Borrower has received a notice from the Collateral Agent instructing it not to make or permit the Borrower and/or the Restricted Subsidiaries to make any such repayment or prepayment or (ii) substantially concurrent transfers of credit positions in connection with intercompany debt restructurings so long as such Indebtedness is permitted by Section  10.1 after giving effect to such transfer.

Section 10.8 Negative Pledge Agreements . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, enter into or permit to exist any Contractual Requirement (other than this Agreement or any other Credit Document) that limits the ability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person for the benefit of the Secured Parties with respect to the Obligations or under the Credit Documents; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to each of the following Contractual Requirements that:

(a) (i) exist on the Effective Date and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section  10.8 ) are listed on Schedule 10.8 and (ii) to the extent Contractual Requirements permitted by subclause (i)  are set forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness or other obligations, are set forth in any agreement evidencing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness or obligation so long as such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not expand the scope of such Contractual Requirement in any material respect;

(b) are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as such Contractual Requirements were not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower;

(c) [reserved];

(d) arise pursuant to agreements entered into with respect to any sale, transfer, lease or other Disposition permitted by Section  10.4 and applicable solely to assets under such sale, transfer, lease or other Disposition;

 

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(e) are customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements permitted by Section  10.5 and applicable to joint ventures or otherwise arise in agreements which restrict the Disposition or distribution of assets or property subject to oil and gas leases, joint operating agreements, joint exploration and/or development agreements, participation agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of the oil and gas exploration and development business and customary provisions in any Agreement of the type described in the definition of “Industry Investments” entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(f) are customary restrictions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate to the assets subject thereto;

(g) are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(h) are customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(i) restrict the use of cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(j) are imposed by Requirements of Law;

(k) exist under any documentation governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance any Indebtedness but only to the extent such Contractual Requirement is not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(l) customary net worth provisions contained in real property leases entered into by any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as the Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions would not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligation;

(m) are included in any agreement relating to any Lien, so long as (i) such Lien is a Permitted Lien and such restrictions or conditions relate only to the specific asset subject to such Lien and (ii) such restrictions and conditions are not created for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this Section  10.8 ;

(n) are restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section  10.1 or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, to the extent such restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in the Credit Documents or documentation with respect to the Senior Unsecured Notes as determined by the Borrower in good faith;

(o) are restrictions regarding licenses or sublicenses by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business (in which case such restriction shall relate only to such intellectual property);

(p) are encumbrances or restrictions contained in an agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, or that is assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case that is in existence at the time of such transaction (but not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired or designated; and

 

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(q) comprise negative pledges or restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section  10.1 to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

(r) are encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a)  through (q) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower’s board of directors, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

Section 10.9 Limitation on Subsidiary Distributions . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary on its Equity Interests or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits or transfer any property to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary except (in each case) for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(a) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Effective Date, including pursuant to the Credit Documents and any Hedging Obligations;

(b) the Senior Unsecured Notes and the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture;

(c) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on transferring the property so acquired;

(d) any applicable Requirement of Law;

(e) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, or that is assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case that is in existence at the time of such transaction (but not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired or designated;

(f) contracts for the sale of assets, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Borrower pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary;

(g) secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section  10.1 and Section  10.2 as it relates to the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

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

 

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(i) other Indebtedness of (i) Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Effective Date pursuant to Section  10.1 so long as either (A) the provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction contained in such Indebtedness are no less favorable to the Borrower, taken as a whole, as determined by the board of directors of the Borrower in good faith, than the provisions contained in this Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date or (B) any such encumbrance or restriction contained in such Indebtedness does not prohibit (except upon a default or an event of default thereunder) the payment of dividends in an amount sufficient, as determined by the board of directors of the Borrower in good faith, to impair the ability of the Borrower to make scheduled payments of cash interest on the Loans when due or (ii) Foreign Subsidiaries as to such Foreign Subsidiaries and their Subsidiaries;

(j) customary provisions in joint venture agreements or agreements governing property held with a common owner and other similar agreements or arrangements relating solely to such joint venture or property or are otherwise customary encumbrances or restrictions imposed pursuant to any agreement of the type described in the definition of “Industry Investments” entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(k) customary provisions contained in leases, sub-leases, licenses, sub-licenses or similar agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(l) any agreements entered into with respect to any sale, transfer, lease or other Disposition permitted by Section  10.4 and applicable solely to assets under such sale, transfer, lease or other Disposition; and

(m) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a)  through (l) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower’s board of directors, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

Section 10.10 Hedge Agreements . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Hedge Agreements with any Person other than:

(a) Hedge Agreements in respect of commodities entered into not for speculative purposes the net notional volumes for which (when aggregated with other commodity Hedge Agreements then in effect, other than puts, floors and basis differential swaps on volumes already hedged pursuant to other Hedge Agreements) do not exceed, as of the date the latest hedging transaction is entered into under a Hedge Agreement, 85% of the reasonably anticipated Hydrocarbon production from the Credit Parties’ total Proved Reserves (as forecast based upon the Initial Reserve Report or the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section  9.14(a) , as applicable) for the sixty-six (66) month period from the date of creation of such hedging arrangement (the “ Ongoing Hedges ”). In addition to the Ongoing Hedges, in connection with a proposed Permitted Acquisition (a “ Proposed Acquisition ”), and without limiting the ability of the Borrower to enter into incremental hedging in connection with a Permitted Acquisition within the limitations set forth in the first sentence of this Section  10.10(a) , the Credit Parties may also enter into incremental hedging contracts with respect to the Credit Parties’ reasonably anticipated projected production from the total Proved Reserves of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as forecast based upon the most recent Reserve Report having notional volumes not in excess of 15% of the Credit Parties’ existing projected production prior to the consummation of such Proposed Acquisition for a period not exceeding forty-two (42) months from the date such hedging arrangement is created, during the period

 

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between (1) the date on which such Credit Party signs a definitive acquisition agreement in connection with a Proposed Acquisition and (2) the earliest of (a) the date of consummation of such Proposed Acquisition, (b) the date of termination of such Proposed Acquisition and (c) one-hundred twenty (120) days after the date of execution of such definitive acquisition agreement (or such longer period as to which the Administrative Agent may agree); provided , however , notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the notional volumes of incremental hedging contracts entered into in connection with a Proposed Acquisition exceed 85% of the reasonably anticipated Hydrocarbon production from the total Proved Reserves attributable to the properties to be acquired pursuant to the Proposed Acquisition, for each of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately, as forecast based upon a Reserve Report delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection therewith; provided , further , that all such incremental hedging contracts entered into with respect to a Proposed Acquisition must be terminated or unwound within ninety (90) days following the date of termination of such Proposed Acquisition. It is understood that (x) the foregoing limitations shall in any event exclude basis differential swaps, put contracts and floors and (y) commodity Hedge Agreements which may, from time to time, “hedge” the same volumes, but different elements of commodity risk thereof, shall not be aggregated together when calculating the foregoing limitations on notional volumes;

(b) other Hedge Agreements (other than any Hedge Agreements in respect of equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions) entered into not for speculative purposes;

(c) it is understood that for purposes of this Section  10.10 , the following Hedge Agreements shall not be deemed speculative or entered into for speculative purposes: (i) any commodity Hedge Agreement intended, at inception of execution, to hedge or manage any of the risks related to existing and/or forecasted Hydrocarbon production of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not contracted) and (ii) any Hedge Agreement intended, at inception of execution, (A) to hedge or manage the interest rate exposure associated with any debt securities, debt facilities or leases (existing or forecasted) of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, (B) for foreign exchange or currency exchange management, (C) to manage commodity portfolio exposure associated with changes in interest rates or (D) to hedge any exposure that the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries may have to counterparties under other Hedge Agreements such that the combination of such Hedge Agreements is not speculative taken as a whole; and

(d) for purposes of entering into or maintaining Ongoing Hedges under Section  10.10(a) , forecasts of reasonably projected Hydrocarbon production volumes and reasonably anticipated Hydrocarbon production from the Credit Parties’ total Proved Reserves based upon the Initial Reserve Report or the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section  9.14(a) , as applicable, shall be revised to account for any increase or decrease therein anticipated because of information obtained by Borrower or any other Credit Party subsequent to the publication of such Reserve Report including the Borrower’s or any other Credit Party’s internal forecasts of production decline rates for existing wells and additions to or deletions from anticipated future production from new wells and acquisitions coming on stream or failing to come on stream.

Section 10.11 Financial Performance Covenants.

(a) The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio as of the last day of any Test Period ending on or after December 31, 2018 to be greater than 4.00 to 1.00.

(b) If, as of the last day of any Test Period ending on or after December 31, 2018, the Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1.00, then the Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Current Ratio as of the last day of such Test Period to be less than 1.00 to 1.00.

 

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ARTICLE 11

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any of the following specified events (each an “ Event of Default ”):

Section 11.1 Payments . The Borrower shall (a) default in the payment when due of any principal of the Loans or any Unpaid Drawings or (b) default, and such default shall continue for five (5) or more consecutive days, in the payment when due of any interest on the Loans or any Unpaid Drawings, fees or of any other amounts owing hereunder or under any other Credit Document (other than any amount referred to in clause (a)  above).

Section 11.2 Representations, Etc . Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed made by any Credit Party herein or in any other Credit Document or any certificate delivered or required to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to be untrue in any material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made.

Section 11.3 Covenants . Any Credit Party shall:

(a) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section  9.1(d)(i) , 9.5 (solely with respect to the Borrower) or Article 10 ; or

(b) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in Section  11.1 or 11.2 or clause (a)  of this Section  11.3 ) contained in this Agreement or any Security Document and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least thirty (30) consecutive days after receipt of written notice thereof by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent.

Section 11.4 Default Under Other Agreements .

(a) The Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall (i) default in any payment with respect to any Material Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness described in Section  11.1 ) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument of agreement under which such Indebtedness was created or (ii) default in the observance or performance of any agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist (other than (1) with respect to indebtedness in respect of any Hedge Agreements, termination events or equivalent events pursuant to the terms of such Hedge Agreements, (2) any event requiring prepayment pursuant to customary asset sale or change of control provisions and (3) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of a Disposition (including as a result of Casualty Event) of the property or assets securing such indebtedness permitted under this Agreement), the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, any such Indebtedness to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, unless, in the case of each of the foregoing, such holder or holders shall have (or through its or their trustee or agent on its or their behalf) waived such default in a writing to the Borrower, or

(b) Without limiting the provisions of clause (a)  above, any such default under any such Material Indebtedness shall cause such Material Indebtedness to be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or as a mandatory prepayment (and (i) with respect to Indebtedness consisting of any Hedge Agreements, other than due to a

 

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termination event or equivalent event pursuant to the terms of such Hedge Agreements, (ii) other than pursuant to customary asset sale or change of control provisions and (iii) other than secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of a Disposition (including as a result of Casualty Event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement) prior to the stated maturity thereof.

Section 11.5 Bankruptcy, Etc . Holdings, the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case, proceeding or action concerning itself under (a) Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy” or any other applicable insolvency, debtor relief, or debt adjustment law; or (b) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Specified Subsidiary, any domestic or foreign law relating to bankruptcy, judicial management, insolvency, reorganization, administration or relief of debtors in effect in its jurisdiction of incorporation, in each case as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto (collectively, the “ Bankruptcy Code ”); or an involuntary case, proceeding or action is commenced against Holdings, the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary and the petition is not dismissed or stayed within sixty (60) days after commencement of the case, proceeding or action, Holdings, the Borrower or the applicable Specified Subsidiary consents to the institution of such case, proceeding or action prior to such sixty (60)-day period, or any order of relief or other order approving any such case, proceeding or action is entered; or a custodian (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code), receiver, receiver manager, trustee, conservator, liquidator, examiner, rehabilitator, administrator, or similar person is appointed for, or takes charge of, Holdings, the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary or all or any substantial portion of the property or business thereof; or Holdings, the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary suffers any appointment of any custodian, receiver, receiver manager, trustee, conservator, liquidator, examiner, rehabilitator, administrator, or the like for it or any substantial part of its property or business to continue undischarged or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or Holdings, the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors.

Section 11.6 ERISA .

(a) (i) The Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or is likely to incur a liability to or on account of a Plan under Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code (including the giving of written notice thereof), or (ii) an ERISA Event has or is reasonably like to occur; and

(b) there would result from any event or events set forth in clause (a)  of this Section  11.6 the imposition of a lien, the granting of a security interest, or a liability, or the reasonable likelihood of incurring a lien, security interest or liability; and

(c) such lien, security interest or liability will or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 11.7 Guarantee . The Guarantee or any material provision thereof shall cease to be in full force or effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof and thereof) or any Guarantor or any other Credit Party shall assert in writing that any such Guarantor’s obligations under the Guarantee are not to be in effect or are not to be legal, valid and binding obligations (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof).

Section 11.8 Security Documents . The Collateral Agreement, Mortgage or any other Security Document pursuant to which assets of the Borrower and the Credit Parties with an aggregate fair market value in excess of $75,000,000 are pledged as Collateral or any material provision thereof shall cease to be in full force or effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof) or any grantor thereunder or any other Credit Party shall assert in writing that any grantor’s obligations under the Collateral Agreement, the Mortgage or any other Security Document are not in effect or not legal, valid and binding obligations (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof).

 

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Section 11.9 Judgments . One or more monetary judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries involving a liability of $75,000,000 or more in the aggregate for all such judgments and decrees for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not paid or covered by insurance provided by a carrier not disputing coverage), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days.

Section 11.10 Change of Control . A Change of Control shall have occurred.

Then, and in any such event, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of Default shall then be continuing, the Administrative Agent may with the consent of and, upon the written request of the Majority Lenders, shall, by written notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, without prejudice to the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to enforce its claims against the Borrower or any other Credit Party, except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement ( provided that, if an Event of Default specified in Section  11.5 shall occur with respect to the Borrower, the result that would occur upon the giving of written notice by the Administrative Agent as specified in clauses (a) , (b) and (c)  below shall occur automatically without the giving of any such notice): (a) declare the Total Commitment and Swingline Commitment terminated, whereupon the Commitment of each Lender and the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, shall forthwith terminate immediately and any fees theretofore accrued shall forthwith become due and payable without any other notice of any kind; (b) declare the principal of and any accrued interest and fees in respect of any or all Loans and any or all Obligations owing hereunder and thereunder to be, whereupon the same shall become, forthwith due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and/or (c) demand cash collateral in respect of any outstanding Letter of Credit pursuant to Section  3.7(b) in an amount equal to the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit issued and then outstanding. In addition, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will have all other rights and remedies available at law and equity.

Section 11.11 Application of Proceeds . Any amount received by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from any Credit Party (or from proceeds of any Collateral) following any acceleration of the Obligations under this Agreement or any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower under Section  11.5 shall, subject to the terms of any applicable Customary Intercreditor Agreement, be applied:

(a) First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel payable under Section  12.7 and amounts payable under Article 2) payable to the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent in such Person’s capacity as such;

(b) Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (including fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel payable under Section  12.7 ) arising under the Credit Documents and amounts payable under Article 2, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

(c) Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans and Unpaid Drawings, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

(d) Fourth , (i) to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, the Unpaid Drawings and Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements and the Secured Cash Management Agreements and (ii) to Cash Collateralize that portion of Letters of

 

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Credit Outstanding comprising the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Section  3.7 , ratably among the Lenders, the Issuing Banks, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; provided that (x) any such amounts applied pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii)  shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the applicable Issuing Bank to Cash Collateralize such Letters of Credit Outstanding, (y) subject to Section  3.7 , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to this clause Fourth shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur and (z) upon the expiration of any Letter of Credit, the pro rata share of Cash Collateral attributable to such expired Letter of Credit shall be distributed in accordance with this clause Fourth ;

(e) Fifth , to the payment of all other Obligations of the Credit Parties owing under or in respect of the Credit Documents that are due and payable to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties on such date, ratably based upon the respective aggregate amounts of all such Obligations owing to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties on such date; and

(f) Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Requirements of Law.

Subject to Section  3.7 , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amounts received from any Guarantor or Parent Entity Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor or Parent Entity Guarantor.

Section 11.12 Equity Cure .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 11 or in any Credit Document, in the event that the Borrower fails to comply with the requirements of Section  10.11(a) or Section  10.11(b) , then (A) at any time after the beginning of such fiscal quarter (but, in any event, after the Effective Date) until the expiration of the tenth Business Day subsequent to the date the compliance certificate for calculating the Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio and/or the Consolidated Current Ratio is required to be delivered pursuant to Section  9.1(c) (the “ Cure Deadline ”), the Borrower shall have the right to cure such failure (the “ Cure Right ”) by receiving cash proceeds (which cash proceeds shall be received no earlier than the first day of the applicable fiscal quarter for which there is a failure to comply with the applicable Financial Performance Covenant and shall not include the Contributed Amount) from an issuance of Qualified Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) for cash as a cash capital contribution (or from any other contribution of cash to capital or issuance or sale of any other Equity Interests on terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), and upon receipt by the Borrower of such cash proceeds (such cash amount being referred to as the “ Cure Amount ”) pursuant to the exercise of such Cure Right, any applicable Financial Performance Covenant shall be recalculated giving effect to the following pro forma adjustments:

(i) Consolidated EBITDAX and/or Consolidated Current Assets, as specified by the Borrower, shall be increased, solely for the purpose of determining the existence of an Event of Default resulting from a breach of the applicable Financial Performance Covenant with respect to (A) in the case of an increase in Consolidated EBITDAX, any Test Period that includes the fiscal quarter for which the Cure Right was exercised and (B) in the case of an increase in Consolidated Current Assets, the Test Period then ending and, in all cases, not for any other purpose under this Agreement, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount; and

 

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(ii) if, after giving effect to the foregoing recalculations (without giving effect to any repayment of any Indebtedness with any portion of the Cure Amount or any portion of the Cure Amount on the balance sheet of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, with respect to such fiscal quarter only), the Borrower shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the applicable Financial Performance Covenants, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of such Financial Performance Covenants as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of any such Financial Performance Covenant that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purposes of this Agreement; provided that (A) in each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters there shall be at least two fiscal quarters in which no Cure Right is exercised, (B) Cure Rights shall not be exercised more than five times during the term of this Agreement, (C) each Cure Amount shall be no greater than the amount required to cause the Borrower to be in compliance with any such applicable Financial Performance Covenant above (such amount, the “ Necessary Cure Amount ”; it being understood that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Necessary Cure Amount required to cure the two separate Financial Performance Covenants in respect of a fiscal quarter may differ); provided that if the Cure Right is exercised prior to the date financial statements are required to be delivered for such fiscal quarter, then the Cure Amount shall be equal to the amount reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith that is required for purposes of complying with the applicable Financial Performance Covenants for such fiscal quarter (such amount, the “ Expected Cure Amount ”), (D) with respect to an increase of Consolidated EBITDAX, in respect of the fiscal quarter in which such Cure Right was exercised and for each Test Period that includes such fiscal quarter, all such Cure Amounts shall be disregarded for the purposes of any financial ratio determination under the Credit Documents other than for determining compliance with the applicable Financial Performance Covenants, (E) with respect to an increase in Consolidated Current Assets, in respect of the fiscal quarter in which such Cure Right was exercised, all such Cure Amounts shall be disregarded for the purposes of any financial ratio determination under the Credit Documents other than for determining compliance with the applicable Financial Performance Covenants, (F) no Lender or Issuing Bank shall be required to make any extension of credit hereunder during the ten (10)-Business Day period referred to above, unless the Borrower shall have received the Cure Amount, and (G) no amounts received pursuant to any exercise of the Cure Right shall be applied to reduce the Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a Pro Forma Basis for purposes of determining compliance with the Financial Performance Covenants for the fiscal quarter in which such Cure Right was made ( provided that to the extent such amounts are actually applied to prepay Indebtedness, such reduction may be given effect in determining compliance with the Financial Performance Covenants for fiscal quarters after the fiscal quarter in which such Cure Right was made); and

(iii) upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of written notice, on or prior to the Cure Deadline, that the Borrower intends to exercise the Cure Right in respect of a fiscal quarter, the Lenders shall not be permitted to accelerate Loans held by them or to exercise remedies against the Collateral on the basis of a failure to comply with the requirements of the applicable Financial Performance Covenants, unless such failure is not cured pursuant to the exercise of the Cure Right on or prior to the Cure Deadline.

(b) Expected Cure Amount . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent that the Expected Cure Amount is (i) greater than the Necessary Cure Amount, then such difference may be used for the purposes of determining the Applicable Equity Amount and (ii) less than the Necessary Cure Amount, then not later than the applicable Cure Deadline, the Borrower must receive cash proceeds from issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) or a cash capital contribution (but not including the Contributed Amount), which cash proceeds received by Borrower shall be equal to the shortfall between such Expected Cure Amount and such Necessary Cure Amount.

 

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ARTICLE 12

THE AGENTS

Section 12.1 Appointment .

(a) Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article 12 (other than Section  12.1(c) with respect to the Lead Arrangers, and Sections 12.9 , 12.11 , 12.12 and the last sentence of Section  12.4 with respect to the Borrower) are solely for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have rights as third party beneficiary of any such provision. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Credit Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

(b) The Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender, each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Collateral Agent as the agent with respect to the Collateral, and each of the Administrative Agent, each Swingline Lender, each Lender and each Issuing Bank irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender, the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Credit Document or otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent.

(c) Each of the Lead Arrangers, in its capacity as such, shall not have any obligations, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement but shall be entitled to all benefits of this Article 12 .

Section 12.2 Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may each execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents by or through agents, sub-agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact (each, a “ Subagent ”) and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties; provided , however , that no such Subagent shall be authorized to take any action with respect to any Collateral unless and except to the extent expressly authorized in writing by the Administrative Agent. If any Subagent, or successor thereto, shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Subagent, to the extent permitted by law, shall automatically vest in and be exercised by the Administrative Agent until the appointment of a new Subagent. Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any Subagents selected by it in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined in the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

Section 12.3 Exculpatory Provisions . No Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates shall be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document (except for its or

 

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such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined in the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein) or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders or any participant for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any of the Borrower, any other Credit Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Credit Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by such Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Credit Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or the perfection or priority of any Lien or security interest created or purported to be created under the Security Documents or for any failure of the Borrower or any other Credit Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof. The Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Credit Party.

Section 12.4 Reliance by Agents . The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or instruction believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the Lender specified in the Register with respect to any amount owing hereunder as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Credit Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Majority Lenders as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents in accordance with a request of the Majority Lenders, and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans; provided that the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or in the opinion of its counsel, may expose it to liability or that is contrary to any Credit Document or applicable Requirements of Law. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Article 6 and Article 7 on the Effective Date, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

Section 12.5 Notice of Default . Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, it shall give notice thereof to the Lenders and the Collateral Agent. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Majority Lenders; provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the

 

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Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders except to the extent that this Agreement requires that such action be taken only with the approval or consent of the Majority Lenders, the Required Lenders, each individual lender or adversely affect Lender, as applicable.

Section 12.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent to any Lender, any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank. Each Lender, each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank represents to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and each other Credit Party and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and any other Credit Party. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, assets, operations, properties, financial condition, prospects or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any other Credit Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

Section 12.7 Indemnification . The Lenders severally agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, each in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Credit Parties and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), ratably according to their respective portions of the Commitments or Loans, as applicable, outstanding in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with their respective portions of the Total Exposure in effect immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time occur (including at any time following the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in any way relating to or arising out of any actual or threatened claim, action, suit litigation investigation or proceeding (each, a “ Proceeding ”) relating to the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under or in connection with any Proceeding; provided that no Lender shall be liable to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Administrative Agent’s or the Collateral Agent’s, as applicable, gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; provided , further , that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Majority Lenders (or such other number or

 

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percentage of the Lenders as shall be required by the Credit Documents) shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section  12.7 . In the case of any investigation, litigation or proceeding giving rise to any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time occur (including at any time following the payment of the Loans), this Section  12.7 applies whether any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Lender or any other Person. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by such Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice rendered in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that such Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided that such reimbursement by the Lenders shall not affect the Borrower’s continuing reimbursement obligations with respect thereto. If any indemnity furnished to any Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of such Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, such Agent may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished; provided , in no event shall this sentence require any Lender to indemnify any Agent against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement in excess of such Lender’s pro rata portion thereof; and provided further , this sentence shall not be deemed to require any Lender to indemnify any Agent against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement resulting from such Agent’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section  12.7 shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

Section 12.8 Agents in Its Individual Capacities . Each Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower and any other Credit Party as though such Agent were not an Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents. With respect to the Loans made by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

Section 12.9 Successor Agents . Each of the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Swingline Lender, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower. If the Administrative Agent, any Swingline Lender and/or Collateral Agent becomes a Defaulting Lender, then such Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or Collateral Agent, may be removed as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, at the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Majority Lenders. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation or removal, as the case may be, the Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor, which successor agent shall be (a) subject to the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default under Section  11.1 or 11.5 (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (b) a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States; provided , that in no event shall any such successor be a Defaulting Lender or a Disqualified Institution. If, in the case of a resignation of a retiring Agent, no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may on behalf of the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above ( provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Credit Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Agent on behalf of the Lenders or Issuing Banks under and Credit Documents,

 

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the retiring Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Agent is appointed) and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and Issuing Bank directly, until such time as the Majority Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above in this Section  12.9 ). Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, hereunder, and upon the execution and filing or recording of such financing statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Majority Lenders may request, in order to continue the perfection of the Liens granted or purported to be granted by the Security Documents, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Credit Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section  12.9 ). After the retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, the provisions of this Article 12 (including Section  12.7 ) and Section  13.5 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its Subagents and their respective Agent-Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Agent was acting as an Agent.

Any resignation of any Person as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section  12.9 shall also constitute its resignation as Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Bank, (b) the retiring Issuing Bank shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, and (c) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Bank to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuing Bank with respect to such Letters of Credit.

Section 12.10 Withholding Tax . To the extent required by any applicable Requirement of Law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. If the IRS or any authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective), such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by any applicable Credit Party and without limiting the obligation of any applicable Credit Party to do so) fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including penalties, additions to Tax and interest, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses, allocated staff costs and any out of pocket expenses. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Credit Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section  12.10 . For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Section  12.10 , the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and any Swingline Lender.

Section 12.11 Security Documents and Collateral Agent under Security Documents and Guarantee . Each Secured Party hereby further authorizes the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of and for the benefit of Secured Parties, to be the agent for and representative of the Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral and the Security Documents. Without further written consent or authorization from any Secured Party, the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, is authorized to (x) enter into or amend the Collateral Agreement on the Effective Date and (y) to amend the Security Documents to add additional Collateral. Subject to Section  13.1 , without further written consent

 

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or authorization from any Secured Party, the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, may (a) execute any documents or instruments necessary in connection with a Disposition of assets permitted by this Agreement, (b) release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral that is (i) the subject of such Disposition of assets or otherwise becomes an Excluded Equity Interest, an Excluded Asset or property of an Excluded Subsidiary, (ii) to the extent the property constituting Collateral is owned by any Guarantor, upon the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee in accordance with Section 5(g) of the Guarantee or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement or (iii) with respect to which Majority Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section  13.1 ) have otherwise consented or (c) release any applicable Guarantor from the Guarantee in connection with such Disposition or in connection with such Guarantor becoming an Excluded Subsidiary, or with respect to which Majority Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section  13.1 ) have otherwise consented. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks (including in their capacities as potential Cash Management Banks and potential Hedge Banks) irrevocably agree that (x) the Collateral Agent is authorized and the Collateral Agent agrees it shall (for the benefit of Borrower), without any further consent of any Lender, enter into or amend the Customary Intercreditor Agreement or any intercreditor agreement with the collateral agent or other representatives of the holders of Indebtedness that is permitted to be secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is permitted under this Agreement, in each case for the purpose of adding the holders of such Indebtedness (or their representative) as a party thereto and otherwise causing such Indebtedness to be subject thereto (it being understood that any changes may be made to the Customary Intercreditor Agreement or any applicable intercreditor agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing and with any material modifications to be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (y) the Collateral Agent may rely exclusively on a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower as to whether any such other Liens are permitted and (z) any such intercreditor agreement referred to in clause (x)  above, entered into by the Collateral Agent, shall be binding on the Secured Parties. Furthermore, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (including in their capacities as potential Cash Management Bank and potential Hedge Banks) hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent under any Credit Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by clause (j)  of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and clauses (c) , (e) (with respect to Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section  10.1(f) ), (f) , (g) , (j) , (o) , (p) , (w) , (x) and (y)  of Section  10.2 or otherwise permitted to be senior to the Liens of Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent on such property; provided that prior to any such request, the Borrower shall have in each case delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying that such subordination is permitted under this Agreement.

Section 12.12 Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantee . Anything contained in any of the Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower, the Agents and each Secured Party hereby agree that (a) no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guarantee, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and all powers, rights and remedies under the Security Documents may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent, and (b) in the event of a foreclosure by the Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition and the Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of the Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale or other disposition.

 

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Section 12.13 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding, constituting an Event of Default under Section  11.5 , the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid hereunder or under any other Credit Document in respect of the Loans and all other Indebtedness that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel, to the extent due under Section  13.5 ) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, to the extent due under Section  13.5 .

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Indebtedness or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS.

Section 13.1 Amendments, Waivers and Releases .

(a) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any other Credit Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof, may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section  13.1 . The Majority Lenders may, or, with the written consent of the Majority Lenders, the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent shall, from time to time, (A) enter into with the relevant Credit Party or Credit Parties written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Credit Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Credit Parties hereunder or thereunder or (B) waive in writing, on such terms and conditions as the Majority Lenders or the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided , however , that each such waiver and each such amendment, supplement or modification shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , further , that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (i) forgive or reduce any portion of any Loan or reduce the stated rate (it being understood that only the consent of the Majority Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate or amend Section  2.8(c) ), or forgive or reduce any portion, or extend the

 

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date for the payment (including the Maturity Date), of any principal, interest or fee payable hereunder (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates and any change due to a change in the Borrowing Base or Available Commitment), or extend the final expiration date of any Lender’s Commitment ( provided that (1) any Lender, upon the request of the Borrower, may extend the final expiration date of its Commitment without the consent of any other Lender, including the Majority Lenders, and (2) it is being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default shall not constitute an increase of the Commitments of any Lender) or extend the final expiration date of any Letter of Credit beyond the L/C Maturity Date, or increase the amount of the Commitment of any Lender ( provided that, any Lender, upon the request of the Borrower, may increase the amount of its Commitment without the consent of any other Lender, including the Majority Lenders), or make any Loan, interest, fee or other amount payable in any currency other than Dollars, in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section  13.1 in a manner that would reduce the voting rights of any Lender, or reduce the percentages specified in the definitions of the terms “Majority Lenders”, “Required Lenders” or “Non-Defaulting Lenders” (it being understood that, with the consent of the Majority Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Majority Lenders, Required Lenders and all Non-Defaulting Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Loans and Commitments are included on the Effective Date), consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of its rights and obligations under any Credit Document to which it is a party (except as permitted pursuant to Section  10.3 ), in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (iii) amend the provisions of Section  11.11 or any analogous provision of any Security Document, in a manner that would by its terms alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Article 12 without the written consent of the then-current Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, as applicable, or any other former or current Agent to whom Article 12 then applies in a manner that directly and adversely affects such Person, or (v) amend, modify or waive any provision of Article 3 with respect to any Letter of Credit without the written consent of each Issuing Bank to whom Article 3 then applies in a manner that directly and adversely affects such Person, or (vi) amend, modify or waive any provisions hereof relating to Swingline Loans without the written consent of the Swingline Lender, or (vii) release all or substantially all of the aggregate value of the Guarantees (except as expressly permitted by the Guarantee or this Agreement) without the prior written consent of each Lender, or (viii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral under the Security Documents (except as expressly permitted by the Security Documents or this Agreement) without the prior written consent of each Lender, or (ix) amend Section  2.9 so as to permit Interest Period intervals greater than six (6) months without regard to availability to Lenders, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (x) increase the Borrowing Base without the written consent of all Non-Defaulting Lenders ( provided that no Defaulting Lender’s share of the Borrowing Base may be increased without its consent), decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base without the written consent of the Required Lenders or otherwise modify Section  2.14(b) , (c) , (d) , (e) , (f) , (g) or (h)  if such modification would have the effect of increasing the Borrowing Base without the written consent of all Non-Defaulting Lenders; provided that a Scheduled Redetermination may be postponed by the Required Lenders, or (xi) affect the rights or duties of, or any fees or other amounts payable to, any Agent under this Agreement or any other Credit Document without the prior written consent of such Agent. Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the affected Lenders and shall be binding upon the Borrower, such Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders of the affected Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; it being understood that no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. In connection with the foregoing provisions, the Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligations to, with the concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers or consents on behalf of such Lender whose consent is required hereunder.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Defaulting Lender and no such amendment, waiver or consent shall disproportionately adversely affect such Defaulting Lender without its consent as compared to other Lenders (it being understood that any Commitments or Loans held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for a vote of the Lenders hereunder requiring any consent of the Lenders).

(c) Without the consent of any Lender or Issuing Bank, the Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may (in their respective sole discretion, or shall, to the extent required by any Credit Document) enter into any amendment, modification or waiver of any Credit Document, or enter into any new agreement or instrument, to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties, or as required by local law to give effect to, or protect any security interest for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any property or so that the security interests therein comply with applicable law or this Agreement or in each case to otherwise enhance the rights or benefits of any Lender under any Credit Document.

(d) In connection with the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness to be secured by a Lien on any Collateral permitted by Section  10.2 of this Agreement, at the request of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (including in its capacity as “collateral agent” under the Credit Documents) agrees to enter into the Customary Intercreditor Agreement, and execute and deliver any amendments, amendments and restatements, restatements or waivers of or supplements to or other modifications to such agreement (each, an “ Intercreditor Agreement Supplement ”), and any amendments, amendments and restatements, restatements or waivers of or supplements to or other modifications to, any Security Document, and to make or consent to any filings or take any other actions in connection therewith, as may be reasonably determined by the Borrower, with the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to be necessary or reasonably desirable for any Lien on the Collateral permitted to secure such additional Indebtedness to become a valid, perfected lien (with such priority as may be designated by the Borrower, to the extent such priority is permitted by the Credit Documents) pursuant to the Security Document being so amended, amended and restated, restated, waived, supplemented or otherwise modified. The Lenders and each of the Issuing Banks hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to take any action contemplated by the preceding sentence, and any such amendment, amendment and restatement, restatement, waiver of or supplement to or other modification of any such Credit Document shall be effective notwithstanding the provisions of Section  13.1 .

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Majority Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (i) to add one or more additional credit or debt facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents with the Loans and the Commitments and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (ii) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit or debt facilities in any determination of the Majority Lenders, the Required Lenders and all Non-Defaulting Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Lenders prior to such inclusion.

 

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(f) In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders providing the Replacement Loans (as defined below) to permit the refinancing of all outstanding Loans of any Class (“ Replaced Loans ”) with replacement loans (“ Replacement Loans ”) hereunder; provided that (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Replacement Loans shall not exceed the aggregate principal amount of such Replaced Loans, plus accrued interest, fees, premiums (if any) and penalties thereon and reasonable fees, expenses, original issue discount and upfront fees associated with such Replacement Loans, (ii) the All-In Yield with respect to such Replacement Loans shall not be higher than the All-In Yield for such Replaced Loans immediately prior to such refinancing unless the maturity of the Replacement Loans is at least one (1) year later than the maturity of the Replaced Loans and (iii) all other terms applicable to such Replacement Loans shall be substantially identical to, or less favorable to the Lenders providing such Replacement Loans than, those applicable to such Replaced Loans, except to the extent necessary to provide for covenants and other terms applicable to any period after the Latest Maturity Date of the Loans in effect immediately prior to such refinancing. Each amendment to this Agreement providing for Replacement Loans may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to effect the provisions of this paragraph, and for the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph shall supersede any other provisions in this Section  13.1 to the contrary.

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, technical and conforming modifications to the Credit Documents (including any exhibit, schedule or other attachment) may be made with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (i) if such modifications are not adverse in any material respect to the Lenders, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Banks (in which case, the consent of the Swingline Lender and Issuing Banks shall be required) or (ii) to the extent necessary (A) to integrate any Incremental Increase or Extended Commitment contemplated by Sections 2.16 and 2.17 , (B) to change the financial reporting convention in accordance with Section  9.10 or (C) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency so long as, in each case with respect to this clause (C) , the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks shall have received at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five (5) Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from the Majority Lenders stating that the Majority Lenders object to such amendment.

Section 13.2 Notices . Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications provided for hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall be in writing (including by facsimile transmission). All such written notices shall be mailed, faxed or delivered to the applicable address, facsimile number or electronic mail address, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

(a) if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 13.2 or to such other address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number as shall be designated by such party in a notice to the other parties; and

(b) if to any other Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire or to such other address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number as shall be designated by such party in a notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks.

All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to be given or made upon the earlier to occur of (i) actual receipt by the relevant party hereto and (ii)(A) if delivered by hand or by courier, when signed for by or on behalf of the relevant party hereto; (B) if delivered by mail, three (3) Business Days after

 

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deposit in the mails, postage prepaid; (C) if delivered by facsimile, when sent and receipt has been confirmed by telephone; and (D) if delivered by electronic mail, when delivered; provided that notices and other communications to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.3 , 2.6 , 2.9 , 4.2 and 5.1 shall not be effective until received.

Section 13.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Credit Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Requirements of Law.

Section 13.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Credit Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans hereunder. Such representations and warranties shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied (other than Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements, Secured Cash Management Agreements or contingent indemnification obligations, in any such case, not then due and payable).

Section 13.5 Payment of Expenses; Indemnification .

(a) The Borrower agrees (i) if the Effective Date occurs, to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger with “lead left” placement for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, syndication and execution of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof and thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated thereby are consummated), and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including all Attorney Costs, which shall be limited to one counsel to the Lead Arranger with “lead left” placement and one local counsel as reasonably necessary in any relevant jurisdiction material to the interests of the Lenders taken as a whole and (ii) after the Effective Date, to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents (including all such costs and expenses incurred during any legal proceeding, including any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, and including all respective Attorney Costs, which shall be limited to Attorney Costs of one counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders taken as a whole and one local counsel as reasonably necessary in any relevant jurisdiction material to the interests of the Lenders taken as a whole and solely in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel and (if reasonably necessary) one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction to the affected Indemnitees similarly situated). The agreements in this Section  13.5 shall survive the repayment of all other Obligations. All amounts due under this Section  13.5 shall be paid within thirty (30) days after written demand therefor (together with backup documentation supporting such reimbursement request); provided that, with respect to the Effective Date, all amounts due under this Section  13.5 shall be paid on the Effective Date solely to the extent invoiced to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date. If any Credit Party fails to pay when due any costs, expenses or other amounts payable by it hereunder or under any Credit Document, such amount may be paid on behalf of such Credit Party by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

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(b) The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless each Agent, Lender, Lead Arranger, Agent-Related Person and their Affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, partners, agents, advisors and other representatives of the foregoing (collectively the “ Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, or out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs but limited in the case of legal fees and expenses to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel to all Indemnitees taken as a whole and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel for all Indemnitees taken as a whole in each relevant jurisdiction, and solely in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel and (if reasonably necessary) one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction to the affected Indemnitees similarly situated) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with (i) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Credit Document or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Commitment or Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged Environmental Claim regarding, or liability or obligation under Environmental Law of, the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) (a “ Proceeding ”) and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto or whether or not such Proceeding is brought by the Borrower or any other Person and, in each case, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the negligence of the Indemnitee (all of the foregoing, collectively, the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”); provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims or out-of-pocket expenses resulted from (x) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or of any of its Related Indemnified Persons, as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, (y) a material breach of any obligations under any Credit Document by such Indemnitee or of any of its Related Indemnified Persons, as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (z) any dispute solely among Indemnitees other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as an administrative agent or collateral agent or arranger or any similar role under this Agreement and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates (as determined in a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement (except for direct (as opposed to indirect, special, punitive or consequential) damages resulting from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment, of such Indemnitee), nor shall any Indemnitee, Agent-Related Parties, Credit Party or any Subsidiary have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Effective Date) (other than, in the case of any Credit Party, in respect of any such damages incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third party, or which are included in a third-party claim, and for any out-of-pocket expenses related thereto). In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section  13.5 applies, such indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Credit Party, any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, its directors, stockholders or creditors or an Indemnitee or any other Person, whether or not any Indemnitee is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not any of the transactions contemplated hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents are consummated. All amounts due under this Section  13.5 shall be paid within thirty (30) days after written demand therefor (together with backup documentation supporting such reimbursement request); provided , however , that such Indemnitee shall promptly refund such amount to the extent that there is a final judicial or arbitral determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification rights with respect to such payment pursuant to the express terms of this Section  13.5 . The agreements in this Section  13.5 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the replacement of any Lender and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section  13.5(b) shall not apply to Taxes, except any Taxes that represent liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, prepayments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements arising from any non-Tax claims.

 

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Section 13.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments .

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of each Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) except as expressly permitted by Section  10.3 , the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section  13.6 . Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of each Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in clause (c)  of this Section  13.6 ) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Agent-Related Parties and each other Person entitled to indemnification under Section  13.5 ) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (b)(ii) below, any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees (other than Holdings, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates, any natural person, any Disqualified Institution or any Defaulting Lender) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans (including participations in L/C Obligations or Swingline Loans) at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of:

(A) the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied or conditioned); provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment if an Event of Default under Section  11.1 or Section  11.5 with respect to the Borrower has occurred and is continuing; and

(B) the Administrative Agent, each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank (in each case, not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied or conditioned).

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall be in integral multiples of $5,000,000, unless each of the Borrower, each Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent otherwise consents (which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section  11.1 or Section  11.5 with respect to the Borrower has occurred and is continuing;

(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment and the Administrative Agent shall enter the relevant information in the Register pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section  13.6 ; and

(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and applicable Tax forms (including those described in Sections 5.4(d) , (e) , (h) and (i) , as applicable).

 

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(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to clause (b)(iv) of this Section  13.6 , from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.11 , 5.4 and 13.5 ). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section  13.6 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with clause (c)  of this Section  13.6 .

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a nonfiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders (including any SPVs that provide all or any part of a Loan pursuant to Section  13.6(g) hereof), and the Commitments of, and principal amount (and stated interest amounts) of the Loans and L/C Obligations and any payment made by each Issuing Bank under any applicable Letter of Credit owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). Further, the Register shall contain the name and address of the Administrative Agent and the lending office through which each such Person acts under this Agreement. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Collateral Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender and, solely with respect to itself, each other Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in clause (b)  of this Section  13.6 (unless waived) and any written consent to such assignment required by clause (b)  of this Section  13.6 , the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register.

(vi) The Administrative Agent shall have no duty to ascertain, monitor or enforce compliance with the restrictions on assignments and participations related to Disqualified Institutions.

(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities other than any Defaulting Lender, any Disqualified Institution (so long as the Administrative Agent may make the list of Disqualified Institutions available to any Lender upon request, in each case, subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section  13.16 and any failure of the Borrower to respond to any request for

 

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consent of assignment shall not cause any such Person to cease to constitute a Disqualified Institution), Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or their respective Affiliates or natural persons (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in clause (i)  or (ii) of the second proviso of the second sentence of Section  13.1(a) that affects such Participant, provided that the Participant shall have no right to consent to any modification to the percentages specified in the definitions of the terms “Majority Lenders”, “Required Lenders” or “Non-Defaulting Lenders”. Subject to clause (c)(ii) of this Section  13.6 , the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.11 and 5.4 to the same extent as if it were a Lender (subject to the limitations and requirements of those Sections and Sections 2.12 and 13.7 ) as though it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b)  of this Section  13.6 ). To the extent permitted by Requirements of Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section  13.8(b) as though it were a Lender; provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section  13.8(a) as though it were a Lender.

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section  2.10 , 2.11 , 3.11 or 5.4 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent; provided that the Participant shall be subject to the provisions in Section  2.12 and Section  13.7 as if it were an assignee under clauses (a)  and (b) of this Section  13.6 . Each Lender that sells a participation or grants an SPV shall, acting solely for this purpose as a nonfiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant or each SPV and the principal amounts (and stated interest amounts) of each Participant’s or SPV’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Credit Documents (the “ Participant Register ”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and each party hereto shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation or SPV for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. No Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or SPV or any information relating to a Participant’s or SPV’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Credit Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Treasury Regulations Section 5f.103-1(c), proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.163-5 or any applicable temporary, final or other successor regulations or upon the Borrower’s request, to confirm that no Participant is a Disqualified Institution.

(d) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, any Swingline Lender, any Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender, and this Section  13.6 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. In order to facilitate such pledge or assignment or for any other reason, the Borrower hereby agrees that, upon

 

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request of any Lender at any time and from time to time after the Borrower has made its initial borrowing hereunder, the Borrower shall provide to such Lender, at the Borrower’s own expense, a promissory note, substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 or H-2 , as the case may be, evidencing the Loans and Swingline Loans, respectively, owing to such Lender or its registered assigns.

(e) Subject to Section  13.16 , the Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any Participant, secured creditor of such Lender or assignee (each, a “ Transferee ”) and any prospective Transferee any and all financial information in such Lender’s possession concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates that has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower and its Affiliates pursuant to this Agreement or that has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower and its Affiliates in connection with such Lender’s credit evaluation of the Borrower and its Affiliates prior to becoming a party to this Agreement.

(f) The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “ Granting Lender ”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (a “ SPV ”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one (1) year and one (1) day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPV, it shall not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section  13.6 , any SPV may (A) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (B) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV. This Section  13.6(g) may not be amended without the written consent of the SPV. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, subject to the following sentence, each SPV shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.11 and 5.4 to the same extent as if it were a Lender (subject to the limitations and requirements of Sections 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.11 and 5.4 as though it were a Lender, and Sections 2.12 and 13.7 ), and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b)  of this Section  13.6 . Notwithstanding the prior sentence, an SPV shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section  2.10 , 2.11 , 3.11 or 5.4 than its Granting Lender would have been entitled to receive absent the grant to such SPV, unless such grant to such SPV is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent.

 

 

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(h) Any assignment or participation of a Loan or Commitment by a Lender without the Borrower’s consent (i) to a Disqualified Institution or (ii) to the extent the Borrower’s consent is required under this Section  13.6 , to any other Person, shall be null and void, and, in the event of any assignment or participation of any Loan or Commitment by a Lender in breach of the foregoing, the Borrower shall be entitled to seek specific performance to unwind any such assignment or Participation in addition to any other remedies available to the Borrower at law or in equity. In addition, (A) the Borrower may (x) terminate any Commitment of such Person and prepay any applicable outstanding Loans at a price equal to the lesser of par and the amount such Person paid to acquire such Loans, without premium, penalty, prepayment fee or breakage and/or (y) require such Person to assign its rights and obligations to one or more permitted assignees under this Section  13.6 at the price indicated above (which assignment shall not be subject to any processing and recordation fee) and if such Person does not execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly executed Assignment and Assumption reflecting such assignment within five (5) Business Days of the date on which the assignee Lender executes and delivers such Assignment and Assumption to such Person, then such Person shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Assumption without any action on its part, (B) no such Person shall receive any information, reporting or other materials provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender or attend or participate in any meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, (C) for purposes of voting, any Loans or Commitments held by such Person shall be deemed not to be outstanding, and such Person shall have no voting or consent rights with respect to “Majority Lender”, “Required Lender” or class votes or consents, (D) for purposes of any matter requiring the vote or consent of each Lender affected by any amendment or waiver, such Person shall be deemed to have voted or consented to approve such amendment or waiver if a majority of the affected class (giving effect to clause (C)  above) so approves and (E) such Person shall not be entitled to any expense reimbursement or indemnification rights and shall be treated in all other respects as a Defaulting Lender; it being understood and agreed that the foregoing provisions shall only apply to the Person specified in clauses (i)  or (ii) of the first sentence of this paragraph and not to any assignee of such Person that becomes a Lender so long as such assignee becomes an assignee in accordance with the provisions of this Section  13.6 . Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prejudice any right or remedy that the Borrower may otherwise have at law or equity, including against any Lender that enters into an assignment, participation or other transaction (including the disclosure of Confidential Information) with a Disqualified Institution in contravention of the terms of this Agreement. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries will suffer irreparable harm if such Lender breaches any obligation under this Section  13.6 . Additionally, each Lender agrees that the Borrower may seek to obtain specific performance or other equitable or injunctive relief to enforce this paragraph against such Lender with respect to such breach without posting a bond or presenting evidence of irreparable harm.

Section 13.7 Replacements of Lenders under Certain Circumstances .

(a) In the event that any Lender (i) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section  2.10 , 3.11 or 5.4 (other than Section  5.4(b) ), (ii) is affected in the manner described in Section  2.10(a)(iii) and as a result thereof any of the actions described in such Section is required to be taken or (iii) becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to replace such Lender or terminate the Commitment of such Lender; provided that (x) in the case of a replacement (A) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (B) the replacement bank or institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and the Borrower shall pay all other amounts (other than any disputed amounts), pursuant to Section  2.10 , 3.11 or 5.4 , as the case may be) owing to such replaced Lender prior to the date of replacement, (C) the replacement bank or institution, if not already a Lender, and the terms and conditions of such replacement, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender

 

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and each Issuing Bank (except to the extent such Swingline Lender or Issuing Banks is, or is an Affiliate of, the Lender being replaced) and (D) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section  13.6(b) ( provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein as long as the replacement Lender pays such fee) and (y) in the case of a termination, repay all Obligations (including amounts (other than any disputed amounts), owing pursuant to Section  2.10 , 3.11 or 5.4 , as the case may be) owing to such Lender as of such termination date (and, in the case of an Issuing Bank, cancel or backstop on terms satisfactory to such Issuing Bank any Letters of Credit issued by it).

(b) If any Lender (such Lender, a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge, termination or Borrowing Base determination that pursuant to the terms of Section  13.1 requires the consent of all of the Lenders affected or the Required Lenders or all Non-Defaulting Lenders and with respect to which the Majority Lenders shall have granted their consent, then the Borrower shall have the right (unless such Non-Consenting Lender grants such consent) to (x) replace such Non-Consenting Lender by requiring such Non-Consenting Lender to assign its Loans and its Commitments hereunder to one or more assignees reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank (except to the extent such Swingline Lender or Issuing Banks is, or is an Affiliate of, the Lender being replaced) or (y) terminate the Commitment of such Lender; provided that: (x) in the case of a replacement, (i) all Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender being replaced (other than principal and interest) shall be paid in full to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such assignment, (ii) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Non-Consenting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Non-Consenting Lender shall otherwise comply with Section  13.6 ( provided that the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein as long as the replacement Lender pays such fee) and (y) in the case of a termination, all Obligations owing to such Non-Consenting Lender shall be paid in full concurrently with such termination.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (i) each party hereto agrees that any assignment pursuant to the terms of this Section  13.7 may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender, each Issuing Bank and the assignee and that the Lender making such assignment need not be a party thereto and (ii) no termination of Commitments may be made pursuant to this Section  13.7 unless the Letter of Credit Exposure and Swingline Exposure of the terminated Lender is cash collateralized on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender.

(d) Any such Lender replacement or Commitment termination pursuant to this Section  13.7 shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.

Section 13.8 Adjustments; Set-off .

(a) If any Lender (a “ benefited Lender ”) shall at any time receive any payment in respect of any principal of or interest on all or part of the Loans made by it, or the participations in Letter of Credit Obligations held by it, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section  11.5 , or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender entitled thereto, if any, in respect of such other Lender’s Loans, or interest thereon, such benefited Lender shall (i) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (ii) purchase for cash at face value from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of each such other Lender’s Loans, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause

 

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such benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably in accordance with the aggregate principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided , however , that (A) if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest and (B) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (1) any payment made by the Borrower or any other Credit Party pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, (2) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans, Commitments or participations in Drawings to any assignee or participant or (3) any disproportionate payment obtained by a Lender as a result of the extension by Lenders of the maturity date or expiration date of some but not all Loans or Commitments or any increase in the Applicable Margin in respect of Loans or Commitments of Lenders that have consented to any such extension. Each Credit Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under Requirements of Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Credit Party rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Credit Party in the amount of such participation.

(b) After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by Requirements of Law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, upon any amount becoming due and payable by the Borrower hereunder or under any Credit Document (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) to set-off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower (and the Credit Parties, if applicable) and the Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

Section 13.9 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic transmission, e.g. , a “pdf” or a “tif”), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Section 13.10 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 13.11 Integration . This Agreement and the other Credit Documents represent the agreement of the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Borrower, the Guarantors, any Agent nor any Lender relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Credit Documents.

Section 13.12 GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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Section 13.13 Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers . Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, in each case located in New York County, and appellate courts from any thereof; provided that nothing contained herein or in any other Credit Document will prevent any Lender, the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent from bringing any action to enforce any award or judgment or exercise any right under the Credit Documents or against any Collateral or any other property of any Credit Party in any other forum in which jurisdiction can be established;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person at its address set forth on Schedule 13.2 at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant to Section  13.2 ;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by Requirements of Law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction;

(e) without limitation of Sections 12.7 and 13.5 , waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section  13.13 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (other than, in the case of any Credit Party, in respect of any such damages incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third party, or which are included in a third-party claim, and for any out-of-pocket expenses related thereto); and

(f) agrees that a final judgment in any action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

Section 13.14 Acknowledgments . The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents;

(b) (i) the credit facility provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Borrower and the other Credit Parties, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the other Agents on the other hand, and the Borrower and the other Credit Parties are capable of evaluating and understanding and understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Credit Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, each of the Administrative Agent, other Agents and the Lenders, is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary for any of the Borrower, any other Credit Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, equity holders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) neither the

 

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Administrative Agent, any other Agent, any Lead Arranger, nor any Lender has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower or any other Credit Party with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or any other Agent, any Lead Arranger, or any Lender has advised or is currently advising any of the Borrower, the other Credit Parties or their respective Affiliates on other matters) and none of the Administrative Agent, any Agent, any Lead Arranger or any Lender has any obligation to any of the Borrower, the other Credit Parties or their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, each other Agent and each of its Affiliates and each Lender and its Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its respective Affiliates, and none of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (v) none of the Administrative Agent, any Agent or any Lender has provided and none will provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document) and the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate. The Borrower hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and each Agent with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty; and

(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Credit Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrower, on the one hand, and any Lender, on the other hand.

Section 13.15 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL . THE BORROWER, EACH AGENT, EACH ISSUING BANK AND EACH LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

Section 13.16 Confidentiality . The Administrative Agent, each other Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender and each other Lender shall hold all information not marked as “public information” and furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Lender’s evaluation of whether to become a Lender hereunder or obtained by such Lender, any Swingline Lender, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or such other Agent pursuant to the requirements of this Agreement (“ Confidential Information ”), confidential in accordance with its customary procedure for handling confidential information of this nature and in any event may make disclosure (a) pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or otherwise as required by applicable law or regulation or as requested by a Governmental Authority (in which case such Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender, as applicable, to the extent permitted by law, rule or regulation, shall inform the Borrower promptly thereof), (b) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender or any of its Affiliates (in which case such Person shall inform the Borrower promptly thereof prior to such disclosure, unless such Person is prohibited by applicable Law from so informing the Borrower, or except in connection with any request as part of any regulatory examination), (c) to such Agent’s, Issuing Bank’s or Lender’s Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, controlling persons, trustees, managers and advisors, legal counsel, independent auditors and other experts or agents, in each case who need to know such information in connection with the administration of the Credit Documents and are informed of the confidential nature of such information and agree to be bound by customary confidentiality arrangements, (d) to prospective Lenders, Participants or assignees (or their respective advisors) or, with the prior written consent of the Borrower, any potential counterparty to any swap or derivative transaction

 

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relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective obligations (in each case, other than Disqualified Institutions); provided that such disclosure shall be made subject to the acknowledgment and acceptance by such prospective Lender, Participant, assignee or potential counterparty, on behalf of itself and its advisors, that such information is being disseminated on a confidential basis (on substantially the terms set forth in this Section  13.16 or as is otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, (e) to the extent that such information is received by such Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender from a third party that is not, to its knowledge, subject to confidentiality obligations to the Credit Parties, the Sellers or the Sponsor or any of their respective Affiliates, (f) to a nationally recognized ratings agency that requires access to information regarding the Credit Parties, the Loans and Credit Documents in connection with ratings issued with respect to a securitization, (g) to the extent such Confidential Information becomes public other than by reason of improper disclosure by such Person or any of its Affiliates, (h) the extent that such information is independently developed by such Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender or its respective Affiliates, in each case, so long as not based on information obtained in a manner that would otherwise violate this Section  13.16 , and (i) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense; provided that no disclosure shall be made to any Disqualified Institution; provided further that in no event shall any Lender, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any other Agent be obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Borrower or any Subsidiary. In addition, each Lender, the Administrative Agent and each other Agent may provide Confidential Information to prospective Transferees or to any pledgee referred to in Section  13.6 or to prospective direct or indirect contractual counterparties in Hedge Agreements to be entered into in connection with Loans made hereunder as long as such Person is advised of and agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section  13.16 or confidentiality provisions at least as restrictive as those set forth in the Section  13.16 .

Section 13.17 Release of Collateral and Guarantee Obligations .

(a) The Lenders hereby irrevocably agree that the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent by the Credit Parties on any Collateral shall be automatically released (i) in full, as set forth in clause (b)  below, (ii) upon the Disposition of such Collateral (including as part of or in connection with any other Disposition permitted hereunder) to any Person other than another Credit Party (other than Holdings), to the extent such Disposition is not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Credit Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (iii) upon any Collateral becoming an Excluded Equity Interest, an Excluded Asset or becoming owned by an Excluded Subsidiary or becoming subject to Liens pursuant to clauses (d)  and (e) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” or any Lien permitted pursuant to Sections 10.2(f) , (g) , (j) , (m) , (o) , (p) , (w) , (x) and (y) , in each case, except in connection with a transaction prohibited hereunder, (iv) to the extent such Collateral is comprised of property leased to a Credit Party, upon termination or expiration of such lease, (v) if the release of such Lien is approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Majority Lenders (or such other percentage of the Lenders whose consent may be required in accordance with Section  13.1 ), (vi) to the extent the property constituting such Collateral is owned by any Guarantor, upon the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee in accordance with the second succeeding sentence or Section 5(g) of the Guarantee and (vii) as required by the Collateral Agent to effect any Disposition of Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents. Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those being released) upon (or obligations (other than those being released) of the Credit Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Credit Parties, including the proceeds of any Disposition, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral except to the extent otherwise released in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Documents. Additionally, the Lenders hereby irrevocably agree that (A) Parent and Opco Parent shall be released from the Parent Guarantee or Opco Guarantee, as applicable, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 5(g) thereof, as applicable, (B) any other Person that guarantees the Obligations shall be released from its guarantee pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the documentation governing such guarantee and (C)

 

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Subsidiary Guarantors shall be released from the Guarantee upon consummation of any transaction permitted hereunder resulting in such Subsidiary Guarantor ceasing to constitute a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise becoming an Excluded Subsidiary. The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, to execute and deliver any instruments, documents, and agreements necessary or desirable to evidence and confirm the release of any guarantor or Collateral pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, all without the further consent or joinder of any Lender. Any representation, warranty or covenant contained in any Credit Document relating to any such Collateral or guarantor shall no longer be deemed to be repeated. In connection with any release hereunder, the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall promptly (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to) take such action and execute any such documents as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower and at the Borrower’s expense in connection with the release of any Liens created by any Credit Document in respect of such Subsidiary, property or asset.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or any other Credit Document, when all Obligations (other than (i) Hedging Obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements, (ii) Cash Management Obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (iii) any contingent or indemnification obligations not then due) have been paid in full in cash or equivalents thereof, all Commitments have terminated or expired and no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding that is not Cash Collateralized or back-stopped, upon request of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall (without notice to, or vote or consent of, any Secured Party) take such actions as shall be required to release its security interest in all Collateral, and to release all obligations under any Credit Document, whether or not on the date of such release there may be any (i) Hedging Obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements, (ii) Cash Management Obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (iii) any contingent or indemnification obligations not then due. Any such release of Obligations shall be deemed subject to the provision that such Obligations shall be reinstated if after such release any portion of any payment in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

Section 13.18 USA PATRIOT Act . The Agents and each Lender hereby notify the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ PATRIOT Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of each Credit Party and other information that will allow such Agent and such Lender to identify each Credit Party in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.

Section 13.19 Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to any Agent or any Lender, or any Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by any Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect.

 

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Section 13.20 Reinstatement . This Agreement shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

Section 13.21 Disposition of Proceeds . The Security Documents contain an assignment by the Borrower and/or the Grantors unto and in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders of all of the Borrower’s or each Grantor’s interest in and to their as-extracted collateral in the form of production and all proceeds attributable thereto which may be produced from or allocated to the Mortgaged Property. The Security Documents further provide in general for the application of such proceeds to the satisfaction of the Obligations described therein and secured thereby. Notwithstanding the assignment contained in such Security Documents, until the occurrence of an Event of Default, (a) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that they will neither notify the purchaser or purchasers of such production nor take any other action to cause such proceeds to be remitted to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, but the Lenders will instead permit such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (b) the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to take such actions as may be necessary to cause such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and/or such Subsidiaries.

Section 13.22 Collateral Matters; Hedge Agreements . The benefit of the Security Documents and of the provisions of this Agreement relating to any Collateral securing the Obligations shall also extend to and be available on a pro rata basis pursuant to terms agreed upon in the Credit Documents to any Person (a) under any Secured Hedge Agreement, in each case, after giving effect to all netting arrangements relating to such Hedge Agreements or (b) under any Secured Cash Management Agreement. No Person shall have any voting rights under any Credit Document solely as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any such Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement.

Section 13.23 Agency of the Borrower for the Other Credit Parties . Each of the other Credit Parties hereby appoints the Borrower as its agent for all purposes relevant to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including the giving and receipt of notices and the execution and delivery of all documents, instruments and certificates contemplated herein and therein and all modifications hereto and thereto.

Section 13.24 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Credit Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any parties hereto, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Credit Document may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

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(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Credit Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

[Signature Pages Follow.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

TPG PACE ENERGY INTERMEDIATE LLC , as Holdings
By:  

/s/ Martin Davidson

Name:   Martin Davidson
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

MAGNOLIA OIL  & GAS OPERATING LLC ,

as the Borrower

By:  

/s/ Martin Davidson

Name:   Martin Davidson
Title:   Chief Financial Officer


CITIBANK, N.A. , as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender
By:  

/s/ Cliff Vaz

Name:   Cliff Vaz
Title:   Vice President

[Lender Signatures are on file with the Administrative Agent]

Exhibit 10.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS PARENT LLC

DATED AS OF JULY 31, 2018

THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS IN MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS PARENT LLC HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS, AND HAVE BEEN OR ARE BEING ISSUED IN RELIANCE UPON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS. SUCH INTERESTS MUST BE ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH (I) THE SECURITIES ACT, ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS; (II) THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT; AND (III) ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BETWEEN THE MANAGING MEMBER AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER. THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OF RECORD EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH LAWS, THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT, AND ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BY THE MANAGING MEMBER AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER. THEREFORE, PURCHASERS AND OTHER TRANSFEREES OF SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT OR ACQUISITION FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     2  

Section 1.1

  Definitions      2  

Section 1.2

  Interpretive Provisions      14  

ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

     15  

Section 2.1

  Formation      15  

Section 2.2

  Filing      15  

Section 2.3

  Name      15  

Section 2.4

  Registered Office; Registered Agent      15  

Section 2.5

  Principal Place of Business      15  

Section 2.6

  Purpose; Powers      15  

Section 2.7

  Term      15  

Section 2.8

  Intent      16  

ARTICLE III CLOSING TRANSACTIONS

     16  

Section 3.1

  Transactions in Connection with the Contribution Agreement      16  

ARTICLE IV OWNERSHIP AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

     17  

Section 4.1

  Authorized Units; General Provisions With Respect to Units      17  

Section 4.2

  Voting Rights      20  

Section 4.3

  Capital Contributions; Unit Ownership      20  

Section 4.4

  Capital Accounts      21  

Section 4.5

  Other Matters      21  

Section 4.6

  Redemption of Units      22  

ARTICLE V ALLOCATIONS OF PROFITS AND LOSSES

     29  

Section 5.1

  Profits and Losses      29  

Section 5.2

  Special Allocations      29  

Section 5.3

  Allocations for Tax Purposes in General      32  

Section 5.4

  Income Tax Allocations with Respect to Depletable Properties      33  

Section 5.5

  Other Allocation Rules      34  

ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS

     35  

Section 6.1

  Distributions      35  

Section 6.2

  Tax-Related Distributions      36  

Section 6.3

  Distribution Upon Withdrawal      36  

ARTICLE VII MANAGEMENT

     36  

Section 7.1

  The Managing Member; Fiduciary Duties      36  

 

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Section 7.2

  Officers      37  

Section 7.3

  Warranted Reliance by Officers on Others      38  

Section 7.4

  Indemnification      38  

Section 7.5

  Maintenance of Insurance or Other Financial Arrangements      39  

Section 7.6

  Resignation or Termination of Managing Member      39  

Section 7.7

  No Inconsistent Obligations      39  

Section 7.8

  Reclassification Events of PubCo      39  

Section 7.9

  Certain Costs and Expenses      40  

ARTICLE VIII ROLE OF MEMBERS

     40  

Section 8.1

  Rights or Powers      40  

Section 8.2

  Voting      41  

Section 8.3

  Various Capacities      42  

ARTICLE IX TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS

     42  

Section 9.1

  Restrictions on Transfer      42  

Section 9.2

  Notice of Transfer      43  

Section 9.3

  Transferee Members      43  

Section 9.4

  Legend      43  

ARTICLE X ACCOUNTING

     44  

Section 10.1

  Books of Account      44  

Section 10.2

  Tax Elections      44  

Section 10.3

  Tax Returns; Information      45  

Section 10.4

  Texas Margin Tax      45  

Section 10.5

  Company Representative      45  

Section 10.6

  Withholding Tax Payments and Obligations      45  

ARTICLE XI DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

     47  

Section 11.1

  Liquidating Events      47  

Section 11.2

  Bankruptcy      48  

Section 11.3

  Procedure      48  

Section 11.4

  Rights of Members      49  

Section 11.5

  Notices of Dissolution      49  

Section 11.6

  Reasonable Time for Winding Up      49  

Section 11.7

  No Deficit Restoration      50  

ARTICLE XII GENERAL

     50  

Section 12.1

  Amendments; Waivers      50  

Section 12.2

  Further Assurances      50  

Section 12.3

  Successors and Assigns      51  

Section 12.4

  Entire Agreement      51  

Section 12.5

  Rights of Members Independent      51  

Section 12.6

  Governing Law      51  

Section 12.7

  Jurisdiction and Venue      51  

 

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Section 12.8

  Headings      51  

Section 12.9

  Counterparts      52  

Section 12.10

  Notices      52  

Section 12.11

  Representation By Counsel; Interpretation      53  

Section 12.12

  Severability      54  

Section 12.13

  Expenses      54  

Section 12.14

  Waiver of Jury Trial      54  

Section 12.15

  No Third Party Beneficiaries      54  

 

 

iii


AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS PARENT LLC

This AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of July 31, 2018, by and among Magnolia Oil & Gas Parent LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (“ PubCo ”), and each other Person who is or at any time becomes a Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Act. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the respective meanings set forth in Section  1.1 .

RECITALS

WHEREAS , the Company was formed pursuant to a Certificate of Formation filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 15, 2018 and was originally governed by a Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of March 15, 2018 (the “ Existing LLC Agreement ”);

WHEREAS , the Company, PubCo and the EnerVest Funds have entered into a Contribution and Merger Agreement dated March 20, 2018 (the “ Contribution Agreement ”) and a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated March 20, 2018 (the “ Ironwood Agreement ”);

WHEREAS , PubCo and the Contributors have agreed that if the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and the Ironwood Agreement are both consummated as contemplated, such transactions will be treated as part of a single transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the tax characterization described in Section 3.7(a) of the Contribution Agreement will apply;

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, PubCo is (A) contributing all of its assets, including the net proceeds of its initial public offering and the net cash proceeds received by PubCo pursuant to the Subscription Agreements (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) to the Company and (B) issuing and contributing shares of its Class A Common Stock (as defined below) and Class B Common Stock (as defined below) to the Company, and in exchange therefor the Company is issuing to PubCo a number of Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement (including the shares of Class A Common Stock contributed by PubCo to the Company as described in clause (B) above);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, at the Closing (as defined in the Contribution Agreement), (i) the EnerVest Funds are contributing the Assets (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) to the Company and (ii) in exchange therefor, the Company is (A) distributing certain amounts of cash, all of the shares of Class B Common Stock and all of the shares of Class A Common Stock received from PubCo to the EnerVest Funds and (B) issuing to the EnerVest Funds the Units set forth on Exhibit A , in each case as more particularly described in the Contribution Agreement;


WHEREAS , each Unit (other than any Unit held by PubCo and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) may be redeemed, at the election of the holder of such Unit (together with the surrender and delivery by such holder of one share of Class B Common Stock), for one share of Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

WHEREAS , the Members of the Company desire that PubCo become the sole managing Member of the Company (in its capacity as managing Member as well as in any other capacity, the “ Managing Member ”);

WHEREAS , the Members of the Company desire to amend and restate the Existing LLC Agreement and adopt this Agreement; and

WHEREAS , this Agreement shall supersede the Existing LLC Agreement in its entirety as of the date hereof.

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits attached to this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq., as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

Action ” means any claim, action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Entity.

Adjusted Basis ” has the meaning given such term in Section 1011 of the Code.

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit ” means the deficit balance, if any, in such Member’s Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year or other taxable period, with the following adjustments:

 

  (a)

credit to such Capital Account any amount that such Member is obligated to restore under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)( c ), as well as any addition thereto pursuant to the next to last sentences of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) after taking into account thereunder any changes during such year in Company Minimum Gain and Member Minimum Gain; and

 

2


  (b)

debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)( d )(4), (5) and (6).

This definition of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)( d ) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For these purposes, “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; provided that, for purposes of this Agreement, (a) no Member shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (b) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed an Affiliate of any Member.

Agreement ” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

beneficially own ” and “ beneficial owner ” shall be as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Bipartisan Budget Act ” means Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code, as amended by Section 1101 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-74 and Section 411 of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, Pub. L. 114-113, div. Q, together with any final or temporary Treasury Regulations, Revenue Rulings, and case law interpreting Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code (and any analogous provisions of state or local tax law).

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized by Law to be closed in the City of New York.

Call Election Notice ” is defined in Section  4.6(f)(ii) .

Call Right ” is defined in Section  4.6(f)(i)

Capital Account ” means, with respect to any Member, the Capital Account maintained for such Member in accordance with Section  4.4 .

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of cash and the initial Gross Asset Value of any property (other than cash) contributed to the Company by such Member. Any reference to the Capital Contribution of a Member will include any Capital Contributions made by a predecessor holder of such Member’s Units to the extent that such Capital Contribution was made in respect of Units Transferred to such Member.

Cash Election ” is defined in Section  4.6(a)(iii) and shall also include PubCo’s election to purchase Units for cash pursuant to an exercise of its Call Right set forth in Section  4.6(g) .

Cash Election Amount ” means with respect to a particular Redemption for which a Cash Election has been made, (i) if the Class A Common Stock trades on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, an amount of cash equal to the product of (A) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would have been received in such Redemption

 

3


if a Cash Election had not been made and (B) the average of the volume-weighted average price for a share of Class A Common Stock on the principal U.S. securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system on which the Class A Common Stock trades, as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or its successor, for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days ending on and including the last full Trading Day immediately prior to the Redemption Notice Date, subject to appropriate and equitable adjustment for any stock splits, reverse splits, stock dividends or similar events affecting the Class A Common Stock; and (ii) if the Class A Common Stock no longer trades on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, an amount of cash equal to the product of (A) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would have been received in such Redemption if a Cash Election had not been made and (B) the fair market value of one share of Class A Common Stock, as determined by the Managing Member in good faith, that would be obtained in an arms-length transaction between an informed and willing buyer and an informed and willing seller, with neither party having any compulsion to buy or sell, and without regard to the particular circumstances of the buyer or seller.

Change of Control Redemption Date ” is defined in Section  4.6(g) .

Chief Executive Officer ” is defined in Section  7.2(b) .

Class  A Common Stock ” means, as applicable, (a) the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of PubCo or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving PubCo, any shares or other securities of PubCo or any other Person or cash or other property that become payable in consideration for the Class A Common Stock or into which the Class A Common Stock is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event.

Class  B Common Stock ” means, as applicable, (a) the Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of PubCo or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving PubCo, any shares or other securities of PubCo or any other Person or cash or other property that become payable in consideration for the Class B Common Stock or into which the Class B Common Stock is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event.

Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including any governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.

Company ” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

Company Level Taxes ” means any federal, state, or local income taxes, additions to such taxes, and penalties and interest with respect such taxes thereto payable by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof as a result of any examination of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s returns by any federal, state, or local tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings under the Bipartisan Budget Act.

 

4


Company Minimum Gain ” has the meaning of “partnership minimum gain” set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d). It is further understood that Company Minimum Gain shall be determined in a manner consistent with the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(2), including the requirement that if the adjusted Gross Asset Value of property subject to one or more Nonrecourse Liabilities differs from its adjusted tax basis, Company Minimum Gain shall be determined with reference to such Gross Asset Value.

Company Representative ” has the meaning assigned to the term “partnership representative” in Section 6223 of the Code and any Treasury Regulations or other administrative or judicial pronouncements promulgated thereunder.

Consolidating Member ” is defined in Section  10.4 .

Contract ” means any written agreement, contract, lease, sublease, license, sublicense, obligation, promise or undertaking.

Contribution Agreement ” is defined in the Recitals.

Contributors ” is defined in the Contribution Agreement.

control ” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly or as trustee, personal representative or executor, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee, personal representative or executor, by contract, credit arrangement or otherwise.

Covered Audit Adjustment ” means an adjustment in the amount of any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of the Company or any subsidiary thereof, or any Member’s distributive share thereof, to the extent such adjustment results in an “imputed underpayment” as described in Section 6225(b) of the Code or any analogous provision of state or local law.

Covered Person ” is defined in Section  7.4 .

Debt Securities ” means, with respect to PubCo, any and all debt instruments or debt securities that are not convertible or exchangeable into Equity Securities of PubCo.

Defect Holdback Amount ” is defined in the Contribution Agreement.

Depletable Basis Shortfall ” is defined in Section  5.4(b) .

Depletable Property ” means each separate oil and gas property as defined in Code Section 614.

Depreciation ” means, for each Fiscal Year or other taxable period, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction (excluding depletion) allowable with respect to an asset for such Fiscal Year or other taxable period, except that (a) with respect to any such property the Gross Asset Value of which differs from its Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal

 

5


income tax purposes and which difference is being eliminated by use of the “remedial method” pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(d), Depreciation for such Fiscal Year or other taxable period shall be the amount of book basis recovered for such Fiscal Year or other taxable period under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(d)(2), and (b) with respect to any other such property the Gross Asset Value of which differs from its Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Fiscal Year or other taxable period, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such Fiscal Year or other taxable period bears to such beginning Adjusted Basis; provided , however , that if the Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of such Fiscal Year or other taxable period is zero, Depreciation with respect to such asset shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the Managing Member.

DGCL ” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

Discount ” is defined in Section  7.9 .

Effective Time ” means the time of the Closing (as defined in the Contribution Agreement).

EnerVest Funds ” means EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C-AIV L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

Equity Securities ” means (a) with respect to a partnership, limited liability company or similar Person, any and all units, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options or other equivalents of, or other ownership interests in, any such Person as well as debt or equity instruments convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into any such units, interests, rights or other ownership interests and (b) with respect to a corporation, any and all shares, interests, participation or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, including all common stock and preferred stock, or warrants, options or other rights to acquire any of the foregoing, including any debt instrument convertible or exchangeable into any of the foregoing.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Excess Tax Amount ” is defined in Section  10.6(b) .

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

Existing LLC Agreement ” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

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Fair Market Value ” means the fair market value of any property as reasonably determined by the Managing Member acting in good faith and after taking into account such factors as the Managing Member shall deem appropriate and as is consistent with any agreement with respect to the fair market value for federal and applicable state tax purposes of any property set forth in the Contribution Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Contributors elect to surrender Units to the Company pursuant to Section 14.7(e) of the Contribution Agreement (an “ Indemnification Surrender ”), the Managing Member is authorized to (a) adjust, as of the Effective Time, the initial Fair Market Value of any property contributed to the Company by the Contributors to reflect the indemnification obligation(s) to which the Indemnification Surrender relates, and (b) make, as of the Effective Time, any corresponding changes to the Capital Contributions and Capital Account balances of the Members.

Federal Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Company, which shall end on December 31 of each calendar year unless, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, another fiscal year is required. The Company shall have the same fiscal year for U.S. federal income tax purposes and for accounting purposes.

GAAP ” means U.S. generally acceptable accounting principles at the time.

Giddings Transaction ” is defined in the Contribution Agreement.

Good Faith ” means a Person having acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to a criminal proceeding, having had no reasonable cause to believe such Person’s conduct was unlawful.

Governmental Entity ” means any federal, national, supranational, state, provincial, local, foreign or other government, governmental, stock exchange, regulatory or administrative authority, agency or commission or any court, tribunal, or judicial or arbitral body.

Gross Asset Value ” means, with respect to any asset, the asset’s Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes (which, in the case of any Depletable Property, shall be determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.613A-3(e)(3)(iii)(c)), except as follows:

 

  (a)

the initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross Fair Market Value of such asset as of the date of such contribution;

 

  (b)

the Gross Asset Values of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross Fair Market Values as of the following times: (i) the acquisition of an interest (or additional interest) in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution to the Company or in exchange for the performance of more than a de minimis amount of services to or for the benefit of the Company; (ii) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of Company assets as consideration for an

 

7


  interest in the Company; (iii) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)( g )(1), (iv) the acquisition of an interest in the Company by any new or existing Member upon the exercise of a noncompensatory option in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( s ); or (v) any other event to the extent determined by the Managing Member to be permitted and necessary or appropriate to properly reflect Gross Asset Values in accordance with the standards set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( q ); provided , however , that adjustments pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) above shall be made only if the Managing Member reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company. If any noncompensatory options are outstanding upon the occurrence of an event described in this paragraph (b)(i) through (b)(v), the Company shall adjust the Gross Asset Values of its properties in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (f )(1) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (h )(2);

 

  (c)

the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset distributed to any Member shall be adjusted to equal the gross Fair Market Value of such asset on the date of such distribution;

 

  (d)

the Gross Asset Values of Company assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the Adjusted Basis of such assets pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( m ) and subsection (g)  in the definition of “Profits” or “Losses” below or Section  5.2(h) ; provided , however , that the Gross Asset Value of a Company asset shall not be adjusted pursuant to this subsection to the extent the Managing Member determines that an adjustment pursuant to subsection (b) of this definition is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subsection (d); and

 

  (e)

if the Gross Asset Value of a Company asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subsections (a) , (b) or (d)  of this definition of Gross Asset Value, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation and Simulated Depletion taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Profits, Losses and other items allocated pursuant to Article V .

Indebtedness ” means (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money (including capitalized lease obligations, sale-leaseback transactions or other similar transactions, however evidenced), (b) any other indebtedness that is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture, draft or similar instrument, (c) notes payable and (d) lines of credit and any other agreements relating to the borrowing of money or extension of credit.

Indemnification Surrender ” is defined in the definition of Fair Market Value.

 

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Initial Transactions ” means the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, the transactions contemplated by the Ironwood Agreement (if applicable), and the Giddings Transaction.

Investment Company Act ” is defined in Section  8.1(b) .

Interest ” means the entire interest of a Member in the Company, including the Units and all of such Member’s rights, powers and privileges under this Agreement and the Act.

Ironwood Agreement ” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

Law ” means any federal, national, supranational, state, provincial, local or similar statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, order, requirement or rule of law (including common law).

Legal Action ” is defined in Section  12.7 .

Liability ” means any liability or obligation, whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated and whether due or to become due, regardless of when asserted.

Liquidating Event ” is defined in Section  11.1 .

Managing Member ” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

Member ” means any Person that executes this Agreement as a Member, and any other Person admitted to the Company as an additional or substituted Member, that has not made a disposition of such Person’s entire Interest.

Member Minimum Gain ” has the meaning ascribed to “partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain” set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). It is further understood that the determination of Member Minimum Gain and the net increase or decrease in Member Minimum Gain shall be made in the same manner as required for such determination of Company Minimum Gain under Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(d) and 1.704-2(g)(3).

Member Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning of “partner nonrecourse debt” set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

Member Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning of “partner nonrecourse deductions” set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(2).

Minority Member Redemption Date ” is defined in Section  4.6(h) .

Minority Member Redemption Notice ” is defined in Section  4.6(h) .

National Securities Exchange ” means an exchange registered with the Commission under the Exchange Act.

Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning assigned that term in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b).

 

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Nonrecourse Liability ” is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(3).

Officer ” means each Person appointed as an officer of the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section  7.2 .

Percentage Interest ” means, at any time of determination and as to any Member, the quotient (expressed as percentage) of the number of Units owned by such Member divided by the total number of outstanding Units. The Percentage Interests of the Members will be adjusted to reflect any Units (a) issued to the Contributors from the Company from the Defect Holdback Amount or (b) surrendered by the Contributors to the Company in an Indemnification Surrender, in each case prospectively but as if the adjustment had been made as of the Effective Time for tax and Capital Account purposes.

Person ” means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity, as well as any syndicate or group that would be deemed to be a person under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

Plan Asset Regulations ” means the regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor at Section 2510.3-101 of Part 2510 of Chapter XXV, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulations as the same may be amended from time to time.

Prime Rate ” means, on any date of determination, a rate per annum equal to the rate of interest most recently published by The Wall Street Journal as the “prime rate” at large U.S. money center banks.

Proceeding ” is defined in Section  7.4 .

Profits ” or “ Losses ” means, for each Fiscal Year or other taxable period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such year or period, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments (without duplication):

 

  (a)

any income or gain of the Company that is exempt from U.S. federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses shall be added to such taxable income or loss;

 

  (b)

any expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( i ), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses, shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;

 

  (c)

in the event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of the definition of Gross Asset Value above, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the Gross Asset Value of the Company asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases the Gross Asset Value of the Company asset) from the disposition of such asset and shall, except to the extent allocated pursuant to Section  5.2 , be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses;

 

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  (d)

gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Company assets (other than Depletable Property) with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be computed with reference to the Gross Asset Value of the asset disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such asset differs from its Gross Asset Value;

 

  (e)

gain resulting from any disposition of a Depletable Property with respect to which gain is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be treated as being equal to the corresponding Simulated Gain;

 

  (f)

in lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation;

 

  (g)

to the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( m )(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Account balances as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses; and

 

  (h)

any items of income, gain, loss or deduction which are specifically allocated pursuant to the provisions of Section  5.2 shall not be taken into account in computing Profits or Losses for any taxable year, but such items available to be specially allocated pursuant to Section  5.2 will be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in subparagraphs (a) through (g) above.

Property ” means all real and personal property owned by the Company from time to time, including both tangible and intangible property.

PubCo ” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

PubCo Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events or series of events after the Effective Time:

(a) any Person (excluding any Qualifying Owner or any group of Qualifying Owners acting together which would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and excluding a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of PubCo in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the PubCo) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of PubCo representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of PubCo’s then outstanding voting securities;

 

11


(b) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of PubCo with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, the voting securities of PubCo immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent or are not converted into more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or

(c) the stockholders of PubCo approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of PubCo or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by PubCo of all or substantially all of PubCo’s assets (including a sale of all of the equity interests in the Company held by PubCo), other than such sale or other disposition by PubCo of all or substantially all of PubCo’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of PubCo in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of PubCo immediately prior to such sale.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to clause (b) above, a “PubCo Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of PubCo immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns, either directly or through a Subsidiary, all or substantially all of the assets of PubCo immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.

PubCo Common Stock ” means all classes and series of common stock of PubCo, including the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock.

Qualifying Owners ” means the EnerVest Funds and their respective Affiliates.

Reclassification Event ” means any of the following: (a) any reclassification or recapitalization of PubCo Common Stock (other than (i) a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or (ii) as a result of a subdivision or combination or any other transaction subject to Section  4.1(g) ), (b) any merger, consolidation or other combination involving PubCo, or (c) any sale, conveyance, lease, or other disposal of all or substantially all the properties and assets of PubCo to any other Person, in each of clauses (a), (b) or (c), as a result of which holders of PubCo Common Stock shall be entitled to receive cash, securities or other property for their shares of PubCo Common Stock.

Redeeming Member ” is defined in Section  4.6(a)(i) .

Redemption ” is defined in Section  4.6(a)(i) .

Redemption Date ” means (a) the later of (i) the date that is five Business Days after the Redemption Notice Date and (ii) if the Company or PubCo has made a valid Cash Election with respect to the relevant Redemption, the first Business Day on which the Company or PubCo has available funds to pay the Cash Election Amount, which in no event shall be more than ten Business Days after the Redemption Notice Date, or (b) such later date (i) specified in the Redemption Notice or (ii) on which a contingency described in Section  4.6(a)(ii)(C) that is specified in the Redemption Notice is satisfied.

 

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Redemption Notice ” is defined in Section  4.6(a)(ii) .

Redemption Notice Date ” is defined in Section  4.6(a)(ii) .

Regulatory Allocations ” is defined in Section  5.2(i) .

Retraction Notice ” is defined in Section  4.6(b)(i) .

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

Simulated Basis ” means the Gross Asset Value of any Depletable Property.

Simulated Depletion ” means, with respect to each Depletable Property, a depletion allowance computed in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles (as if the Simulated Basis of the property were its Adjusted Basis) and in a manner specified in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2). For purposes of computing Simulated Depletion with respect to any Depletable Property, the Simulated Basis of such property shall be deemed to be the Gross Asset Value of such property, and in no event shall such allowance, in the aggregate, exceed the Simulated Basis. If the Gross Asset Value of a Depletable Property is adjusted pursuant to the definition of Gross Asset Value during a taxable year or other fiscal period, following such adjustment Simulated Depletion shall thereafter be calculated under the foregoing provisions based upon such adjusted Gross Asset Value.

Simulated Gain ” means the excess, if any, of the amount realized from the sale or other disposition of a Depletable Property over the Gross Asset Value of such Depletable Property and determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

Simulated Loss ” means the excess, if any, of the Gross Asset Value of a Depletable Property over the amount realized from the sale or other disposition of such Depletable Property and determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person with respect to which such specified Person (a) has, directly or indirectly, the power, through the ownership of securities or otherwise, to elect a majority of directors or similar managing body or (b) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of such Person’s Equity Securities.

Tax Contribution Obligation ” is defined in Section  10.6(b) .

Tax Distributions ” means distributions required to be made pursuant to Section  6.2 .

Tax Offset ” is defined in Section  10.6(b) .

Trading Day ” means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).

 

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Transfer ” means, when used as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect (whether through a change of control of the Transferor or any Person that controls the Transferor, the issuance or transfer of Equity Securities of the Transferor, by operation of law or otherwise), transfer, sale, pledge or hypothecation or other disposition and, when used as a verb, voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly (whether through a change of control of the Transferor or any Person that controls the Transferor, the issuance or transfer of Equity Securities of the Transferor or any Person that controls the Transferor, by operation of law or otherwise), to transfer, sell, pledge or hypothecate or otherwise dispose of. The terms “Transferee,” “Transferor,” “Transferred,” and other forms of the word “Transfer” shall have the correlative meanings.

Transfer Agent ” is defined in Section  4.6(a)(ii) .

Treasury Regulations ” means pronouncements, as amended from time to time, or their successor pronouncements, which clarify, interpret and apply the provisions of the Code, and which are designated as “Treasury Regulations” by the United States Department of the Treasury.

Uniform Commercial Code ” means the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of Delaware.

Units ” means the Units issued hereunder and shall also include any equity security of the Company issued in respect of or in exchange for Units, whether by way of dividend or other distribution, split, recapitalization, merger, rollup transaction, consolidation, conversion or reorganization.

Warrants ” is defined in Section  3.1(d) .

Winding-Up Member ” is defined in Section  11.3(a) .

Section 1.2 Interpretive Provisions

. For all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

  (a)

the terms defined in Section  1.1 are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms;

 

  (b)

all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned under GAAP;

 

  (c)

all references to currency, monetary values and dollars set forth herein shall mean United States (U.S.) dollars and all payments hereunder shall be made in United States dollars;

 

  (d)

when a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference is to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated;

 

  (e)

whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

 

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  (f)

“or” is not exclusive;

 

  (g)

pronouns of either gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms; and

 

  (h)

the words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Section 2.1 Formation . The Company has been formed as a limited liability company subject to the provisions of the Act upon the terms, provisions and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

Section 2.2 Filing . The Company’s Certificate of Formation has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act. The Members shall execute such further documents (including amendments to such Certificate of Formation) and take such further action as is appropriate to comply with the requirements of Law for the formation or operation of a limited liability company in Delaware and in all states and counties where the Company may conduct its business.

Section 2.3 Name . The name of the Company is “MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS PARENT LLC” and all business of the Company shall be conducted in such name or, in the discretion of the Managing Member, under any other name.

Section 2.4 Registered Office; Registered Agent . The location of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, or at such other place as the Managing Member from time to time may select. The name and address for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware are The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, or such other qualified Person as the Managing Member may designate from time to time and its business address.

Section 2.5 Principal Place of Business . The principal place of business of the Company shall be located in such place as is determined by the Managing Member from time to time.

Section 2.6 Purpose; Powers . The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act. The Company shall have the power and authority to take any and all actions and engage in any and all activities necessary, appropriate, desirable, advisable, ancillary or incidental to the accomplishment of the foregoing purpose.

Section 2.7 Term . The term of the Company commenced on the date of filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act and shall continue indefinitely. The Company may be dissolved and its affairs wound up only in accordance with Article XI .

 

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Section 2.8 Intent . It is the intent of the Members that the Company be operated in a manner consistent with its treatment as a “partnership” for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. It is also the intent of the Members that the Company not be operated or treated as a “partnership” for purposes of Section 303 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. Neither the Company nor any Member shall take any action inconsistent with the express intent of the parties hereto as set forth in this Section  2.8 .

ARTICLE III

CLOSING TRANSACTIONS

Section 3.1 Transactions in Connection with the Contribution Agreement .

 

  (a)

Effective as of the Effective Time, (i) the Existing LLC Agreement shall be amended and restated and this Agreement shall be adopted, and (ii) PubCo shall (A) contribute all of its assets, including the net proceeds of its initial public offering and the net cash proceeds received by PubCo pursuant to the Subscription Agreements (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) to the Company and (B) pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, issue and contribute shares of its Class A Common Stock (as defined below) and Class B Common Stock (as defined below) to the Company, and in exchange therefor the Company is issuing to PubCo a number of Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement (including the shares of Class A Common Stock contributed by PubCo to the Company as described in clause (B) above) as set forth on Exhibit A .

 

  (b)

Effective as of the Effective Time and immediately following the transactions contemplated by Section  3.1(a) , (i) the EnerVest Funds shall contribute the Assets (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) to the Company and (ii) in exchange therefor, the Company shall (A) distribute certain amounts of cash, all of the shares of Class B Common Stock and all of the shares of Class A Common Stock received from PubCo to the EnerVest Funds and (B) issue to the EnerVest Funds the Units set forth on Exhibit A , in each case as more particularly described in the Contribution Agreement.

 

  (c)

The total number of Units issued and outstanding and held by the Members immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by Sections 3.1(a)-(b) of this Agreement and the Contribution Agreement is set forth on Exhibit A hereto (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement).

 

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  (d)

Effective as of the Effective Time and immediately following the transactions contemplated by Sections 3.1(a)-(b) , and prior to giving effect to Section  4.1 , the Company shall issue to PubCo a number of warrants exercisable for Units (the “ Warrants ”) in an amount equal to the number of, and on the same terms as, the warrants exercisable for shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance of Warrants pursuant to this Section  3.1(d) . For the avoidance of doubt, each Warrant shall be treated as a “noncompensatory option” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.721-2(f) and 1.761-3(b)(2) and not be treated as a partnership interest pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.761-3(a).

ARTICLE IV

OWNERSHIP AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

Section 4.1 Authorized Units; General Provisions With Respect to Units .

 

  (a)

Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall be authorized to issue from time to time such number of Units and such other Equity Securities as the Managing Member shall determine in accordance with Section  4.3 . Each authorized Unit may be issued pursuant to such agreements as the Managing Member shall approve, including pursuant to options and warrants. The Company may reissue any Units that have been repurchased or acquired by the Company.

 

  (b)

Each outstanding Unit shall be identical (except as provided in Section  4.3 ).

 

  (c)

Initially, none of the Units will be represented by certificates. If the Managing Member determines that it is in the interest of the Company to issue certificates representing the Units, certificates will be issued and the Units will be represented by those certificates, and this Agreement shall be amended as necessary or desirable to reflect the issuance of certificated Units for purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code. Nothing contained in this Section  4.1(c) shall be deemed to authorize or permit any Member to Transfer its Units except as otherwise permitted under this Agreement.

 

  (d)

The total number of Units issued and outstanding and held by the Members is set forth on Exhibit A (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) as of the date set forth therein.

 

  (e)

If, at any time after the Effective Time, PubCo issues a share of its Class A Common Stock or any other Equity Security of PubCo (other than shares of Class B Common Stock), (i) the Company shall concurrently issue to PubCo one Unit (if PubCo issues a share of Class A Common Stock), or such other Equity Security of the Company (if PubCo issues Equity Securities other than Class A Common Stock) corresponding to the Equity Securities issued by PubCo, and with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo to be issued and (ii) PubCo shall concurrently contribute to the Company the net proceeds or other property received by PubCo for such share of Class A Common Stock or other

 

17


  Equity Security; provided , however , that if PubCo issues any shares of Class A Common Stock in order to acquire or fund the acquisition from a Member (other than PubCo) of a number of Units (and shares of Class B Common Stock) equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock so issued, then the Company shall not issue any new Units in connection therewith and PubCo shall not be required to transfer such net proceeds to the Company, and such net proceeds shall instead be transferred to such Member as consideration for such acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section  4.1(e) shall not apply to the issuance and distribution to holders of shares of PubCo Common Stock of rights to purchase Equity Securities of PubCo under a “poison pill” or similar shareholders rights plan (and upon any redemption of Units for Class A Common Stock, such Class A Common Stock will be issued together with a corresponding right under such plan), or to the issuance under PubCo’s employee benefit plans of any warrants, options, other rights to acquire Equity Securities of PubCo or rights or property that may be converted into or settled in Equity Securities of PubCo, but shall in each of the foregoing cases apply to the issuance of Equity Securities of PubCo in connection with the exercise or settlement of such rights, warrants, options or other rights or property. Except pursuant to Section  4.6 , (x) the Company may not issue any additional Units to PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries unless substantially simultaneously therewith PubCo or such Subsidiary issues or sells an equal number of newly-issued shares of PubCo’s Class A Common Stock to another Person, and (y) the Company may not issue any other Equity Securities of the Company to PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries unless substantially simultaneously PubCo or such Subsidiary issues or sells, to another Person, an equal number of newly-issued shares of a new class or series of Equity Securities of PubCo or such Subsidiary with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of the Company. If at any time PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) issues Debt Securities, PubCo or such Subsidiary shall transfer to the Company (in a manner to be determined by the Managing Member in its reasonable discretion) the proceeds received by PubCo or such Subsidiary in exchange for such Debt Securities in a manner that directly or indirectly burdens the Company with the repayment of the Debt Securities. In the event any Equity Security outstanding at PubCo is exercised or otherwise converted and, as a result, any shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of PubCo are issued, (1) if applicable, the corresponding Equity Security outstanding at the Company (including the Warrants, if applicable) shall be similarly exercised or otherwise converted, as applicable, and an equivalent number of Units or other Equity Securities of the Company shall be issued to PubCo as contemplated by the first sentence of this Section  4.1(e), and (2) PubCo shall concurrently contribute to the Company the net proceeds received by PubCo from any such exercise.

 

  (f)

PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries may not redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire (i) any shares of Class A Common Stock (including upon forfeiture of any unvested shares of Class A Common Stock) unless substantially simultaneously the Company redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires from PubCo or such Subsidiary an equal number of Units for the same price per security or (ii) any other

 

18


  Equity Securities of PubCo, unless substantially simultaneously the Company redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires from PubCo or such Subsidiary an equal number of Equity Securities of the Company of a corresponding class or series with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo for the same price per security. The Company may not redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire (x) except pursuant to Section  4.6 , any Units from PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries unless substantially simultaneously PubCo or such Subsidiary redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock for the same price per security from holders thereof, or (y) any other Equity Securities of the Company from PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries unless substantially simultaneously PubCo or such Subsidiary redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires for the same price per security an equal number of Equity Securities of PubCo of a corresponding class or series with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distribution upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any consideration payable by PubCo in connection with the redemption or repurchase of any shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries consists (in whole or in part) of shares of Class A Common Stock or such other Equity Securities (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the cashless exercise of an option or warrant), then the redemption or repurchase of the corresponding Units or other Equity Securities of the Company shall be effectuated in an equivalent manner.

 

  (g)

The Company shall not in any manner effect any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the outstanding Units unless accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the outstanding PubCo Common Stock, with corresponding changes made with respect to any other exchangeable or convertible securities. PubCo shall not in any manner effect any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the outstanding PubCo Common Stock unless accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the outstanding Units, with corresponding changes made with respect to any other exchangeable or convertible securities.

 

  (h)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including Section  4.1(e) ), if PubCo holds any excess cash amount, PubCo may, in its sole discretion, contribute such excess cash amount to the Company in exchange for a number of Units or other Equity Securities of the Company determined in its sole discretion, and distribute to the holders of Class A Common Stock shares of Class A Common Stock (if the Company issues Units to PubCo) or such other Equity Security of PubCo (if the Company issues Equity Securities of the Company other than Units) corresponding to the Equity Securities issued by the Company and with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of the Company issued.

 

19


Section 4.2 Voting Rights . No Member has any voting right except with respect to those matters specifically reserved for a Member vote under the Act and for matters expressly requiring the approval of Members under this Agreement. Except as otherwise required by the Act, each Unit will entitle the holder thereof to one vote on all matters to be voted on by the Members. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the holders of Units having voting rights will vote together as a single class on all matters to be approved by the Members.

Section 4.3 Capital Contributions; Unit Ownership .

 

  (a)

Capital Contributions . Except as otherwise set forth in Section  4.1(e) with respect to the obligations of PubCo, no Member shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions.

 

  (b)

Issuance of Additional Units or Interests . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Managing Member shall have the right to authorize and cause the Company to issue on such terms (including price) as may be determined by the Managing Member (i) subject to the limitations of Section  4.1 , additional Units or other Equity Securities in the Company (including creating preferred interests or other classes or series of interests having such rights, preferences and privileges as determined by the Managing Member, which rights, preferences and privileges may be senior to the Units), and (ii) obligations, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible or exchangeable for Units or other Equity Securities in the Company; provided that, at any time following the date hereof, in each case the Company shall not issue Equity Securities in the Company to any Person unless such Person shall have executed a counterpart to this Agreement and all other documents, agreements or instruments deemed necessary or desirable in the discretion of the Managing Member. Upon such issuance and execution, such Person shall be admitted as a Member of the Company. In that event, the Managing Member shall amend Exhibit A to reflect such additional issuances. Subject to Section  12.1 , the Managing Member is hereby authorized to amend this Agreement to set forth the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of such additional Units or other Equity Securities in the Company, or such other amendments that the Managing Member determines to be otherwise necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of, any class or series of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company pursuant to this Section  4.3(b) ; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Managing Member shall have the right to amend this Agreement as set forth in this sentence without the approval of any other Person (including any Member) and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including Section  12.1 ) if such amendment is necessary, and then only to the extent necessary, in order to consummate any offering of shares of PubCo Common Stock or other Equity Securities of PubCo provided that the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of any such additional Units or other Equity Securities of the Company as set forth in such amendment are substantially similar to those applicable to such shares of PubCo Common Stock or other Equity Securities of PubCo.

 

20


Section 4.4 Capital Accounts . A Capital Account shall be maintained for each Member in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and, to the extent consistent with such regulations, the other provisions of this Agreement. Each Member’s Capital Account balance shall be (a) increased by (i) allocations to such Member of Profits pursuant to Section  5.1 and any other items of income or gain allocated to such Member pursuant to Section  5.2 , (ii) the amount of cash or the initial Gross Asset Value of any asset (net of any Liabilities assumed by the Company and any Liabilities to which the asset is subject) contributed to the Company by such Member, and (iii) any other increases allowed or required by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv); and (b) decreased by (i) allocations to such Member of Losses pursuant to Section  5.1 and any other items of deduction or loss allocated to such Member pursuant to the provisions of Section  5.2 , (ii) the amount of any cash or the Gross Asset Value of any asset (net of any Liabilities assumed by the Member and any Liabilities to which the asset is subject) distributed to such Member, and (iii) any other decreases allowed or required by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). In the event of a Transfer of Units made in accordance with this Agreement (including a deemed Transfer for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described in Section  4.6(a)(iv) ), the Capital Account of the Transferor that is attributable to the Transferred Units shall carry over to the Transferee Member in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( l ). Immediately following the Effective Time and taking into account the Initial Transactions, the Capital Accounts of the Members at such time will be the same on a per Unit basis.

Section 4.5 Other Matters .

 

  (a)

No Member shall demand or receive a return on or of its Capital Contributions or withdraw from the Company without the consent of the Managing Member. Under circumstances requiring a return of any Capital Contributions, no Member has the right to receive property other than cash.

 

  (b)

No Member shall receive any interest, salary, compensation, draw or reimbursement with respect to its Capital Contributions or its Capital Account, or for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of the Company or otherwise in its capacity as a Member, except as otherwise provided in Section  7.9 or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement.

 

  (c)

The Liability of each Member shall be limited as set forth in the Act and other applicable Law and, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or required by Law, no Member (or any of its Affiliates) shall be personally liable, whether to the Company, any of the other Members, the creditors of the Company, or any other third party, for any debt or Liability of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being a Member of the Company.

 

  (d)

Except as otherwise required by the Act, a Member shall not be required to restore a deficit balance in such Member’s Capital Account, to lend any funds to the Company or, except as otherwise set forth herein, to make any additional contributions or payments to the Company.

 

21


  (e)

The Company shall not be obligated to repay any Capital Contributions of any Member.

Section 4.6 Redemption of Units .

 

  (a)

 

  (i)

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section  4.6 , each of the Members (other than PubCo and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) (the “ Redeeming Member ”) shall be entitled to cause the Company to redeem all or a portion of such Member’s Units (together with the surrender and delivery of the same number of shares of Class B Common Stock) for an equivalent number of shares of Class A Common Stock (a “ Redemption ”) or, at the Company’s election made in accordance with Section  4.6(a)(iii) , cash equal to the Cash Election Amount calculated with respect to such Redemption. Absent the prior written consent of the Managing Member, with respect to each Redemption, a Redeeming Member shall be required to redeem at least a number of Units equal to the lesser of 0.5% of the total number of outstanding Units and all of the Units then held by such Redeeming Member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Redeeming Member may redeem all of such Member’s Units at any time. Upon the Redemption of all of a Member’s Units, such Member shall, for the avoidance of doubt, cease to be a Member of the Company.

 

  (ii)

In order to exercise the redemption right under Section  4.6(a)( i ) , the Redeeming Member shall provide written notice (the “ Redemption Notice ”) to the Company, with a copy to PubCo (the date of delivery of such Redemption Notice, the “ Redemption Notice Date ”), stating:

 

  (A)

the number of Units (together with the surrender and delivery of an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock) the Redeeming Member elects to have the Company redeem;

 

  (B)

if the shares of Class A Common Stock to be received are to be issued other than in the name of the Redeeming Member, the name(s) of the Person(s) in whose name or on whose order the shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued;

 

  (C)

whether the exercise of the redemption right is to be contingent (including as to timing) upon the closing of an underwritten offering of the shares Class A Common Stock for which the Units will be redeemed or the closing of an announced merger, consolidation or other transaction or event to which PubCo is a party in which the shares of Class A Common Stock would be exchanged or converted or become exchangeable for or convertible into cash or other securities or property; and

 

22


  (D)

if the Redeeming Member requires the Redemption to take place on a specific date, such date, provided that, any such specified date shall not be earlier than the date that would otherwise apply pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Redemption Date.

If the Units to be redeemed (or the shares of Class B Common Stock to be transferred and surrendered) by the Redeeming Member are represented by a certificate or certificates, prior to the Redemption Date, the Redeeming Member shall also present and surrender such certificate or certificates representing such Units (or shares of Class B Common Stock) during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of the Company, or if any agent for the registration or transfer of Class A Common Stock is then duly appointed and acting (the “ Transfer Agent ”), at the office of the Transfer Agent. If required by the Managing Member, any certificate for Units and any certificate for shares of Class B Common Stock (in each case, if certificated) surrendered to the Company hereunder shall be accompanied by instruments of transfer, in forms reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member and the Transfer Agent, duly executed by the Redeeming Member or the Redeeming Member’s duly authorized representative.

 

  (iii)

Upon receipt of a Redemption Notice, the Company shall be entitled to elect (a “ Cash Election ”) to settle the Redemption by delivering to the Redeeming Member, in lieu of the applicable number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would be received in such Redemption, an amount of cash equal to the Cash Election Amount for such Redemption. In order to make a Cash Election with respect to a Redemption, the Company must provide written notice of such election to the Redeeming Member (with a copy to PubCo) prior to 1:00 p.m., Houston time, on or prior to the third Business Day after the Redemption Notice Date. If the Company fails to provide such written notice prior to such time, it shall not be entitled to make a Cash Election with respect to such Redemption.

 

  (iv)

For U.S. federal income (and applicable state and local) tax purposes, each of the Redeeming Member, the Company and PubCo, as the case may be, agree to treat each Redemption and, in the event PubCo exercises its Call Right, each transaction between the Redeeming Member and PubCo, as a sale of the Redeeming Member’s Units (together with the same number of shares of Class B Common Stock) to PubCo in exchange for shares of Class A Common Stock or cash, as applicable.

 

23


  (b)

 

  (i)

Subject to the satisfaction of any contingency described in Section  4.6(a)(ii)(C) that is specified in the relevant Redemption Notice, the Redemption shall be completed on the Redemption Date; provided , that if a valid Cash Election has not been made, the Redeeming Member may, at any time prior to the Redemption Date, revoke its Redemption Notice by giving written notice (the “ Retraction Notice ”) to the Company (with a copy to PubCo); provided, however, that in no event may the Redeeming Member deliver more than one Retraction Notice in any calendar quarter. The timely delivery of a Retraction Notice shall terminate all of the Redeeming Member’s, the Company’s and PubCo’s rights and obligations arising from the retracted Redemption Notice.

 

  (ii)

Unless the Redeeming Member has timely delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in Section  4.6(b)( i ) or PubCo has elected its Call Right pursuant to Section  4.6(f) , on the Redemption Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date) (A) the Redeeming Member shall transfer and surrender the Units to be redeemed (and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock) to the Company, in each case free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, (B) PubCo shall contribute to the Company the consideration the Redeeming Member is entitled to receive under Section  4.6(a)( i ) and, as described in Section  4.1(e) , the Company shall issue to PubCo a number of Units or other Equity Securities of the Company as consideration for such contribution, (C) the Company shall (x) cancel the redeemed Units, (y) transfer to the Redeeming Member the consideration the Redeeming Member is entitled to receive under Section  4.6(a)( i ) , and (z) if the Units are certificated, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for a number of Units equal to the difference (if any) between the number of Units evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member pursuant to clause (ii)(A) of this Section  4.6(b) and the number of redeemed Units, and (D) PubCo shall cancel the surrendered shares of Class B Common Stock. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company makes a valid Cash Election, PubCo shall only be obligated to contribute to the Company an amount in cash equal to the net proceeds (after deduction of any Discount) from the sale by PubCo of a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of Units and Class B Common Stock to be redeemed with such cash or from the sale of other PubCo Equity Securities used to fund the Cash Election Amount; provided that PubCo’s Capital Account shall be adjusted in accordance with Section  7.9 ; provided further , that the contribution of such net proceeds shall in no event affect the Redeeming Member’s right to receive the Cash Election Amount.

 

  (c)

If (i) there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction pursuant to which the shares of Class A Common Stock are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property (other than as a result of a subdivision or combination or any transaction subject to Section  4.1(g) ), or (ii) PubCo, by dividend or otherwise, distributes to all holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock evidences of its Indebtedness or assets, including securities

 

24


  (including shares of Class A Common Stock and any rights, options or warrants to all holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock to subscribe for or to purchase or to otherwise acquire shares of Class A Common Stock, or other securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for shares of Class A Common Stock) but excluding (A) any cash dividend or distribution, or (B) any such distribution of Indebtedness or assets, in either case (A) or (B) received by PubCo from the Company in respect of the Units, then upon any subsequent Redemption, in addition to the shares of Class A Common Stock or the Cash Election Amount, as applicable, each Member shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security, securities or other property that such Member would have received if such Redemption had occurred immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization, other similar transaction, dividend or other distribution, taking into account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision (by any split, distribution or dividend, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of such security, securities or other property that occurs after the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the shares of Class A Common Stock are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, or any dividend or distribution (other than an excluded dividend or distribution, as described above), this Section  4.6 shall continue to be applicable, mutatis mutandis , with respect to such security or other property.

 

  (d)

PubCo shall at all times keep available, solely for the purpose of issuance upon a Redemption, out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issuable upon the Redemption of all outstanding Units (other than those Units held by PubCo or any Subsidiary of PubCo); provided , that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude PubCo from satisfying its obligations with respect to a Redemption by delivery of cash pursuant to a Cash Election or shares of Class A Common Stock that are held in the treasury of PubCo. PubCo covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issued upon a Redemption shall, upon issuance thereof, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. In addition, for so long as the shares of Class A Common Stock are listed on a National Securities Exchange, PubCo shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause all shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon a Redemption to be listed on such National Securities Exchange at the time of such issuance.

 

  (e)

The issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon a Redemption shall be made without charge to the Redeeming Member for any stamp or other similar tax in respect of such issuance; provided , however , that if any such shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than that of the Redeeming Member, then the Person or Persons in whose name the shares are to be issued shall pay to PubCo the amount of any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in such issuance or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of PubCo that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

25


  (f)

 

  (i)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  4.6 , but subject to Section  4.6(g), a Redeeming Member shall be deemed to have offered to sell its Units as described in the Redemption Notice to PubCo, and PubCo may, in its sole discretion, by means of delivery of a Call Election Notice in accordance with, and subject to the terms of, this Section  4.6(f) , elect to purchase directly and acquire such Units (together with the surrender and delivery of the same number of shares of Class B Common Stock) on the Redemption Date by paying to the Redeeming Member (or, on the Redeeming Member’s written order, its designee) that number of shares of Class A Common Stock the Redeeming Member (or its designee) would otherwise receive pursuant to Section  4.6(a)( i ) or, at PubCo’s election, an amount of cash equal to the Cash Election Amount of such shares of Class A Common Stock (the “ Call Right ”), whereupon PubCo shall acquire the Units offered for redemption by the Redeeming Member (together with the surrender and delivery of the same number of shares of Class B Common Stock to PubCo for cancellation). PubCo shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Units; provided that if PubCo funds the Cash Election Amount other than through the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock, such Units will be reclassified into another Equity Security of the Company if the Managing Member determines such reclassification is necessary.

 

  (ii)

PubCo may, at any time prior to the Redemption Date, in its sole discretion deliver written notice (a “ Call Election Notice ”) to the Company and the Redeeming Member setting forth its election to exercise its Call Right. A Call Election Notice may be revoked by PubCo at any time; provided that any such revocation does not prejudice the ability of the parties to consummate a Redemption on the Redemption Date. Except as otherwise provided by this Section  4.6(f) , an exercise of the Call Right shall be consummated pursuant to the same timeframe and in the same manner as the relevant Redemption would have been consummated if PubCo had not delivered a Call Election Notice.

 

  (g)

In connection with a PubCo Change of Control, PubCo shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to require each Member (other than PubCo and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) to effect a Redemption of some or all of such Member’s Units (together with the surrender and delivery of the same number of shares of Class B Common Stock); provided that a Cash Election shall not be permitted pursuant to such a Redemption under this Section  4.6(g) . Any Redemption pursuant to this Section  4.6(g) shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of the PubCo Change of Control (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be effective if such PubCo Change of Control is not consummated) (the “ Change of Control

 

26


  Redemption Date ”). From and after the Change of Control Redemption Date, (i) the Units and shares of Class B Common Stock subject to such Redemption shall be deemed to be transferred to PubCo on the Change of Control Redemption Date and (ii) such Member shall cease to have any rights with respect to the Units and shares of Class B Common Stock subject to such Redemption (other than the right to receive shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to such Redemption). PubCo shall provide written notice of an expected PubCo Change of Control to all Members within the earlier of (x) ten (10) Business Days following the execution of the agreement with respect to such PubCo Change of Control and (y) ten (10) Business Days before the proposed date upon which the contemplated PubCo Change of Control is to be effected, indicating in such notice such information as may reasonably describe the PubCo Change of Control transaction, subject to applicable law, including the date of execution of such agreement or such proposed effective date, as applicable, the amount and types of consideration to be paid for shares of Class A Common Stock in the PubCo Change of Control, any election with respect to types of consideration that a holder of shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, shall be entitled to make in connection with such PubCo Change of Control, and the number of Units (and corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock) held by such Member that PubCo intends to require to be subject to such Redemption. Following delivery of such notice and on or prior to the Change of Control Redemption Date, the Members shall take all actions reasonably requested by PubCo to effect such Redemption, including taking any action and delivering any document required pursuant to the remainder of this Section  4.6 to effect a Redemption.

 

  (h)

In the event that (i) the Members (other than PubCo and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 10% of the then outstanding Units and (ii) the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading on a National Securities Exchange, PubCo shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to require any Member (other than PubCo and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) that beneficially owns less than 5% of the then outstanding Units, to effect a Redemption of some or all of such Member’s Units (together with the surrender and delivery of the same number of shares of Class B Common Stock); provided that a Cash Election shall not be permitted pursuant to such a Redemption under this Section  4.6(h) . PubCo shall deliver written notice to the Company and any such Member of its intention to exercise its Redemption right pursuant to this Section  4.6(h) (a “ Minority Member Redemption Notice ”) at least five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed date upon which such Redemption is to be effected (such proposed date, the “ Minority Member Redemption Date ”), indicating in such notice the number of Units (and corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock) held by such Member that PubCo intends to require to be subject to such Redemption. Any Redemption pursuant to this Section  4.6(h) shall be effective on the Minority Member Redemption Date. From and after the Minority Member Redemption Date, (i) the Units and shares of Class B Common Stock subject to such Redemption shall be deemed to be transferred to PubCo on the Minority Member Redemption Date and (ii) such Member shall cease to have any rights with respect to the Units and shares of Class B Common Stock subject to

 

27


  such Redemption (other than the right to receive shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to such Redemption). Following delivery of a Minority Member Redemption Notice and on or prior to the Minority Member Redemption Date, the Members shall take all actions reasonably requested by PubCo to effect such Redemption, including taking any action and delivering any document required pursuant to the remainder of this Section  4.6 to effect a Redemption.

 

  (i)

No Redemption shall impair the right of the Redeeming Member to receive any distributions payable on the Units redeemed pursuant to such Redemption in respect of a record date that occurs prior to the Redemption Date for such Redemption. For the avoidance of doubt, no Redeeming Member, or a Person designated by a Redeeming Member to receive shares of Class A Common Stock, shall be entitled to receive, with respect to such record date, distributions or dividends both on Units redeemed by the Company from such Redeeming Member and on shares of Class A Common Stock received by such Redeeming Member, or other Person so designated, if applicable, in such Redemption.

 

  (j)

Any Units acquired by the Company under this Section  4.6 and transferred by the Company to PubCo shall remain outstanding and shall not be cancelled as a result of their acquisition by the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, PubCo shall be automatically admitted as a Member of the Company with respect to any Units or other Equity Securities in the Company it receives under this Agreement (including under this Section  4.6 in connection with any Redemption).

 

  (k)

The Managing Member may impose additional limitations and restrictions on Redemptions (including limiting Redemptions or creating priority procedures for Redemptions), to the extent it determines and receives an opinion from legal counsel or any of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Ernst & Young or KPMG LLP acting as tax advisor to the Company that such limitations and restrictions are necessary to avoid classification of the Company as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code. Furthermore, the Managing Member may require any Member or group of Members to redeem all of their Units to the extent it determines and receives an opinion from legal counsel or any of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Ernst & Young or KPMG LLP acting as tax advisor to the Company that that such Redemption is necessary to avoid classification if the Company as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code. Upon delivery of any notice by the Managing Member to such Member or group of Members requiring such Redemption, such Member or group of Members shall exchange, subject to exercise by PubCo of its Call Right pursuant to Section 4.6(f)(i), a number of their Units sufficient for the Company to not be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code effective as of the date specified in such notice (and such date shall be deemed to be a Redemption Date for purposes of this Agreement) in accordance with this Section  4.6 and otherwise in accordance with the requirements set forth in such notice.

 

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  (l)

In the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid, recapitalization or similar transaction with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock (a “PubCo Offer”) is proposed by PubCo or is proposed to PubCo or its stockholders and approved by the board of directors of PubCo or is otherwise effected or to be effected with the consent or approval of the board of directors of PubCo, the Members (other than PubCo) shall be permitted to participate in such PubCo Offer by delivery of a contingent Redemption Notice in accordance with Section  4.6(a)(ii)(C) .

ARTICLE V

ALLOCATIONS OF PROFITS AND LOSSES

Section 5.1 Profits and Losses . After giving effect to the allocations under Section  5.2 and subject to Section  5.4 , Profits and Losses for each Fiscal Year or other taxable period shall be allocated among the Members during such Fiscal Year or other taxable period in accordance with the Percentage Interests.

Section 5.2 Special Allocations .

 

  (a)

Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year or other taxable period shall be specially allocated to the Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests. The amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a Fiscal Year or other taxable period shall equal the excess, if any, of the net increase, if any, in the amount of Company Minimum Gain during that Fiscal Year or other taxable period over the aggregate amount of any distributions during that Fiscal Year or other taxable period of proceeds of a Nonrecourse Liability that are allocable to an increase in Company Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

 

  (b)

Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year or other taxable period shall be specially allocated to the Member who bears economic risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Member bears the economic risk of loss for such Member Nonrecourse Debt, the Member Nonrecourse Deductions attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt shall be allocated among the Members according to the ratio in which they bear the economic risk of loss. This Section  5.2(b) is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

  (c)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year or other taxable period (or if there was a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain for a prior Fiscal Year or other taxable period and the Company did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior periods to allocate among the Members under this

 

29


  Section  5.2(c) ), each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year or other taxable period in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during such year (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)(2)). This section is intended to constitute a minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

  (d)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement except Section  5.2(c) , if there is a net decrease in Member Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year or other taxable period (or if there was a net decrease in Member Minimum Gain for a prior Fiscal Year or other taxable period and the Company did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior periods to allocate among the Members under this Section  5.2(d) ), each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such year in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Minimum Gain (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4)). This section is intended to constitute a partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

  (e)

Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section  5.2(a) and Section  5.2(b) , no Losses or other items of loss or expense shall be allocated to any Member to the extent that such allocation would cause such Member to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit (or increase any existing Adjusted Capital Account Deficit) at the end of such Fiscal Year or other taxable period. All Losses and other items of loss and expense in excess of the limitation set forth in this Section  5.2(e) shall be allocated to the Members who do not have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit in proportion to their relative positive Capital Accounts but only to the extent that such Losses and other items of loss and expense do not cause any such Member to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit.

 

  (f)

Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section  5.2(c) and Section  5.2(d) , in the event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustment, allocation or distribution described in paragraph (4), (5) or (6) of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)( d ), items of income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of income, including gross income, and gain for the Fiscal Year or other taxable period) shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate any Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of that Member as quickly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section  5.2(f) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in this Article V have been tentatively made as if this Section  5.2(f) were not in this Agreement. This Section  5.2(f) is intended to constitute a qualified income offset under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii) (d ) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

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  (g)

If any Member has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year or other taxable period that is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount that such Member is obligated to restore and (ii) the amount that the Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and (i)(5), that Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income, gain and Simulated Gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section  5.2(g) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Article V have been made as if Section  5.2(f) and this Section  5.2(g) were not in this Agreement.

 

  (h)

To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Code Sections 734(b) or 743(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( m )(2) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (m) (4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to any Member in complete liquidation of such Member’s Interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such item of gain or loss shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (m) (2) if such section applies or to the Member to whom such distribution was made if Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (m) (4) applies.

 

  (i)

The allocations set forth in Sections 5.2(a) through 5.2(h) (the “ Regulatory Allocations ”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the Regulatory Allocations (and anticipated future Regulatory Allocations) shall be taken into account in allocating other items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Members so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of such allocation of other items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Member should be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each such Member if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred. This Section  5.2( i ) is intended to minimize to the extent possible and to the extent necessary any economic distortions which may result from application of the Regulatory Allocations and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

 

  (j)

Items of income, gain, loss, expense or credit resulting from a Covered Audit Adjustment shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act.

 

  (k)

For purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, the Simulated Basis of each Depletable Property shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with the Percentage Interests at the time of the acquisition of such Depletable Property. Simulated Depletion for each Depletable Property, and Simulated Loss upon the Disposition of a Depletable Property, shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to their shares of the Simulated Basis in such property.

 

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  (l)

If the initial Percentage Interests of the Members are adjusted, as of the Effective Time, to reflect any Units (i) issued to the Contributors from the Company from the Defect Holdback Amount or (ii) surrendered by the Contributors to the Company in an Indemnification Surrender, items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Members in a manner that results in the cumulative amounts of such items that have been allocated to each Member since the Effective Time equaling the cumulative amounts that would have been allocated to such Member had the adjusted Percentage Interests been in effect for each Fiscal Year or other taxable period beginning on or after the Effective Time.

Section 5.3 Allocations for Tax Purposes in General .

 

  (a)

Except as otherwise provided in this Section  5.3 or Section  5.4 , each item of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as such item is allocated under Sections 5.1 and 5.2 .

 

  (b)

In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (including the Treasury Regulations applying the principles of Code Section 704(c) to changes in Gross Asset Values) , items of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any Company property having a Gross Asset Value that differs from such property’s adjusted U.S. federal income tax basis shall, solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be allocated among the Members to account for any such difference using the remedial allocation method pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(d); provided , that (i) the Company shall not elect to deduct any remedial layer under Section 168(k), and (ii) the Company will use the “traditional method with curative allocations” with respect to Depletable Property subject to Section 704(c).

 

  (c)

Any (i) recapture of depreciation or any other item of deduction shall be allocated, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1254-5, to the Members who received the benefit of such deductions, and (ii) recapture of credits shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with applicable law.

 

  (d)

Allocations pursuant to this Section  5.3 are solely for purposes of U.S. federal, state and local taxes and shall not affect or in any way be taken into account in computing any Member’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, other items or distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.

 

  (e)

If, as a result of an exercise of a noncompensatory option to acquire an interest in the Company, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( s )(3), the Company shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

 

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Section 5.4 Income Tax Allocations with Respect to Depletable Properties .

 

  (a)

Cost and percentage depletion deductions with respect to any Depletable Property shall be computed separately by the Members rather than the Company pursuant to Section 613A(c)(7)(D) of the Code. Except as otherwise required by Section 704(c) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.613A-3(e)(5) (which, in each case and for the avoidance of doubt, shall be applied using the method specified for the relevant asset under Section  5.3(b) ), for purposes of such computations, the federal income tax basis of each Depletable Property shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests as of the time such Depletable Property is acquired by the Company (and any additions to such federal income tax basis resulting from expenditures required to be capitalized in such basis shall be allocated among the Members in a manner designed to cause the Members’ proportionate shares of such adjusted federal income tax basis to be in accordance with their Percentage Interests as determined at the time of any such additions), and shall be reallocated among the Members pro rata, in accordance with their Percentage Interests as determined immediately following the occurrence of an event giving rise to an adjustment to the Gross Asset Values of the Company’s Depletable Properties pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of Gross Asset Value. The Company shall inform each Member of such Member’s allocable share of the federal income tax basis of each Depletable Property promptly following the acquisition of such Depletable Property by the Company, any adjustment resulting from expenditures required to be capitalized in such basis, and any reallocation of such basis as provided in the previous sentence, together with such other information that a Member may reasonably request in connection with the Member’s (or its direct or indirect owner) obligation to file its U.S. federal, state or local income tax returns. All such information shall be provided in electronic format at such time and from time to time as reasonably requested by the Member.

 

  (b)

After taking into account Code Section 704(c), Treasury Regulation Section 1.613A-3(e)(5), and Section  5.3(b) , PubCo will be allocated tax basis with respect to each Depletable Property acquired in the Initial Transactions equal to the product of PubCo’s initial Percentage Interest multiplied by such Depletable Property’s Simulated Basis. To the extent the tax basis of any Depletable Property acquired in the Initial Transactions is less than the amount described in the preceding sentence (a “ Depletable Basis Shortfall ”), pursuant to Code Section 704(c), tax basis with respect to Depletable Properties acquired in the Initial Transactions that do not have a Depletable Basis Shortfall shall be proportionally allocated to PubCo in the amount of such Depletable Basis Shortfall.

 

  (c)

For purposes of the separate computation of gain or loss by each Member on the taxable disposition of Depletable Property, the amount realized from such disposition shall be allocated (i) first, to the Members in an amount equal to the Simulated Basis in such Depletable Property in proportion to their allocable shares thereof and (ii) second, any remaining amount realized shall be allocated consistent with the allocation of Simulated Gains.

 

  (d)

The allocations described in this Section  5.4 are intended to be applied in accordance with the Members’ “interests in partnership capital” under Section 613A(c)(7)(D) of the Code; provided that the Members understand and agree that the Managing Member may authorize special allocations of federal income tax

 

33


  basis, income, gain, deduction or loss, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in order to eliminate differences between Simulated Basis and adjusted federal income tax basis with respect to Depletable Properties, in such manner as determined consistent with the principles outlined in Section  5.3(b) . The provisions of this Section  5.4(c) and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to allocations under Code Section 613A(c)(7)(D) are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(v) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations.

 

  (e)

Each Member, with the assistance of the Company, shall separately keep records of its share of the adjusted tax basis in each Depletable Property, adjust such share of the adjusted tax basis for any cost or percentage depletion allowable with respect to such property and use such adjusted tax basis in the computation of its cost depletion or in the computation of its gain or loss on the disposition of such property by the Company. Upon the reasonable request of the Company, each Member shall advise the Company of its adjusted tax basis in each Depletable Property and any depletion computed with respect thereto, both as computed in accordance with the provisions of this subsection for purposes of allowing the Company to make adjustments to the tax basis of its assets as a result of certain transfers of interests in the Company or distributions by the Company. The Company may rely on such information and, if it is not provided by the Member, may make such reasonable assumptions as it shall determine with respect thereto.

Section 5.5 Other Allocation Rules .

 

  (a)

The Members are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by this Article V and the economic impact of the allocations on the amounts receivable by them under this Agreement. The Members hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article V in reporting their share of Company income and loss for income tax purposes.

 

  (b)

The provisions regarding the establishment and maintenance for each Member of a Capital Account as provided by Section  4.4 and the allocations set forth in Sections 5.1 , 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 are intended to comply with the Treasury Regulations and to reflect the intended economic entitlement of the Members. If the Managing Member determines, in its sole discretion, that the application of the provisions in Sections  4.4 , 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.3 or 5.4 would result in non-compliance with the Treasury Regulations or would be inconsistent with the intended economic entitlement of the Members, the Managing Member is authorized to make any appropriate adjustments to such provisions.

 

  (c)

All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable to an interest in the Company that may have been Transferred shall be allocated between the Transferor and the Transferee based on the portion of the Fiscal Year or other taxable period during which each was recognized as the owner of such interest using the daily pro ration method in accordance with Code Section 706 and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

 

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  (d)

The Members’ proportionate shares of the “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Company, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests.

ARTICLE VI

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 6.1 Distributions .

 

  (a)

Distributions . To the extent permitted by applicable Law and hereunder, and except as otherwise provided in Section  11.3 , distributions to Members may be declared by the Managing Member out of funds legally available therefor in such amounts and on such terms (including the payment dates of such distributions) as the Managing Member shall determine using such record date as the Managing Member may designate; any such distribution shall be made to the Members as of the close of business on such record date in accordance with their Percentage Interests as of the close of business on such record date (except that, for the avoidance of doubt, repurchases or redemptions made in accordance with Section  4.1(f) or payments made in accordance with Sections 7.4 or 7.9 need not be in accordance with Percentage Interests); provided , however , that the Managing Member shall have the obligation to make distributions as set forth in Sections  6.2 and, in connection with a liquidation of the Company approved in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, 11.3(b)(iii) ; and provided , further , that, notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, no distributions shall be made to any Member to the extent such distribution would render the Company insolvent or violate the Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, insolvency means the inability of the Company to meet its payment obligations when due. Promptly following the designation of a record date and the declaration of a distribution pursuant to this Section  6.1 , the Managing Member shall give notice to each Member of the record date, the amount and the terms of the distribution and the payment date thereof.

 

  (b)

Successors . For purposes of determining the amount of distributions, each Member shall be treated as having made the Capital Contributions and as having received the distributions made to or received by its predecessors in respect of any of such Member’s Units.

 

  (c)

Distributions In-Kind . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any distributions may be made in cash or in kind, or partly in cash and partly in kind, as determined by the Managing Member. To the extent that the Company distributes property in-kind to the Members, the Company shall be treated as making a distribution equal to the Fair Market Value of such property for purposes of Section  6.1(a) and such property shall be treated as if it were sold for an amount equal to its Fair Market Value. Any resulting gain or loss shall be allocated to the Member’s Capital Accounts in accordance with Sections 5.1 and 5.2 .

 

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Section 6.2 Tax-Related Distributions . The Company shall, subject to any restrictions contained in any commercial agreement entered into in the ordinary course with a third party to which the Company is bound, including a credit facility or debt obligation senior to unsecured creditors, make distributions out of legally available funds to all Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests, at such times and in such amounts as the Managing Member reasonably determines is necessary to enable PubCo to timely satisfy all of its U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax liabilities.

Section 6.3 Distribution Upon Withdrawal . No withdrawing Member shall be entitled to receive any distribution or the value of such Member’s Interest in the Company as a result of withdrawal from the Company prior to the liquidation of the Company, except as specifically provided in this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT

Section 7.1 The Managing Member; Fiduciary Duties .

 

  (a)

PubCo shall be the sole Managing Member of the Company. Except as otherwise required by Law, (i) the Managing Member shall have full and complete charge of all affairs of the Company, (ii) the management and control of the Company’s business activities and operations shall rest exclusively with the Managing Member, and the Managing Member shall make all decisions regarding the business, activities and operations of the Company (including the incurrence of costs and expenses) in its sole discretion without the consent of any other Member and (iii) the Members other than the Managing Member (in their capacity as such) shall not participate in the control, management, direction or operation of the activities or affairs of the Company and shall have no power to act for or bind the Company. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Managing Member may be taken by a consent thereto in writing.

 

  (b)

In connection with the performance of its duties as the Managing Member of the Company, except as otherwise set forth herein, the Managing Member acknowledges that it will owe to the Members the same fiduciary duties as it would owe to the stockholders of a Delaware corporation if it were a member of the board of directors of such a corporation and the Members were stockholders of such corporation. The Members acknowledge that the Managing Member will take action through its board of directors, and that the members of the Managing Member’s board of directors will owe comparable fiduciary duties to the stockholders of the Managing Member. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or eliminate the duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities of the Managing Member otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Members to replace, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, such other duties and liabilities of the Managing Member.

 

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  (c)

Whenever in this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein, the Managing Member is permitted or required to take any action or to make a decision in its “sole discretion” or “discretion” or under a grant of similar authority or latitude, the Managing Member shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Company or other Members.

Section 7.2 Officers .

 

  (a)

The Managing Member may appoint, employ or otherwise contract with any Person for the transaction of the business of the Company or the performance of services for or on behalf of the Company, and the Managing Member may delegate to any such Persons such authority to act on behalf of the Company as the Managing Member may from time to time deem appropriate.

 

  (b)

The initial chief executive officer of the Company (the “ Chief Executive Officer ”) will be Stephen Chazen.

 

  (c)

Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for the general and active management of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries and will see that all orders of the Managing Member are carried into effect. The Chief Executive Officer will report to the Managing Member and have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of president and chief executive officer of a corporation organized under the DGCL, subject to the terms of this Agreement, and will have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Managing Member or this Agreement. The Chief Executive Officer will have the power to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the Company, except where required or permitted by Law to be otherwise signed and executed, and except where the signing and execution thereof will be expressly delegated by the Managing Member to some other Officer or agent of the Company.

 

  (d)

Except as set forth herein, the Managing Member may appoint Officers at any time, and the Officers may include a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, one or more assistant secretaries, a chief financial officer, a general counsel, a treasurer, one or more assistant treasurers, a chief operating officer, an executive chairman, and any other officers that the Managing Member deems appropriate. Except as set forth herein, the Officers will serve at the pleasure of the Managing Member, subject to all rights, if any, of such Officer under any contract of employment. Any individual may hold any number of offices, and an Officer may, but need not, be a Member of the Company. The Officers will exercise such powers and perform such duties as specified in this Agreement or as determined from time to time by the Managing Member.

 

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  (e)

Subject to this Agreement and to the rights, if any, of an Officer under a contract of employment, any Officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Managing Member. Any Officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Managing Member. Any resignation will take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation will not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Company under any contract to which the Officer is a party. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause will be filled in the manner prescribed in this Agreement for regular appointments to that office.

Section 7.3 Warranted Reliance by Officers on Others . In exercising their authority and performing their duties under this Agreement, the Officers shall be entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements of the following Persons or groups unless they have actual knowledge concerning the matter in question that would cause such reliance to be unwarranted:

 

  (a)

one or more employees or other agents of the Company or subordinates whom the Officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; and

 

  (b)

any attorney, public accountant, or other Person as to matters which the Officer reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence.

Section 7.4 Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any Person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “ Proceeding ”) by reason of the fact such Person is or was a Member, an Officer, or acting as the Managing Member or Company Representative of the Company or, while a Member, an Officer, or acting as the, Managing Member or Company Representative of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a member, director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another limited liability company or of a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (a “ Covered Person ”), whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a member, director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a member, director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, against all expenses, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually incurred or suffered by such Covered Person in connection with such Proceeding. The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable Law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided , however , that to the extent required by applicable Law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section  7.4 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this

 

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Section  7.4 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to serve in the capacity which initially entitled such Covered Person to indemnity hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section  7.4 , except for Proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Company shall indemnify and advance expenses to a Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Covered Person only if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Managing Member.

Section 7.5 Maintenance of Insurance or Other Financial Arrangements . In compliance with applicable Law, the Company (with the approval of the Managing Member) may purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of any Person who is or was a Member, employee or agent of the Company, or at the request of the Company is or was serving as a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of another limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, for any Liability asserted against such Person and Liability and expenses incurred by such Person in such Person’s capacity as such, or arising out of such Person’s status as such, whether or not the Company has the authority to indemnify such Person against such Liability and expenses.

Section 7.6 Resignation or Termination of Managing Member . PubCo shall not, by any means, resign as, cease to be or be replaced as Managing Member except in compliance with this Section  7.6 . No termination or replacement of PubCo as Managing Member shall be effective unless proper provision is made, in compliance with this Agreement, so that the obligations of PubCo, its successor (if applicable) and any new Managing Member and the rights of all Members under this Agreement and applicable Law remain in full force and effect. No appointment of a Person other than PubCo (or its successor, as applicable) as Managing Member shall be effective unless PubCo (or its successor, as applicable) and the new Managing Member (as applicable) provide all other Members with contractual rights, directly enforceable by such other Members against PubCo (or its successor, as applicable) and the new Managing Member (as applicable), to cause (a) PubCo to comply with all PubCo’s obligations under this Agreement (including its obligations under Section  4.6 ) other than those that must necessarily be taken in its capacity as Managing Member and (b) the new Managing Member to comply with all the Managing Member’s obligations under this Agreement.

Section 7.7 No Inconsistent Obligations . The Managing Member represents that it does not have any contracts, other agreements, duties or obligations that are inconsistent with its duties and obligations (whether or not in its capacity as Managing Member) under this Agreement and covenants that, except as permitted by Section  7.1 , it will not enter into any contracts or other agreements or undertake or acquire any other duties or obligations that are inconsistent with such duties and obligations.

Section 7.8 Reclassification Events of PubCo . If a Reclassification Event occurs, the Managing Member or its successor, as the case may be, shall, as and to the extent necessary, amend this Agreement in compliance with Section  12.1 , and enter into any necessary supplementary or additional agreements, to ensure that, following the effective date of the Reclassification Event: (i) the redemption rights of holders of Units set forth in Section  4.6 provide that each Unit (together with the surrender and delivery of one share of Class B Common Stock) is redeemable for the same amount and same type of property, securities or cash (or combination thereof) that one share of Class A Common Stock becomes exchangeable for or converted into as a result of the Reclassification Event and (ii) PubCo or the successor to PubCo, as applicable, is obligated to deliver such property, securities or cash upon such redemption.

 

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Section 7.9 Certain Costs and Expenses . The Company shall (i) pay, or cause to be paid, all costs, fees, operating expenses and other expenses of the Company (including the costs, fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants or other professionals and the compensation of all personnel providing services to the Company) incurred in pursuing and conducting, or otherwise related to, the activities of the Company and (ii) in the sole discretion of the Managing Member, reimburse the Managing Member for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by it in connection with serving as the Managing Member. To the extent that the Managing Member determines in its sole discretion that such expenses are related to the business and affairs of the Managing Member that are conducted through the Company and/or its Subsidiaries (including expenses that relate to the business and affairs of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries and that also relate to other activities of the Managing Member), the Managing Member may cause the Company to pay or bear all expenses of the Managing Member, including, without limitation, costs of securities offerings not borne directly by Members, board of directors compensation and meeting costs, costs of periodic reports to its stockholders, litigation costs and damages arising from litigation, accounting and legal costs; provided that the Company shall not pay or bear any income tax obligations of the Managing Member. In the event that (i) shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of PubCo were sold to underwriters in any public offering after the Effective Time, in each case, at a price per share that is lower than the price per share for which such shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of PubCo are sold to the public in such public offering after taking into account underwriters’ discounts or commissions and brokers’ fees or commissions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any deferred discounts or commissions and brokers’ fees or commissions payable in connection with or as a result of such public offering) (such difference, the “ Discount ”) and (ii) the proceeds from such public offering are used to fund the Cash Election Amount for any redeemed Units or otherwise contributed to the Company, the Company shall reimburse the Managing Member for such Discount by treating such Discount as an additional Capital Contribution made by the Managing Member to the Company, issuing Units in respect of such deemed Capital Contribution in accordance with Section  4.6(b)(ii) , and increasing the Managing Member’s Capital Account by the amount of such Discount. For the avoidance of doubt, any payments made to or on behalf of the Managing Member pursuant to this Section  7.9 shall not be treated as a distribution pursuant to Section  6.1(a) but shall instead be treated as an expense of the Company.

ARTICLE VIII

ROLE OF MEMBERS

Section 8.1 Rights or Powers .

 

  (a)

Other than the Managing Member, the Members, acting in their capacity as Members, shall not have any right or power to take part in the management or control of the Company or its business and affairs or to act for or bind the Company in any way. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Members have all the rights and powers specifically set forth in this Agreement and, to the extent not inconsistent

 

40


  with this Agreement, in the Act. A Member, any Affiliate thereof or an employee, stockholder, agent, director or officer of a Member or any Affiliate thereof, may also be an employee or be retained as an agent of the Company. The existence of these relationships and acting in such capacities will not result in the Member (other than the Managing Member) being deemed to be participating in the control of the business of the Company or otherwise affect the limited liability of the Member. Except as specifically provided herein, a Member (other than the Managing Member) shall not, in its capacity as a Member, take part in the operation, management or control of the Company’s business, transact any business in the Company’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Company.

 

  (b)

The Company shall promptly (but in any event within three business days) notify the Members in writing if, to the Company’s knowledge, for any reason, it would be an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “ Investment Company Act ”), as amended, but for the exceptions provided in Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereunder.

Section 8.2 Voting .

 

  (a)

Meetings of the Members may be called upon the written request of Members holding at least 50% of the outstanding Units. Such request shall state the location of the meeting and the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting. Written notice of any such meeting shall be given to all Members not less than two Business Days and not more than 30 days prior to the date of such meeting. Members may vote in person, by proxy or by telephone at any meeting of the Members and may waive advance notice of such meeting. Whenever the vote or consent of Members is permitted or required under this Agreement, such vote or consent may be given at a meeting of the Members or may be given in accordance with the procedure prescribed in this Section  8.2 . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the affirmative vote of the Members holding a majority of the outstanding Units shall constitute the act of the Members.

 

  (b)

Each Member may authorize any Person or Persons to act for it by proxy on all matters in which such Member is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. Every proxy must be signed by such Member or its attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Member executing it.

 

  (c)

Each meeting of Members shall be conducted by an Officer designated by the Managing Member or such other individual Person as the Managing Member deems appropriate.

 

  (d)

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Members may be taken without a meeting if the requisite Members whose approval is necessary consent thereto in writing.

 

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Section 8.3 Various Capacities . The Members acknowledge and agree that the Members or their Affiliates will from time to time act in various capacities, including as a Member and as the Company Representative.

ARTICLE IX

TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS

Section 9.1 Restrictions on Transfer .

 

  (a)

Except as provided in Section  4.6 , no Member shall Transfer all or any portion of its Interest without the Managing Member’s prior written consent, which consent shall be granted or withheld in the Managing Member’s sole discretion. If, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section  9.1(a) , all or any portion of a Member’s Interests are Transferred in violation of this Section  9.1(a) , involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, then without limiting any other rights and remedies available to the other parties under this Agreement or otherwise, the Transferee of such Interest (or portion thereof) shall not be admitted to the Company as a Member or be entitled to any rights as a Member hereunder, and the Transferor will continue to be bound by all obligations hereunder, unless and until the Managing Member consents in writing to such admission, which consent shall be granted or withheld in the Managing Member’s sole discretion. Any attempted or purported Transfer of all or a portion of a Member’s Interests in violation of this Section  9.1(a) shall be null and void and of no force or effect whatsoever. For the avoidance of doubt, the restrictions on Transfer contained in this Article IX shall not apply to the Transfer of any capital stock of the Managing Member; provided that no shares of Class B Common Stock may be Transferred unless a corresponding number of Units are Transferred therewith in accordance with this Agreement.

 

  (b)

In addition to any other restrictions on Transfer herein contained, including the provisions of this Article IX , in no event may any Transfer or assignment of Interests by any Member be made (i) to any Person who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own Interests; (ii) if such Transfer (A) would be considered to be effected on or through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof,” as such terms are used in Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1, (B) would result in the Company having more than one hundred (100) partners, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)), or (C) would cause the Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code or a successor provision or to be taxed as a corporation pursuant to the Code or successor of the Code; (iii) if such Transfer would cause the Company to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a “party-in-interest” (as defined in Section 3 (14) of ERISA) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code); (iv) if such Transfer would, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, cause any portion of the assets of the Company to

 

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  constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to the Plan Asset Regulations or otherwise cause the Company to be subject to regulation under ERISA; (v) if such Transfer requires the registration of such Interests or any Equity Securities issued upon any exchange of such Interests, pursuant to any applicable U.S. federal or state securities Laws; or (vi) if such Transfer subjects the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act or the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, each as amended (or any succeeding law). Any attempted or purported Transfer of all or a portion of a Member’s Interests in violation of this Section  9.1(b) shall be null and void and of no force or effect whatsoever.

Section 9.2 Notice of Transfer . Other than in connection with Transfers made pursuant to Section  4.6 , each Member shall, after complying with the provisions of this Agreement, but in any event no later than three Business Days following any Transfer of Interests, give written notice to the Company of such Transfer. Each such notice shall describe the manner and circumstances of the Transfer.

Section 9.3 Transferee Members . A Transferee of Interests pursuant to this Article IX shall have the right to become a Member only if (i) the requirements of this Article IX are met, (ii) such Transferee executes an instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member agreeing to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement and assuming all of the Transferor’s then existing and future Liabilities arising under or relating to this Agreement, (iii) such Transferee represents that the Transfer was made in accordance with all applicable securities Laws, (iv) the Transferor or Transferee shall have reimbursed the Company for all reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) of any Transfer or proposed Transfer of a Member’s Interest, whether or not consummated and (v) if such Transferee or his or her spouse is a resident of a community property jurisdiction, then such Transferee’s spouse shall also execute an instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member agreeing to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement to the extent of his or her community property or quasi-community property interest, if any, in such Member’s Interest. Unless agreed to in writing by the Managing Member, the admission of a Member shall not result in the release of the Transferor from any Liability that the Transferor may have to each remaining Member or to the Company under this Agreement or any other Contract between the Managing Member, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and such Transferor or any of its Affiliates, on the other hand. Written notice of the admission of a Member shall be sent promptly by the Company to each remaining Member.

Section 9.4 Legend . Each certificate representing a Unit, if any, will be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM UNDER SUCH ACT.

 

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THE TRANSFER AND VOTING OF THESE SECURITIES IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS PARENT LLC DATED AS OF JULY 31, 2018 AMONG THE MEMBERS LISTED THEREIN, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED AND/OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND NO TRANSFER OF THESE SECURITIES WILL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES.”

ARTICLE X

ACCOUNTING

Section 10.1 Books of Account . The Company shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain true books and records of account in which full and correct entries shall be made of all its business transactions pursuant to a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and shall set aside on its books all such proper accruals and reserves as shall be required under GAAP.

Section 10.2 Tax Elections .

 

  (a)

The Company and any eligible Subsidiary shall make an election (or continue a previously made election) pursuant to Section 754 of the Code for the taxable year of the Company that includes the date hereof, shall not thereafter revoke such election and shall make a new election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code to the extent necessary following any “termination” of the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, under Section 708 of the Code. In addition, the Company shall make the following elections on the appropriate forms or tax returns, if permitted under the Code or applicable law:

 

  i.

to adopt the calendar year as the Company’s Fiscal Year;

 

  ii.

to adopt the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

  iii.

to elect to amortize the organizational expenses of the Company as permitted by Section 709(b) of the Code;

 

  iv.

except where the Managing Member elects to apply Section  10.6(e) , elect out of the application of the company-level audit and adjustment rules of the Bipartisan Budget Act by making an election under Section 6226(a) of the Code, commonly known as the “push out” election, or any analogous election under state or local tax law, if applicable; and

 

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  v.

except as otherwise provided herein, any other election the Managing Member may deem appropriate and in the best interests of the Company.

 

  (b)

Upon request of the Managing Member, each Member shall cooperate in good faith with the Company in connection with the Company’s efforts to make the election described in Section  10.2(a)iv .

Section 10.3 Tax Returns; Information . The Managing Member shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all income and other tax and informational returns of the Company. The Managing Member shall furnish to each Member a copy of each approved return and statement, together with any schedules (including Schedule K-1) or other information which each Member may require in connection with such Member’s own tax affairs as soon as practicable (but in no event more than 60 days after the end of each Fiscal Year). The Members agree to take all actions reasonably requested by the Company or the Company Representative to comply with the Bipartisan Budget Act, including where applicable, filing amended returns as provided in Sections 6225 or 6226 of the Code and providing confirmation thereof to the Company Representative.

Section 10.4 Texas Margin Tax . If Texas law requires any Member other than the Managing Member (such Member, the “ Consolidating Member ”) and the Company to participate in the filing of a Texas margin tax combined group report, and if the Consolidating Member pays the margin tax liability due in connection with such combined report, the Members agree that the Company shall promptly reimburse the Consolidating Member for the margin tax paid on behalf of the Company as a combined group member. The margin tax paid on behalf of the Company shall be equal to the amount that the Company would have paid if it had computed its margin tax liability for the report period on a separate entity basis rather than as a member of the combined group. For the avoidance of doubt, the reimbursement of any Texas margin tax paid by the Managing Member shall be governed by Section  7.9 .

Section 10.5 Company Representative . The Managing Member is specially authorized and appointed to act as the Company Representative and in any similar capacity under state or local Law. In acting as Company Representative, the Managing Member shall act, to the maximum extent possible, to cause income, gain, loss, deduction, credit of the Company and adjustments thereto, to be allocated or borne by the Members in the same manner as such items or adjustments would have been borne if the Company could have effectively made an election under Section 6221(b) of the Code (commonly known as the “election out”) or similar state or local provision with respect to the taxable period at issue. The Company Representative may retain, at the Company’s expense, such outside counsel, accountants and other professional consultants as it may reasonably deem necessary in the course of fulfilling its obligations as Company Representative.

Section 10.6 Withholding Tax Payments and Obligations .

 

  (a)

Withholding Tax Payments . Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries may withhold from distributions, allocations or portions thereof if it is required to do so by any applicable rule, regulation or law, and each Member hereby authorizes the Company and its Subsidiaries to withhold or pay on behalf of or with respect to

 

45


  such Member any amount of U.S. federal, state or local or non-U.S. taxes that the Managing Member determines, in good faith, that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is required to withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such Member pursuant to this Agreement.

 

  (b)

Tax Audits . To the extent that any income tax is paid by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of an audit or other proceeding with respect to such tax, and the Managing Member determines, in good faith, that such tax relates to one or more specific Members (including any Company Level Taxes), such tax shall be treated as an amount of taxes withheld or paid with respect to such Member pursuant to this Section  10.6 . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Section  10.6 , the payment by the Company of Company Level Taxes shall, consistent with the Bipartisan Budget Act, be treated as the payment of a Company obligation and shall be treated as paid with respect to a Member to the extent the deduction with respect to such payment is allocated to such Member pursuant to Section  5.2(j) , and such payment shall not be treated as a withholding from distributions, allocations, or portions thereof with respect to a Member.

 

  (c)

Tax Contribution and Indemnity Obligation . Any amounts withheld or paid with respect to a Member pursuant to Section  10.6(a) or (b) shall be offset against any distributions to which such Member is entitled concurrently with such withholding or payment (a “ Tax Offset ”); provided that the amount of any distribution subject to a Tax Offset shall be treated as having been distributed to such Member pursuant to Section  6.1 at the time such Tax Offset is made. To the extent that (i) there is a payment of Company Level Taxes relating to a Member or (ii) the amount of such Tax Offset exceeds the distributions to which such Member is entitled during the same Fiscal Year as such withholding or payment (“ Excess Tax Amount ”), the amount of such (i) Company Level Taxes or (ii) Excess Tax Amount, as applicable, shall give rise to an interest-bearing obligation of such Member to make a capital contribution to the Company (a “ Tax Contribution Obligation ”). If requested by the Managing Member, a Member shall promptly contribute the amount of its Tax Contribution Obligation to the Company. To the extent a Member does not promptly contribute the amount of its Tax Contribution Obligation to the Company, the Company shall offset such amount (plus interest accruing at the applicable underpayment rate for such period, as specified in Section 6621 of the Code) against distributions to which such Member would otherwise be subsequently entitled until the Member’s Tax Contribution Obligation (including any interest accrued thereon) has been satisfied in full. To the extent, and at the time(s), that a Member makes a payment to satisfy such Member’s Tax Contribution Obligation (including any accrued but unpaid interest thereon), such payment shall be applied first to any accrued by unpaid interest owed by such Member (which interest shall be taxable income to the Company), and any remaining portion shall satisfy such Member’s Tax Contribution Obligation and such portion shall increase such Member’s Capital Account but shall not reduce the amount that a Member is otherwise obligated to contribute to the Company and shall not be treated as a Capital Contribution. Amounts recovered by the Company through any offset against distributions pursuant to this Section  10.6(b) shall be applied first to any

 

46


  accrued but unpaid interest owed by such Member (which interest shall be taxable income to the Company), and thereafter offset the amount of such Member’s Tax Contribution Obligation, and such Member’s Capital Account shall not be reduced by the amount of the distribution that was offset to the extent such offset was against the amount of such Member’s Tax Contribution Obligation. Each Member hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Company a security interest in such Member’s Units to secure such Member’s obligation to pay the Company any amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 10.6. Each Member shall take such actions as the Company may reasonably request in order to perfect or enforce the security interest created hereunder. Each Member hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the other Members, the Company Representative and the Managing Member from and against any liability (including any liability for Company Level Taxes) with respect to income attributable to or distributions or other payments to such Member.

 

  (d)

Continued Obligations of Former Members . Any Person who ceases to be a Member shall be deemed to be a Member solely for purposes of this Section  10.6 , and the obligations of a Member pursuant to this Section  10.6 shall survive until thirty (30) days after the closing of the applicable statute of limitations on assessment with respect to the taxes withheld or paid by the Company or a Subsidiary that relate to the period during which such Person was actually a Member.

 

  (e)

Managing Member Discretion Regarding Recovery of Taxes . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Managing Member may choose to not recover an amount of Company Level Taxes or other taxes withheld or paid with respect to a Member under this Section  10.6 if the Managing Member determines, in its reasonable discretion, that such a decision would be in the best interests of the Members (e.g., where the cost of recovering the amount of taxes withheld or paid with respect to such Member is not justified in light of the amount that may be recovered from such Member).

ARTICLE XI

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

Section 11.1 Liquidating Events . The Company shall dissolve and commence winding up and liquidating upon the first to occur of the following (each, a “ Liquidating Event ”):

 

  (a)

The sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; and

 

  (b)

The determination of the Managing Member to dissolve, wind up, and liquidate the Company.

 

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The Members hereby agree that the Company shall not dissolve prior to the occurrence of a Liquidating Event and that no Member shall seek a dissolution of the Company, under Section 18-802 of the Act or otherwise, other than based on the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (b) above. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Company has dissolved prior to the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the Members hereby agree to continue the business of the Company without a winding up or liquidation. In the event of a dissolution pursuant to Section  11.1(b) , the relative economic rights of each class of Units immediately prior to such dissolution shall be preserved to the greatest extent practicable with respect to distributions made to Members pursuant to Section  11.3 in connection with such dissolution, taking into consideration tax and other legal constraints that may adversely affect one or more parties to such dissolution and subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, unless, with respect to any class of Units, holders of a majority of the Units of such class consent in writing to a treatment other than as described above.

Section 11.2 Bankruptcy . For purposes of this Agreement, the “bankruptcy” of a Member shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (a) any Governmental Entity shall take possession of any substantial part of the property of that Member or shall assume control over the affairs or operations thereof, or a receiver or trustee shall be appointed, or a writ, order, attachment or garnishment shall be issued with respect to any substantial part thereof, and such possession, assumption of control, appointment, writ or order shall continue for a period of 90 consecutive days; or (b) a Member shall admit in writing of its inability to pay its debts when due, or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or apply for or consent to the appointment of any receiver, trustee or similar officer or for all or any substantial part of its property; or shall institute (by petition, application, answer, consent or otherwise) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debts, dissolution, liquidation, or similar proceeding under the Laws of any jurisdiction; or (c) a receiver, trustee or similar officer shall be appointed for such Member or with respect to all or any substantial part of its property without the application or consent of that Member, and such appointment shall continue undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 consecutive days or any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangements, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or similar proceedings shall be instituted (by petition, application or otherwise) against that Member and shall remain undismissed for a period of 90 consecutive days.

Section 11.3 Procedure .

 

  (a)

In the event of the dissolution of the Company for any reason, the Members shall commence to wind up the affairs of the Company and to liquidate the Company’s investments; provided that if a Member is in bankruptcy or dissolved, another Member, who shall be the Managing Member (“ Winding-Up Member ”) shall commence to wind up the affairs of the Company and, subject to Section  11.4(a) , such Winding-Up Member shall have full right and unlimited discretion to determine in good faith the time, manner and terms of any sale or sales of the Property or other assets pursuant to such liquidation, having due regard to the activity and condition of the relevant market and general financial and economic conditions. The Members shall continue to share profits, losses and distributions during the period of liquidation in the same manner and proportion as though the Company had not dissolved. The Company shall engage in no further business except as may be necessary, in the reasonable discretion of the Managing Member or the Winding-Up Member, as applicable, to preserve the value of the Company’s assets during the period of dissolution and liquidation.

 

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  (b)

Following the payment of all expenses of liquidation and the allocation of all Profits and Losses as provided in Article V , the proceeds of the liquidation and any other funds of the Company shall be distributed in the following order of priority:

 

  (i)

First, to the payment and discharge of all of the Company’s debts and Liabilities to creditors (whether third parties or Members), in the order of priority as provided by Law, except any obligations to the Members in respect of their Capital Accounts;

 

  (ii)

Second, to set up such cash reserves which the Managing Member reasonably deems necessary for contingent or unforeseen Liabilities or future payments described in Section  11.3(b)(i) (which reserves when they become unnecessary shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of subsection (iii), below); and

 

  (iii)

Third, the balance to the Members, in accordance with their Percentage Interests.

 

  (c)

Except as provided in Section  11.4(a) , no Member shall have any right to demand or receive property other than cash upon dissolution and termination of the Company.

 

  (d)

Upon the completion of the liquidation of the Company and the distribution of all Company funds, the Company shall terminate and the Managing Member or the Winding-Up Member, as the case may be, shall have the authority to execute and record a certificate of cancellation of the Company, as well as any and all other documents required to effectuate the dissolution and termination of the Company.

Section 11.4 Rights of Members .

 

  (a)

Each Member irrevocably waives any right that it may have to maintain an action for partition with respect to the property of the Company.

 

  (b)

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, (i) each Member shall look solely to the assets of the Company for the return of its Capital Contributions, and (ii) no Member shall have priority over any other Member as to the return of its Capital Contributions, distributions or allocations.

Section 11.5 Notices of Dissolution . In the event a Liquidating Event occurs or an event occurs that would, but for the provisions of Section  11.1 , result in a dissolution of the Company, the Company shall, within 30 days thereafter, (a) provide written notice thereof to each of the Members and to all other parties with whom the Company regularly conducts business (as determined in the discretion of the Managing Member), and (b) comply, in a timely manner, with all filing and notice requirements under the Act or any other applicable Law.

Section 11.6 Reasonable Time for Winding Up . A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets in order to minimize any losses that might otherwise result from such winding up.

 

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Section 11.7 No Deficit Restoration . No Member shall be personally liable for a deficit Capital Account balance of that Member, it being expressly understood that the distribution of liquidation proceeds shall be made solely from existing Company assets.

ARTICLE XII

GENERAL

Section 12.1 Amendments; Waivers .

 

  (a)

The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be waived, modified or amended (including by means of merger, consolidation or other business combination to which the Company is a party) with the approval of the Managing Member; provided , however , that no amendment to this Agreement may:

 

  i.

modify the limited liability of any Member, or increase the liabilities or obligations of any Member, in each case, without the consent of each such affected Member; or

 

  ii.

materially alter or change any rights, preferences or privileges of any Member as a holder of a particular class of Interests in a manner that is different or prejudicial relative to the other Members holding the same class of Interests, without the approval of a majority in interest of the Members affected in such a different or prejudicial manner.

 

  (b)

Notwithstanding the foregoing subsection (a), the Managing Member, acting alone, may amend this Agreement (and shall use reasonable efforts to amend Exhibit A as necessary) (i) to reflect the admission of new Members, Transfers of Interests, the issuance of additional Units or Equity Securities, as provided by the terms of this Agreement, and, subject to Section  12.1(a) , subdivisions or combinations of Units made in compliance with Section  4.1(g) , (ii) to reflect any adjustments to a Member’s Capital Contributions pursuant to the terms of the Contribution Agreement, (iii) to the minimum extent necessary to (A) comply with the provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act and any Treasury Regulations or other administrative pronouncements promulgated thereunder and (B) to administer the effects of such provisions in an equitable manner and (iv) in accordance with Section  4.6(k) , as necessary to avoid the Company being classified as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code.

 

  (c)

No waiver of any provision or default under, nor consent to any exception to, the terms of this Agreement or any agreement contemplated hereby shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party to be bound and then only to the specific purpose, extent and instance so provided.

Section 12.2 Further Assurances . Each party agrees that it will from time to time, upon the reasonable request of another party, execute such documents and instruments and take such further action as may be required to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Section 12.3 Successors and Assigns . All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties and their respective successors and assigns, but shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the successors and assigns of any Member only to the extent that they are permitted successors and assigns pursuant to the terms hereof. No party may assign its rights hereunder except as herein expressly permitted.

Section 12.4 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with all Exhibits and Schedules hereto and all other agreements referenced therein and herein, constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties and there are no warranties, representations or other agreements between the parties in connection with the subject matter hereof except as specifically set forth herein and therein.

Section 12.5 Rights of Members Independent . The rights available to the Members under this Agreement and at Law shall be deemed to be several and not dependent on each other and each such right accordingly shall be construed as complete in itself and not by reference to any other such right. Any one or more and/or any combination of such rights may be exercised by a Member and/or the Company from time to time and no such exercise shall exhaust the rights or preclude another Member from exercising any one or more of such rights or combination thereof from time to time thereafter or simultaneously.

Section 12.6 Governing Law . This Agreement, the legal relations between the parties and any Action, whether contractual or non-contractual, instituted by any party with respect to matters arising under or growing out of or in connection with or in respect of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed in such State and without regard to conflicts of law doctrines, except to the extent that certain matters are preempted by federal Law or are governed as a matter of controlling Law by the Law of the jurisdiction of organization of the respective parties.

Section 12.7 Jurisdiction and Venue . The parties hereto hereby agree and consent to be subject to the jurisdiction of any federal court of the District of Delaware or the Delaware Court of Chancery over any action, suit or proceeding (a “ Legal Action ”) arising out of or in connection with this Agreement. The parties hereto irrevocably waive the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such Legal Action. Each of the parties hereto further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such Legal Action by the mailing of copies thereof by registered mail, postage prepaid, to such party at its address set forth in this Agreement, such service of process to be effective upon acknowledgment of receipt of such registered mail. Nothing in this Section  12.7 shall affect the right of any party hereto to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law.

Section 12.8 Headings . The descriptive headings of the Articles, Sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

 

51


Section 12.9 Counterparts . This Agreement and any amendment hereto or any other agreement (or document) delivered pursuant hereto may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties in separate counterparts. All of such counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement (or other document) and shall become effective (unless otherwise provided therein) when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party.

Section 12.10 Notices . Any notice or other communication hereunder must be given in writing and (a) delivered in person, (b) transmitted by facsimile, by telecommunications mechanism or electronically or (c) mailed by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, receipt requested as follows:

If to the Company or the Managing Member, addressed to it at:

Magnolia Oil & Gas Parent LLC

1001 Fannin St., Suite 400

Houston, TX 77002

Electronic mail: cstavros@mgyoil.com

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation

1001 Fannin St., Suite 400

Houston, TX 77002

Electronic mail: cstavros@mgyoil.com

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin, Suite 2500

Houston, TX 77002

Facsimile: (713) 615-5085

Electronic mail: kfullenweider@velaw.com

Attention: Keith R. Fullenweider

 

52


If to the EnerVest Funds, addressed to them at:

EnerVest, Ltd.

Attention: Philip Berry

Vice President – Business Development & Transactions

1001 Fannin, Ste. 800

Houston, Texas 77002

Email: PBerry@EnerVest.net

and

EnerVest, Ltd.

Attention: J. Andrew West

Vice President & General Counsel

1001 Fannin, Ste. 800

Houston, Texas 77002

Email: AWest@EnerVest.net

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

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

811 Main Street

Houston, TX 77002

Facsimile: (346) 718-6988

Electronic mail: GSpedale@gibsondunn.com

Attention: Gerry Spedale

or to such other address or to such other Person as either party shall have last designated by such notice to the other parties. Each such notice or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by telecommunication or electronically, when transmitted to the applicable number or electronic mail address so specified in (or pursuant to) this Section  12.10 and an appropriate answerback is received or, if transmitted after 4:00 p.m. local time on a Business Day in the jurisdiction to which such notice is sent or at any time on a day that is not a Business Day in the jurisdiction to which such notice is sent, then on the immediately following Business Day, (ii) if given by mail, on the first Business Day in the jurisdiction to which such notice is sent following the date three days after such communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid or (iii) if given by any other means, on the Business Day when actually received at such address or, if not received on a Business Day, on the Business Day immediately following such actual receipt.

Section 12.11 Representation By Counsel; Interpretation . The parties acknowledge that each party to this Agreement has been represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Accordingly, any rule of Law, or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the party that drafted it has no application and is expressly waived.

 

53


Section 12.12 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by any Governmental Entity, the remaining provisions of this Agreement, to the extent permitted by Law shall remain in full force and effect, provided that the essential terms and conditions of this Agreement for all parties remain valid, binding and enforceable.

Section 12.13 Expenses . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each party shall bear its own expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 12.14 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE MEMBERS, THE MANAGING MEMBER AND ANY INDEMNITEES SEEKING REMEDIES HEREUNDER, HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED ON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE.

Section 12.15 No Third Party Beneficiaries . Except as expressly provided in Sections  7.4 and 10.2 , nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under this Agreement or otherwise create any third party beneficiary hereto.

[Signatures on Next Page]

 

54


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties hereto has caused this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY:
MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS PARENT LLC
By:   /s/ Eduardo Tamraz
Name:   Eduardo Tamraz
Title:   Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Secretary

S IGNATURE P AGE TO

S ECOND A MENDED AND R ESTATED L IMITED L IABILITY C OMPANY A GREEMENT OF

M AGNOLIA O IL  & G AS P ARENT LLC


MEMBERS:
ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-A, L.P.
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:   /s/ Jud Walker
Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President
ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-C-AIV, L.P.
By:   EVFC GP XIV, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:   /s/ Jud Walker
Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President

S IGNATURE P AGE TO

S ECOND A MENDED AND R ESTATED L IMITED L IABILITY C OMPANY A GREEMENT OF

M AGNOLIA O IL  & G AS P ARENT LLC


ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-WIC, L.P.
By:   EnerVest Holding XIV, LLC,
  its General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:   /s/ Jud Walker
Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President
ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-2A, L.P.
By:   EVFA XIV-2A, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:   /s/ Jud Walker
Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President

S IGNATURE P AGE TO

S ECOND A MENDED AND R ESTATED L IMITED L IABILITY C OMPANY A GREEMENT OF

M AGNOLIA O IL  & G AS P ARENT LLC


ENERVEST ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL FUND XIV-3A, L.P.
By:   EVFA XIV-3A, LLC,
  its Managing General Partner
By:   EnerVest, Ltd.,
  its Sole Member
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:   /s/ Jud Walker
Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President

S IGNATURE P AGE TO

S ECOND A MENDED AND R ESTATED L IMITED L IABILITY C OMPANY A GREEMENT OF

M AGNOLIA O IL  & G AS P ARENT LLC


MANAGING MEMBER:
MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Eduardo Tamraz
Name:   Eduardo Tamraz
Title:   Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Secretary

S IGNATURE P AGE TO

S ECOND A MENDED AND R ESTATED L IMITED L IABILITY C OMPANY A GREEMENT OF

M AGNOLIA O IL  & G AS P ARENT LLC


EXHIBIT A

 

Member

  

Number of  Units
Owned 1

 

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation

     148,540,924  

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P.

     55,357,254  

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A, L.P.

     11,014,515  

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P.

     10,805,611  

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P.

     578,299  

EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C-AIV, L.P.

     6,183,755  

 

1  

Note: The initial number of Units owned by the Members to be finally determined (subjected to any adjustment relating to the Defect Holdback Amount and/or an Indemnification Surrender) following the issuance of the Final Settlement Statement and Final Consideration (both as defined in the Contribution Agreement).

 

A-1

Exhibit 10.3

NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

This NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ PubCo ”), and EnerVest, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership (“ EnerVest ”), effective as of July 31, 2018 (the “ Closing Date ”). PubCo and EnerVest may be referred to herein each as a “ Party ” and together as the “ Parties .”

WHEREAS , concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, PubCo and EnerVest are causing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by (i) that certain Contribution and Merger Agreement dated March 20, 2018 by and among EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-A ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-WIC ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-2A ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-3A ”), EnerVest Institutional Fund XIV-C, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XIV-C ”), TPG Pace Energy Parent LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and PubCo (the “ Contribution Agreement ”); (ii) that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated March 20, 2018 by and among EV XIV-A, EV XIV-C, EV XIV-WIC, and the Company; and (iii) that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated March 20, 2018 by and among EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XI-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XI-A ”), EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XI-WI, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV XI-WI ”), EnerVest Holding, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“ EV Holding ”), EnerVest Wachovia Co-Investment Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Co-Invest Seller ” and, together with EV XIV-A, EV XIV-WIC, EV XIV-2A, EV XIV-3A, EV XIV-C, EV XI-A, EV XI-WI, and EV Holding, each individually a “ Seller ” and, collectively, the “ Sellers ”), and the Company (the agreements set forth above in clauses (i)-(iii) , collectively, the “ Acquisition Agreements ”), pursuant to which PubCo will acquire (directly or indirectly) certain oil and gas assets from the Sellers and the business interests and goodwill associated with such oil and gas assets (the “ Assets ”);

WHEREAS , EnerVest is the owner, directly or indirectly, of the general partner of each Seller and is causing Sellers to enter into the applicable Acquisition Agreements;

WHEREAS , as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreements, EnerVest shall receive, directly or indirectly, valuable consideration and EnerVest will benefit materially from the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreements, including the consideration payable to EnerVest Operating, L.L.C. (“ EVOC ”), an Affiliate of EnerVest, in exchange for EVOC providing certain contract operating services to PubCo and TPG Pace Energy Operating LLC in respect of the Assets following the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreements pursuant to a Services Agreement the Closing Date (the “ Services Agreement ”);

WHEREAS , the execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreements and the receipt of certain other consideration by EnerVest pursuant to Section  4 hereof; and

 

1


WHEREAS , as a material inducement and express incentive for PubCo to enter into and/or cause Company to enter into the Acquisition Agreements and the agreements set forth in Section  4 hereof, and in order to protect PubCo’s legitimate business interests, including the value that it is receiving through the Acquisition Agreements and the Services Agreement, the goodwill that it has and that EnerVest is causing to be conveyed through the Acquisition Agreements, and other legitimate business interests, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement.

NOW , THEREFORE , for and in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and obligations contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the Parties agree as follows:

1.     Non-Competition .

(a)    In consideration of, and as a material inducement to, PubCo entering and/or causing the Company to enter into the Acquisition Agreements and the agreements set forth in Section  4 hereof, and to satisfy a condition to the closing of the transactions contemplated by each of the Acquisition Agreements and the issuance contemplated by Section  4 hereof, EnerVest voluntarily agrees to the covenants set forth in this Agreement. EnerVest agrees and acknowledges that the limitations and restrictions set forth herein, including geographical and temporal restrictions on certain competitive activities, are reasonable in all respects and not oppressive, will not cause EnerVest or the Restricted Persons undue hardship, and are necessary to prevent unfair competition and to protect the goodwill, value and substantial legitimate business interests associated with the assets and business purchased by PubCo and that EnerVest and the Restricted Persons are causing to be conveyed pursuant to the Acquisition Agreements.

(b)    EnerVest agrees that, during the Prohibited Period, EnerVest shall not, and EnerVest shall cause the Restricted Persons to not (in each case, other than with PubCo’s written consent), directly or indirectly, for EnerVest or any Restricted Person or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other Person:

(i)    engage in or participate in the Business within the Market Area;

(ii)    own, manage, operate, become a partner, manager, member, or officer of, or loan money to, any Person engaged in, or, to EnerVest’s knowledge, planning to engage in, the Business in the Market Area; or

(iii)    appropriate any Business Opportunity of, or relating to, PubCo or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries located in the Market Area;

provided that the foregoing clauses (i) - (iii) shall not prohibit (y) (A) EnerVest or a Restricted Person from engaging in Business to the extent applicable to its ownership of those Oil and Gas Interests described on Exhibit  A owned by any such Person as of the Closing Date, (B) any EV Person from engaging in Business to the extent applicable to its ownership of any Subject Interests acquired by it pursuant to Section  2 , (C) EVOC from performing its obligations under the Services Agreement, or (D) EnerVest or a Restricted Person from forming a joint venture or other similar partnership or any other arrangement with any Person with respect to activities outside the Market Area (including if such Person is engaged in the Business in the Market Area so long as such joint venture, partnership or other arrangement does not relate to or include Business in the Market Area) and (z) EnerVest or a Restricted Person from making a Permitted Acquisition.

 

2


(c)    Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to PubCo and its direct and indirect subsidiaries as a result of a breach or threatened breach of the covenants set forth in this Agreement, and because of the immediate and irreparable damage that would be caused to PubCo and its direct and indirect subsidiaries for which they would have no other adequate remedy, PubCo and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries shall be entitled to enforce the foregoing covenants, in the event of a breach or threatened breach, by injunctions and restraining orders from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall not be PubCo’s or any of its direct and indirect subsidiaries’ exclusive remedy for a breach but instead shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies available to PubCo and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (whether arising under contract, at law or in equity).

(d)    EnerVest acknowledges and agrees that the covenants contained in this Section  1 are the result of arm’s-length bargaining and are fair and reasonable in light of (i) the nature and wide geographic scope of the business and assets acquired (directly or indirectly) by PubCo pursuant to the Acquisition Agreements, which such business is engaged throughout the Market Area; (ii) EnerVest’s and the Restricted Persons level of control over and contact with the business and assets conveyed through the Acquisition Agreements, and association with the goodwill of such business and assets; (iii) EnerVest’s and the Restricted Persons’ knowledge of the confidential and proprietary information associated with the business and assets conveyed through the Acquisition Agreements, which information would inevitably be disclosed if EnerVest or any Restricted Person were to violate any of the provisions of this Section  1 ; and (iv) the consideration that EnerVest and the Restricted Persons are directly and indirectly receiving in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreements, the Services Agreement and Section  4 hereof and the goodwill and confidential and proprietary information that EnerVest and the Restricted Persons are causing to be conveyed and for which PubCo is paying pursuant to the Acquisition Agreements.

2.     EnerVest Acquisition Right .

(a)     Acquisition Right . The provisions of this Section  2 shall apply (i) with respect to the Fund XIV Members, from the Closing Date through the earlier of (x) the second anniversary of the Closing Date and (y) the date the Fund XIV Members elect to terminate the rights set forth in this Section  2 with respect to the Fund XIV Members by delivering written notice of such election to PubCo (such earlier date, the “ Trigger Date ”) and (ii) with respect to the EV Persons (other than the Fund XIV Members), during the Prohibited Period but commencing only after the date EnerVest has delivered written notice to PubCo that EnerVest is electing to invoke the provisions of this Section  2 and subject to Section  2(a)(ii) (which written notice shall not be delivered by EnerVest at any point prior to the Trigger Date). As used in this Section  2 , “ Eligible Persons ” shall mean (i) prior to the Trigger Date, any Fund XIV Member and (ii) following the Trigger Date, any EV Person (other than the Fund XIV Members).

 

3


(i)    Subject to the remaining terms and conditions of this Section  2 , if, during the Prohibited Period, PubCo, the Company or any of their respective Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ PubCo Persons ”), directly or indirectly acquires from a Third Party pursuant to a Qualifying Transaction (1) Oil and Gas Interests and related assets (other than Midstream Interests) within the Market Area and/or (2) Midstream Interests substantially all of which are within the footprint of the Market Area (the “ Subject Interests ”), then, promptly following the consummation of such acquisition, PubCo will provide written notice to EnerVest of such acquisition and copies of any material definitive agreements pertaining to such acquisition (each an “ Acquisition Notice ”); provided that PubCo, at its option, may provide an Acquisition Notice to EnerVest after executing definitive agreements for any such acquisition (and prior to the consummation of a proposed acquisition), in which case the Eligible Persons’ right to acquire the EV Participating Interest Share in the applicable Subject Interests shall be contingent on the consummation of such acquisition by the applicable PubCo Person. The Eligible Persons will have the option to acquire the EV Participating Interest Share in all (but not less than all) of the Subject Interests on the same terms and conditions on which the PubCo Person acquired (or will acquire) the Subject Interests (including assumption of a pro rata allocation of liabilities and obligations associated with such Subject Interests so acquired by such Eligible Persons commensurate with the EV Participating Interest Share) by EnerVest providing written notice of such election to PubCo within 30 days after any Acquisition Notice is delivered to EnerVest. In making such election, (x) EnerVest shall elect the EV Percentage for such Subject Interests and (y) EnerVest shall designate the Eligible Person(s) exercising the rights set forth in this Section  2 with respect to the EV Participating Interest Share in the Subject Interests covered by any Acquisition Notice. If EnerVest fails to timely exercise the option set forth in this Section  2 on behalf of any Eligible Person, within such 30-day period, it shall be deemed to have made an election on behalf of the Eligible Persons not to participate in the acquisition. The applicable PubCo Person shall have the right to acquire or retain (as applicable) all (and no Eligible Person or other Affiliate of EnerVest shall have rights under this Agreement to acquire, or to designate any other EV Person to acquire, any) Oil and Gas Interests and related assets (other than certain Midstream Interests contemplated by the definition of Subject Interests) located outside of the Market Area and all liabilities and obligations associated therewith. For the avoidance of doubt, each Prohibited EV Person shall be prohibited from directly or indirectly acquiring an interest in, or otherwise financing the acquisition of (including as a limited partner), the EV Participating Interest Share in any Subject Interests.

(ii)    If, after the Trigger Date, EnerVest elects (or is deemed to have elected) on behalf of any Eligible Person not to participate in an acquisition of Subject Interests in accordance with Section  2(a)(i) , then, subject to the consummation by the relevant PubCo Persons of such acquisition but effective as of the date of such election or deemed election by EnerVest, (x) EnerVest and its Affiliates (including the applicable Eligible Persons) shall have no rights under this Agreement to acquire any interest in the Subject Interests that were subject to such election and (y) for a period of six months from and after the date of such election (or deemed election), the Eligible Persons shall have no further rights to participate in an acquisition of Subject Interests in accordance with Section  2(a)(i) , and PubCo shall have no further obligations under this Section  2 with respect to any future Subject Interests for which any PubCo Person acquires or enters into

 

4


a definitive agreement to acquire during such six month period; provided , however , this clause (y)  shall not apply to any such acquisition prior to the Trigger Date. For clarity, after expiration of such six month period, the Eligible Persons shall again have the rights to acquire Oil and Gas Interests as described in this Section  2 (but subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement).

(iii)    If EnerVest properly elects on behalf of any Eligible Person to participate in any acquisition of any Subject Interests in accordance with Section  2(a)(i) , then within 15 days after PubCo receives written notice of such election, the applicable parties shall take the following actions (with each such action to be a condition precedent to the other and deemed to have occurred simultaneously):

(A)    The applicable Eligible Person(s) shall tender to the applicable PubCo Person the EV Participating Interest Share of all Acquisition Costs paid or incurred in the acquisition of the applicable Subject Interests; provided that the applicable Eligible Person(s) shall be entitled to recover the EV Participating Interest Share of all purchase price adjustments, damages, title defect amounts and other amounts recovered by such PubCo Person from the applicable Third Party in connection with such acquisition (after taking into account any reasonable Third Party costs incurred by such PubCo Person to recover any such amounts);

(B)    The applicable PubCo Person shall deliver to the applicable Eligible Person(s) an individual assignment of the EV Participating Interest Share of such Subject Interests, using the form of assignment attached hereto as Exhibit  B providing that, except for the PubCo Person’s special warranty of title set forth therein as to claims by Third Parties made by, through or under the applicable PubCo Person, but not otherwise, the PubCo Person will make no further warranties, express or implied, to the applicable EV Person and the applicable EV Person shall assume its pro rata allocation of the liabilities and obligations associated with the Subject Interests so acquired commensurate with the EV Participating Interest Share. The applicable EV Person shall be assigned and subrogated to all warranties of title which the applicable PubCo Person may have from its predecessors in interest insofar as the same relates to the EV Participating Interest Share of such Subject Interests to the extent such warranties may legally be assigned. The applicable Eligible Person(s) will be responsible for and will pay the costs of recording its assignment in the real property records of the appropriate county(ies); and

(C)    The applicable Eligible Person(s) and the applicable PubCo Person will execute and deliver a joint operating agreement consistent with the terms and conditions described on Exhibit  C attached hereto covering the Subject Interests (each, a “ JOA ”) (or, at PubCo’s election, amend the “Contract Area” of any existing JOA to include the Subject Interests), which JOA shall, among other things, name PubCo (or its designee) as operator of the Subject Interests;

 

5


provided , however , that with respect to any such acquisition that has not been consummated by the applicable PubCo Person at the time EnerVest properly makes an election on behalf of any Eligible Person to participate in accordance with Section  2(a)(i) , EnerVest and the applicable PubCo Person shall each use commercially reasonable efforts to (1) assign to the applicable Eligible Person(s) its EV Participating Interest Share of the definitive agreements for such transaction so that each such Eligible Person can directly acquire its EV Participating Interest Share of the applicable Subject Interests at the closing of such transaction or (2) make arrangements so that each such Eligible Person’s EV Participating Interest Share of the applicable Subject Interests is transferred by the PubCo Person concurrently with the consummation of such underlying transaction and each such Eligible Person pays its EV Participating Interest Share of the Acquisition Costs for such interest to the applicable Third Party seller at the consummation of such transactions.

(b)     Allocation of Acquisition Costs . If a PubCo Person acquires from a Third Party Oil and Gas Interests (other than Midstream Interests) that are located both within and outside the footprint of the Market Area (and such acquisition is otherwise subject to the provisions of Section  2(a) ) (the “ Package Assets ”), the Acquisition Costs attributable to the portion of such Package Assets that are located within the footprint of the Market Area (the “ Market Area Footprint Portion of the Package Assets ”) shall be deemed to equal (1) 100% of the Acquisition Costs incurred by the applicable PubCo Person with respect to such Package Assets multiplied by (2) a fraction (x) the numerator of which is the aggregate value allocated to the Market Area Footprint Portion of the Package Assets in, or in connection with, the applicable acquisition agreement between the PubCo Person and the Third Party, which shall be determined in accordance with the allocation methodology set forth in the definitive agreements for such transaction (as long as such allocations are reasonable and made in good faith), and (y) the denominator of which is the total consideration paid for the Package Assets in such acquisition agreement.

(c)     EV Participating Interest Share . The “EV Participating Interest Share” in respect of any Subject Interests shall mean an undivided interest in the applicable Subject Interests equal to (i) the EV Percentage elected by EnerVest on behalf of the applicable Eligible Person(s) in accordance with Section  2(a)(i) for such Subject Interests multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the value of the cash portion of the Acquisition Costs paid or payable by the applicable PubCo Person for such Subject Interests (after giving effect to Section  2(b) ) and the denominator of which is the aggregate value of the cash and aggregate Fair Market Value of non-cash Acquisition Costs paid or payable by the applicable PubCo Person for such Subject Interests (after giving effect to Section  2(b) ). For example, if in a Qualifying Transaction a PubCo Person acquires Oil and Gas Interests located entirely within the Market Area (A) the Acquisition Costs therefor have an aggregate cash value and non-cash Fair Market Value of $100,000,000, (B) the cash portion of such Acquisition Costs is equal to $75,000,000 and (C) EnerVest on behalf of the applicable Eligible Person(s) has elected a 10% EV Percentage in accordance with Section  2(a)(i) , then the EV Participating Interest Share will be an undivided 7.5% in the applicable Subject Interests (or, (x) 10% multiplied by (y) $75,000,000 divided by $100,000,000).

 

6


(d)     Exclusions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the provisions of Section  2(a) shall not apply to, and no PubCo Person shall be required to provide an Acquisition Notice for, or otherwise offer to EnerVest or any of its Affiliates, any Oil and Gas Interests:

(i)    that are acquired or to be acquired pursuant to any transaction that is not a Qualifying Transaction;

(ii)    that any PubCo Person is required to convey to any Third Party pursuant to any area of mutual interest provision, preferential purchase right or other contractual obligation to the extent of such Third Party’s share of such Oil and Gas Interests pursuant to such provision, right, or obligation; or

(iii)    acquired by a PubCo Person pursuant to Section  3 .

(e)     Limitations . The PubCo Persons may not undertake a purchase of, or otherwise consummate a transaction with respect to, any Subject Interests if the primary purpose of the same is the avoidance of this Section  2 .

3.     Right of First Offer .

(a)    If any EV Person (each such Person, a “ Transferor ”) desires to Transfer to any Person other than an EV Person all or any portion of the Transferor’s interest in the EnerVest Interests, the Transferor shall promptly give to PubCo written notice (“ ROFO Notice ”) stating the Transferor’s desire to effect such Transfer and identifying the EnerVest Interest to be Transferred (the “ Offered Interest ”). The date that the ROFO Notice is received by PubCo is referred to as the “ ROFO Notice Date .”

(b)    PubCo shall have 30 days after the ROFO Notice Date (such 30th day, the “ ROFO Expiration Date ”) to make an offer to purchase the Offered Interest, during which time EnerVest shall, and shall cause the applicable Restricted Person to, reasonably cooperate with and make available information to PubCo in respect of the Offered Interest. If PubCo desires to make an offer to purchase the Offered Interest, it shall deliver a written notice (the “ ROFO Offer ”) to the Transferor on or prior to the ROFO Expiration Date, which ROFO Offer shall set forth the price at which PubCo would agree to buy all, but not less than all, the Offered Interest (the “ ROFO Offer Price ”) and any other material terms. PubCo shall have the right to acquire the Offered Interest either directly or indirectly through any PubCo Person.

(c)    Within 10 days after the Transferor receives the ROFO Offer, the Transferor shall deliver a written notice to PubCo of the Transferor’s election to accept or refuse such ROFO Offer. If the Transferor makes an election to accept the ROFO Offer, then such parties shall thereafter for a period of 60 days negotiate and cooperate in good faith to consummate the Transfer of the Offered Interest by the Restricted Person to the applicable PubCo Person. If such parties do not effect such Transfer within such 60-day period, the Transfer of the Offered Interest shall again become subject to the provisions of this Section  3 .

(d)    If PubCo shall not have elected to deliver a ROFO Offer prior to the ROFO Expiration Date, or if the Transferor shall not have elected to accept the ROFO Offer, then the Transferor may Transfer all but not less than all of the Offered Interest (a “ Released Interest ”) at any time within 180 days following the ROFO Expiration Date. Any such Transfer shall not be at a price that is less than 102% of the ROFO Offer Price and shall be on terms no more favorable in the aggregate to the Third Party than those specified in the ROFO Offer. If the Transferor does not effect such Transfer within such 180-day period, the Transfer of the Offered Interest shall again become subject to the provisions of this Section  3 .

 

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(e)    A proposed Transferor may not undertake a Transfer of, or otherwise consummate a transaction with respect to, its interests in the EnerVest Interests if the primary purpose of the same is the avoidance of this Section  3 .

(f)    Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Parties have executed, acknowledge and delivered to each other a memorandum of agreement in the form attached as Exhibit  E in sufficient counterparts for recording in the real property records in the counties covered by the Market Area; provided , that the obligations of this Agreement shall no longer apply to any Released Interest that has been Transferred within the 180-day period referenced in Section  3(d) .

4.     Stock Issuance .

(a)    PubCo has authorized the issuance of 4,000,000 shares of PubCo’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Class  A Common Stock ”), issuable pursuant to this Agreement.

(b)    Subject to Section  8 , solely in the event that, at any time prior to the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, the Closing Sale Price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $13.50 for at least 10 Trading Days in any consecutive 20-Trading Day period (the “ First Condition ”), PubCo shall, at and by the direction of EnerVest, subject to Section  4(i) , issue to EnerVest Employee Services, LLC (“ EES ”), a wholly owned subsidiary of EnerVest, 2,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock via book entry issuance bearing customary legends noting that such securities constitute restricted securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) on the later to occur of (i) the two and one-half year anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) the date on which the First Condition is satisfied.

(c)    Subject to Section  8 , solely in the event that, at any time prior to the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, the Closing Sale Price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $14.50 for at least 10 Trading Days in any consecutive 20-Trading Day period (the “ Second Condition ”), PubCo shall, at and by the direction of EnerVest, subject to Section  4(i) , issue to EES 2,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock on the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date via book entry issuance bearing customary legends noting that such securities constitute restricted securities under the Securities Act.

(d)    To the extent the First Condition or the Second Condition is not satisfied, EnerVest’s rights with respect to the applicable shares of Class A Common Stock shall terminate in all respects and PubCo shall have no further obligations pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such shares of Class A Common Stock but the other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.

(e)    EnerVest hereby represents and warrants to and agrees with PubCo on and as of the Closing Date and the date of any issuance of Class A Common Stock contemplated by this Section  4 that EnerVest is an “accredited investor”, as such term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act and will acquire the Class A Common Stock contemplated hereby for its own account and not with a view to a sale or distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, any state blue sky laws or any other securities laws.

 

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(f)    EnerVest acknowledges and agrees that the shares of Class A Common Stock issued hereunder (including to EES) shall be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of that certain Stockholder Agreement dated the Closing Date (the “ Stockholder Agreement ”) if, at the time of any such issuance, EnerVest or any of its Affiliates is a Stockholder (as defined in the Stockholder Agreement) under the Stockholder Agreement; provided , however , any Class A Common Stock issued hereunder that is subsequently conveyed to any employee of EnerVest or any of its Affiliates (other than John Walker) shall not be subject to the Stockholder Agreement.

(g)    The number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Section  4 and the price thresholds set forth herein shall be reasonably adjusted by the Board of Directors of PubCo in good faith to take into account the effect of any stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization, merger, business combination or other similar transaction or event.

(h)    The Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the issuance of the Class A Common Stock contemplated in this Section  4 may serve, in part, as an incentive for certain employees and service providers of EnerVest and its Affiliates who will be providing services, directly or indirectly, to PubCo with respect to the Assets (“ Service Providers ”), and (ii) in such event, such Service Providers will be subject to and beneficiaries of the applicable provisions of this Agreement, including the non-competition provisions set forth in Section  1 . In connection with the foregoing, EnerVest, with the approval of PubCo (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed), may designate by written election that all or any portion of the Class A Common Stock contemplated hereunder will, solely to the extent that the Company receives an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company that an exemption from registration with respect to such issuance is available under the Securities Act, be issued directly to (A) one or more Service Providers, and/or (B) an employee benefit plan or separate special-purpose entity, in each case, established by EnerVest or John Walker for the benefit of Service Providers. Further, in the event EnerVest or any of its Affiliates issues any profits interest or other equity interests in EnerVest to employees of EnerVest or its Affiliates in accordance with applicable securities laws that entitle the holder thereof to any economic rights or benefits (or entitlements to cash distributions) with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock issued hereunder, EnerVest and EES shall promptly provide the Company with a written description setting forth the recipients thereof and the terms and conditions of such profits interests or other equity interests.

(i)    As a condition to the issuance of shares to EES as contemplated by this Section  4 , EES shall (i) represent and warrant to PubCo in writing that, on the date of any issuance of Class A Common Stock contemplated by this Section  4 that EES is an “accredited investor”, as such term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act and will acquire the Class A Common Stock contemplated hereby for its own account and not with a view to a sale or distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, any state blue sky laws or any other securities laws and (ii) if, at the time of any such issuance, EnerVest or any of its Affiliates is a Stockholder (as defined in the Stockholder Agreement) under the Stockholder Agreement, agree to be bound in writing by the Stockholder Agreement.

 

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5.     Tag-Along Right, Participation Right and Drag-Along Right .

(a)     Uniform Tag-Along Right .

(i)    If one or more PubCo Persons desire to directly (but not indirectly) Transfer, in a single or series of related transactions, any Oil and Gas Interests in which one or more EV Persons also owns (as permitted by this Agreement) a uniform undivided interest in the entirety of the Oil and Gas Interests (including in any applicable leases and wells) proposed to be Transferred by the PubCo Persons (the entirety of the interests owned by the PubCo Persons and the EV Persons in the applicable Oil and Gas Interests, the “ Tag Interests ”) to a ready, willing and able Third Party (a “ Transferee ”), then PubCo shall provide written notice to EnerVest describing the material terms and conditions of the Transferee’s offer (including the Transferee’s identity) (such notice, the “ Tag Notice ” and such proposed Transfer, the “ Tag-Along Transfer ”).

(ii)    The EV Persons shall have the right (a “ Tag Right ”), exercisable by delivery of notice to PubCo at any time within 20 days after receipt of the Tag Notice, to sell pursuant to such Tag-Along Transfer and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Tag Notice, a pro rata portion of all of the EV Persons’ interest in the Tag Interests equal to the portion of the amount the PubCo Persons propose to sell of their share of the Tag Interests; provided , however , that if the proposed Transferee is unwilling to purchase all of the Tag Interests requested to be included by the exercising EV Persons and the Tag Interests held by the PubCo Persons subject to the Tag-Along Transfer, then the PubCo Persons and the EV Persons shall reduce the amount of Tag Interests that each otherwise would have sold so as to permit the PubCo Persons and the EV Persons to each sell a portion of the Tag Interests that the proposed Transferee is willing to purchase in the same pro rata portion that the PubCo Persons and the EV Persons proposed be sold to the Transferee (the “ Tag Purchased Assets ”). For clarity, in order for any EV Person to exercise the Tag Right as described in this Section  5(a)(ii) , all EV Persons who own interests in the applicable Tag Interests must exercise the Tag Right with respect to all of such interests. The PubCo Persons and the EV Persons shall sell to the proposed Transferee all the Tag Interests proposed to be Transferred by the PubCo Persons and the EV Persons, or at the option of the proposed Transferee, the Tag Purchased Assets, upon the same terms and conditions, individually and in the aggregate (with such modifications as necessary to reflect the differing transferring parties and their interests in the applicable Tag Interests, including to reflect the Tag Purchased Assets if applicable), as those in the Tag-Along Transfer and the Tag Notice and at the time and place of the closing of the Tag-Along Transfer as provided for in the Tag Notice (subject to extension to the extent necessary to pursue any required regulatory approvals), or on such other terms and conditions and at such other time and place as the PubCo Persons, the EV Persons and the proposed Transferee shall agree in writing.

(iii)    Prior to the consummation of the Tag-Along Transfer, the applicable PubCo Persons may elect in their discretion to terminate the proposed sale of their interests in the Tag Interests in the Tag-Along Transfer (and shall not otherwise be deemed to owe any duty or responsibility to the EV Persons to proceed), in which case, the obligations under this Section  5(a) in respect of such Tag-Along Transfer shall cease.

 

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(iv)    Upon request of the applicable PubCo Persons, the applicable EV Persons will enter into a customary confidentiality agreement with the PubCo Persons pursuant to which the EV Persons will agree to keep all information provided by the PubCo Persons or any of their representatives or Affiliates to such EV Persons related to the proposed Transfer (including the existence of such proposed Transfer) confidential.

(b)     Participation Right . If one or more PubCo Persons desire to Transfer, in a single or series of related transactions, any Oil and Gas Interests in which one or more EV Persons also owns (as permitted by this Agreement) an undivided interest in the entirety of the Oil and Gas Interests proposed to be Transferred by the PubCo Persons (i) but such interests of the EV Persons are not a uniform undivided interest in the entirety of the applicable Oil and Gas Interests (including in any applicable leases and wells (and for example that a EV Person has non-consented a well in which a PubCo Person has participated in)), or (ii) the Transfer proposed by the PubCo Persons is an indirect Transfer (but subject to Section  5(d) ), then in any such case, PubCo shall provide EnerVest notice of any such proposed Transfer. If EnerVest provides PubCo written notice of EnerVest’s desire to participate in such Transfer in respect of its interests in the applicable Oil and Gas Interests, PubCo agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the applicable EV Persons in participating in such Transfer; provided that PubCo shall not be obligated to include the interests of the EV Persons in any such Transfer. The PubCo Persons may not undertake a Transfer, in a single or series of related transactions, if the primary purpose of the same is the avoidance of this Section  5(b) .

(c)     Uniform Drag-Along Right .

(i)    If one or more PubCo Persons desire to directly (but not indirectly) Transfer, in a single or series of related transactions, any Oil and Gas Interests in which one or more EV Persons also owns (as permitted by this Agreement) a uniform undivided interest in the entirety of the Oil and Gas Interests (including in any applicable leases and wells) proposed to be Transferred by the PubCo Persons (the entirety of the interests owned by the PubCo Person and the EV Person in the applicable Oil and Gas Interests, the “ Drag Interests ”) to a ready, willing and able Transferee in an arm’s length transaction, then PubCo may elect to provide written notice to EnerVest describing the material terms and conditions of the Transferee’s offer (including the Transferee’s identity) (such notice, the “ Drag Notice ” and such proposed Transfer, the “ Drag-Along Transfer ”) and requiring such EV Persons to sell pursuant to such Drag-Along Transfer and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Drag Notice, up to a pro rata portion of all of the EV Persons’ interest in its Drag Interests equal to the portion of the amount the PubCo Persons propose to sell of their share of the Drag Interests (subject to the Transferee’s agreement to include the same); provided that the Drag Notice must be delivered to EnerVest at least 20 days prior to the date on which such Drag-Along Transfer is to be consummated. The PubCo Persons and the EV Persons shall sell to the proposed Transferee all the Drag Interests proposed to be Transferred by the PubCo Persons upon the same terms and conditions, individually and in the aggregate (with such modifications as necessary to reflect the

 

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differing transferring parties and their interests in the applicable Drag Interests), as those in the Drag-Along Transfer and the Drag Notice and at the time and place of the closing of the Drag-Along Transfer as provided for in the Drag Notice (subject to extension to the extent necessary to pursue any required regulatory approvals), or on such other terms and conditions and at such other time and place as the PubCo Persons, the EV Persons and the proposed Transferee shall agree in writing.

(ii)    Prior to the consummation of the Drag-Along Transfer, the applicable PubCo Persons may elect in their discretion to terminate the proposed sale of their interests in the Drag Interests in the Drag-Along Transfer (and shall not otherwise be deemed to owe any duty or responsibility to the EV Persons to proceed), in which case, the provisions under this Section  5(b) in respect of such Drag-Along Transfer shall cease.

(iii)    Upon request of the applicable PubCo Persons, the applicable EV Persons will enter into a customary confidentiality agreement with the PubCo Persons pursuant to which the EV Persons will agree to keep all information provided by the PubCo Persons or any of their representatives or Affiliates to such EV Persons related to the proposed Transfer (including the existence of such proposed Transfer) confidential.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of this Section  5 shall not apply in the event of any merger, business combination or other similar transaction or equity sale of PubCo.

6.     Restricted Persons; PubCo Persons .

(a)    EnerVest shall cause each of the Restricted Persons to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to the Restricted Persons, including Section  1 and Section  3 . In addition, EnerVest shall cause each of the EV Persons to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to the EV Persons. EnerVest shall be responsible for any action by a Restricted Person or EV Person that would constitute a breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement if such Restricted Person or EV Person, as applicable were a party to this Agreement. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, EnerVest has caused each Restricted Person (and will cause each Restricted Person that is formed after the Closing Date) to execute and deliver to PubCo an acknowledgement of this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit  F .

(b)    PubCo shall cause each of the PubCo Persons to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to the PubCo Persons. PubCo shall be responsible for any action by a Pubco Person that would constitute a breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement if such PubCo Person were a party to this Agreement.

7.     Defined Terms . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a)    “ Acquisition Costs ” shall mean the actual acquisition costs and reasonable Third Party expenses (in each case paid or payable in cash), including purchase price, lease bonuses, broker fees, abstract costs, title opinion costs, due diligence costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by any PubCo Person or its Affiliates in acquiring the applicable Oil and Gas Interests.

 

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(b)    “ Affiliate ” shall mean any Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another Person. The term “ Control ” and its derivatives with respect to any Person mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

(c)    “ Business ” shall mean any business or activity which is engaged in upstream or midstream oil and gas activities, including leasing, acquiring, exploring, producing, operating or providing services in respect of, gathering, transporting, marketing, treating or processing hydrocarbons and related products and services; but excluding, in each case, the provision of any oil field services, which shall not constitute “Business” for the purposes hereof.

(d)    “ Business Opportunity ” shall mean any commercial, investment or other business opportunity relating to the Business.

(e)    “ Closing Sale Price ” of the Class A Common Stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) on such date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is traded or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the last quoted bid price for the Class A Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date, as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization, or, if that bid price is not available, the fair market price of the Class A Common Stock (or other relevant capital stock or equity interest) on that date as determined by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by PubCo for this purpose.

(f)    “ EnerVest Interests ” shall mean all Oil and Gas Interests owned by EnerVest or any Restricted Person located within the Market Area, including those Subject Interests acquired by EnerVest or any EV Person pursuant to Section  2 .

(g)    “ EV Excluded Persons ” shall mean (i) Harvest Oil & Gas Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Harvest ”), (ii) the Fund XIV Members and (iii) the Fund X Members.

(h)    “ EV Percentage ” shall mean a percentage equal to no less than 5% and no more than 10%.

(i)    “ EV Person ” shall mean EnerVest and any Affiliate or fund that is Controlled by EnerVest; provided that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, “EV Persons” shall not include (i) any Prohibited EV Person and (ii) solely for purposes of Section  3 and Section  5 , Harvest and the Fund X Members.

(j)    “ Fair Market Value ” shall have the meaning set forth in Exhibit  D .

 

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(k)    “ Fund X Member ” shall mean any of EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund X-A, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund X-B, and EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund X-WI.

(l)    “ Fund XIV Member ” shall mean any of EV XIV-A, EV XIV-WIC, EV XIV-C, EV XIV-2A, and EV XIV-3A.

(m)    “ Governmental Authority ” shall mean any federal, state, local, municipal, tribal, or other government; any governmental, regulatory or administrative agency, commission, body, or other authority exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, regulatory, or taxing authority or power; and any court or governmental tribunal, including any tribal authority having or asserting jurisdiction.

(n)    “ Market Area ” shall mean the following counties within the state of Texas: Atascosa; Austin; Bastrop; Bee; Brazos; Burleson; Colorado; DeWitt; Dimmit; Duval; Fayette; Frio; Goliad; Gonzales; Grimes; Karnes; La Salle; Lavaca; Lee; Live Oak; Maverick; McMullen; Milam; Montgomery; Robertson; Washington; Webb; Wilson; and Zavala.

(o)    “ Midstream Interests ” shall mean interests in and rights to hydrocarbon gathering, transporting, marketing, treating, processing and/or related assets.

(p)    “ Oil and Gas Interests ” shall mean (i) interests in and rights with respect to oil, gas and/or other hydrocarbons and oil, gas and/or other hydrocarbon leases, subleases, fee interests, fee mineral interests, mineral servitudes, royalties, overriding royalties, production payments, net profits interests, carried interests, reversionary interests and all other interests of any kind or character in oil and gas (and other hydrocarbons produced or processed in association therewith) in place (collectively, the “ Oil and Gas Leases ”), together with any and all leasehold interests and other rights, titles and interests in and to any pooled acreage, communitized acreage or units arising on account of the Oil and Gas Leases having been pooled, communitized or unitized into such units, including any arrangement by which the consideration to acquire an Oil and Gas Lease is paid at the time of signing of such Oil and Gas Lease but such Oil and Gas Lease becomes effective only after expiration or termination of an existing lease; and (ii) Midstream Interests.

(q)    “ Person ” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority, or any other entity.

(r)    “ Permitted Acquisition ” shall mean the acquisition of (i) a Person owning Oil and Gas Interests located within the Market Area with an allocated value comprising less than 25% of the aggregate allocated value for such Person (in each case, determined in accordance with the allocation methodology set forth in the definitive agreements for such transaction, as long as such allocations are reasonable and made in good faith) and/or (ii) Oil and Gas Interests included in a Package Assets with an allocated value comprising less than 25% of the allocated value of the aggregate allocated value for the Oil and Gas Interests in said Package Assets (in each case, determined in accordance with the allocation methodology set forth in the definitive agreements for such transaction, as long as such allocations are reasonable and made in good faith); provided , that, in each case, following the consummation of any such acquisition, all of the Oil and Gas

 

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Interests located within the Market Area that are so acquired by EnerVest or a Restricted Person are offered to PubCo using a procedure substantially similar to that described in Section  2(a)(i) and Section  2(a)(iii) applied mutatis mutandis.

(s)    “ Prohibited EV Person ” shall mean (i) any Person (other than EnerVest and its Affiliates) that is a private equity fund, hedge fund or other similar investment fund or vehicle or a general partner or other governing Person of any such Person (excluding, in each case, any passive investment funds, limited partners, pension funds, or similar investment vehicles) and (ii) any Affiliates of any Person described in clause (i)  of this definition.

(t)    “ Prohibited Period ” shall mean the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the later to occur of (i) the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) the final day of the Transition Services Period (as defined in the Services Agreement) following the Termination Effective Date (as defined in the Services Agreement).

(u)    “ Qualifying Transaction ” shall mean a transaction in which the consideration includes cash consideration equal to or in excess of $50,000,000.

(v)    “ Restricted Person ” means (i) EnerVest, (ii) EVOC, (iii) John Walker, (iv) Jud Walker, (v) EES, and (vi) each other Person (x) that is Controlled by any of the Persons listed in the foregoing clauses (i)  through (v) or (y) to whom any Person listed in the foregoing clauses (i)  through (v ) directly or indirectly provides management, operational, advisory or other services; provided , however , that the EV Excluded Persons shall not be considered Restricted Persons for purposes of this Agreement. For purposes of this definition, EnerVest also will be deemed to include any successor entity to EnerVest, including any Person created by one or more Affiliates (other than any EV Excluded Person) or other owners of EnerVest as of the Closing Date for purposes of engaging in investment management or advisory activity, it being the intent of EnerVest and PubCo that any such successor entity to EnerVest will be included for purposes of determining all of the entities to be included in clauses (i)-(vi) above.

(w)    “ Third Party ” shall mean any person or entity other than an Affiliate of EnerVest or PubCo.

(x)    “ Trading Day ” shall mean a day during which trading in the Class A Common Stock generally occurs on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchanges on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading. If the Class A Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, Trading Day means a business day.

(y)    “ Transfer ” shall mean any direct or indirect sale, assignment, or other disposition (whether by assignment, sale, farmout, merger, consolidation, sale of shares or other equity interests, or otherwise); provided that “Transfer” shall not include any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, or other similar encumbrance.

(z)    “ Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to an entity, any subsidiary of that entity of which all of the outstanding equity interests are owned by (i) that entity, (ii) one or more of that entity’s other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or (iii) that entity and one or more of that entity’s other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

 

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(aa)    “ Willful and Material Breach ” shall mean a material breach that is a consequence of an action undertaken or failure to act by the breaching Party with the actual knowledge that the taking of such action or such failure to act would constitute a breach of this Agreement.

8.     Certain Remedies . Without limiting any rights or remedies available to PubCo or any of its Affiliates (whether arising under contract, at law or in equity), and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (other than Section  19 with respect to a breach or violation of such provision), if at any time EnerVest or any of the Restricted Persons has materially breached or is in material violation of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including those set forth in Section  1 and Section  3 ; but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, those set forth in Section  19 ), then (without relieving EnerVest or the Restricted Persons of their obligations under this Agreement): (a) if such breach or violation is a Willful and Material Breach, then EnerVest shall have no further rights under this Agreement, including the acquisition right in Section  2 or the right to receive shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section  4 ; and (b) if such breach or violation is not a Willful and Material Breach, and EnerVest or the applicable Restricted Persons has not cured such breach or violation in full within thirty days following receipt of written notice from PubCo thereof, EnerVest and EES shall have no further rights under this Agreement, including the acquisition right in Section  2 or the right to receive shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section  4 (it being understood that during such thirty-day period, neither EnerVest nor EES shall be entitled to receive any shares of Class A Common Stock otherwise issuable pursuant to Section  4 during such period and, if such material breach or violation is not cured, shall cease to be entitled to any such shares of Class A Common Stock).

9.     Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any adverse manner to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.

10.     Governing Law; Jurisdiction .

(a)    THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THE RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICTS OF LAW RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT REFER CONSTRUCTION OF PROVISIONS TO THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

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(b)    THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE APPROPRIATE, EXCLUSIVE, AND CONVENIENT FORUM FOR ANY DISPUTES BETWEEN ANY OF THE PARTIES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN HOUSTON, TEXAS AND EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS SOLELY IN RESPECT OF ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT. THE PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT THE PARTIES SHALL NOT BRING SUIT WITH RESPECT TO ANY DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IN ANY COURT OR JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE ABOVE SPECIFIED COURTS. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE PARTIES FURTHER AGREE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THAT A FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT AGAINST A PARTY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING CONTEMPLATED ABOVE SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT, A CERTIFIED OR EXEMPLIFIED COPY OF WHICH SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THE FACT AND AMOUNT OF SUCH JUDGMENT.

(c)    TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES HAS ACQUIRED, OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE, ANY IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH SERVICE OR NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION, EXECUTION, OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, SUCH PARTY (ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ITS AFFILIATES) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY (I) WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND (II) SUBMITS TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT DESCRIBED IN SECTION 10(b) .

(d)    THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THEY HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTENTIONALLY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

11.     Entire Agreement .    THIS AGREEMENT AND THE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS, COLLECTIVELY, CONSTITUTE THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES PERTAINING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND SUPERSEDE ALL PRIOR AGREEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS, NEGOTIATIONS, AND DISCUSSIONS, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OF THE PARTIES PERTAINING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF.

12.     Amendment . This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by the Parties.

13.     Waiver; Rights Cumulative . Any of the terms, covenants, representations, warranties, or conditions hereof may be waived only by a written instrument executed by or on

 

17


behalf of the Party waiving compliance. No course of dealing on the part of a Party or their respective officers, employees, agents, or representatives and no failure by a Party to exercise any of their rights under this Agreement shall, in each case, operate as a waiver thereof or affect in any way the right of such Party at a later time to enforce the performance of such provision. No waiver by any Party of any condition, or any breach of any term, covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition or of any breach of any other term, covenant, representation, or warranty. The rights of the Parties shall be cumulative, and the exercise or partial exercise of any such right shall not preclude the exercise of any other right.

14.     Assignment . This Agreement (and the rights and obligations hereunder) may not be directly or indirectly assigned, in whole or in part (including by merger, business combination, equity sale or otherwise), by a Party without prior written consent of the other Parties; provided that PubCo shall have the right to assign this Agreement (and its rights and obligations hereunder), in whole or in part, to the Company or any of their respective Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries. In the event the non-assigning Parties consent to any such assignment, or PubCo assigns this Agreement to an Affiliate, such assignment shall not relieve the assigning Party of any obligations and responsibilities hereunder, including obligations and responsibilities arising following such assignment.

15.     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all of such counterparts shall constitute for all purposes one agreement. Any signature hereto delivered by a Party by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be deemed an original signature hereto. No Party shall be bound until such time as all of the Parties have executed counterparts of this Agreement.

16.     Specific Performance . Each Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that the rights of each Party contemplated hereby are special, unique, and of extraordinary character and that, if any Party violates or fails or refuses to perform any covenant or agreement made by it herein, the non-breaching Party may be without an adequate remedy at law. If any Party violates or fails or refuses to perform any covenant or agreement made by such Party herein to be performed, the non-breaching Party, subject to the terms hereof and in addition to any remedy at law for damages or other relief permitted under this Agreement, may institute and prosecute an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce specific performance of such covenant or agreement or seek any other equitable relief, without the necessity of proving actual damages or posting of a bond.

17.     Third-Party Beneficiaries . Each direct and indirect subsidiary of PubCo that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party beneficiary of EnerVest’s obligations, covenants, and promises hereunder and shall be entitled to enforce such obligations, covenants, and promises as if a party hereto.

18.     Construction . Titles appearing at the beginning of any sections, subsections, and other subdivisions of or to this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute any part of this Agreement, and shall be disregarded in construing the language hereof. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and “hereof,” and words of similar import, refer to

 

18


this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, subsection, or other subdivision of or to this Agreement unless expressly so limited. The words “ “this section” and “this subsection,” and words of similar import, refer only to the section or subsection hereof in which such words occur. Wherever the words “including” and “excluding” (in their various forms) are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limiting the foregoing in any respect.” Unless expressly provided to the contrary, if a word or phrase is defined, its other grammatical forms have a corresponding meaning. The words “shall” and “will” have the equal force and effect. All references to “$” or “Dollars” shall be deemed references to United States Dollars. Each accounting term not defined herein will have the meaning given to it under GAAP as interpreted as of the Closing Date. Pronouns in masculine, feminine, or neuter genders shall be construed to state and include any other gender, and words, terms, and titles (including terms defined herein) in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. Reference herein to any federal, state, local, or foreign law shall be deemed to also refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise, and reference herein to any agreement, instrument, or law means such agreement, instrument, or law as from time to time amended, modified, or supplemented, including, in the case of agreements or instruments, by waiver or consent and, in the case of laws, by succession of comparable successor laws. If any period of days referred to in this Agreement shall end on a day that is not a business day, then the expiration of such period shall automatically be extended until the end of the first succeeding business day. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and permitted assigns.

19.     Certain Covenants . EnerVest shall, and shall cause any of its Affiliates who hold any investments in PubCo, directly or indirectly, to, comply with its and their Organizational Documents (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) with respect to fund management fees and the transactions contemplated by the Services Agreement (and any offsets or netting of amounts payable thereunder). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, a breach or violation of this Section  19 shall not alter, limit, or otherwise affect EnerVest’s right to receive shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section  4 .

Signature Pages Follows

 

19


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , EnerVest has caused this Agreement to be executed and effective as of the Closing Date.

 

ENERVEST, LTD.
By:   EnerVest Management GP, L.C.,
  its General Partner
By:   /s/ Jud Walker
Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   Executive Vice President

 

S IGNATURE P AGE TO

N ON -C OMPETITION A GREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , PubCo has caused this Agreement to be executed and effective as of the Closing Date.

 

TPG PACE ENERGY HOLDINGS CORP.
By:   /s/ Eduardo Tamraz
Name:   Eduardo Tamraz
Title:   Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Secretary

 

S IGNATURE P AGE TO

N ON -C OMPETITION A GREEMENT

Exhibit 10.4

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of                     .

Between:

 

(1)

MAGNOLIA OIL  & GAS CORPORATION ., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”); and

 

(2)

                              (“ Indemnitee ”).

Whereas:

 

(A)

Highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such corporations;

 

(B)

The board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among publicly traded corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “ Charter ”) and Bylaws (the “ Bylaws ”) of the Company require the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“ DGCL ”). The Charter, the Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;

 

(C)

The uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;

 

(D)

The Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;


(E)

It is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;

 

(F)

This Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Charter and the Bylaws and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

 

(G)

Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer or director, advisor or in another capacity without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

1

SERVICES TO THE COMPANY

Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected, appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders Indemnitee’s resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 17 hereto. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.

 

2

DEFINITIONS

As used in this Agreement:

 

2.1

References to “ agent ” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

 

2.2

The terms “ Beneficial Owner ” and “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below) as in effect on the date hereof.

 

2


2.3

A “ Change in Control ” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

  (a)

Acquisition of Stock by Third Party . Other than an affiliate of TPG Global, LLC or EnerVest, Ltd., any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors (as defined below) and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part (c) of this definition;

 

  (b)

Change in Board of Directors . Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election for nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “ Continuing Directors ”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

 

  (c)

Corporate Transactions . The effective date of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “ Business Combination ”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which 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 (as defined below)) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) other than an affiliate of TPG Global, LLC or EnerVest, Ltd., no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination;

 

3


  (d)

Liquidation . The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or

 

  (e)

Other Events . There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

2.4

Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise (as defined below) which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

 

2.5

Delaware Court ” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.

 

2.6

Disinterested Director ” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

2.7

Enterprise ” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.

 

2.8

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

2.9

Expenses ” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding (as defined below), including reasonable compensation for time spent by Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding (as defined below), including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

4


2.10

Independent Counsel ” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporation law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding (as defined below) giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “ Independent Counsel ” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

2.11

References to “ fines ” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “ serving at the request of the Company ” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “ not opposed to the best interests of the Company ” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

2.12

The term “ Person ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “ Person ” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries (as defined below) of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

2.13

The term “ Proceeding ” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by Indemnitee or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

5


2.14

The term “ Subsidiary ,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.

 

3

INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

4

INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.

 

6


5

INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

6

INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee was or is not a party or threatened to be made a party, Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

 

7

ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS

 

7.1

Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, except for Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7.1 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.

 

7.2

Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, 5 or 7.1, except for Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding.

 

7


8

CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY

 

8.1

To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

 

8.2

The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

8.3

The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

 

9

EXCLUSIONS

Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement except for Section 27, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

 

  (a)

for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;

 

  (b)

for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or

 

  (c)

except as otherwise provided in Sections 14.5 and 14.6 hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, advancement of expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.

 

8


10

ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM

 

10.1

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary except for Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, the Charter, the Bylaws, applicable law or otherwise. This Section 10.1 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, advance of expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9.

 

10.2

The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

 

10.3

The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, liability, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

 

11

PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION

 

11.1

Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.

 

11.2

Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12.1 of this Agreement.

 

9


12

PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION

 

12.1

A determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board; (ii) by a committee of such directors or, if such directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (iii) by vote of the stockholders. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

12.2

In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12.2. The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “ Independent Counsel ” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “ Independent Counsel ” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “ Independent Counsel ” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee

 

10


  may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12.1 hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14.1 of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

 

12.3

The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

13

PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS

 

13.1

In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11.2 of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

13.2

If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.

 

11


13.3

The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

13.4

For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, manager or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13.4 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

13.5

The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

14

REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE

 

14.1

In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12.1 of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Delaware law (without regard to its conflict of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

12


14.2

In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advances of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advances of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).

 

14.3

If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

14.4

The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

 

14.5

The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee (i) to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Charter or the Bylaws now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).

 

13


14.6

Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or advances, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate or advance for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

15

SECURITY

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary except for Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.

 

16

NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION

 

16.1

The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Charter, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Charter, the Bylaws or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

16.2

The DGCL, the Charter and the Bylaws permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“ Indemnification Arrangements ”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against Indemnitee or incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of Indemnitee’s status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify Indemnitee against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement or under the DGCL, as it may then be in effect. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee

 

14


  under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.

 

16.3

To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

16.4

In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

16.5

The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary except for Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company and Indemnitee hereby acknowledge that the Company shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any Proceeding or amounts that are the subject of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement (that is, the obligations of the Company and its insurers to Indemnitee shall be primary and any obligation of other parties having indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage duties to Indemnitee for the same Proceeding or amounts shall be secondary).

 

15


17

DURATION OF AGREEMENT

All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, whether or not he is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.

 

18

SEVERABILITY

If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

19

ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT

 

19.1

The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.

 

19.2

Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Charter or the Bylaws as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

19.3

The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or

 

16


  a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

19.4

The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

19.5

The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

20

MODIFICATION AND WAIVER

No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

21

NOTICES

All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

 

  (a)

If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.

 

  (b)

If to the Company, to:

 

17


Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 400

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Office of General Counsel

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 400

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Doug McWilliams, Esq.

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.

 

22

APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION

This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14.1 of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 21 or in such other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.

 

23

IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

24

MISCELLANEOUS

Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

18


25

PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS

No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.

 

26

ADDITIONAL ACTS

If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.

 

27

WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT

Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “ Claim ”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of securities issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever.

 

19


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[Signature Page to Indemnity Agreement]

Exhibit 10.5

SERVICES AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

TPG PACE ENERGY HOLDINGS CORP.,

AS PARENT

TPG PACE ENERGY OPERATING LLC,

AS OWNER

AND

ENERVEST OPERATING, L.L.C.,

AS SERVICE PROVIDER


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS      1  

1.1

  Definitions      1  
ARTICLE II. POWER AND AUTHORITY; SERVICES      1  

2.1

  Service Provider Power and Authority; Services      1  

2.2

  Emergency      3  

2.3

  Limitations on Service Provider’s Authority      4  

2.4

  Ownership of Property      4  

2.5

  Service Provider’s Delegation of Authority      4  

2.6

  Key Persons; Dedicated Employees; Shared Employees      5  

2.7

  Other Business Pursuits      6  

2.8

  Operatorship; Certain Conditions of Service      6  

2.9

  Insurance      6  

2.10

  Performance Standard      7  

2.11

  Meetings.      7  

2.12

  Funds      7  

2.13

  Master Service Agreements      8  

2.14

  Seismic Licenses      8  

2.15

  Actions by Owner Group      8  

2.16

  Owner’s Delegation of Authority      8  

2.17

  Certain Excluded Assets      9  
ARTICLE III. PAYMENTS      9  

3.1

  Consideration      9  

3.2

  Payment Terms      11  

3.3

  Owner Group Financial Responsibility      11  

3.4

  Maintenance of Accounts and Records      12  

3.5

  Taxes      13  

3.6

  Service Provider Records; Audit      13  

3.7

  Disputed Charges      14  
ARTICLE IV. TERM; TERMINATION      14  

4.1

  Term      14  

4.2

  Termination      14  

4.3

  Effect of Termination      16  

4.4

  Transition Period      16  

4.5

  Performance Termination Fee      16  
ARTICLE V. MARKETING OF PRODUCTION      16  

5.1

  Marketing Services      16  
ARTICLE VI. FORCE MAJEURE      17  

6.1

  Excused Performance      17  

6.2

  No Preclusion      17  

 

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6.3

  Limitations on Effect of Force Majeure      17  
ARTICLE VII. INDEMNITIES      17  

7.1

  Service Provider Indemnity      17  

7.2

  Owner Indemnity      18  

7.3

  DISCLAIMERS      18  

7.4

  Disclaimer of Application of Anti-Indemnity Statutes      19  
ARTICLE VIII. NON-SOLICITATION      19  

8.1

  Non-Solicitation      19  
ARTICLE IX. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; OTHER COVENANTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES      19  

9.1

  Representations and Warranties      19  

9.2

  Additional Owner Group Representations      20  

9.3

  Additional Service Provider Representations      20  

9.4

  Service Provider Responsibilities      21  
ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS      21  

10.1

  Counterparts      21  

10.2

  Notices      21  

10.3

  Governing Law; Venue      23  

10.4

  Non-Compensatory Damages      24  

10.5

  Waiver; Rights Cumulative      24  

10.6

  Entire Agreement      24  

10.7

  Amendment      24  

10.8

  Parties in Interest      24  

10.9

  Successors and Permitted Assigns      25  

10.10

  Assignment      25  

10.11

  Further Assurances      25  

10.12

  Preparation of Agreement      25  

10.13

  Severability      25  

10.14

  No Recourse      25  

10.15

  Interpretation      26  

10.16

  Confidentiality      26  

10.17

  Publicity      27  

10.18

  Performance Dispute Resolution      27  

 

 

ii


SERVICES AGREEMENT

This SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is executed and agreed to as of July 31, 2018 (the “ Closing Date ”), by and between TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”), TPG Pace Energy Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Owner ”), and EnerVest Operating, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ Service Provider ”). Parent, Owner and Service Provider are hereinafter each referred to as a “ Party ” and are collectively referred to as the “ Parties ”.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Owner acquired certain oil and gas properties from certain Affiliates of Service Provider pursuant to (i) that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated March 20, 2018, by and among EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XI-A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XI-WI, L.P., EnerVest Holding, L.P., EnerVest Wachovia Co-Investment Partnership, L.P. and Owner (the “ Giddings Transaction Agreement ”), (ii) that certain Contribution and Merger Agreement dated March 20, 2018, by and among EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C, L.P., Parent and Owner (the “ Eagleford Transaction Agreement ”), and (iii) that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated March 20, 2018, by and among EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C, L.P., and Owner (collectively with the Giddings Transaction Agreement and the Eagleford Transaction Agreement, the “ Transaction Agreements ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, Parent and Owner desire to have Service Provider perform, and Service Provider agrees to perform, the Services (hereinafter defined) pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

1.1     Definitions . All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Transaction Agreements. As used in this Agreement, capitalized terms set forth on Annex A shall have the meanings set forth therein.

ARTICLE II.

POWER AND AUTHORITY; SERVICES

2.1     Service Provider Power and Authority; Services .

(a)    Subject to the direction and control of the Owner Group, the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Development Plan and Budget, and subject to the limitations set forth in Section  2.3 , Service Provider shall provide the Owner Group with services identical in

 

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scope, nature and quality to the services historically provided by Service Provider in connection with its management and operation during the period from January 1, 2016, to the Closing Date of the Assets acquired (directly or indirectly) by the Owner Group pursuant to the Transaction Agreements, including all accounting, financial, managerial, project management, business development, marketing, operational, land, lease maintenance, regulatory, environmental, geological and geophysical, engineering, tax, information technology and other day-to-day services reasonably necessary to operate the business of the Owner Group in relation to the Assets, including the services more particularly described on Exhibit A attached hereto, but in each case excluding the Excluded Services (the “ Services ”). The Service Provider shall perform the Services in consideration for the Services Fee at the Service Provider’s cost; provided, however, that Service Provider will not be responsible for Owner Group Costs, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing shall require Service Provider to advance its own funds for Owner Group Costs.

(b)    As part of the Services, Service Provider will use its commercially reasonable efforts to propose, conduct and complete all operations and activities contemplated by the Development Plan and Budget at the times contemplated by the Development Plan and Budget. Service Provider shall promptly notify the Owner Group in writing if at any time Service Provider reasonably expects to exceed the aggregate amount set forth in the Development Plan and Budget for any category of expenses. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (other than Section  2.2 ), in no event shall Service Provider incur any costs or expenses for the account of Owner or reimbursable by Owner in an amount greater than 10% in excess of the aggregate amount set forth in the Development Plan and Budget for any category of expenses without the prior written consent of Owner.

(c)    Owner shall have the right from time to time to elect to cease having Service Provider provide any of the Services and to provide such Services itself or by another service provider, and upon request from Owner, Service Provider will reasonably cooperate with Owner in the transition of such Services to the Owner Group or a new service provider specified by Owner. For the avoidance of doubt any such election shall not result in a reduction of the Services Fee.

(d)    The Service Provider shall be entitled during the Term and any Transition Services Period to utilize solely in connection with the performance of the Services those offices, buildings, yards, and other sites and those vehicles and such other tools and equipment as were acquired by Owner Group pursuant to the Transaction Agreements that were utilized historically prior to the Closing Date in relation to the Assets by field-level employees of the Service Provider (the “ Field Facilities and Equipment ”). Service Provider shall not pay any rent, fee or other cost for its use of the Field Facilities and Equipment. Service Provider shall return the Field Facilities and Equipment to the Owner Group at the end of the Term and any Transition Services Period in the same condition as on the Closing Date, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

(e)    If at any time Service Provider fails or is unable to perform any of the Services, and such failure or inability is not cured within thirty (30) days after delivery by Owner to Service Provider of written notice of such failure or inability, Owner Group shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain reasonable replacement services therefor. In such event, Owner Group shall have the right to deduct the amount of costs so incurred by Owner Group from

 

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its payments of the Monthly Services Fee; provided, however, pursuant to the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section  10.18 , Service Provider may dispute that it has failed, or is unable, to perform any of the Services, in which case there shall be no deduction from the Services Fee until such time as there has been a final determination that Service Provider has failed, or is unable, to perform those Services which Owner alleges that Service Provider has failed, or is unable, to perform. If it is ultimately determined that Service Provider has in fact failed or been unable to perform any of the Services for which Owner Group has obtained reasonable replacement services and has incurred costs which were not deducted because of the operation of this Section  2.1(e) , Service Provider will reimburse Owner Group for such costs. The Service Provider’s obligations to make such reimbursement shall survive the end of the Term and the Transition Services Period until any such dispute is resolved and any reimbursement owned to Owner Group has been paid.

(f)    The Owner Group will be responsible for the following, at its own expense (the “ Excluded Services ”):

 

  (i)

Parent’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer, general counsel, business development personnel, and investor relations personnel, including all salaries and benefits of such personnel;

 

  (ii)

Owner Group D&O insurance;

 

  (iii)

rent and overhead costs associated with the Owner Group’s office space;

 

  (iv)

consolidated Owner Group financial reporting, including selecting, engaging and overseeing third party financial auditors (however, the Services will include Asset-level financial reporting and auditing and providing asset-level SEC reporting information to Owner Group);

 

  (v)

third party Owner Group reserve reports, including selecting, engaging and overseeing third party reserve engineers (however, the Services will include internal reserves engineering, including estimating and internal reporting of Asset-level reserves);

 

  (vi)

selecting, engaging, and overseeing Owner Group outside counsel and investment bankers;

 

  (vii)

Sarbanes Oxley compliance; and

 

  (viii)

other items agreed by Owner and Service Provider to be Excluded Services.

2.2     Emergency . In the event of an imminent emergency relating to the Assets (“ Emergency ”), while acting as a Reasonable and Prudent Service Provider, Service Provider shall, without any prior notice to, or approval from, the Owner Group, take all customary measures consistent with the standards set forth in Section  2.10 for the protection of life, health, the environment and property. In such event, Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable

 

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efforts to notify the Owner Group of the existence or occurrence of such an imminent Emergency as soon as reasonably possible after the Emergency occurs, but in any event within twenty four (24) hours of its being put on notice of an imminent Emergency, setting forth the nature of the imminent Emergency, the corrective action taken or proposed to be taken, and the actual or estimated cost and expense associated with such corrective action.

2.3     Limitations on Service Provider s Authority . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, without the prior written consent of the Owner Group, Service Provider shall not take any action set forth on Exhibit B . The Owner Group may at any time amend Exhibit B by providing written notice to Service Provider, which notice shall include an amended Exhibit B reflecting such amendment. Any such amendment shall be effective upon Service Provider’s receipt of such written notice.

2.4     Ownership of Property .

(a)    Without limitation to Service Provider’s (or any Affiliate of Service Provider’s) rights and remedies under any Operating Agreement, the Parties agree and acknowledge that neither Service Provider nor any Affiliate of Service Provider shall, by virtue of its role as “Service Provider” hereunder or as a result of the terms of this Agreement, have, or be deemed to have, any direct ownership interest in the Assets (or in any of the equipment, materials or other property related thereto and purchased by the Owner Group directly or by Service Provider on behalf of Owner Group).

(b)    All of the assets and properties owned, purchased, leased, developed, constructed and otherwise acquired or entered into in connection with the performance of the Services pursuant to this Agreement (including (i) all Assets and all wells, equipment, machinery, materials, supplies, inventory, other personal property and other assets and properties owned, leased or otherwise acquired in connection therewith, (ii) rights-of-way, Applicable Contracts, and any and all reports, records, statements and information prepared or caused to be prepared by Service Provider in connection with this Agreement, and (iii ) all proceeds, cash and funds generated or attributable to the Assets) shall be and remain the sole property of the Owner Group. If, at any time during the term of this Agreement, any such assets or properties are held in the name of Service Provider or its Affiliates, Service Provider will (and will cause its Affiliates to) promptly convey such assets and properties to the Owner Group.

2.5     Service Provider s Delegation of Authority .

(a)    Service Provider shall be permitted to use Affiliates of Service Provider and the officers and employees of any of its Affiliates in order to perform the Services. Service Provider may not delegate any authority, power, or right that could not be exercised directly by Service Provider under this Agreement.

(b)    If any Person other than Service Provider is used to perform any of the Services (or any part of the Services), the performance by such Person of such Services shall be treated hereunder as if Service Provider performed such Services itself, and if the costs of such performance by Service Provider would have been borne by the Service Provider under the provisions of this Agreement, then the costs of such performance by such Person shall be borne

 

4


by Service Provider and shall not result in incremental costs to the Owner Group. Service Provider shall not change any material corporate-level or back-office third-party service provider without the consent of Owner. Service Provider agrees that upon written notice (stating adequate cause related to inadequate performance or cost issues) provided by Owner after consultation with Service Provider, Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to replace any third-party service provider identified by the Owner Group to cease performing the Services on behalf of Service Provider

2.6     Key Persons; Dedicated Employees; Shared Employees .

(a)    At all times, at Service Provider’s sole cost and expense, Service Provider shall retain and have available to it a professional staff and outside consultants and contractors which together shall be reasonably adequate in size, experience and competency to discharge properly the duties and functions of Service Provider hereunder. Service Provider shall devote personnel and time and grant access to such assets and buildings of Service Provider as are necessary to provide the Services consistent with the standards set forth in this Agreement.

(b)    Service Provider shall cause the Key Persons who are not Dedicated Employees to devote a substantial amount of their professional time and efforts to providing the Services, and in any event to spend sufficient time on the Services to ensure that the Service Provider fully performs its obligations under this Agreement, in each case so long as such individuals are employed by Service Provider. Service Provider may, after obtaining Owner’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), replace any Key Person with another employee of substantially equal experience and expertise as the Key Person being replaced, in which case the replacement employee shall become a Key Person. If any Key Person’s employment with Service Provider terminates for any reason or any Key Person is no longer providing the Services as required by this Section  2.6(b) , Service Provider shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts, after obtaining Owner’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), to promptly replace such Key Person with another employee of substantially equal experience and expertise as the Key Person being replaced, in which case the replacement employee shall become a Key Person.

(c)    Service Provider shall cause the Dedicated Employees to devote substantially all of their professional time and efforts to providing the Services so long as such individuals are employed by Service Provider. Service Provider may, after consultation with Owner, replace any Dedicated Employee with another employee of substantially equal experience and expertise as the Dedicated Employee being replaced or add Dedicated Employees as contemplated in Section  3.1(b) , in which case the replacement employee or the added employee shall become a Dedicated Employee. Except as otherwise provided in Section  3.1(b) , if any Dedicated Employee’s employment with Service Provider terminates for any reason or any Dedicated Employee is no longer providing the Services as required by this Section  2.6(c) , Service Provider shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts, after consultation with Owner, to promptly replace such Dedicated Employee with another employee of substantially equal experience and expertise as the Dedicated Employee being replaced, in which case the replacement employee shall become a Dedicated Employee.

 

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(d)    Service Provider shall cause the Shared Employees to devote at least one-third of their professional time and efforts to providing the Services so long as such individuals are employed by Service Provider. Service Provider may replace any Shared Employee with another employee of substantially equal experience and expertise as the Shared Employee being replaced, in which case the replacement employee shall become a Shared Employee. Except as otherwise provided in Section  3.1(b) , if any Shared Employee’s employment with Service Provider terminates for any reason or any Shared Employee is no longer providing the Services as required by this Section  2.6(d) , Service Provider shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly replace such individual with another employee of substantially equal experience and expertise as the Shared Employee being replaced, in which case the replacement employee shall become a Shared Employee.

2.7     Other Business Pursuits . The Owner Group acknowledges that Service Provider is not providing services exclusively to the Owner Group, and Service Provider may and will continue to from time to time provide services (including services substantially similar to the Services) to other persons (including Affiliates of Service Provider) as long as it may do so consistent with the dedication of Key Persons, Dedicated Employees and Shared Employees to the performance of the Services made under Section  2.6 and subject to any other written agreement between any member of the Owner Group and Service Provider or any of its Affiliates. After the Closing Date, prior to Service Provider or any of its Affiliates agreeing to provide any such services to any Third Party, Service Provider shall give the Owner Group written notice of the same.

2.8     Operatorship; Certain Conditions of Service .

(a)    Except as otherwise stated herein, Service Provider shall perform the Services as an “independent contractor” of the Owner Group and nothing in this Agreement is intended, and nothing shall be construed, to create an employer/employee, partnership, joint venture, association or other similar relationship between Service Provider and the Owner Group or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their employees.

(b)    All personnel involved in the Services shall be responsible to Service Provider. Subject to Section  2.6 , the selection of such employees and contractors, and their hours of labor, shall be determined by Service Provider, and Service Provider shall have the right to hire or dismiss its full time or part time personnel for any reason or for no reason.

(c)    Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all matters pertaining to the employment, supervision, compensation, promotion and discharge of any personnel of Service Provider or its Affiliates are the responsibility of Service Provider and its Affiliates; provided, however, that Service Provider agrees that upon written notice from the Owner Group (stating adequate cause), Service Provider shall cause any Person identified by the Owner Group (including any employee of Service Provider or its Affiliates) to cease performing the Services on behalf of Service Provider. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all such employment arrangements are solely Service Provider’s and its Affiliates’ obligations (including the payment of salaries and employee benefits with respect to such personnel).

2.9     Insurance . Service Provider shall maintain insurance of the type, in the amounts and with the limits, historically maintained by Service Provider in relation to the Assets. To the

 

6


extent that the cost of such insurance is within the scope of Section 3.3(b), the cost shall be an Owner Group Cost. To the extent that the cost of such insurance is not within the scope of Section 3.3(b), the cost shall be covered by the Services Fee. Service Provider shall require all contractors and subcontractors to carry insurance under terms usual and customary in the industry. Owner Group shall be named insured on Asset-level insurance (e.g., property and casualty insurance and liability insurance). If Owner Group desires to maintain any of such insurance itself, instead of having it provided by Service Provider, Owner Group may provide such insurance itself, and in such event the Services Fee will be reduced by the amount of any resulting savings of Service Provider in the insurance costs that are not Owner Group Costs. If Owner Group desires insurance coverage in excess of that maintained by Service Provider, it may acquire such additional coverage at its cost. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Owner Group shall not be required to pay or reimburse Service Provider for any blanket or area-wide regulatory bonds maintained by Service Provider in performing the Services, and the Owner Group shall only be required to reimburse Service Provider for the Owner Group’s share (based on Owner’s ownership interest in the oil and gas interest underlying the Assets) of any regulatory bonds specific to any of the Assets.

2.10     Performance Standard . Service Provider shall perform the Services as a reasonable and prudent oil and gas operator, and in connection with matters not directly related to the operation of oil and gas assets in a reasonable manner in accordance with customary business practices, in a good and workmanlike manner, with due diligence and dispatch, in accordance with good oilfield practice, and in compliance with the terms of all applicable Leases, Applicable Contracts, Surface Contracts, and similar agreements affecting the Assets and/or this Agreement, and in compliance with all Laws. The standard of performance set forth in this Section  2.10 is referred to herein as acting as a “ Reasonable and Prudent Service Provider ”.

2.11     Meetings . Representatives of Owner Group shall have the right from time to time at the request of Owner to be present at and participate in internal Service Provider meetings in which the operation of the Assets and the performance of the Services are discussed by Service Provider personnel. In addition, representatives of Service Provider (which shall include Key Persons and other senior representatives of Service Provider requested by Owner and appropriate for the materiality and subject matter of the meeting) and the Owner Group shall meet telephonically, or otherwise at a mutually agreeable location, at least once per Calendar Month (or more frequently as requested by the Owner Group) on a mutually agreeable day and time to discuss the Services performed by Service Provider, the past, current or future operation and development of the Assets and/or any other matters with respect to the Assets or the business of the Owner Group reasonably requested by Owner or Service Provider.

2.12     Funds .

(a)    Funds belonging to the Owner Group shall be kept at all times on deposit in bank accounts of the Owner Group and Service Provider shall disburse such funds for the payment of costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Services that are Owner Group Costs, including all Asset Taxes and Burdens paid on Hydrocarbons, but excluding costs to be borne by Service Provider under the terms of this Agreement, and subject to the Development Plan and Budget and this Agreement.

(b)    At no time shall any of the Owner Group’s funds be commingled with funds belonging to Service Provider or its Affiliates or any of their respective representatives or with the funds of any Third Parties.

 

7


(c)    Service Provider shall direct all third parties making payments or otherwise transferring funds to the Owner Group to pay, transfer, and deposit such funds to the Owner Group directly into the bank accounts of the Owner Group.

(d)    If at any time Service Provider or any of its Affiliates comes into possession of any funds of the Owner Group, Service Provider shall hold such funds in trust for the benefit of the Owner Group and shall promptly cause such funds to be deposited into bank accounts of the Owner Group.

(e)    Service Provider shall not pay any monies from the accounts of the Owner Group to itself or any Affiliate of Service Provider without the prior written consent of Owner.

(f)    Third-party costs (and incremental internal costs of Service Provider incurred with the approval of Owner) of establishing, implementing, maintaining, and managing the accounts and systems required to accomplish the foregoing shall be Owner Group Costs. Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the accounts and systems to be in place and operational on or prior to the Closing Date.

2.13     Master Service Agreements . The Parties acknowledge that Service Provider is not conveying any of its master services agreements to the Owner Group pursuant to the Transaction Agreements. After the Closing Date, subject to the terms of this Agreement, Service Provider shall be permitted to contract for Services with Third Party vendors through its master services agreements. Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts, in the ordinary course of business, to enter into master services agreements with all vendors in the name of the Owner Group. Once any such master services agreement is in place, Service Provider shall thereafter contract for Services with the applicable Third Party vendor under the Owner Group’s master services agreement.

2.14     Seismic Licenses . Service Provider will not acquire or license any seismic data without the prior written consent of the Owner Group. In the event that Service Provider does acquire or license any such seismic data, the costs thereof will be Owner Group Costs and Service Provider will use commercially reasonable efforts to acquire or license such data in the name of the Owner Group with a right for the Service Provider to use such data as long as it is providing the Services hereunder. If Owner desires to co-license (or otherwise acquire the right to utilize) any seismic licenses currently utilized by Service Provider, the costs thereof will be Owner Group Costs.

2.15     Actions by Owner Group . Any action, consent or approval required to be taken hereunder by any member of the Owner Group shall be taken by Owner and any notices to be given to or by the Owner Group shall be given to Owner.

2.16     Owner s Delegation of Authority . On an annual basis (and, as of the Closing Date, for the remainder of 2018), Owner shall execute and deliver to Service Provider a revocable written instrument substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G designating and appointing Service Provider as its agent and attorney-in-fact with full power and authority to perform the Services (the “ Annual Delegation ”).

 

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2.17     Certain Excluded Assets . The Parties have agreed that certain assets described in Exhibit E attached hereto that were utilized historically prior to the Closing Date in relation to the Assets but that were not acquired by the Owner Group on the Closing Date pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreements will be utilized by the Service Provider in connection with the performance of Services and that such assets will be assigned and transferred to the Owner Group at the time and in the manner set forth in Exhibit E . To the extent that any of the assets described on Exhibit E are held by Service Provider under a lease, license, or similar agreement, Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain such leases, licenses, and other agreements in effect during the Term and the Transition Services Period and, if not previously assigned to Owner Group in accordance with Exhibit E , shall use reasonable efforts to assign such leases, license, and other agreements upon the termination of this Agreement. If Service Provider acquires any additional assets of the type described in Exhibit E that are used in relation to the Assets during the Term that were not paid for by the Owner Group as Owner Group Costs, if the Owner Group desires to have such assets transferred to it upon termination of this Agreement, Owner Group shall reimburse the Service Provider for the actual cost of such additional assets.

ARTICLE III.

PAYMENTS

3.1     Consideration .

(a)    Owner shall pay to Service Provider, (a) as the sole consideration for the Services provided by Service Provider, an amount equal to $23,563,531 per year during the Term and the Transition Services Period, prorated for any partial year in which the Services are provided (such amount, as modified from time to time pursuant to this Section  3.1 , the “ Services Fee ”), plus (b) to the extent such costs and expenses have not been previously paid by Owner or out of Owner funds or otherwise reimbursed to Service Provider by Owner, reimbursement for all Owner Group Costs incurred by Service Provider in performing the Services, plus (c) any COPAS overhead fees related to the Assets operated by Owner Group that are received by Owner Group and any COPAS overhead fees payable directly by Owner Group under joint operating agreements applicable to the Assets operated by Owner Group (and for Assets operated by Owner Group not covered by a joint operating agreement, an amount equal to $8,500 per drilling well and $812 per producing well in the Austin Chalk producing area and $8,500 per drilling well and $844 per producing well in the Eagle Ford producing area, in both cases reduced to reflect Owner Group’s working interest, and as adjusted in accordance with COPAS MFI-47 (“Adjustment of Overhead Rates”)) (collectively, the “ COPAS Payment ”). Owner shall pay to Service Provider with respect to each Calendar Month during the Term and the Transition Services Period an amount equal to one-twelfth of the excess of the Services Fee over the sum of any amount incurred directly by the Owner Group for Asset-level insurance in accordance with Section  2.9 , and any amount Owner is entitled to deduct in accordance with Section  2.1(e) , prorated for any partial Calendar Year in which the Services are provided (such amount, the “ Monthly Services Fee ”).

 

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(b)    If after the Closing Date the Owner Group acquires, directly or indirectly, in a transaction that is not a Specified Acquisition, a material amount of additional assets with respect to which Owner desires to have the Services performed or additional assets within the Designated Area (in which case Service Provider shall perform the Services in respect of such assets), then such assets shall upon their acquisition become Assets hereunder, and the Services Fee shall be increased by the Service Provider’s reasonable, good-faith estimate of the amount of all incremental costs to be incurred by Service Provider that are not Owner Group Costs arising from any increase in the headcount of the Dedicated Employees and Shared Employees reasonably required in order for the Services to be performed with respect to such additional Assets and any other incremental costs (other than Owner Group Costs) that are reasonably required to be incurred by Service Provider to provide Services with respect to such Assets. If the Owner Group disposes of a material amount of Assets after the Closing Date, then the Services Fee shall be decreased by the Service Provider’s reasonable, good-faith estimate of the amount of savings in costs (other than Owner Group Costs) incurred by Service Provider arising from any decrease in the headcount of the Dedicated Employees and Shared Employees that reasonably may be made as a result of the disposition of such Assets and any other decrease in such costs that are reasonably required to be incurred by Service Provider to provide Services as a result of not having to provide Services with respect to the Assets disposed of. Any such decrease in headcount of Dedicated Employees and/or Shared Employees shall be subject to the approval of Owner. Service Provider will provide the Owner Group with reasonable documentation supporting any increase or decrease to the Services Fee pursuant to this Section  3.1(b) and an opportunity to review and audit such adjustments. If after the Closing Date the Owner Group consummates a Specified Acquisition, and the Owner desires to have the Services performed with respect to the assets that were acquired in such Specified Acquisition, the Service Provider will not be required to provide the Services with respect to such assets unless the Service Provider and the Owner mutually agree on an appropriate increase in the Services Fee to cover the Service Provider’s incremental costs that are not Owner Group Costs that Service Provider would incur in the performance of the Services with respect to such Assets. “ Specified Acquisition ” means the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of oil and gas properties and related assets if (a) the total value of the acquisition is greater than $1,000,000,000 or (b) the majority of the oil and gas properties acquired are outside of the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford producing areas in South Texas.

(c)    If after the Closing Date the Owner Group increases the rig count attributable to the Assets above the levels specified in the initial Development Plan and Budget, the Services Fee shall be increased by the Service Provider’s reasonable, good-faith estimate of the amount of all incremental costs to be incurred by Service Provider that are not Owner Group Costs arising from any increase in the headcount of the Dedicated Employees and Shared Employees reasonably required as a result of such increase, taking into account the additional COPAS Payments that will be received by Service Provider as a result of the increase and which might result in double-recovery of costs by Service Provider. If, after an increase of the Services Fee pursuant to the foregoing, there is a decrease in the rig count attributable to the Assets, the Services Fee shall be reduced by the Service Provider’s reasonable, good faith estimate of the reduction in costs to be realized by Service Provider that are not Owner Group Costs arising from any decrease in the headcount of the Dedicated Employees and Shared Employees reasonably resulting from such decrease; provided , however , that such decrease shall not cause the Services Fee to drop below the amount of the Services Fee as of the Closing Date.

 

10


(d)    Service Provider will be entitled to keep, receive and retain all COPAS overhead fees received by Service Provider in relation to the Assets operated by Owner Group.

3.2     Payment Terms .

(a)    No later than the thirtieth (30 th ) day of each Calendar Month, Service Provider shall deliver to Owner a monthly statement (each, a “ Monthly Statement ”) setting forth (i) the Monthly Services Fee for the preceding Calendar Month, (ii) an itemized list of Owner Group Costs not paid directly from Owner Group funds that were incurred by Service Provider during the applicable Accounting Month, and (iii) the COPAS Payment for the applicable Accounting Month. Service Provider shall provide to Owner such documentation as Owner may reasonably request to support each such Monthly Statement. Subject to Section  3.2(b) , Owner shall pay to Service Provider the amount reflected in such Monthly Statement not later than the 30 th day after the receipt of such Monthly Statement.

(b)    If Owner disputes in good faith all or any portion of any Monthly Statement delivered by Service Provider pursuant to this Agreement, Owner may deliver written notice of such dispute to Service Provider, setting forth in reasonable detail the reasons for such dispute. Notwithstanding the delivery of any such written notice of dispute, Owner shall pay, if applicable, to Service Provider the undisputed portions of such Monthly Statement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If it is determined by the Parties or otherwise that any amount is owed by either Party to the other Party hereunder, then the owing Party shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days after such determination) reimburse the other Party such amount.

(c)    All payments shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to the account (or accounts) designated by the Person entitled to receipt of such payment.

3.3     Owner Group Financial Responsibility . The Owner Group shall be ultimately responsible for the payment (either directly or via reimbursement of the Service Provider) for the following costs (“ Owner Group Costs ”):

 

  (a)

costs of performing the Excluded Services;

 

  (b)

direct expenses incurred in the operation of the Owner Group’s business in connection with the Assets, or in the operation of the Assets, that Service Provider has historically allocated to direct asset expenses, as long as such expenses are customarily treated as direct asset expenses under GAAP and COPAS accounting procedures, but excluding all costs and expenses attributable to the compensation, benefits, or other costs and expenses attributable to the Dedicated Employees that are not field-level Dedicated Employees;

 

  (c)

capital expenditures attributable to the Assets incurred in connection with the Development Plan and Budget;

 

  (d)

taxes (other than taxes of Service Provider);

 

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  (e)

royalties and costs payable to Third Parties in gathering, treating, processing, transporting and marketing Hydrocarbons from the Assets;

 

  (f)

third-party costs (and incremental internal costs of Service Provider incurred with the approval of Owner) of establishing and implementing the accounts and systems required under Section  2.12 ;

 

  (g)

other items agreed by Owner and Service Provider to be Owner Group Costs.

3.4     Maintenance of Accounts and Records .

(a)    Service Provider shall maintain on behalf of the Owner Group all Records and other records, books, accounts, files, data, and other information that are required hereunder to be maintained by the Service Provider (other than the books and records of Service Provider referred to in Section  3.5 ) (such records, books, accounts, files, data, and other information, the “ Owner Records and Data ”). All Owner Records and Data maintained in electronic form shall be logically separate from all electronic records and data of Service Provider and its Affiliates. Service Provider shall ensure that no Persons other than authorized Persons will be able to access such Owner Records and Data, with the Persons so authorized being only those Persons for which access is reasonably necessary for the performance of the Services. Service Provider shall ensure that Owner Group and its representatives have reasonable access to all Owner Records and Data (including all Owner Records and Data maintained in electronic form), in the case of physical records during reasonable business hours physically at the location at which such books and records are maintained, in each case to the greatest extent practicable as if such Owner Records and Data were maintained by Owner on its own behalf. All such Owner Records and Data shall be the property of the Owner Group and shall be delivered to Owner at Service Provider’s cost at the end of the Term and any Transition Services Period, together with the information systems on which electronic Owner Records and Data are maintained, including copies of all databases and other system applications in which such Owner Records and Data are maintained.

(b)    Service Provider shall maintain, separately and in accordance with GAAP, on behalf of the Owner Group, as Owner Records and Data, complete and accurate books of account and financial records reflecting the results of operations of the Owner Group relating to the Assets, including (a) complete and accurate accounts and records of all Owner Group Costs and all other expenses, costs, and liabilities accrued or incurred by or on behalf of the Owner, including all Asset Taxes and Burdens paid on Hydrocarbons in connection with the Assets, and (b) complete and accurate accounts and records of all revenues accrued, invoiced, and/or received by Owner in connection with the Assets. Service Provider shall, at the request of the Owner Group, carry out or cause to be carried out an annual Asset-level audit of such books and records and shall assist Owner and its representatives in connection with the preparation by Owner of the Owner Group audited financial statements. Service Provider shall provide to Owner Group an annual service organization control report (“ Annual SOC Report ”) for the benefit of Owner Group. Owner Group shall pay all fees and other amounts payable to the SOC Service Provider and shall pay Service Provider for the personnel costs actually incurred by Service Provider for one Service Provider employee (not already a Dedicated Employee or Shared Employee) while such employee is dedicated to overseeing the Annual SOC Report and interfacing with the SOC Service Provider.

 

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Owner in its reasonable discretion shall specify the scope and content of each Annual SOC Report, to be provided to its financial statement auditors, and the service provider (the “ SOC Service Provider ”) that will be retained to prepare each Annual SOC Report, and Service Provider will retain the SOC Service Provider. Service Provider shall maintain any operations-related information that normally would be included as part of such accounting documentation, including invoices, operating and maintenance records, volumes of production, price received for hydrocarbon sales, lease operating expenses, processing charges, gathering and transportation expenses, cash collections, cash payments and property tax allocations.

3.5     Taxes . Service Provider shall be responsible for all (i) income taxes resulting from amounts paid or payable to it under this Agreement, (ii) employment taxes and social security payments relating to its own employees, and (iii) all other taxes incurred by Service Provider that do not constitute Owner Group Costs. For the avoidance of doubt, Service Provider, and not Owner, shall treat the providers of services under this Agreement as employees for tax purposes.

3.6     Service Provider Records; Audit .

(a)    Service Provider shall maintain complete and accurate books and records of its activities in connection with the performance of the Services, including any Owner Group Costs actually paid by Service Provider from its own funds. Service Provider shall retain all such books and records for a period of not less than two (2) Calendar Years following the end of the Calendar Year in which the Services are performed (the “ Audit Period ”) or any longer period if required by Law, including any statutory IRS audit period applicable to Owner Group.

(b)     Upon not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice to Service Provider during the Audit Period for any particular Calendar Year, Owner shall have the right to audit Service Provider’s books and records for the Calendar Year to which the Audit Period applies, and the costs charged to Owner in that Calendar Year. The cost of each such audit shall be borne by Owner; provided, that, if any material amounts are determined to be owed by Service Provider to Owner as a result of such audit, then Service Provider shall reimburse Owner for such cost of audit. Unless otherwise mutually agreed, any audit shall be conducted at the principal office of Service Provider.

(c)    Owner may request information prior to the commencement of the audit, and Service Provider shall, to the extent available, provide the information requested as soon as practical in order to facilitate the forthcoming audit. The Service Provider will, to the extent practicable, provide the information in electronic format or hard copy within ten (10) Business Days after the written request.

(d)    In the event Owner discovers any discrepancies as a result of any audit performed hereunder, Owner may prepare and distribute a written report to Service Provider setting forth in reasonable detail such discrepancies. The Service Provider shall reply to the report in writing as soon as practical and in any event no later than thirty (30) days after delivery of the report. At the conclusion of an audit, Service Provider and Owner shall endeavor to promptly settle any outstanding matters.

 

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(e)     All adjustments resulting from an audit which are agreed to by Service Provider and Owner shall be reflected promptly in Service Provider’s books and records and in the books and records of Owner maintained by Service Provider. If any dispute shall arise in connection with an audit and no settlement can be reached by the Parties as provided in Section  3.6(d) , within sixty (60) days after Owner delivers a written report pursuant to Section  3.6(d) , unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions in Section  3.7 .

3.7     Disputed Charges . Owner may, during the Audit Period for any particular Calendar Year, take written exception to any invoice rendered by Service Provider for any expenditure or any part thereof charged to Owner in that Calendar Year, on the ground that the same was not a cost incurred by Service Provider for which Service Provider is entitled to reimbursement pursuant to this Agreement. If the amount as to which such written exception is taken or any part thereof is ultimately determined to be a cost for which Service Provider is not entitled to reimbursement pursuant to this Agreement, such amount or portion thereof (as the case may be) shall be paid by Service Provider to Owner together with interest at the Agreed Rate.

ARTICLE IV.

TERM; TERMINATION

4.1     Term . This Agreement will commence on the Closing Date, and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section  4.2 , will remain in effect for a period of five (5) years from the Closing Date (the “ Initial Term ”), and shall continue in effect thereafter for consecutive one-year renewal terms (each, a “ Renewal Term ”) unless terminated at the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term by either Owner or Service Provider by at least 90 days’ prior notice (the period from the Closing Date until the date on which is Agreement terminates, the “ Term ”).

4.2     Termination . This Agreement may also be terminated as follows:

(a)    On the ninetieth (90 th ) day following written notice (a “ Termination Notice ”) by either Owner or Service Provider to the other; provided that (i) neither Party may deliver a Termination Notice until after the second anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) any Party delivering a Termination Notice shall have the right to withdraw such Termination Notice at any time prior to the ninetieth (90 th ) day following the delivery of such Termination Notice;

(b)    Automatically upon written notice by either Owner or Service Provider to the other, upon (i) a Change of Control of the Owner Group or (ii) a sale by the Owner Group of all or substantially all of the Assets (directly or indirectly, whether through an asset transaction or an equity transaction and whether through one transaction or a series of transactions), other than any such sale to any of its Affiliates, subsidiaries, parents, stockholders, members or other interest holders;

(c)    Automatically upon written notice by Owner to Service Provider after the first anniversary of the Closing Date if the board of directors of Parent by unanimous vote of its members (excluding any member of the board that is an Affiliate of Service Provider or is appointed or designated by or employed by Service Provider or any of its Affiliates) makes a good-faith determination that Service Provider has failed to satisfactorily perform the Services (a “ Performance Termination ”);

 

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(d)    Automatically upon written notice by Owner to Service Provider,

 

  (i)

upon any Material HSE Event;

 

  (ii)

if in any six (6) month period, three (3) or more Key Persons are no longer employed by Service Provider or its Affiliates and devoting that portion of their time required by Section  2.6(b) to providing Services; provided that any Key Person that has been replaced, with the consent of Owner, by another employee of substantially equal experience and expertise shall not count toward the three (3) Key Person threshold;

 

  (iii)

if in any six (6) month period, more than fifty percent (50%) of the Dedicated Employees are no longer employed by Service Provider or its Affiliates and devoting substantially all of their business time to providing Services;

 

  (iv)

upon Service Provider asserting a Force Majeure Event for more than forty-five (45) consecutive days or more than ninety (90) days in any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period;

 

  (v)

upon a Change of Control resulting in John Walker and other Key Persons collectively not controlling Service Provider; or

 

  (vi)

upon a Bankruptcy of Service Provider;

(e)    Automatically upon written notice by Owner to Service Provider, upon a material default or breach by Service Provider or any of its Affiliates of this Agreement or the Non-Compete Agreement, which has not resulted solely from the breach by Owner Group of any of its obligations under this Agreement, if:

(i)    such material default or breach is capable of being cured and does not arise from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of the Service Provider or its Affiliates, and such material default or breach is not cured within thirty (30) days after delivery by Owner to Service Provider or its Affiliates of written notice of such material default or breach;

(ii)    such material default or breach is not capable of being cured or arises from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of the Service Provider or its Affiliates.

(f)    Automatically upon written notice by Service Provider to Owner, upon a material default or breach of this Agreement, if (i) such material default or default is not cured within thirty (30) days after delivery by Service Provider to Owner of written notice of such material default or breach and (ii) such material default of breach has not resulted from the actions or inactions of Service Provider;

 

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4.3     Effect of Termination . The terms of Section  3.6 , this Section  4.3 , Section  4.4 , Article VII , Article X and Annex A shall survive any termination of this Agreement. The termination of this Agreement shall not relieve either Party of any liability or obligation accruing or that had accrued prior to the Termination Effective Date (including any Service Provider’s right to receive any amounts payable under Article III that have accrued prior to the date of termination) or deprive a Party not in breach of its rights to any remedy otherwise available to such Party. Upon the Termination Effective Date, to the extent not previously done, Service Provider shall (a) assign to Owner all Applicable Contracts entered into in connection with Service Provider’s performance of the Services pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (b) assign and transfer all Assets in Service Provider’s or its Affiliates possession (including any permits or other Surface Contracts with respect to the Assets) to the Owner Group, and (c) promptly deliver to Owner all Owner Records and Data.

4.4     Transition Period . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in addition to Service Provider’s obligations under Section  4.3 , the Service Provider shall, during the Transition Services Period, continue to provide Services in accordance with this Agreement, and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and upon request from Owner will reasonably cooperate with Owner in the transition of such Services to the Owner Group or a new service provider specified by Owner. The “ Transition Services Period ” shall be the period beginning on the Termination Effective Date and ending upon the nine-month anniversary of the Termination Effective Date; provided that, in the case of a termination pursuant to Section  4.1, Section  4.2(d) , Section  4.2(e) , or Section  4.2(f) , or a termination pursuant to Section  4.2(a) , Section  4.2(b) , or Section  4.2(c) , where, during the Transition Services Period, instances arise that would allow Owner to have terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section  4.2(d) or Section  4.2(e) had this Agreement still been in effect at such time, Owner may elect (by written notice to Service Provider) to terminate the Transition Services Period effective upon the date specified in such notice, which shall be at least 30 days after the date of such notice.

4.5     Performance Termination Fee . In the event of a Performance Termination, in addition to the payment of the Services Fee during the Transition Services Period and all other amounts payable to Services Provider under this Agreement, Owner will pay to Service Provider a lump-sum termination fee of $17,500,000 upon the termination of the Transition Services Period.

ARTICLE V.

MARKETING OF PRODUCTION

5.1     Marketing Services .

(a)    In providing marketing services under this Agreement, Service Provider shall (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to sell and market production from the Assets for the best available price, (ii) ensure that the Owner Group’s share of production from the Assets will be subject to the same (or better) prices and the same terms as are applicable to Service Provider and its Affiliates and (iii) perform such services as a Reasonable and Prudent Service Provider in accordance with prevailing industry standards and customs.

(b)    Title to all Hydrocarbon production from the Assets will remain in the Owner Group at all times until such time as title to such production is required to be transferred to the purchasing Third Party counterparty under the terms of the applicable gathering, processing,

 

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fractionation, transportation, or marketing contracts, including the Existing Arrangements. Service Provider acknowledges and agrees that all funds and revenues received by Service Provider for the Owner Group’s production from the Assets shall remain the sole property of the Owner Group.

(c)    As requested by Service Provider from time to time, the Owner Group will reasonably cooperate and coordinate with Service Provider in order to permit Service Provider to provide marketing services with respect to the Assets; provided, however, the Owner Group shall not be required to take or consent to any action that requires the Owner Group’s consent under Exhibit B .

(d)    Service Provider shall direct all Third Parties to deliver all the Owner Group’s proceeds from the Assets directly to accounts that are owned and controlled by the Owner Group.

(e)    Service Provider shall promptly upon receipt or preparation provide to Owner all reports, notices and information prepared in the ordinary course of business by Service Provider (as such reports and information are produced or compiled) relating to the marketing services provided pursuant to this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI.

FORCE MAJEURE

6.1     Excused Performance . A Party shall not be responsible or liable for, or deemed in breach of, this Agreement for any delay or failure in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement (other than obligations to pay amounts owing under this Agreement) to the extent such performance is prevented by a Force Majeure Event; provided, that (a) the affected Party gives the other Party prompt written notice describing the particulars of the Force Majeure Event and the proposed cure; (b) the suspension of performance is of no greater scope and of no longer duration than is reasonably attributable to the Force Majeure Event; (c) the affected Party uses commercially reasonable efforts to remedy its inability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Force Majeure Event (which efforts shall not require settlement of any labor or similar dispute on terms not acceptable to the Party claiming the Force Majeure Event); and (d) when the affected Party is able to resume performance of its obligations under this Agreement, that Party shall give the other Party written notice to that effect.

6.2     No Preclusion . The existence of a Force Majeure Event shall not relieve any Party of (a) any of its payment obligations under this Agreement, or (b) any other obligation under this Agreement to the extent that performance of such other obligation is not precluded by such Force Majeure Event.

6.3     Limitations on Effect of Force Majeure . In no event will any delay or failure of performance caused by a Force Majeure Event extend this Agreement beyond its Term.

ARTICLE VII.

INDEMNITIES

7.1     Service Provider Indemnity . Service Provider hereby releases, indemnifies, defends and holds harmless Owner and the other Owner Indemnified Parties from and against any

 

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and all Liabilities (a) to the extent attributable to or arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Service Provider Indemnified Parties or (b) for personal injury, illness, or death of or damage to and loss of property (whether real or personal, owned or leased) incurred or suffered by any Service Provider Indemnified Party as a result of, relating to or arising out of, any Service Provider’s or any other of the Service Provider Indemnified Parties’ performance of the Services hereunder, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH LIABILITIES ARE THE RESULT OF (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) THE SOLE, ACTIVE, PASSIVE, CONCURRENT OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OTHER FAULT OR THE VIOLATION OF LAW, IN EACH CASE, OF OR BY ANY OWNER INDEMNIFIED PARTY, EXCEPT (IN EACH CASE) TO THE EXTENT SUCH LIABILITIES ARE A RESULT OF THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF ANY OWNER INDEMNIFIED PARTY . Owner must give Service Provider written notice of any claim under this Section  7.1 on or before the date that is 24 Months counted from and after the end of the Term and any Transition Services Period (excluding such month in which the Term or the Transition Services Period ends, as applicable), after which no claim may be made against Service Provider by Owner or any Owner Indemnified Party under Section  7.1(a) and/or Section  7.1(b) .

7.2     Owner Indemnity . Owner hereby releases, indemnifies, defends and holds harmless Service Provider and the other Service Provider Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Liabilities (a) to the extent attributable to or arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Owner Indemnified Party or (b) for personal injury, illness, or death of or damage to or loss of property (whether real or personal, owned or leased) incurred or suffered by any Owner Indemnified Party as a result of, relating to or arising out of, any Service Provider’s or any other of the Service Provider Indemnified Parties’ performance of the Services hereunder, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH LIABILITIES ARE THE RESULT OF (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) THE SOLE, ACTIVE, PASSIVE, CONCURRENT OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OTHER FAULT OR THE VIOLATION OF LAW, IN EACH CASE, OF OR BY ANY SERVICE PROVIDER, EXCEPT (IN EACH CASE) TO THE EXTENT SUCH LIABILITIES ARE A RESULT OF THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF ANY SERVICE PROVIDER INDEMNIFIED PARTY . Service Provider must give Owner written notice of any claim under this Section  7.2 on or before the date that is 24 Months counted from and after the end of the Term or any Transition Services Period (excluding such month in which the term or the Transition Services Period ends, as applicable), after which no claim may be made against Service Provider by Owner or any Owner Indemnified Party under Section  7.2(a) and/or Section  7.2(b) .

7.3     DISCLAIMERS . Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement to the contrary, except as provided in Article IX , SERVICE PROVIDER makes no and disclaims any other representations and warranties, express, implied or statutory, with respect to the performance or results of the Services. OWNER, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND ITS AFFILIATES ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT SERVICE PROVIDER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY TO OWNER IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DECISIONS MADE OR ACTIONS TAKEN BY OWNER IN RELIANCE UPON ANY INFORMATION OR ADVICE PROVIDED BY SERVICE PROVIDER HEREUNDER, SUCH DECISIONS BEING MADE OR ACTIONS TAKEN AT OWNER’S SOLE RISK.

 

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7.4     Disclaimer of Application of Anti-Indemnity Statutes . The Parties acknowledge and agree that the provisions of any anti-indemnity statute relating to oilfield services and associated activities shall not be applicable to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

ARTICLE VIII.

NON-SOLICITATION

8.1     Non-Solicitation . The Owner Group shall not hire or attempt to employ any of Service Provider’s or EnerVest, Ltd.’s personnel that are employed at Service Provider’s or EnerVest, Ltd.’s Houston corporate office during the Term of this Agreement and for a period of ninety (90) days after the expiration of the Transition Service Period; provided, that the non-solicitation restriction in this Article VIII shall not apply in the event an employee of Service Provider or EnerVest, Ltd. or Affiliates of Service Provider contacts any member of the Owner Group regarding employment in response to an advertisement identifying employment opportunities or if an employee of Service Provider, EnerVest, Ltd. or Affiliates of Service Provider contacts any member of the Owner Group without having been solicited.

ARTICLE IX.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; OTHER COVENANTS AND

RESPONSIBILITIES

9.1     Representations and Warranties . Each of Parent and Owner represents and warrants to Service Provider, and Service Provider represents and warrants to Parent and Owner, as follows:

(a)     Organization, Good Standing, Etc . Such Party is a limited liability company, corporation or other legal entity, that has been duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and each duly qualified and/or licensed to the extent and as may be required by applicable Law, and in good standing in such State.

(b)     Authority; Enforceable Agreement . Such Party has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and has adequate power, authority and legal right to enter into, execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. This Agreement is legal, valid and binding with respect to such Party and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

(c)     Legal Requirements . Such Party has, or before commencing activities in any State or other jurisdiction will have, all requisite power, approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses, orders, franchises, rights, registrations and permits of all Governmental Authorities of such State or other jurisdiction (i) in the case of Owner Group, required to carry out its business relating to the Assets and (ii) in the case of Service Provider, required for Service Provider to provide the Services in such jurisdiction; each of the foregoing is or will be in full force and effect and has been duly and validly issued; and at the time Services are performed, such Party will be in compliance in all material respects with all terms and conditions of each of the foregoing.

 

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(d)     No Consent . No permit, consent, approval, authorization or order of, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or Third Party is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by such Party of this Agreement or to consummate any transactions contemplated hereby.

(e)     No Conflict . The execution, delivery, and performance by such Party of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any provisions of the organizational documents of such Party, (ii) subject, in the case of Owner and Parent, to the accuracy of Service Provider’s representations and warranties in Section  9.3(b) , result in a default or the creation of any material encumbrance or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration under any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, contract or agreement to which such Party is a party, (iii) violate in any material respect any judgment, order, ruling, regulation, or decree applicable to such Party as a party in interest, or (iv) violate any Law applicable to such Party.

9.2     Additional Owner Group Representations . Owner represents and warrants to Service Provider that it is sophisticated in the ownership and evaluation of oil and gas properties, and it shall exercise its own independent analysis and evaluation of operations as may be proposed by Service Provider. Owner has access to and, as necessary, shall seek the advice of its own legal, tax, economic, insurance, environmental, technical, engineering, operations, geological and geophysical advisors.

9.3     Additional Service Provider Representations . Service Provider represents and warrants to Owner and Parent that:

(a)    except as set out in Schedule 9.3(a) , neither Service Provider or any Affiliate of Service Provider has agreed to provide services (including services substantially similar to the Services) to any Third Party;

(b)    all Dedicated Employees and Shared Employees are directly employed by Service Provider or by EnerVest Employee Services, L.L.C. (a Delaware limited liability company) and Service Provider has the right to utilize Dedicated Employees and Shared Employees employed by EnerVest Employee Services, L.L.C.;

(c)    Service Provider or EnerVest, Ltd. owns and has title to or has in its own name a valid leasehold interest in or a valid license to use all facilities, equipment, computer hardware, software, and other property and assets necessary for the performance of the Services and Service Provider has the right to utilize all of the foregoing in connection with the performance of the Services (in each case other than the Field Facilities and Equipment owned by Owner Group and in each case except to the extent that Service Provider loses such right as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby) and is a party to all contracts with Third Parties under which Third Parties will perform any of the Services,;

(d)    The 2017 COPAS overhead for the Owner Group interest in the oil and gas properties included in the Assets was $6,910,552 and the 2017 COPAS overhead for the other joint interest owners in such assets was $4,192,936.

 

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(e)    the execution, delivery, and performance by Parent and Owner of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not result in a default or the creation of any material encumbrance or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration under any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of any of the “Contracts” (as defined in the Transaction Agreements).

9.4     Service Provider Responsibilities .

(a)     Books and Records . Service Provider shall keep and maintain proper and complete books and records of all matters pertaining to performance of the Services. Owner shall have the right to (1) reasonably consult from time to time with the independent accountants and advisors of Service Provider regarding Service Provider’s performance of the Services; (2) reasonably consult from time to time at reasonable times and following reasonable notice, with management of Service Provider at their respective places of business regarding performance of the Services, so long as such consultation does not unreasonably interfere with the operation of the business of Service Provider; and (3) consult with any other personnel of Service Provider or to inspect any of the properties or assets of Service Provider utilized in Service Provider’s performance of the Services.

(b)     Financial Information . Service Provider shall provide to Owner prompt notice of any event that would reasonably be expected to have a material effect on Service Provider’s financial condition, business or operations. Service Provider shall assist Owner in the preparation of Owner’s financial statements and required public disclosures.

ARTICLE X.

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all of such counterparts shall constitute for all purposes one agreement. Any signature hereto delivered by a Party by facsimile or email scan transmission shall be deemed an original signature hereto.

10.2     Notices . All notices and communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, or sent by bonded overnight courier, or mailed by U.S. Express Mail or by certified or registered United States Mail with all postage fully prepaid, or sent by electronic mail transmission ( provided that the acknowledgment of the receipt of such electronic mail is requested and received, excluding automatic receipts, with the receiving Person affirmatively obligated to promptly acknowledge receipt) addressed to Service Provider or Owner, as appropriate, at the address for such Person shown below or at such other address as Service Provider or Owner shall have theretofore designated by written notice delivered to the other Parties:

If to Service Provider:

EnerVest Operating, L.L.C.

1001 Fannin, Suite 800

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Andy West

Email: awest@enervest.com

 

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

EnerVest Operating, L.L.C.

1001 Fannin, Suite 800

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Philip Berry

Email: pberry@enervest.com

If to Owner:

TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp.

301 Commerce Street, Suite 3300

Fort Worth, TX 76102

Attention: Jerry Neugebauer

Email: GNeugebauer@tpg.com

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

Vinson & Elkins LLP

1001 Fannin, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Keith Fullenweider

Email:     kfullenweider@velaw.com

and

Vinson & Elkins LLP

2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3700

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: John Grand

Email: jgrand@velaw.com

Any notice given in accordance herewith shall be deemed to have been given only when delivered to the addressee in person, or by courier, during normal business hours on a Business Day (or if delivered or transmitted after normal business hours on a Business Day or on a day other than a Business Day, then on the next Business Day), or upon actual receipt by the addressee during normal business hours on a Business Day after such notice has either been delivered to an overnight courier or deposited in the United States Mail, as the case may be (or if delivered after normal business hours on a Business Day or on a day other than a Business Day, then on the next Business Day). Service Provider or Owner may change the address to which such communications are to be addressed by giving written notice to the other Party in the manner provided in this Section  10.2 .

 

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10.3     Governing Law ; Venue .

(a)     THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THE RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICTS OF LAW RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT REFER CONSTRUCTION OF PROVISIONS TO THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

(b)    THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE APPROPRIATE, EXCLUSIVE, AND CONVENIENT FORUM FOR ANY DISPUTES BETWEEN ANY OF THE PARTIES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT (OTHER THAN TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH IN SECTION 10.18 ) OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY SHALL BE IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN HOUSTON, TEXAS AND EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS SOLELY IN RESPECT OF ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT (OTHER THAN TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH IN SECTION 10.18 ). THE PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT THE PARTIES SHALL NOT BRING SUIT WITH RESPECT TO ANY DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT (OTHER THAN TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH IN SECTION 10.18 ) OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IN ANY COURT OR JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE ABOVE SPECIFIED COURTS. THE PARTIES FURTHER AGREE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THAT A FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT AGAINST A PARTY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING CONTEMPLATED ABOVE SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT, A CERTIFIED OR EXEMPLIFIED COPY OF WHICH SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THE FACT AND AMOUNT OF SUCH JUDGMENT.

(c)    TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES HAS ACQUIRED, OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE, ANY IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH SERVICE OR NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION, EXECUTION, OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, SUCH PARTY (ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ITS AFFILIATES) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY (I) WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND (II) SUBMITS TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT DESCRIBED IN SECTION  10.3(b) .

(d)    THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THEY HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTENTIONALLY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

 

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10.4     Non-Compensatory Damages . NONE OF THE PARTIES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES OR DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS OF ANY KIND (OTHER THAN, IN EACH CASE, REASONABLY FORESEEABLE CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES CUSTOMARILY AVAILABLE AS DIRECT DAMAGES WITH RESPECT TO COMMON LAW CONTRACTUAL DAMAGES CLAIMS) ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT ANY SUCH PARTY SUFFERS SUCH DAMAGES (INCLUDING COSTS OF DEFENSE AND REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH DEFENDING OF SUCH DAMAGES) TO A THIRD PARTY, WHICH DAMAGES (INCLUDING COSTS OF DEFENSE AND REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH DEFENDING AGAINST SUCH DAMAGES) SHALL NOT BE EXCLUDED BY THIS PROVISION. SUBJECT TO THE PRECEDING SENTENCE, OWNER AND SERVICE PROVIDER WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO RECOVER ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES OR DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS OF ANY KIND (OTHER THAN, IN EACH CASE, REASONABLY FORESEEABLE CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES CUSTOMARILY AVAILABLE AS DIRECT DAMAGES WITH RESPECT TO COMMON LAW CONTRACTUAL DAMAGES CLAIMS), ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT ANY SUCH PARTY SUFFERS SUCH DAMAGES (INCLUDING COSTS OF DEFENSE AND REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH DEFENDING OF SUCH DAMAGES) TO A THIRD PARTY.

10.5     Waiver; Rights Cumulative . Any of the terms, covenants, representations, warranties or conditions hereof may be waived only by a written instrument executed by or on behalf of the Party waiving compliance. No course of dealing on the part of Service Provider and Owner, or their respective officers, employees, agents or representatives or any failure by Service Provider and Owner to exercise any of its rights under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof or affect in any way the right of such Person at a later time to enforce the performance of such provision. No waiver by Service Provider and Owner of any condition or any breach of any term, covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition or of any breach of any other term, covenant, representation or warranty. The rights of Service Provider and Owner under this Agreement shall be cumulative, and the exercise or partial exercise of any such right shall not preclude the exercise of any other right.

10.6     Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties pertaining to the Services and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof.

10.7     Amendment . This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by all Parties.

10.8     Parties in Interest . The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

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Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any Person other than Owner and Service Provider and their respective successors and permitted assigns, or the Owner Indemnified Parties and the Service Provider Indemnified Parties (but only to the extent set out in Section  7.1 and Section  7.2 , respectively), any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, that only a Party and its respective successors and permitted assigns will have the right to enforce the provisions of this Agreement on its own behalf or on behalf of any Owner Indemnified Party or Service Provider Indemnified Party (but shall not be obligated to do so).

10.9     Successors and Permitted Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns.

10.10     Assignment . No Party may assign (directly or indirectly, including by merger, consolidation, equity sale or otherwise, but excluding a Change of Control of either Party or any transaction involving the securities of any Party or any of its Affiliates that have publicly traded securities) this Agreement or its obligation or duties hereunder (except as expressly provided for herein) without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, Owner may assign this Agreement to any Affiliate of Owner who then owns (or concurrently with the assignment of this Agreement will own) a portion of the Assets without Service Provider’s prior written consent, without relieving Owner from any of its obligations or Liabilities hereunder; and further provided that such Affiliate remains an Affiliate of Owner. Each Party acknowledges that the Services to be provided by Service Provider hereunder are unique personal services and that the entry of Owner into this Agreement is based on a special relationship with Service Provider and the unique qualities and abilities of Service Provider.

10.11     Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each Party shall execute and deliver all such future instruments and take such other further action as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the intention of the Parties as expressed herein.

10.12     Preparation of Agreement . Each of the Parties and their respective counsels participated in the preparation of this Agreement. In the event of any ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption shall arise based on the identity of the draftsman of this Agreement.

10.13     Severability . If any term or provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect. Upon a determination that any term or provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.

10.14     No Recourse . For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Agreement shall not give rise to any right of recourse against any current or former stockholder, member, partner, owner, director, manager, officer, employee, agent or representative of Service Provider or of Owner.

 

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10.15     Interpretation . All references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions refer to the corresponding Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions of or to this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise. Titles appearing at the beginning of any Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute any part of this Agreement, and shall be disregarded in construing the language hereof. The words “this Agreement”, “herein”, “hereby”, “hereunder” and “hereof”, and words of similar import, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section, subsection or other subdivision unless expressly so limited. The words “this Article”, “this Section”, and “this subsection”, and words of similar import, refer only to the Article, Section or subsection hereof in which such words occur. The word “including” (in its various forms) means including without limitation. All references to “$” or “dollars” shall be deemed references to United States dollars. Each accounting term not defined herein will have the meaning given to it under GAAP. Pronouns in masculine, feminine or neuter genders shall be construed to state and include any other gender, and words, terms and titles (including terms defined herein) in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. References to any Law or agreement shall mean such Law or agreement as it may be amended from time to time.

10.16     Confidentiality .

(a)    Service Provider agrees that all information relating to the Assets or the business and finances of the Owner Group that is disclosed to Service Provider or that it obtains or develops in performing the Services, including all Owner Records and Data, is “ Confidential Information ” hereunder, shall be kept strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed at any time during the Term and any Transition Services Period and for a period of two years thereafter to any Person that is not a Party without Owner’s consent and shall not be used for any purpose other than the performance of the Services, except that Confidential Information may be disclosed:

(i)    To the extent and only to the extent reasonably necessary for the performance of the Services, to Affiliates of the Service Provider and its and their directors, officers, managers, employees, members, partners, agents and authorized representatives (including attorneys, accountants, and consultants) (“ Representatives ”), provided that such Representatives need to know such Confidential Information for purposes of performing the Services and agree to be or are otherwise bound by the Service Provider’s obligations under this Section  10.16 , and provided that Service Provider shall be liable hereunder for any breach of such obligations by any of its Representatives;

(ii)    to the extent that such Confidential Information is required to be furnished in compliance with any applicable laws, rules, or regulations, or pursuant to any legal proceedings or because of any order of any court binding upon Service Provider (provided that Service Provider shall (A) first give written notice of the intended disclosure to Owner as soon as practicable; (B) consult with Owner on the advisability of taking steps to resist or narrow the disclosure of Confidential Information; and (C) if disclosure is required or deemed advisable, cooperate with Owner in attempting to obtain an order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to designated portions of the Confidential Information,

 

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or that the Confidential Information will otherwise be held in the strictest confidence to the fullest extent permitted under the laws, rules or regulations of any applicable Governmental Authority);

(iii)    to the extent that such Confidential Information must be disclosed pursuant to any rules or requirements of any government or stock exchange having jurisdiction over Service Provider, or its Affiliates;

(iv)    any data or information which, through no fault of Service Provider and without breach of any duty of confidentiality owed to Owner, becomes a part of the public domain (provided that information is not considered to be in the public domain for purposes of this Agreement unless it is lawfully available to the general public from a single source without restriction on its use or disclosure, and provided further that specific information is not considered to be in the public domain if only a general embodiment or description of such information is available in the public domain); or

(v)    data and information customarily provided to unaffiliated third parties owning interests in the Assets under joint operating agreements.

(b)    Service Provider acknowledges that the unauthorized disclosure or use of Confidential Information could cause irreparable harm and significant injury, the precise measure of which would be difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, Owner will be entitled to seek specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief, without bond, as a remedy for any such breach or threatened breach, in addition to all other rights and remedies that Owner may have.

10.17     Publicity . Without prior written consent of Owner, Service Provider will not issue, or permit any agent or Affiliate of Service Provider to issue, any press releases or otherwise make, or cause any agent or Affiliate to make, any public statements with respect to this Agreement, any Confidential Information or the activities contemplated hereby. Without the prior written consent of Service Provider, Owner will not issue, or permit any agent or Affiliate of Owner to issue, any press releases or otherwise make, or cause any agent or Affiliate to make, any public statements with respect to this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement, any confidential or proprietary information of Service Provider (including the amount of the Services Fee), or the activities contemplated hereby.

10.18     Performance Dispute Resolution . Service Provider, may, upon notice to Owner, dispute a claim pursuant to Section  2.1(e) that Service Provider has failed, or is unable, to perform any of the Services, or that Service Provider has not cured such failure or inability, by submitting the matter to arbitration in accordance with this Section  10.18 . Within ten (10) Business Days of a matter being submitted to arbitration by Service Provider in accordance with the preceding sentence, each of Service Provider and Owner shall (i) summarize their position with regard to such dispute in a written document of twenty (20) pages or less and (ii) submit such summaries to an arbitrator as selected by mutual agreement of the Parties (the “ Arbitrator ”), together with the applicable notice and any other documentation such party may desire to submit. If the Parties cannot agree on an Arbitrator within ten (10) Business Days after Service Provider’s election to submit such matters to arbitration under this Section  10.18 , then either Service Provider or Owner

 

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may request the Houston, Texas office of the American Arbitration Association (“ AAA ”) (or, if there is no such office, the office of the AAA serving Houston, Texas) to select the Arbitrator. Within ten (10) Business Days after receiving the Parties’ respective submissions, the Arbitrator shall render a decision choosing either Service Provider’s position or Owner’s position with respect to the matter submitted to arbitration, based on the materials described above. Any decision rendered by the Arbitrator pursuant hereto shall be final, conclusive, and binding on Service Provider and Owner and enforceable against any of the Parties in any court of competent jurisdiction. The costs of the Arbitrator shall be borne equally between Service Provider, on the one hand, and Owner, on the other hand.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date and year first above written.

 

SERVICE PROVIDER :
ENERVEST OPERATING, L.L.C.
By:   /s/ Jud Walker
Name:   Jud Walker
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
OWNER :
MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS OPERATING LLC
By:  

/s/ Stephen Chazen

Name:   Stephen Chazen
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
PARENT
TPG PACE ENERGY HOLDINGS CORP.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Chazen

Name:   Stephen Chazen
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page

to Services Agreement


ANNEX A

DEFINITIONS

AAA ” is defined in Section  10.18 .

Accounting Month ” means, with respect to each Calendar Month in which a Monthly Statement is delivered under Section  3.2 , the Calendar Month that immediately precedes the Calendar Month in which such Monthly Statement is to be delivered under Section  3.2 .

AFE ” means any authorization for expenditure or other capital commitment relating to the Assets.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such Person. The term “ control ” and its derivatives with respect to any Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this Agreement, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be an Affiliate of Service Provider or any of its Affiliates, and neither Service Provider nor any of its Affiliates shall be an Affiliate of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

Agreed Rate ” means the United States prime rate as published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal , plus 300 basis points.

Agreement ” is defined in the preamble.

Annual Delegation ” is defined in Section  2.16 .

Applicable Contracts ” means (a) the “Contracts” (as defined in the Transaction Agreements), (b) the Existing Arrangements, and (c) all other Contracts entered into by or on behalf of Owner relating to the Assets.

Arbitrator ” is defined in Section  10.18 .

Asset Taxes ” means ad valorem, property, excise, severance, production, sales, use and similar taxes based upon the operation or ownership of the Assets or the production of Hydrocarbons or the receipt of proceeds therefrom, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, (x) any income, capital gain, franchise and similar taxes and (y) any transfer, sales, use and similar taxes incurred or imposed with respect to the transfer of any of the Assets.

Assets ” means (a) the “Assets” (as defined in the Transaction Agreements) and (b) any additional oil and gas assets and/or properties acquired by Owner or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to which Owner elects to have Service Provider provide the Services.

Audit Period ” is defined in Section  3.6(a) .

 

Annex A


Bankruptcy ” means, with respect to any Person: (a) the filing by such Person of a voluntary petition seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement or readjustment, in any form, of its debts under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (or corresponding provisions of future Laws) or any other insolvency Law, or a Person’s filing an answer consenting to or acquiescing in any such petition; (b) the making by such Person of any assignment for the benefit of its creditors or the admission by a Person of its inability to pay its debts as they mature; or (c) the expiration of 120 days after the filing of an involuntary petition under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (or corresponding provisions of future Laws) seeking an application for the appointment of a receiver for the assets of such Person, or an involuntary petition seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement or readjustment of its debts under any other insolvency Law, unless the same shall have been vacated, set aside or stayed within such 120-day period.

Burdens ” means royalties, overriding royalties, production payments, carried interests, net profits interests, reversionary interests, back-in interests and other burdens upon, measured by or payable out of production.

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in Houston, Texas are authorized or required by applicable Law to be closed for business.

Calendar Month ” means any of the months of the Gregorian calendar.

Calendar Year ” means a period of 12 consecutive Calendar Months commencing on the first day of January and ending on the following 31st day of December, according to the Gregorian calendar

Change of Control ” means any direct or indirect change of control of a Person (whether through merger, sale of shares or other equity interests, or otherwise), resulting in a change of least 50% or more of the combined voting power of a Person’s then outstanding securities (or other ownership interests), through a single transaction or series of related transactions, from one or more transferors to one or more transferees. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred if any securities of a Person or any or all of its assets are transferred or distributed to any of its Affiliates, subsidiaries, parents, stockholders, members or other interest holders.

Closing Date ” is defined in the preamble.

Confidential Information ” is defined in Section  10.16 .

Contract ” means any written or oral: contract; agreement; agreement regarding indebtedness; indenture; debenture; note, bond or loan; collective bargaining agreement; mortgage; license agreement; farmin or farmout agreement; participation, exploration or development agreement; crude oil, condensate or gas purchase and sale, gathering, processing, transportation or marketing agreement; operating agreement; balancing agreement; unitization agreement; facilities or equipment lease; production handling agreement; or other similar contract, but in each case specifically excluding, however, any Lease, right-of-way, permit or other instrument (other than acquisition or similar sales or purchase agreements) creating, evidencing or assigning any interest in any Asset that constitutes real property or any other property related to or used or held for use in connection with the operation of any Asset.

 

Annex A


COPAS Payment ” is defined in Section  3.1(a) .

Dedicated Employees ” means the employees listed on Schedule 1-B and includes any replacements of any Dedicated Employees made in accordance with Section  2.6 , and any Dedicated Employees added pursuant to Section  3.1(b) .

Designated Area ” means the following counties in Texas: Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Gonzales, Grimes, Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Milam, Montgomery, Robertson, Washington, and Wilson.

Development Plan and Budget ” means a development plan and/or budget prepared by Service Provider and/or Owner, and adopted and approved by Owner. Until such time as an updated, revised, or replacement Development Plan and Budget is adopted and approved by Owner, references to the “Development Plan and Budget” shall be to the Development Plan and Budget attached hereto as Exhibit D ; thereafter, references to the “Development Plan and Budget” shall be to the most recently adopted and approved Development Plan and Budget, at it may have been updated or revised with the approval of the Owner.

Eagleford Transaction Agreement ” is defined in the Recitals.

Emergency ” is defined in Section  2.2 .

Excluded Services ” is defined in Section  2.1(f) .

Existing Arrangements ” means all gathering, processing, fractionation, transportation, and/or marketing agreements to which Service Provider (or any Affiliate of Service Provider) or Owner is a party and to which hydrocarbon production from the Assets is subject.

Field Facilities and Equipment ” is defined in Section  2.1(d) .

Force Majeure Event ” means any event not reasonably within the control of the Party claiming the force majeure, including the following to the extent such events are not reasonably within the control of the Party claiming the force majeure: act of God, act of the public enemy, war, blockade, public riot, act of terrorism, lightning, fire, storm, flood or other act of nature, explosion, governmental action (including changes in Laws, regulations or policies with the effect of Law or, in each case, the enforcement thereof), and governmental delay or restraint (including with respect to the issuance of permits); provided, however, that a “Force Majeure Event” shall not include lack of financing or funds.

GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

Giddings Transaction Agreement ” is defined in the Recitals.

Governmental Authority ” means any federal, state, local, municipal, tribal or other government; any governmental, regulatory or administrative agency, commission, body or other authority exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, regulatory or taxing authority or power; and any court or governmental tribunal, including any tribal authority having or asserting jurisdiction.

 

Annex A


Hydrocarbons ” means oil, gas, condensate and other gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons or any combination thereof.

Initial Term ” is defined in Section  4.1 .

Key Persons ” means the employees listed on Schedule 1-A and includes any replacements of any Key Persons made in accordance with Section  2.6.

Laws ” means any applicable constitution, decree, resolution, law, statute, act, ordinance, rule, directive, order, treaty, code or regulation and any injunction or final non-appealable judgment or any interpretation of the foregoing, as enacted, issued or promulgated by any Governmental Authority.

Leases ” means the “Leases” (as defined in the Transaction Agreements).

Liabilities means any and all (a) claims, including those for property damage, pollution (including response costs, remediation costs, environmental damage and damages to natural resources), bodily injury, personal injury, illness, disease, maintenance, cure, loss of parental or spousal consortium, wrongful death, loss of support, death, and wrongful termination of employment, and (b) damages, liabilities, losses, demands, liens, encumbrances, fines, penalties, causes of action of any kind (including actions in rem or in personam), obligations, costs, judgments, interest and awards (including payment of attorneys’ fees and costs of litigation and investigation costs) and amounts, of any kind or character, (in each case) whether arising in connection with judicial proceedings, administrative proceedings or otherwise.

Material HSE Event ” means (i) any material violation of any Law relating to health, safety, or the environment, or any material spill or release of oil or other hazardous materials that results in Owner or Service Provider incurring a material remediation obligation, in each case that occurs during the performance of the Services as a result of the activities of Service Provider or any contractor retained by Service Provider for the performance of the Services or (ii) any fatal accident involving any employee of Service Provider or any contractor retained by Service Provider for the performance of the Services that occurs during the performance of the Services as a result of the activities of Service Provider or any contractor retained by Service Provider for the performance of the Services. For purposes of clause (i) of this definition “material” means any occurrence that results in fines or liabilities in excess of $5 million in the aggregate or otherwise materially and adversely affects the business of the Owner Group in connection with the Assets.

Monthly Services Fee ” is defined in Section  3.1(a) .

Monthly Statement ” is defined in Section  3.2(a) .

Non-Compete Agreement ” means that certain Non-Compete Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2018, by and among Parent and EnerVest, Ltd.

Non-Operated Assets ” means those Assets that are not Operated Assets.

Oil and Gas Interest means any oil and gas lease or oil, gas and mineral lease and any interests in such leases (including leasehold interests, royalty and overriding royalty interests and

 

Annex A


production payments), any mineral fee interests and any other mineral or royalty interests, any wells or future wells located on a Lease, and any oil, gas or mineral unitization, pooling, operating or communitization Contracts, declarations or orders, and any interests in the units created thereby.

Operated Assets ” means those Assets that are operated by Owner.

Operating Agreements ” means the joint operating agreements, unit operating agreements and similar operating agreements burdening or relating to the Assets.

Owner ” is defined in the preamble.

Owner Group ” means Parent, Owner, and each of their respective Subsidiaries.

Owner Group Costs ” is defined in Section  3.3 .

Owner Indemnified Parties ” means the Owner and its Affiliates and its and their contractors and subcontractors (other than Service Provider), and its and their employees, officers, directors, shareholders, partners, owners, members, managers, agents and representatives.

Owner Records and Data ” is defined in Section  3.4(a) .

Parent ” is defined in the preamble.

Party ” and “ Parties ” are defined in the preamble.

Performance Termination ” is defined in Section  4.2(c) .

Permitted Encumbrances ” means all “Permitted Encumbrances” (as defined in the Transaction Agreements).

Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or any other entity.

Reasonable and Prudent Service Provider ” is defined in Section  2.10 .

Records ” means (i) all “Records” (as defined in the Transaction Agreements) and all other files, books, records, and accounts in Service Provider’s possession or to which Service Provider has access in any way relating to the Assets, including, without limitation, all such files, records, books, and accounts maintained in computer-sensible form, whether on magnetic tape, disks, or other storage media, together with the computer software and programs required to enter, delete, read, manipulate, revise, append, transfer, communicate, and/or print data therein, and including, without limitation, all title and contract files, legal files, well files, accounting records, billings, invoices, statements, receipts, logs, tank tables, daily gauge and run tickets, logs, seismological sections, correspondence, interpretations, reserve reports and other reports, and other data, information, and instruments in any way relating to the Assets; and (ii) all data and information contained in any of the records, books, accounts, files, and/or materials described above.

 

Annex A


Renewal Term ” is defined in Section  4.1 .

Representatives ” is defined in Section  10.16(a) .

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Service Provider ” is defined in the preamble.

Service Provider Indemnified Parties ” means the Service Provider and its Affiliates and its and their contractors and subcontractors, and its and their employees, officers, directors, shareholders, partners, owners, members, managers, agents and representatives.

Services ” is defined in Section  2.1(a) .

Services Fee ” is defined in Section  3.1(a) .

Shared Employees ” means the employees occupying the positions and performing the functions listed on Schedule 1-C and includes any replacements of any Shared Employees made in accordance with Section  2.6 , and any Shared Employees added pursuant to Section  3.1(b) .

Specified Acquisition ” is defined in Section  3.1(b) .

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency); provided that as long as Parent owns an equity interest in Owner, Owner shall be a Subsidiary of Parent.

Surface Contracts ” means the “Surface Contracts” (as defined in the Transaction Agreements).

Term ” is defined in Section  4.1 .

Termination Effective Date ” means the date on which this Agreement terminates in accordance with Section  4.1 or Section  4.2 .

Termination Notice ” is defined in Section  4.2(a) .

 

Annex A


Third Party ” means a Person other than Service Provider and its Affiliates and any Person in the Owner Group.

Transaction Agreements ” is defined in the Recitals.

Transition Services Period ” is defined in Section  4.4 .

 

Annex A

Exhibit 10.6

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation

Long Term Incentive Plan

1. Purpose . The purpose of the Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) is to provide a means through which (a) Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and its Affiliates may attract, retain and motivate qualified persons as employees, directors and consultants, thereby enhancing the profitable growth of the Company and its Affiliates and (b) persons upon whom the responsibilities of the successful administration and management of the Company and its Affiliates rest, and whose present and potential contributions to the Company and its Affiliates are of importance, can acquire and maintain stock ownership or awards the value of which is tied to the performance of the Company, thereby strengthening their concern for the Company and its Affiliates. Accordingly, the Plan provides for the grant of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Awards, Dividend Equivalents, Other Stock-Based Awards, Cash Awards, Substitute Awards, or any combination of the foregoing, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

2. Definitions . For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

(a) “ Affiliate ” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, association, trust or other organization that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company. For purposes of the preceding sentence, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any entity or organization, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power (i) to vote more than 50% of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the controlled entity or organization or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the controlled entity or organization, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

(b) “ ASC Topic 718 ” means the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation , as amended or any successor accounting standard.

(c) “ Award ” means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award, Cash Award, or Substitute Award, together with any other right or interest, granted under the Plan.

(d) “ Award Agreement ” means any written instrument, which may be in electronic form (including any employment, severance or change in control agreement), that sets forth the terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations applicable to an Award, in addition to those set forth under the Plan.

(e) “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(f) “ Cash Award ” means an Award denominated in cash granted under Section  6(i) .

 

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(g) “ Change in Control ” means, except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the occurrence of any of the following events after the Effective Date:

(i) The consummation of an agreement to acquire or a tender offer for beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act by any Person, of 50% or more of either (x) the then outstanding shares of Stock (the “Outstanding Stock”) or (y) 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 subsection (i), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company, (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity controlled by the Company or (D) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of paragraph (iii) below;

(ii) Individuals who constitute the Incumbent Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;

(iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or an acquisition of assets of another entity (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) the Outstanding Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination represent or are converted into or exchanged for securities which represent or are convertible into more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock or common equity interests and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or other governing body, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity which 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), (B) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or the entity resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock or common equity interests of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or other governing body of such entity to the extent that such ownership results solely from ownership of the Company that existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors or similar 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.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) a sale by the EnerVest Investors of any or all of their Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities or an acquisition by the EnverVest Investors of any additional Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities shall not be considered a Change in Control and (y) for purposes of an Award that provides for a deferral of compensation under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, to the extent the impact of a Change in Control on such Award would subject a Participant to additional taxes under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, a Change in Control for purposes of such Award will mean both a Change in Control and a “change in the ownership of a corporation,” “change in the effective control of a corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation’s assets” within the meaning of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules as applied to the Company.

(h) “ Change in Control Price ” means the amount determined in the following clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v), whichever the Committee determines is applicable, as follows: (i) the price per share offered to holders of Stock in any merger or consolidation, (ii) the per share Fair Market Value of the Stock immediately before the Change in Control or other event without regard to assets sold in the Change in Control or other event and assuming the Company has received the consideration paid for the assets in the case of a sale of the assets, (iii) the amount distributed per share of Stock in a dissolution transaction, (iv) the price per share offered to holders of Stock in any tender offer or exchange offer whereby a Change in Control or other event takes place, or (v) if such Change in Control or other event occurs other than pursuant to a transaction described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this Section  2(h) , the value per share of the Stock that may otherwise be obtained with respect to such Awards or to which such Awards track, as determined by the Committee as of the date determined by the Committee to be the date of cancellation and surrender of such Awards. In the event that the consideration offered to stockholders of the Company in any transaction described in this Section  2(h) or in Section  8(e) consists of anything other than cash, the Committee shall determine the fair cash equivalent of the portion of the consideration offered which is other than cash and such determination shall be binding on all affected Participants to the extent applicable to Awards held by such Participants.

(i) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance and regulations thereto.

(j) “ Committee ” means a committee of two or more directors designated by the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Qualified Members.

(k) “ Dividend Equivalent ” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section  6(g) , to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments.

(l) “ Effective Date ” means July 17, 2018.

(m) “ Eligible Person ” means any individual who, as of the date of grant of an Award, is an officer or employee of the Company or of any of its Affiliates, and any other person who provides services to the Company or any of its Affiliates, including directors of the Company; provided , however , that, any such individual must be an “employee” of the Company or any of its parents or subsidiaries within the meaning of General Instruction A.1(a)(1) to Form S-8 if such individual is granted an Award that may be settled in Stock. An employee on leave of absence may be an Eligible Person.

 

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(n) “ EnerVest Investors ” means EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-A, L.P, EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-WIC, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-2A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-3A, L.P. and EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund XIV-C, L.P.

(o) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including the guidance, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance, rules and regulations thereto.

(p) “ Fair Market Value ” of a share of Stock means, as of any specified date, (i) if the Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Stock, as reported on the stock exchange composite tape on that date (or if no sales occur on such date, on the last preceding date on which such sales of the Stock are so reported); (ii) if the Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded over the counter on such date, the average between the reported high and low bid and asked prices of Stock on the most recent date on which Stock was publicly traded on or preceding the specified date; or (iii) in the event Stock is not publicly traded at the time a determination of its value is required to be made under the Plan, the amount determined by the Committee in its discretion in such manner as it deems appropriate, taking into account all factors the Committee deems appropriate, including the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules. Notwithstanding this definition of Fair Market Value, with respect to one or more Award types, or for any other purpose for which the Committee must determine the Fair Market Value under the Plan, the Committee may elect to choose a different measurement date or methodology for determining Fair Market Value so long as the determination is consistent with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and all other applicable laws and regulations.

(q) “ Incumbent Board ” means the portion of the Board constituted of the individuals who are members of the Board as of the Effective Date and any other individual who becomes a director of the Company after the Effective Date and whose election or appointment by the Board 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, 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 Incumbent Board.

(r) “ ISO ” means an Option intended to be and designated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(s) “ Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules ” means the limitations or requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(t) “ Nonstatutory Option ” means an Option that is not an ISO.

(u) “ Option ” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section  6(b) , to purchase Stock at a specified price during specified time periods, which may either be an ISO or a Nonstatutory Option.

 

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(v) “ Other Stock-Based Award ” means an Award granted to an Eligible Person under Section  6(h) .

(w) “ Participant ” means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan that remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.

(x) “ Person” means any person or entity of any nature whatsoever, specifically including an individual, a firm, a company, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, a trust or other entity; a Person, together with that Person’s Affiliates and Associates (as those terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, provided that “registrant” as used in Rule 12b-2 shall mean the Company), and any Persons acting as a partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, syndicate or other group (whether or not formally organized), or otherwise acting jointly or in concert or in a coordinated or consciously parallel manner (whether or not pursuant to any express agreement), for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of securities of the Company with such Person, shall be deemed a single “Person.”

(y) “ Qualified Member ” means a member of the Board who is (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3), and (ii) “independent” under the listing standards or rules of the securities exchange upon which the Stock is traded, but only to the extent such independence is required in order to take the action at issue pursuant to such standards or rules.

(z) “ Restricted Stock ” means Stock granted to an Eligible Person under Section  6(d) that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

(aa) “ Restricted Stock Unit ” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section  6(e) , to receive Stock, cash or a combination thereof at the end of a specified period (which may or may not be coterminous with the vesting schedule of the Award).

(bb) “ Rule 16b-3 ” means Rule 16b-3, promulgated by the SEC under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(cc) “ SAR ” means a stock appreciation right granted to an Eligible Person under Section  6(c) .

(dd) “ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(ee) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, including the guidance, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance, rules and regulations thereto.

(ff) “ Stock ” means the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and such other securities as may be substituted (or re-substituted) for Stock pursuant to Section  8 .

(gg) “ Stock Award ” means unrestricted shares of Stock granted to an Eligible Person under Section  6(f) .

 

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(hh) “ Substitute Award ” means an Award granted under Section  6(j) .

3. Administration .

(a) Authority of the Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Committee except to the extent the Board elects to administer the Plan, in which case references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to include references to the “Board.” Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, Rule 16b-3 and other applicable laws, the Committee shall have the authority, in its sole and absolute discretion, to:

(i) designate Eligible Persons as Participants;

(ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to an Eligible Person;

(iii) determine the number of shares of Stock or amount of cash to be covered by Awards;

(iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award, including whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be vested, settled, exercised, cancelled or forfeited (including conditions based on continued employment or service requirements or the achievement of one or more performance goals);

(v) modify, waive or adjust any term or condition of an Award that has been granted, which may include the acceleration of vesting, waiver of forfeiture restrictions, modification of the form of settlement of the Award (for example, from cash to Stock or vice versa), early termination of a performance period, or modification of any other condition or limitation regarding an Award;

(vi) determine the treatment of an Award upon a termination of employment or other service relationship;

(vii) impose a holding period with respect to an Award or the shares of Stock received in connection with an Award;

(viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any Award Agreement;

(ix) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, in any Award, or in any Award Agreement; and

(x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. Any action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Affiliates, stockholders, Participants, beneficiaries, and permitted transferees under Section  7(a) or other persons claiming rights from or through a Participant.

 

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(b) Exercise of Committee Authority . At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to an Award granted or to be granted to an Eligible Person who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company where such action is not taken by the full Board may be taken either (i) by a subcommittee, designated by the Committee, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members, or (ii) by the Committee but with each such member who is not a Qualified Member abstaining or recusing himself or herself from such action; provided , however , that upon such abstention or recusal, the Committee remains composed solely of two or more Qualified Members. Such action, authorized by such a subcommittee or by the Committee upon the abstention or recusal of such non-Qualified Member(s), shall be the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, the full Board may take any action relating to an Award granted or to be granted to an Eligible Person who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company.

(c) Delegation of Authority . The Committee may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan to a subcommittee of directors or to any officer of the Company, including the power to perform administrative functions and grant Awards; provided , however , that such delegation does not (i) violate state or corporate law, or (ii) result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company. Upon any such delegation, all references in the Plan to the “Committee,” other than in Section  8 , shall be deemed to include any subcommittee or officer of the Company to whom such powers have been delegated by the Committee. Any such delegation shall not limit the right of such subcommittee members or such an officer to receive Awards; provided , however , that such subcommittee members and any such officer may not grant Awards to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate. The Committee may also appoint agents who are not executive officers of the Company or members of the Board to assist in administering the Plan, provided , however , that such individuals may not be delegated the authority to grant or modify any Awards that will, or may, be settled in Stock.

(d) Limitation of Liability . The Committee and each member thereof shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates, the Company’s legal counsel, independent auditors, consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be indemnified and held harmless by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.

(e) Participants in Non-U.S. Jurisdictions . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, to comply with applicable laws in countries other than the United States in which the Company or any of its Affiliates operates or has employees, directors or other service providers from time to time, or to ensure that the Company complies with any applicable requirements of foreign securities exchanges, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which of the Company’s Affiliates shall be covered by the

 

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Plan; (ii) determine which Eligible Persons outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Persons outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any foreign exchange; (iv) establish sub-plans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (any such sub-plans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices), provided , however , that no such sub-plans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section  4(a) ; and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is granted, that it deems advisable to comply with any applicable governmental regulatory exemptions or approval or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange. For purposes of the Plan, all references to foreign laws, rules, regulations or taxes shall be references to the laws, rules, regulations and taxes of any applicable jurisdiction other than the United States or a political subdivision thereof.

4. Stock Subject to Plan .

(a) Number of Shares Available for Delivery . Subject to adjustment in a manner consistent with Section  8 , 11,800,000 shares of Stock are reserved and available for delivery with respect to Awards, and such total shall be available for the issuance of shares upon the exercise of ISOs.

(b) Application of Limitation to Grants of Awards . Subject to Section  4(c) , no Award may be granted if the number of shares of Stock that may be delivered in connection with such Award exceeds the number of shares of Stock remaining available under the Plan minus the number of shares of Stock issuable in settlement of or relating to then-outstanding Awards. The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or Substitute Awards) and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award.

(c) Availability of Shares Not Delivered under Awards . If all or any portion of an Award expires or is cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, settled in cash or otherwise terminated without the actual delivery of shares (Awards of Restricted Stock shall not be considered “delivered shares” for this purpose), the shares of Stock subject to such Award (including (i) shares forfeited with respect to Restricted Stock, and (ii) the number of shares withheld or surrendered to the Company in payment of taxes relating to Awards other than Options and SARs) shall again be available for delivery with respect to Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the number of shares tendered or withheld in payment of the Exercise Price of any Option or SAR or taxes relating to an Option or an SAR, (B) shares that were subject to an Option or an SAR but were not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement or net exercise of such Option or SAR, (C) shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option’s Exercise Price will not, in each case, be available for Awards and (D) shares surrendered or withheld by the Company or any Affiliate, as applicable, pursuant to Section  9(a) herein, in payment of taxes relating to an Award will not be available for future Awards under the Plan to the extent such shares are withheld in an amount greater than the minimum statutory rate in the Participant’s relevant tax jurisdiction(s). If an Award may be settled only in cash, such Award need not be counted against any share limit under this Section  4 .

 

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(d) Shares Available Following Certain Transactions . Substitute Awards granted in accordance with applicable stock exchange requirements and in substitution or exchange for awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or any subsidiary or with which the Company or any subsidiary combines shall not reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the Plan or the limitations on grants to non-employee members of the Board under Section 5(b), nor shall shares subject to such Substitute Awards be added to the shares available for issuance under the Plan as provided above (whether or not such Substitute Awards are later cancelled, forfeited or otherwise terminated). Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any subsidiary or with which the Company or any subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may, if and to the extent determined by the Board and subject to compliance with applicable stock exchange requirements, be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the Plan (and shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the shares available for issuance under the Plan as provided above); provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not, prior to such acquisition or combination, employed by (and who were not non-employee directors or consultants of) the Company or any of its subsidiaries immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.

(e) Stock Offered . The shares of Stock to be delivered under the Plan shall be made available from (i) authorized but unissued shares of Stock, (ii) Stock held in the treasury of the Company, or (iii) previously issued shares of Stock reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased on the open market.

5. Eligibility; Award Limitations for Non-Employee Members of the Board .

(a) Awards may be granted under the Plan only to Eligible Persons.

(b) In each calendar year during any part of which the Plan is in effect, the aggregate amount of compensation, including cash compensation and the aggregate value of Awards (determined, if applicable, pursuant to ASC Topic 718) on the date of grant (multiplied by the number of full or partial calendar years in any performance period established with respect to an Award, if applicable), payable to a non-employee member of the Board in respect of services performed in any calendar year may not exceed $500,000; provided, that, for the calendar year in which a non-employee member of the Board first commences service on the Board only, the foregoing limitation shall be doubled; provided, further that, the limits set forth in this Section  5(b) shall be without regard to grants of Awards, if any, made to a non-employee member of the Board during any period in which such individual was an employee of the Company or of any of its Affiliates or was otherwise providing services to the Company or to any of its Affiliates other than in the capacity as a director of the Company.

 

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6. Specific Terms of Awards .

(a) General . Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section  6 . Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with any other Award. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section  10 ), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, the Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance goals applicable to an Award, and any such performance goals may differ among Awards granted to any one Participant or to different Participants. To the extent provided in an Award Agreement, the Committee may exercise its discretion to reduce or increase the amounts payable under any Award.

(b) Options . The Committee is authorized to grant Options, which may be designated as either ISOs or Nonstatutory Options, to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

(i) Exercise Price . Each Award Agreement evidencing an Option shall state the exercise price per share of Stock (the “ Exercise Price ”) established by the Committee; provided , however , that except as provided in Section  6(j) or in Section  8 , the Exercise Price of an Option shall not be less than the greater of (A) the par value per share of the Stock or (B) 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock as of the date of grant of the Option (or in the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or any of its subsidiaries, 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock on the date of grant).

(ii) Time and Method of Exercise; Other Terms . The Committee shall determine the methods by which the Exercise Price may be paid or deemed to be paid, the form of such payment, including cash or cash equivalents, Stock (including previously owned shares or through a cashless exercise, i.e., “net settlement”, a broker-assisted exercise, or other reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the Option), other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Company or any Affiliate, other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate (including notes or other contractual obligations of Participants to make payment on a deferred basis), the methods by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, including the delivery of Restricted Stock subject to Section  6(d) , and any other terms and conditions of any Option. In the case of an exercise whereby the Exercise Price is paid with Stock, such Stock shall be valued based on the Stock’s Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise. No Option may be exercisable for a period of more than ten years following the date of grant of the Option (or in the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or any of its subsidiaries, for a period of more than five years following the date of grant of the ISO).

(iii) ISOs . The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. ISOs may only be granted to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company or employees of a parent or any subsidiary corporation of the Company. Except as otherwise provided in Section  8 , no term of the Plan relating to ISOs (including any SAR in tandem therewith) shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any

 

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discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either the Plan or any ISO under Section 422 of the Code, unless notice has been provided to the Participant that such change will result in such disqualification. ISOs shall not be granted more than ten years after the earlier of the adoption of the Plan or the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of Stock subject to an ISO and the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of stock of any parent or subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) subject to any other incentive stock options of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) that are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, or such other amount as may be prescribed under Section 422 of the Code, such excess shall be treated as Nonstatutory Options in accordance with the Code. As used in the previous sentence, Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the date the ISO is granted. If a Participant shall make any disposition of shares of Stock issued pursuant to an ISO under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to disqualifying dispositions), the Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition within the time provided to do so in the applicable award agreement.

(c) SARs . The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

(i) Right to Payment . An SAR is a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise over (B) the grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee.

(ii) Grant Price . Each Award Agreement evidencing an SAR shall state the grant price per share of Stock established by the Committee; provided , however , that except as provided in Section  6(j) or in Section  8 , the grant price per share of Stock subject to an SAR shall not be less than the greater of (A) the par value per share of the Stock or (B) 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock as of the date of grant of the SAR.

(iii) Method of Exercise and Settlement; Other Terms . The Committee shall determine the form of consideration payable upon settlement, the method by or forms in which Stock (if any) will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR. SARs may be either free-standing or granted in tandem with other Awards. No SAR may be exercisable for a period of more than ten years following the date of grant of the SAR.

(iv) Rights Related to Options . An SAR granted in connection with an Option shall entitle a Participant, upon exercise, to surrender that Option or any portion thereof, to the extent unexercised, and to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying (A) the difference obtained by subtracting the Exercise Price with respect to a share of Stock specified in the related Option from the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR, by (B) the number of shares as to which that SAR has been exercised. The Option shall then cease to be exercisable to the extent surrendered. SARs granted in connection with an Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Award Agreement governing the Option, which shall provide that the SAR is exercisable only at such time or times and only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and shall not be transferable except to the extent that the related Option is transferrable.

 

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(d) Restricted Stock . The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

(i) Restrictions . Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose. Except as provided in Section  7(a)(iii) and Section  7(a)(iv) , during the restricted period applicable to the Restricted Stock, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hedged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered by the Participant.

(ii) Dividends and Splits . As a condition to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may allow a Participant to elect, or may require, that any cash dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock, applied to the purchase of additional Awards or deferred without interest to the date of vesting of the associated Award of Restricted Stock. Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or Stock dividend, and other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.

(e) Restricted Stock Units . The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

(i) Award and Restrictions . Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions (which may include a risk of forfeiture) as the Committee may impose.

(ii) Settlement . Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units shall occur upon vesting or upon expiration of the deferral period specified for such Restricted Stock Units by the Committee (or, if permitted by the Committee, as elected by the Participant). Restricted Stock Units shall be settled by delivery of (A) a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units for which settlement is due, or (B) cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the specified number of shares of Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units for which settlement is due, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee at the date of grant or thereafter.

(f) Stock Awards . The Committee is authorized to grant Stock Awards to Eligible Persons as a bonus, as additional compensation, or in lieu of cash compensation any such Eligible Person is otherwise entitled to receive, in such amounts and subject to such other terms as the Committee in its discretion determines to be appropriate.

(g) Dividend Equivalents . The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to Eligible Persons, entitling any such Eligible Person to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividends or other distributions paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock. Dividend Equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award (other than an Award of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock or a Stock Award). The Committee may provide that Dividend Equivalents may be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles or accrued in a

 

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bookkeeping account without interest, and subject to such restrictions on transferability and risks of forfeiture, as the Committee may specify. With respect to Dividend Equivalents granted in connection with another Award such Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as the Award with respect to which the dividends accrue and shall not be paid unless and until such Award has vested and been earned.

(h) Other Stock-Based Awards . The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Eligible Persons such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of, or the performance of, specified Affiliates of the Company. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Other Stock-Based Awards. Stock delivered pursuant to an Other-Stock Based Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section  6(h) shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, as the Committee shall determine.

(i) Cash Awards . The Committee is authorized to grant Cash Awards, on a free-standing basis or as an element of, a supplement to, or in lieu of any other Award under the Plan to Eligible Persons in such amounts and subject to such other terms as the Committee in its discretion determines to be appropriate.

(j) Substitute Awards; No Repricing . Awards may be granted in substitution or exchange for any other Award granted under the Plan or under another plan of the Company or an Affiliate or any other right of an Eligible Person to receive payment from the Company or an Affiliate. Awards may also be granted under the Plan in substitution for awards held by individuals who become Eligible Persons as a result of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of another entity or the assets of another entity by or with the Company or an Affiliate. Such Substitute Awards referred to in the immediately preceding sentence that are Options or SARs may have an exercise price that is less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of the substitution if such substitution complies with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and other applicable laws and exchange rules. Except as provided in this Section  6(j) or in Section  8 , without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, the terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended to (i) reduce the Exercise Price or grant price of an outstanding Option or SAR, (ii) grant a new Option, SAR or other Award in substitution for, or upon the cancellation of, any previously granted Option or SAR that has the effect of reducing the Exercise Price or grant price thereof, (iii) exchange any Option or SAR for Stock, another Award, cash or other consideration when the Exercise Price or grant price per share of Stock under such Option or SAR exceeds the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock or (iv) take any other action that would be considered a “repricing” of an Option or SAR under the applicable listing standards of the national securities exchange on which the Stock is listed (if any).

 

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7. Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards .

(a) Limit on Transfer of Awards .

(i) Except as provided in Sections 7(a)(iii) and (iv) , each Option and SAR shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or by the person to whom the Participant’s rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  7(a) , an ISO shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

(ii) Except as provided in Sections 7(a)(i) , (iii) and (iv) , no Award and no right under any Award, may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.

(iii) To the extent specifically provided by the Committee, an Award may be transferred by a Participant without consideration to immediate family members or related family trusts, limited partnerships or similar entities or on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish.

(iv) An Award may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order entered or approved by a court of competent jurisdiction upon delivery to the Company of a written request for such transfer and a certified copy of such order.

(b) Form and Timing of Payment under Awards; Deferrals . Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or any of its Affiliates upon the exercise or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine in its discretion, including cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis (which may be required by the Committee or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee); provided , however , that any such deferred or installment payments will be set forth in the Award Agreement. Payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in Stock.

(c) Evidencing Stock . The Stock or other securities of the Company delivered pursuant to an Award may be evidenced in any manner deemed appropriate by the Committee in its sole discretion, including in the form of a certificate issued in the name of the Participant or by book entry, electronic or otherwise, and shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such Stock or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal, state or other laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be inscribed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. Further, if certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Company may retain physical possession of the certificates and may require that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, related to the Restricted Stock.

 

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(d) Consideration for Grants . Awards may be granted for such consideration, including services, as the Committee shall determine, but shall not be granted for less than the minimum lawful consideration.

(e) Additional Agreements . Each Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted under the Plan may be required to agree in writing, as a condition to the grant of such Award or otherwise, to subject an Award that is exercised or settled following such Eligible Person’s termination of employment or service to a general release of claims and/or a noncompetition or other restricted covenant agreement in favor of the Company and its Affiliates, with the terms and conditions of such agreement(s) to be determined in good faith by the Committee.

8. Subdivision or Consolidation; Recapitalization; Change in Control; Reorganization .

(a) Existence of Plans and Awards . The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company, the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Stock or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

(b) Additional Issuances . Except as expressly provided herein, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, including upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case whether or not for fair value, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Stock subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per share of Stock, if applicable.

(c) Subdivision or Consolidation of Shares . The terms of an Award and the share limitations under the Plan shall be subject to adjustment by the Committee from time to time, in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) If at any time, or from time to time, the Company shall subdivide as a whole (by reclassification, by a Stock split, by the issuance of a distribution on Stock payable in Stock, or otherwise) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding into a greater number of shares of Stock, then, as appropriate (A) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery with respect to Awards and applicable limitations with respect to Awards provided in Section  4 and Section  5 (other than cash limits) shall be increased proportionately, and the kind of shares or other securities available for the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, (B) the number of shares of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) that may be acquired under any then outstanding Award shall be increased proportionately, and (C) the price (including the Exercise Price or grant price) for each share of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) subject to then outstanding Awards shall be reduced proportionately, without changing the aggregate purchase price or value as to which outstanding Awards remain exercisable or subject to restrictions.

 

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(ii) If at any time, or from time to time, the Company shall consolidate as a whole (by reclassification, by reverse Stock split, or otherwise) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding into a lesser number of shares of Stock, then, as appropriate (A) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery with respect to Awards and applicable limitations with respect to Awards provided in Section  4 and Section  5 (other than cash limits) shall be decreased proportionately, and the kind of shares or other securities available for the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, (B) the number of shares of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) that may be acquired under any then outstanding Award shall be decreased proportionately, and (C) the price (including the Exercise Price or grant price) for each share of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) subject to then outstanding Awards shall be increased proportionately, without changing the aggregate purchase price or value as to which outstanding Awards remain exercisable or subject to restrictions.

(d) Recapitalization . In the event of any change in the capital structure or business of the Company or other corporate transaction or event that would be considered an “equity restructuring” within the meaning of ASC Topic 718 and, in each case, that would result in an additional compensation expense to the Company pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 718, if adjustments to Awards with respect to such event were discretionary or otherwise not required (each such an event, an “ Adjustment Event ”), then the Committee shall equitably adjust (i) the aggregate number or kind of shares that thereafter may be delivered under the Plan, (ii) the number or kind of shares or other property (including cash) subject to an Award, (iii) the terms and conditions of Awards, including the purchase price or Exercise Price of Awards and performance goals, as applicable, and (iv) the applicable limitations with respect to Awards provided in Section  4 and Section  5 (other than cash limits) to equitably reflect such Adjustment Event (“ Equitable Adjustments ”). In the event of any change in the capital structure or business of the Company or other corporate transaction or event that would not be considered an Adjustment Event, and is not otherwise addressed in this Section  8 , the Committee shall have complete discretion to make Equitable Adjustments (if any) in such manner as it deems appropriate with respect to such other event.

(e) Change in Control and Other Events . Except to the extent otherwise provided in any applicable Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control or other changes in the Company or the outstanding Stock by reason of a recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange or other relevant change occurring after the date of the grant of any Award, the Committee, acting in its sole discretion without the consent or approval of any holder, may exercise any power enumerated in Section  3 (including the power to accelerate vesting, waive any forfeiture conditions or otherwise modify or adjust any other condition or limitation regarding an Award) and may also effect one or more of the following alternatives, which may vary among individual holders and which may vary among Awards held by any individual holder:

(i) accelerate the time of exercisability of an Award so that such Award may be exercised in full or in part for a limited period of time on or before a date specified by the Committee, after which specified date all unexercised Awards and all rights of holders thereunder shall terminate;

 

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(ii) redeem in whole or in part outstanding Awards by requiring the mandatory surrender to the Company by selected holders of some or all of the outstanding Awards held by such holders (irrespective of whether such Awards are then vested or exercisable) as of a date, specified by the Committee, in which event the Committee shall thereupon cancel such Awards and pay to each holder an amount of cash or other consideration per Award (other than a Dividend Equivalent or Cash Award, which the Committee may separately require to be surrendered in exchange for cash or other consideration determined by the Committee in its discretion) equal to the Change in Control Price, less the Exercise Price with respect to an Option and less the grant price with respect to a SAR, as applicable to such Awards; provided , however , that to the extent the Exercise Price of an Option or the grant price of an SAR exceeds the Change in Control Price, such Award may be cancelled for no consideration; or

(iii) make such adjustments to Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such Change in Control or other such event (including the substitution, assumption, or continuation of Awards by the successor company or a parent or subsidiary thereof);

provided , however , that Awards subject to performance conditions shall be treated as provided in the applicable Award Agreement; provided , further , that so long as the event is not an Adjustment Event, the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that no adjustment is necessary to Awards then outstanding. If an Adjustment Event occurs, this Section  8(e) shall only apply to the extent it is not in conflict with Section  8(d) .

9. General Provisions .

(a) Tax Withholding . The Company and any of its Affiliates are authorized to withhold from any Award granted, or any payment relating to an Award, including from a distribution of Stock, taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company, its Affiliates and Participants to satisfy the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award in such amounts as may be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the form of payment acceptable for such tax withholding obligations, including the delivery of cash or cash equivalents, Stock (including previously owned shares, net settlement, a broker-assisted sale, or other cashless withholding or reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable or delivered pursuant to the Award), other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate. Any determination made by the Committee to allow a Participant who is subject to Rule 16b-3 to pay taxes with shares of Stock through net settlement or previously owned shares shall be approved by either a committee made up of solely two or more Qualified Members or the full Board. If such tax withholding amounts are satisfied through net settlement or previously owned shares, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be so withheld or surrendered shall be the number of shares of Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or surrender equal to the aggregate amount of such tax liabilities determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, foreign and/or local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment for the Company with respect to such Award, as determined by the Committee.

 

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(b) Limitation on Rights Conferred under Plan . Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ or service of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s employment or service relationship at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and/or employees and/or other service providers, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until the Participant is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance with the terms of an Award.

(c) Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction . All questions arising with respect to the provisions of the Plan and Awards shall be determined by application of the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof, except to the extent Delaware law is preempted by federal law. The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Stock hereunder is subject to applicable federal and state laws and to the approval of any governmental authority required in connection with the authorization, issuance, sale, or delivery of such Stock. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under the Plan, the Company and each Participant who accepts an Award hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts located in Delaware.

(d) Severability and Reformation . If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable law or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect. If any of the terms or provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (as those terms or provisions are applied to Eligible Persons who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act) or Section 422 of the Code (with respect to ISOs), then those conflicting terms or provisions shall be deemed inoperative to the extent they so conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (unless the Board or the Committee, as appropriate, has expressly determined that the Plan or such Award should not comply with Rule 16b-3) or Section 422 of the Code, in each case, only to the extent Rule 16b-3 and such sections of the Code are applicable. With respect to ISOs, if the Plan does not contain any provision required to be included herein under Section 422 of the Code, that provision shall be deemed to be incorporated herein with the same force and effect as if that provision had been set out at length herein; provided , further, that, to the extent any Option that is intended to qualify as an ISO cannot so qualify, that Option (to that extent) shall be deemed a Nonstatutory Option for all purposes of the Plan.

(e) Unfunded Status of Awards; No Trust or Fund Created . The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for certain incentive awards. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or such Affiliate.

 

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(f) Nonexclusivity of the Plan . Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any of its Affiliates from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Award made under the Plan. No employee, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against the Company or any of its Affiliates as a result of any such action.

(g) Fractional Shares . No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional shares of Stock or whether such fractional shares of Stock or any rights thereto shall be cancelled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated with or without consideration.

(h) Interpretation . Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof. Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, and, where appropriate, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of an Award Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation”, “but not limited to”, or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. References herein to any agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and not prohibited by the Plan.

(i) Facility of Payment . Any amounts payable hereunder to any individual under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to manage properly his financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such individual, or may be applied for the benefit of such individual in any manner that the Committee may select, and the Company shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.

(j) Conditions to Delivery of Stock . Nothing herein or in any Award Agreement shall require the Company to issue any shares with respect to any Award if that issuance would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, constitute a violation of the Securities Act, any other applicable statute or regulation, or the rules of any applicable securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect. In addition, each Participant who receives an Award under the Plan shall not sell or otherwise dispose of Stock that is acquired upon grant, exercise or

 

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vesting of an Award in any manner that would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws, the Plan or the rules, regulations or other requirements of the SEC or any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed. At the time of any exercise of an Option or SAR, or at the time of any grant of any other Award, the Company may, as a condition precedent to the exercise of such Option or SAR or settlement of any other Award, require from the Participant (or in the event of his or her death, his or her legal representatives, heirs, legatees, or distributees) such written representations, if any, concerning the holder’s intentions with regard to the retention or disposition of the shares of Stock being acquired pursuant to the Award and such written covenants and agreements, if any, as to the manner of disposal of such shares as, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, may be necessary to ensure that any disposition by that holder (or in the event of the holder’s death, his or her legal representatives, heirs, legatees, or distributees) will not involve a violation of the Securities Act, any other applicable state or federal statute or regulation, or any rule of any applicable securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect. Stock or other securities shall not be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement (including any Exercise Price, grant price, or tax withholding) is received by the Company.

(k) Section 409A of the Code . It is the general intention, but not the obligation, of the Committee to design Awards to comply with or to be exempt from the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, and Awards will be operated and construed accordingly. Neither this Section  9(k) nor any other provision of the Plan is or contains a representation to any Participant regarding the tax consequences of the grant, vesting, exercise, settlement, or sale of any Award (or the Stock underlying such Award) granted hereunder, and should not be interpreted as such. In no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event that a “specified employee” (as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules) becomes entitled to a payment under an Award that would be subject to additional taxes and interest under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules if the Participant’s receipt of such payment or benefits is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the date that is six months after the Participant’s “separation from service,” as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules (such date, the “ Section  409A Payment Date ”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to the Participant until the Section 409A Payment Date. Any amounts subject to the preceding sentence that would otherwise be payable prior to the Section 409A Payment Date will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum without interest on the Section 409A Payment Date. The applicable provisions of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules are hereby incorporated by reference and shall control over any Plan or Award Agreement provision in conflict therewith.

(l) Clawback . The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder are subject to any written clawback policies that the Company, with the approval of the Board or an authorized committee thereof, may adopt either prior to or following the Effective Date, including any policy adopted to conform to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and rules promulgated thereunder by the SEC and that the Company determines should apply to Awards. Any such policy may subject a Participant’s Awards and amounts paid or realized with respect to Awards to reduction, cancelation, forfeiture or recoupment if certain specified events or wrongful conduct occur, including an accounting restatement due to the Company’s material noncompliance with financial reporting regulations or other events or wrongful conduct specified in any such clawback policy.

 

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(m) Status under ERISA . The Plan shall not constitute an “employee benefit plan” for purposes of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

(n) Plan Effective Date and Term . The Plan was adopted by the Board to be effective on the Effective Date. No Awards may be granted under the Plan on and after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, which is July 17, 2018. However, any Award granted prior to such termination (or any earlier termination pursuant to Section  10 ), and the authority of the Board or Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan, shall extend beyond such termination until the final disposition of such Award.

10. Amendments to the Plan and Awards. The Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award or Award Agreement, the Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards without the consent of stockholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration to the Plan, including any increase in any share limitation, shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders not later than the annual meeting next following such Committee action if such stockholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock may then be listed or quoted, and the Committee may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other changes to the Plan to stockholders for approval; provided , that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award. For purposes of clarity, any adjustments made to Awards pursuant to Section  8 will be deemed not to materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award and therefore may be made without the consent of affected Participants.

 

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Exhibit 10.7

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION

LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”), Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (the “ Company ”) hereby grants to the individual listed below (“you” or the “Participant”) the number of Restricted Stock Units (“ RSUs ”) set forth below in this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (this “ Grant Notice ”). This award of RSUs (this “ Award ”) is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Agreement ”) and the Plan attached hereto as Exhibit B , each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

 

Participant:                                                 
Date of Grant:                         (“ Date of Grant ”)
Total Number of Restricted Stock Units:   
Vesting Commencement Date:                         (“ Vesting Commencement Date ”)
Vesting Schedule:   

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Plan and the other terms and conditions set forth herein, the RSUs shall vest according to the following schedule:

 

1/3 rd of the outstanding RSUs on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date

1/3 rd of the outstanding RSUs on the second anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date

1/3 rd of the outstanding RSUs on the third anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date

 

except as provided below, so long as you remain continuously employed or engaged by the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, from the Date of Grant through each such vesting date.

 

In the event of the termination of your employment or service by the Company without Cause or your resignation for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control, the RSUs will vest in full. In the event that the successor company or a parent or subsidiary thereof does not assume the awards upon a Change in Control, the RSUs will vest in full upon the Change in Control.


Cause ” means (i) if the Participant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company and such agreement includes a definition of “cause,” the definition contained therein; or (ii) if no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define “cause” or a similar term, (a) the Participant’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or the Participant’s breach of any policy or code of conduct established by the Company or an Affiliate and applicable to the Participant; (b) the commission of an act of gross negligence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, theft or embezzlement on the part of the Participant; (c) the commission by the Participant of, or conviction or indictment of the Participant for, or plea of nolo contendere by the Participant to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude; or (d) the Participant’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to disability, to perform the Participant’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement or any employment agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, or to follow any lawful directive from the Company or any Affiliate, as determined by the Company; provided, however, that if the Participant’s actions or omissions as set forth in this clause (d) are of such a nature that the Company determines they are curable by the Participant, such actions or omissions must remain uncured 30 days after the Company has provided the Participant written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

Good Reason ” means the Participant’s resignation within 90 days after any of the following events, unless the Participant consents to the applicable event: (i) a material decrease in the Participant’s base salary, other than a reduction in annual base salary of less than 10% that is implemented in connection with a contemporaneous reduction in annual base salaries affecting other senior executives of the Company; (ii) a material decrease in (a) the Participant’s then-current title or position, or (b) authority or areas of responsibility as are commensurate with the Participant’s then-current title or position; (iii) a relocation of the Participant’s principal work location to a location more than 50 miles from the Participant’s then-current principal location of employment; or (iv) a material breach by the Company or any Affiliate of this Agreement or any material agreement between the Participant, the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any assertion by the Participant of a termination for Good Reason will not be effective unless and until the Participant has: (x) provided the Company or any Affiliate, within 60 days of the Participant’s knowledge of the occurrence of the facts and circumstances underlying the Good Reason event, written notice stating with specificity the applicable facts and circumstances underlying such Good Reason event; and (y) provided the Company or any of its subsidiaries with an opportunity to cure the same within 30 days after the receipt of such notice.

By clicking to accept, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice. You acknowledge that you have reviewed in their entirety and fully understand all provisions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice. You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions or determinations arising under the Agreement, the Plan or this Grant Notice.

In lieu of receiving documents in paper format, you agree, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to accept electronic delivery of any documents that the Company may be required to deliver (including, but not limited to, prospectuses, prospectus supplements, account statements, annual and quarterly reports and all other forms of communications) in connection with this Award. Electronic delivery may be via a Company electronic mail system or by reference to a location on a Company intranet to which you have access. You hereby consent to all procedures the Company has established or may establish for an electronic signature system for delivery and acceptance of any such documents.

 

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You acknowledge and agree that clicking to accept this Award constitutes your electronic signature and is intended to have the same force and effect as your manual signature.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has caused this Grant Notice to be executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION
By:  
Title:  
Name:  

 

Signature Page


EXHIBIT A

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

This Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (together with the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached, this “ Agreement ”) is made as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “ Date of Grant ”) by and between Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [            ] (the “ Participant ”). Capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice.

1. Award . For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, effective as of the Date of Grant, the Company hereby grants to the Participant the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice on the terms and conditions set forth in such notice, this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. To the extent vested, each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Stock, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan. Unless and until the RSUs have become vested in the manner set forth in the Grant Notice, the Participant will have no right to receive any Stock or other payments in respect of the RSUs. Prior to settlement of this Award, the RSUs and this Award represent an unsecured obligation of the Company.

2. Vesting of RSUs .

(a) The RSUs shall vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice. Unless and until the RSUs have vested in accordance with such vesting schedule, the Participant will have no right to receive any dividends or other distributions with respect to the RSUs. Except in the event of a qualifying termination of employment as set forth in the Grant Notice, in the event of the termination of the Participant’s employment or engagement prior to the vesting of all of the RSUs, all unvested RSUs (and all rights arising from such RSUs and from being a holder thereof) will terminate automatically without any further action by the Company and will be forfeited without consideration or notice. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event the Participant becomes a member of the Board, the Participant will be considered to have remained continuously employed or engaged by the Company provided that the resignation of the Participant’s employment is effective as of the date the Participant becomes a member of the Board.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, in the event of any inconsistency between this Section  2 and any written employment agreement entered into by and between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, the terms of such employment agreement shall control.

3. Dividend Equivalents . In the event that the Company declares and pays a dividend in respect of its outstanding shares of Stock and, on the record date for such dividend, the Participant holds RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement that have not been settled, the Company shall record the amount of such dividend in a bookkeeping account and pay to the Participant an amount in cash equal to the cash dividends the Participant would have received if the Participant was the holder of record, as of such record date, of the number of shares of Stock related to the portion of the Participant’s RSUs that have not been settled as of such record date,

 

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such payment to be made on or within 60 days following the date on which such RSUs vest in accordance with Section  2 . For purposes of clarity, if the RSUs (or any portion thereof) are forfeited by the Participant pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, then the Participant shall also forfeit the Dividend Equivalents, if any, accrued with respect to such forfeited RSUs. No interest will accrue on the Dividend Equivalents between the declaration and payment of the applicable dividends and the settlement of the Dividend Equivalents.

4. Settlement of RSUs . As soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of RSUs pursuant to Section  2 , but in no event later than 60 days after such vesting date, the Company shall deliver to the Participant a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of RSUs that become vested as of such vesting date. All shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be delivered either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares to the Participant or by entering such shares in book-entry form, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. In the event the Participant would otherwise become vested in a fractional portion of an RSU (a “ Fractional RSU ”) based on the vesting terms set forth in Section  2 , the Fractional RSU shall instead remain unvested until the final vesting date provided in the Grant Notice; provided, however , that if the Participant would otherwise vest in a subsequent Fractional RSU prior to the final vesting date for the RSUs and such Fractional RSU taken together with a previous Fractional RSU that remained unvested would equal a whole RSU, then such Fractional RSUs shall vest to the extent they equal a whole RSU. Upon the final vesting date, the value of any Fractional RSUs shall be rounded up to the nearest whole RSU.

5. Tax Withholding . To the extent that the receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award results in compensation income or wages to the Participant for federal, state, local and/or foreign tax purposes, the Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to this Award, which arrangements include the delivery of cash or cash equivalents or, if permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion, Stock, other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate. If such tax obligations are satisfied through net settlement or the surrender of previously owned Stock, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be so withheld (or surrendered) shall be determined by the Committee and subject to any applicable Company policy that may be in effect from time to time, without creating adverse accounting treatment for the Company with respect to this Award, as determined by the Committee. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award or disposition of the underlying shares and that the Participant has been advised, and hereby is advised, to consult a tax advisor. The Participant represents that the Participant is in no manner relying on the Board, the Committee, the Company or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives for tax advice or an assessment of such tax consequences.

6. Non-Transferability . None of the RSUs, the Dividend Equivalents or any interest or right therein may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed. Neither the RSUs nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means, whether such disposition be

 

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voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect against the Company and its Affiliates, except to the extent that such disposition is expressly permitted by the preceding sentence.

7. Compliance with Applicable Law . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of shares of Stock hereunder will be subject to compliance with all requirements of applicable law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. No shares of Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable law or regulation or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, shares of Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at the time of such issuance with respect to the shares to be issued, (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares to be issued are permitted to be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or (c) the Company has attained from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the requisite authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Stock hereunder. As a condition to any issuance of Stock hereunder, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any requirements that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect to such compliance.

8. Rights as a Stockholder . The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Stock that may become deliverable hereunder unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares of Stock, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares of Stock, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.

9. Execution of Receipts and Releases . Any issuance or transfer of shares of Stock or other property to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee, in accordance with this Agreement shall be in full satisfaction of all claims of such person hereunder. As a condition precedent to such payment or issuance, the Company may require the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee to execute (and not revoke within any time provided to do so) a release and receipt therefor in such form as it shall determine appropriate; provided, however, that any review period under such release will not modify the date of settlement with respect to vested RSUs.

10. No Right to Continued Employment or Awards . Nothing in the adoption of the Plan, nor the award of the RSUs thereunder pursuant to the Grant Notice and this Agreement, shall confer upon the Participant the right to continued employment by the Company or any Affiliate, or any other entity, or affect in any way the right of the Company or any such Affiliate, or any other entity to terminate such employment at any time. The grant of the RSUs is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive a grant of Awards or benefits in lieu of Awards in the future.

 

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11. Agreement to Furnish Information . The Participant agrees to furnish to the Company all information requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation.

12. Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement, the Grant Notice and the Plan constitute the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the RSUs granted hereby; provided ¸ however , that the terms of this Agreement shall not modify and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any employment, consulting and/or severance agreement between the Company (or an Affiliate or other entity) and the Participant in effect as of the date a determination is to be made under this Agreement. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, except as provided therein, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement from time to time in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan.

13. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of law principles thereof.

14. Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the person(s) to whom this Award may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

15. Clawback . Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Grant Notice or the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required by (a) applicable law and/or (b) any policy that may be adopted or amended by the Board from time to time, all shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture, repurchase, recoupment and/or cancellation to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s) and/or policy.

16. Severability . If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement (or any portion thereof) is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision (or portion thereof) shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

17. Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Plan to the contrary, the RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement are intended to be exempt from the applicable requirements of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Affiliates make no representations that the RSUs provided under this Agreement are exempt from or compliant with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and in no event shall the Company or any Affiliate be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules. The Participant’s employment shall terminate on the date that he or she experiences a “separation from service” as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.

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EXHIBIT B

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

[SEE ATTACHED]

 

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Exhibit 10.8

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION

LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Magnolia Oil and Gas Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”), Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (the “ Company ”) hereby grants to the individual listed below (“ you ” or the “ Participant ”) the number of Performance Share Units (“ PSUs ”) set forth below in this Performance Share Unit Grant Notice (this “ Grant Notice ”). This award of PSUs (this “ Award ”) is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, in the Performance Share Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit  A (the “ Agreement ”), the Performance Share Unit Vesting Criteria and Methodology attached hereto as Exhibit  B and the Plan attached hereto as Exhibit  C , each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

 

Participant:                                                 
Date of Grant:                        
Grant Date Number of Performance Share Units:                         (“ Grant Date Number of PSUs ”)
Vesting Schedule:    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Plan and the other terms and conditions set forth herein, a portion of the Grant Date Number of PSUs are eligible to vest and become earned, and Stock may become issuable with respect to the PSUs under the circumstances enumerated in Exhibit B . The portion of the Grant Date Number PSUs actually earned upon satisfaction of the foregoing requirements is referred to herein as the “ Earned PSUs .” The period over which the Company’s performance will be measured for purposes of applying the methodology set forth in Exhibit B shall be from [                    ] to [                    ] (the “ Performance Period ”). Except as described below, in order to be eligible to receive any Earned PSUs, the performance goals as set forth in Exhibit B must be satisfied, and you must remain actively employed or continue to provide services throughout the Performance Period and up until the settlement date of the PSUs which shall follow the conclusion of the Performance Period. In the event of the termination of your employment or service by the Company other than as described below, at any time during the Performance Period or before settlement of the PSUs, all PSUs (and all rights arising from such PSUs and from being a holder thereof) will terminate automatically without any further action by the Company and will be forfeited without consideration or notice.


Treatment upon a Change in Control    Upon a Change in Control, the PSUs will cease to be subject to performance goals set forth in Exhibit B and a number of PSUs equal to the greater of (i) the Grant Date Number of PSUs earned upon achievement of the Target Level or (ii) the percentage of the Grant Date Number of PSUs that are deemed to have been earned upon the Change in Control based on actual performance as determined by the Committee (and, in each case, all rights arising from such PSUs and from being a holder thereof) will remaining outstanding and vest subject to your continued employment or service through the end of the Performance Period (“ Converted PSUs ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the successor company or a parent or subsidiary thereof does not assume the awards, the Converted PSUs will vest in full upon the Change in Control.
Vesting upon Certain Terminations following a Change in Control    In the event of the termination of your employment or service by the Company without Cause (as defined below) or upon your resignation for Good Reason (as defined below) within 12 months following a Change in Control, the Converted PSUs will vest in full upon such termination.
Vesting upon Certain Terminations on or after [                    ]    In the event of the termination of your employment or service by the Company other than for Cause on or after [                    ], you shall be eligible to earn a pro-rata portion of the PSUs, which shall be calculated as the product of (i) (a) the number of complete months that have elapsed since [                    ] divided by (b) 36 multiplied by (ii) the percentage of the Grant Number of PSUs that are deemed to have been earned at the conclusion of the Performance Period as determined by the Committee, and the pro-rata Earned PSUs (and all rights arising from such PSUs and from being a holder thereof) will be distributed at the same time as for then employed participants.

Cause ” means (i) if the Participant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company and such agreement includes a definition of “cause,” the definition contained therein; or (ii) if no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define “cause” or a similar term, (a) the Participant’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or the Participant’s breach of any policy or code of conduct established by the Company or an Affiliate and applicable to the Participant; (b) the commission of an act of gross negligence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, theft or embezzlement on the part of the Participant; (c) the commission by the Participant of, or conviction or indictment of the Participant for, or plea of nolo contendere by the Participant to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude; or (d) the Participant’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to disability, to perform the Participant’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement or any employment agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, or to follow any lawful directive from the Company or any Affiliate, as determined by the Company; provided, however, that if the Participant’s actions or omissions as set

 

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forth in this clause (d) are of such a nature that the Company determines they are curable by the Participant, such actions or omissions must remain uncured 30 days after the Company has provided the Participant written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

Good Reason ” means the Participant’s resignation within 90 days after any of the following events, unless the Participant consents to the applicable event: (i) a material decrease in the Participant’s base salary, other than a reduction in annual base salary of less than 10% that is implemented in connection with a contemporaneous reduction in annual base salaries affecting other senior executives of the Company; (ii) a material decrease in (a) the Participant’s then-current title or position, or (b) authority or areas of responsibility as are commensurate with the Participant’s then-current title or position; (iii) a relocation of the Participant’s principal work location to a location more than 50 miles from the Participant’s then-current principal location of employment; or (iv) a material breach by the Company or any Affiliate of this Agreement or any material agreement between the Participant, the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any assertion by the Participant of a termination for Good Reason will not be effective unless and until the Participant has: (x) provided the Company or any Affiliate, within 60 days of the Participant’s knowledge of the occurrence of the facts and circumstances underlying the Good Reason event, written notice stating with specificity the applicable facts and circumstances underlying such Good Reason event; and (y) provided the Company or any of its subsidiaries with an opportunity to cure the same within 30 days after the receipt of such notice.

By clicking to accept, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice. You acknowledge that you have reviewed in their entirety and fully understand all provisions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice. You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions or determinations arising under the Agreement, the Plan or this Grant Notice.

In lieu of receiving documents in paper format, you agree, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to accept electronic delivery of any documents that the Company may be required to deliver (including, but not limited to, prospectuses, prospectus supplements, account statements, annual and quarterly reports and all other forms of communications) in connection with this Award. Electronic delivery may be via a Company electronic mail system or by reference to a location on a Company intranet to which you have access. You hereby consent to all procedures the Company has established or may establish for an electronic signature system for delivery and acceptance of any such documents.

You acknowledge and agree that clicking to accept this Award constitutes your electronic signature and is intended to have the same force and effect as your manual signature.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank;

Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Grant Notice to be executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION
By:  

                                                                       

Title:  

 

Name:  

 

Signature Page


EXHIBIT A

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

This Performance Share Unit Agreement (together with the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached, this “ Agreement ”) is made as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “ Date of Grant ”) by and between Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [                    ] (the “ Participant ”). Capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice.

1. Award . For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, effective as of the Date of Grant, the Company hereby grants to the Participant the Grant Date Number of PSUs set forth in the Grant Notice on the terms and conditions set forth in such notice, this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. The PSUs are Other Stock-Based Awards granted pursuant to Section 6(h) of the Plan. To the extent earned, each PSU represents the right to receive one share of Stock, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan; provided, however, that, depending on the level of performance attained with respect to the applicable performance criteria, the number of shares of Stock that may be earned hereunder in respect of this Award may range from 0% to 150% of the Grant Date Number of PSUs. Unless and until the PSUs have become Earned PSUs in the manner set forth in the Grant Notice, the Participant will have no right to receive any Stock or other payments in respect of the PSUs. Prior to settlement of this Award, the PSUs and this Award represent an unsecured obligation of the Company.

2. Vesting of PSUs .

(a) The PSUs shall vest and become Earned PSUs in accordance with the vesting schedule and based on the level of performance attainment with respect to the applicable performance criteria set forth in the Grant Notice, which shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the conclusion of the Performance Period (and any PSUs that do not become Earned PSUs at the end of the Performance Period shall be automatically forfeited). Except as set forth in the Grant Notice, unless and until the PSUs have become Earned PSUs in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Participant will have no right to receive any dividends or other distributions with respect to the PSUs. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event the Participant becomes a member of the Board, the Participant will be considered to have remained continuously employed or engaged by the Company provided that the resignation of the Participant’s employment is effective as of the date the Participant becomes a member of the Board.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, in the event of any inconsistency between this Section  2 and any written employment agreement entered into by and between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, the terms of such employment agreement shall control.

3. Dividend Equivalents . In the event that the Company declares and pays a dividend in respect of its outstanding shares of Stock and, on the record date for such dividend, the Participant holds PSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement that have not been settled, the Company shall record the amount of such dividend in a bookkeeping account and pay to the Participant an

 

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amount in cash equal to the cash dividends the Participant would have received if the Participant was the holder of record, as of such record date, of one share of Stock multiplied by the number of PSUs settled on the date such PSUs vest and become earned. Such payment will be made on or within 60 days following the date on which such PSUs vest and become earned in accordance with Section  2 . No interest will accrue on the Dividend Equivalents between the declaration and payment of the applicable dividends and the settlement of the Dividend Equivalents.

4. Settlement of PSUs . As soon as administratively practicable following the Committee’s certification of the level of attainment of the performance criteria applicable to the PSUs for the Performance Period, and subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service through such date, but in no event later than 60 days following the end of the Performance Period, the Company shall deliver to the Participant a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of PSUs that become Earned PSUs as of such date. All shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be delivered either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares to the Participant or by entering such shares in book-entry form, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Upon the final vesting date, the value of any Fractional PSUs shall be rounded up to the nearest whole PSU.

5. Tax Withholding . To the extent that the receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award results in compensation income or wages to the Participant for federal, state, local and/or foreign tax purposes, the Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to this Award, which arrangements include the delivery of cash or cash equivalents or, if permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion, Stock, other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate. If such tax obligations are satisfied through net settlement or the surrender of previously owned Stock, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be so withheld (or surrendered) shall be determined by the Committee and subject to any applicable Company policy that may be in effect from time to time, without creating adverse accounting treatment for the Company with respect to this Award, as determined by the Committee. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award or disposition of the underlying shares and that the Participant has been advised, and hereby is advised, to consult a tax advisor. The Participant represents that the Participant is in no manner relying on the Board, the Committee, the Company or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives for tax advice or an assessment of such tax consequences.

6. Non-Transferability . None of the PSUs, the Dividend Equivalents or any interest or right therein may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the shares of Stock underlying the PSUs have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed. Neither the PSUs nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means, whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect against the Company and its Affiliates, except to the extent that such disposition is expressly permitted by the preceding sentence.

 

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7. Compliance with Applicable Law . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of shares of Stock hereunder will be subject to compliance with all requirements of applicable law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. No shares of Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable law or regulation or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, shares of Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at the time of such issuance with respect to the shares to be issued, (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares to be issued are permitted to be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or (c) the Company has attained from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the requisite authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Stock hereunder. As a condition to any issuance of Stock hereunder, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any requirements that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect to such compliance.

8. Rights as a Stockholder . The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Stock that may become deliverable hereunder unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares of Stock, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares of Stock, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.

9. Execution of Receipts and Releases . Any issuance or transfer of shares of Stock or other property to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee, in accordance with this Agreement shall be in full satisfaction of all claims of such person hereunder. As a condition precedent to such payment or issuance, the Company may require the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee to execute (and not revoke within any time provided to do so) a release and receipt therefor in such form as it shall determine appropriate; provided , however , that any review period under such release will not modify the date of settlement with respect to Earned PSUs.

10. No Right to Continued Employment or Awards . Nothing in the adoption of the Plan, nor the award of the PSUs thereunder pursuant to the Grant Notice and this Agreement, shall confer upon the Participant the right to continued employment by the Company or any Affiliate, or any other entity, or affect in any way the right of the Company or any such Affiliate, or any other entity to terminate such employment at any time. The grant of the PSUs is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive a grant of Awards or benefits in lieu of Awards in the future.

11. Agreement to Furnish Information . The Participant agrees to furnish to the Company all information requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation.

 

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12. Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement, the Grant Notice and the Plan constitute the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the PSUs granted hereby; provided ¸ however , that the terms of this Agreement shall not modify and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any employment, consulting and/or severance agreement between the Company (or an Affiliate or other entity) and the Participant in effect as of the date a determination is to be made under this Agreement. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, except as provided therein, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement from time to time in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan.

13. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of law principles thereof.

14. Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the person(s) to whom this Award may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

15. Clawback . Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Grant Notice or the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required by (a) applicable law and/or (b) any policy that may be adopted or amended by the Board from time to time, all shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture, repurchase, recoupment and/or cancellation to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s) and/or policy.

16. Severability . If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement (or any portion thereof) is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision (or portion thereof) shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

17. Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Plan to the contrary, the PSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement are intended to be exempt from the applicable requirements of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Affiliates make no representations that the PSUs provided under this Agreement are exempt from or compliant with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and in no event shall the Company or any Affiliate be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules. The Participant’s employment shall terminate on the date that he or she experiences a “separation from service” as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.

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EXHIBIT B

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT VESTING CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGY

This Exhibit  B to the Grant Notice contains the performance requirements and methodology applicable to the PSUs. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Agreement and the Grant Notice, the percentage of the Grant Date Number of PSUs, if any, that become Earned PSUs at the conclusion of the Performance Period, subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service through the end of the Performance Period, will be determined in accordance with this Exhibit  B . Capitalized terms used but not defined herein or in the Grant Notice shall have the same meaning assigned to them in the Agreement or the Plan.

 

Performance Criteria

    

Percentage of the Grant Date Number of PSUs that become Earned PSUs

For 10 days within any period of 20 consecutive trading days the closing price is equal to or greater than $12.00 (“ Threshold Level ”)      50%
For 15 days within any period of 20 consecutive trading days the closing price is equal to or greater than $13.00 (“ Target Level ”)      100%
For 20 consecutive trading days the closing price is equal to or greater than $14.00 (“ Maximum Level ”)      150%

If for 10 days within any period of 20 consecutive trading days the closing price is greater than $12.00, but less than $13.00, the percentage of the Grant Date Number of PSUs that become Earned PSUs will be determined using linear interpolation.

If for 15 days within any period of 20 consecutive trading days the closing price is greater than $13.00, but less than $14.00, the percentage of the Grant Date Number of PSUs that become Earned PSUs will be determined using linear interpolation.

Upon a Change in Control, the PSUs will cease to be subject to performance goals set forth in this Exhibit B and a number of PSUs equal to the greater of (i) the Grant Date Number of PSUs earned upon achievement of the Target Level or (ii) the percentage of the Grant Date Number of PSUs that are deemed to have been earned upon the Change in Control based on actual performance as determined by the Committee (and, in each case, all rights arising from such PSUs and from being a holder thereof) will remaining outstanding and vest subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service through the end of the Performance Period, unless earlier vested and settled in the event of a qualifying termination of employment following such Change in Control as set forth in the Grant Notice.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

[SEE ATTACHED]

 

C-1

Exhibit 10.9

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION

LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”), Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (the “ Company ”) hereby grants to the individual listed below (“you” or the “Participant”) the number of Restricted Stock Units (“ RSUs ”) set forth below in this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (this “ Grant Notice ”). This award of RSUs (this “ Award ”) is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Agreement ”), the Plan attached hereto as Exhibit B and the Initial Grant Settlement Election Form, attached as Exhibit C (the “ Settlement Election Form ”), each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

 

Participant:                                                             
Date of Grant:                                        
Total Number of Restricted Stock Units:                                        
Vesting Commencement Date:                                          (“ Vesting Commencement Date ”)
Vesting Schedule:    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Plan and the other terms and conditions set forth herein, the RSUs shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date so long as you remain a director or service provider to the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, from the Date of Grant through the vesting date. In the event that in connection with or following a Change in Control, you no longer serve as a director or a service provider to the Company, the RSUs will vest upon such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in accordance with of Section 7(b) the Plan, you may elect to defer settlement of the RSUs until you are no longer a director or service provider to the Company or an Affiliate or a Change in Control. Any deferral election must be made in compliance with such rules and procedures as the Committee deems advisable.
Settlement Event    Stock will become issuable and Dividend Equivalents payable on the date elected by you on a timely submitted Settlement Election Form or, if no such form is timely submitted by you, then on the date of vesting of the Restricted Stock Units (such date or event, a “ Settlement Event ”). Absent a provision in the Agreement or the Plan to the contrary, Stock and Dividend Equivalents with respect to vested Restricted Stock Units will be delivered to you no later than 60 days following the applicable Settlement Event.


By clicking to accept, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice. You acknowledge that you have reviewed in their entirety and fully understand all provisions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice. You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions or determinations arising under the Agreement, the Plan or this Grant Notice.

In lieu of receiving documents in paper format, you agree, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to accept electronic delivery of any documents that the Company may be required to deliver (including, but not limited to, prospectuses, prospectus supplements, account statements, annual and quarterly reports and all other forms of communications) in connection with this Award. Electronic delivery may be via a Company electronic mail system or by reference to a location on a Company intranet to which you have access. You hereby consent to all procedures the Company has established or may establish for an electronic signature system for delivery and acceptance of any such documents.

You acknowledge and agree that clicking to accept this Award constitutes your electronic signature and is intended to have the same force and effect as your manual signature.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank; Signature Page Follows]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has caused this Grant Notice to be executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION
By:
Title:
Name:

 

 

Signature Page


EXHIBIT A

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

This Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (together with the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached, this “ Agreement ”) is made as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “ Date of Grant ”) by and between Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [                ] (the “ Participant ”). Capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice.

1. Award . For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, effective as of the Date of Grant, the Company hereby grants to the Participant the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice on the terms and conditions set forth in such notice, this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. To the extent vested, each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Stock, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan. Unless and until the RSUs have become vested in the manner set forth in the Grant Notice, the Participant will have no right to receive any Stock or other payments in respect of the RSUs. Prior to settlement of this Award, the RSUs and this Award represent an unsecured obligation of the Company.

2. Vesting of RSUs .

(a) The RSUs shall vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice. Unless and until the RSUs have vested in accordance with such vesting schedule, the Participant will have no right to receive any dividends or other distributions with respect to the RSUs.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, in the event of any inconsistency between this Section  2 and any written agreement entered into by and between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, the terms of such agreement shall control.

3. Dividend Equivalents . In the event that the Company declares and pays a dividend in respect of its outstanding shares of Stock and, on the record date for such dividend, the Participant holds RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement that have not been settled, the Company shall record the amount of such dividend in a bookkeeping account and pay to the Participant an amount in cash equal to the cash dividends the Participant would have received if the Participant was the holder of record, as of such record date, of the number of shares of Stock related to the portion of the Participant’s RSUs that have not been settled as of such record date, such payment to be made on or within 60 days following the date on which such RSUs vest in accordance with Section  2 . No interest will accrue on the Dividend Equivalents between the declaration and payment of the applicable dividends and the settlement of the Dividend Equivalents.

 

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4. Settlement of RSUs . No shares of Stock shall be issued to the Participant prior to the Settlement Event, as set forth in the Notice of Grant. After the Settlement Event, but in no event later than 60 days after such Settlement Event, the Company shall cause to be issued to the Participant Stock registered in the Participant’s name in payment of such vested Restricted Stock Units upon receipt by the Company of any required tax withholding. All shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be delivered either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares to the Participant or by entering such shares in book-entry form, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. In the event the Participant would otherwise become vested in a fractional portion of an RSU (a “ Fractional RSU ”) based on the vesting terms set forth in Section  2 , the Fractional RSU shall instead remain unvested until the final vesting date provided in the Grant Notice; provided, however , that if the Participant would otherwise vest in a subsequent Fractional RSU prior to the final vesting date for the RSUs and such Fractional RSU taken together with a previous Fractional RSU that remained unvested would equal a whole RSU, then such Fractional RSUs shall vest to the extent they equal a whole RSU. Upon the final vesting date, the value of any remaining Fractional RSUs shall be rounded up to the nearest whole RSU. The value of shares of Stock shall not bear any interest owing to the passage of time.

5. Non-Transferability . None of the RSUs, the Dividend Equivalents or any interest or right therein may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed. Neither the RSUs nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means, whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect against the Company and its Affiliates, except to the extent that such disposition is expressly permitted by the preceding sentence.

6. Compliance with Applicable Law . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of shares of Stock hereunder will be subject to compliance with all requirements of applicable law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. No shares of Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable law or regulation or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, shares of Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at the time of such issuance with respect to the shares to be issued, (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares to be issued are permitted to be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or (c) the Company has attained from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the requisite authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Stock hereunder. As a condition to any issuance of Stock hereunder, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any requirements that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect to such compliance.

 

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7. Rights as a Stockholder . The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Stock that may become deliverable hereunder unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares of Stock, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares of Stock, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.

8. Execution of Receipts and Releases . Any issuance or transfer of shares of Stock or other property to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee, in accordance with this Agreement shall be in full satisfaction of all claims of such person hereunder. As a condition precedent to such payment or issuance, the Company may require the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee to execute (and not revoke within any time provided to do so) a release and receipt therefor in such form as it shall determine appropriate; provided, however, that any review period under such release will not modify the date of settlement with respect to vested RSUs.

9. No Right of Continued Board Service or to Awards . Nothing in the adoption of the Plan, nor the award of the RSUs thereunder pursuant to the Grant Notice and this Agreement, shall confer upon the Participant the right to continued service with the Board or the board of directors of any Affiliates. Nothing in the Plan or in this Agreement shall affect any right which the Company or any of its Affiliates may have to terminate the Board service of the Participant. The grant of the RSUs is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive a grant of Awards or benefits in lieu of Awards in the future.

10. Agreement to Furnish Information . The Participant agrees to furnish to the Company all information requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation.

11. Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement, the Grant Notice and the Plan constitute the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the RSUs granted hereby; provided ¸ however , that the terms of this Agreement shall not modify and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any service, consulting and/or severance agreement between the Company (or an Affiliate or other entity) and the Participant in effect as of the date a determination is to be made under this Agreement. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, except as provided therein, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement from time to time in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan.

12. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of law principles thereof.

13. Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the person(s) to whom this Award may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

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14. Clawback . Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Grant Notice or the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required by (a) applicable law and/or (b) any policy that may be adopted or amended by the Board from time to time, all shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture, repurchase, recoupment and/or cancellation to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s) and/or policy.

15. Severability . If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement (or any portion thereof) is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision (or portion thereof) shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

16. Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Plan to the contrary, the RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement are intended to comply with or be exempt from the applicable requirements of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Affiliates make no representations that the RSUs provided under this Agreement are exempt from or compliant with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and in no event shall the Company or any Affiliate be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules. The Participant’s service shall terminate on the date that he or she experiences a “separation from service” as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.

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EXHIBIT B

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

[SEE ATTACHED]

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION

LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT

INITIAL GRANT SETTLEMENT ELECTION FORM

Please complete this Initial Grant Settlement Election Form (this “ Form ”) and return a signed copy to [ Name ] ([ E -mail ]). Any capitalized terms used but not defined in this Form shall have the meaning set forth in the Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), or the applicable Grant Notice (the “ Grant Notice ”).

 

Name: [ Grantee Name ]

NOTE: This Form relates to your award of Restricted Stock Units (the “ Award ”). You are eligible to participate in the non-qualified deferred compensation plan (within the meaning of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules) pursuant to which you may defer the settlement of Restricted Stock Units. If you wish to defer the settlement of the entire Award, you must return this Form no later than [                ]. If you do not wish to make a deferral election, no action is required on your part and the Award will be settled at the time specified in your Agreement and Grant Notice.

1. Settlement of Restricted Stock Units

Irrespective of your election below, the Restricted Stock Units will continue to be subject to the terms of the Plan, the Agreement, and the Grant Notice for the Award in addition to this Form. In order to defer the settlement of the Award you must sign this form and return it to Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (the “ Company ”).

Recognizing that such election is contingent in all respects upon the prior vesting of the Award, I hereby irrevocably elect to receive the Stock and any Dividend Equivalents issuable pursuant to the Award upon the earliest to occur of (i) a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) or (ii) my “separation from service” within the meaning of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules (as defined in the Plan and subject to any limitations described in my Grant Notice or Agreement)

2. Signature

I understand that my right to settlement of the Stock and Dividend Equivalents pursuant to the Agreement and Grant Notice is subject to the rights of the creditors of the Company in the event of the Company’s insolvency. I further understand that this Form will be effective upon the Date of Grant of the Award and, once effective, shall be irrevocable .

By executing this Form, I hereby acknowledge my understanding of and agreement with the terms and provisions set forth in this Form, the Plan, the Agreement, and the Grant Notice.

 

C-1


DIRECTOR

 

                                                                      

[ Grantee Name ]
Date:                                                               

 

 

C-2

Exhibit 10.10

TPG PACE ENERGY HOLDINGS CORP.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION SUMMARY

(Effective as of June 28, 2018)

This Non-Employee Director Compensation Summary applies to members of the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of TPG Pace Energy Holdings Corp. (the “ Company ”) who are not employees of (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) investment funds affiliated with or managed by EnerVest, Ltd. (“ Non-Employee Directors ”).

Annual Retainers :

 

   

$50,000 base retainer

 

   

$15,000 supplemental retainer for audit committee chair

 

   

$10,000 supplemental retainer for compensation committee chair

 

   

$5,000 supplemental retainer for audit committee members other than the audit committee chair

 

   

$10,000 supplemental retainer for lead independent director

 

   

All annual retainers are paid in cash in arrears in substantially equal quarterly installments within 10 days following the last day of each calendar quarter (the “ Quarterly Payment Date ”).

 

   

Base retainers are pro-rated for any partial calendar quarter in which a Non-Employee Director serves on the Board. In addition, supplemental retainers are pro-rated for any partial calendar quarter in which a Non-Employee Director serves as the chair or a member of the audit committee. Any pro-rated portion of a base retainer or supplemental retainer for any calendar quarter is paid on the next regularly scheduled Quarterly Payment Date.

Travel Costs :

 

   

Each Non-Employee Director is reimbursed for travel and miscellaneous expenses to attend meetings and activities of the Board or its committees. Each Non-Employee Director must provide to the Company such receipts and other records related to such reimbursable expenses as the Company may require.

Equity Awards :

 

   

Each Non-Employee Director receives an annual equity award in the form of restricted stock units (“ RSUs ”) with a grant date value equal to $110,000.


   

Each Non-Employee Director receives a one-time equity award in the form of RSUs with a grant date value equal to $110,000 upon such Non-Employee Director’s appointment to the Board.

 

   

Each equity award vests in full on the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the applicable Non-Employee Director’s continued service on the Board.

 

   

Non-Employee Directors will have the option to defer settlement of RSUs until the earlier of (i) the date on which such Non-Employee Director ceases to serve on the Board or (ii) the consummation of a change in control of the Company.

 

   

Each equity award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan and the award agreement pursuant to which the award is granted.

Share Ownership Guidelines :

 

   

Within five years of a Non-Employee Director’s appointment to the Board, such Non-Employee Director shall hold shares of the Company with a fair market value equal to five times such Non-Employee Director’s annual retainer amount.

Amendments :

 

   

This summary may be amended by the Company at any time and from time to time without the consent of any Non-Employee Director.

Exhibit 21.1

MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORPORATION

Subsidiaries

 

Company    Jurisdiction of Organization

Magnolia Oil & Gas Parent LLC

   Delaware

Magnolia Oil & Gas Intermediate LLC

   Delaware

Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC

   Delaware

Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp.

   Delaware