UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 18, 2018

 

 

Hi-Crush Partners LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

001-35630   90-0840530

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1330 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 600

Houston, Texas

  77056
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(713) 980-6200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following (See General Instruction A.2 below):

 

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.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Contribution Agreement

On October 21, 2018, Hi-Crush Partners LP (the “Partnership”) entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”) with Hi-Crush Proppants LLC (the “Sponsor”), Hi-Crush Augusta Acquisition Co. LLC (“Acquisition Co.”) and certain persons (the “Contributor Parties”) collectively holding all of the then outstanding membership interests in Sponsor (collectively, the “Subject Units”).

Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, among other things, (i) the Contributor Parties agreed to contribute the Subject Units to the Partnership in exchange for an aggregate of 11,000,000 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Common Units”) issued by the Partnership (such contributions, collectively, the “Contribution”), (ii) all of the outstanding incentive distribution rights representing limited partnership interests in the Partnership (the “IDRs”) were cancelled and extinguished and (iii) the Sponsor waived any and all rights to receive earnout payments from the Partnership and its subsidiaries pursuant to certain previously entered into contribution agreements to which it was a party.

The Contribution Agreement contains customary representations and warranties as well as customary indemnification obligations among the parties. The Contribution and the other transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement (collectively, the “Transactions”) closed on October 21, 2018.

The Conflicts Committee (the “Conflicts Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Hi-Crush GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership (the “General Partner”), approved the Transactions. The Conflicts Committee, composed of independent members of the Board, retained independent legal and financial advisors to assist it in evaluating and negotiating the Transactions.

The foregoing description of the Contribution Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Contribution Agreement, which is being filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”).

Third Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement

On October 21, 2018, the Partnership entered into the Third Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement (the “RRA Amendment”) by and among the Partnership and the Contributor Parties. Pursuant to the RRA Amendment, the definition of “Registrable Securities” set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 20, 2012, by and between the Partnership and the Sponsor was revised to include the Common Units issued as consideration under the Contribution Agreement.

The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full and complete text of the RRA Amendment, which is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 4.1.

First Amendment to Credit Agreement

On October 18, 2018, the Partnership entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “ABL Amendment”) by and among the Partnership, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders. Pursuant to the ABL Amendment, (i) the definition of “Change in Control” was revised to reflect that the Partnership’s direct or indirect ownership of the General Partner as contemplated by the Transactions does not cause a Change in Control and (ii) solely in connection with the Transactions, the administrative agent and required lenders waived compliance with certain covenants and any defaults or event of defaults arising therefrom.

The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full and complete text of the ABL Amendment, which is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 10.1.


Item 3.02

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

The description set forth in Item 1.01 above of the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units in connection with the consummation of the Contribution is incorporated herein by reference. The private placement of Common Units to be issued pursuant to the Contribution Agreement is being made in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereunder.

 

Item 3.03

Material Modification of Rights of Security Holders

The description of the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (as defined below) set forth in Item 5.03 below 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

Effective October 21, 2018, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, each of James M. Whipkey, Jefferies V. Alston, III, Gregory F. Evans, Trevor Turbidy, Thompson Dean and R. Graham Whaling resigned from the Board. Those resignations did not result from or otherwise relate to any disagreements with the General Partner, the Partnership or any subsidiaries thereof, or with any of the policies and procedures of the foregoing.

Additionally, effective October 21, 2018, Robert E. Rasmus, Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership, replaced Mr. Whipkey as the Chairman of the Board and pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (as defined below), among other things, (a) the size of the Board decreased from ten to four members and (b) the Board was divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III.

The information set forth in Item 1.01 above and Item 5.03 below is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03

Amendment to Article of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

On October 21, 2018, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the General Partner amended and restated the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership (as so amended and restated, the “Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement”), effective October 21, 2018, to, among other things, reflect the cancellation and elimination of the IDRs and the public election of members of the Board by the limited partners of the Partnership.

The foregoing description of the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, which is being filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

2.1*+   Contribution Agreement, dated October 21, 2018, by and among Hi-Crush Partners LP, Hi-Crush Proppants LLC, Hi-Crush Augusta Acquisition Co. LLC and the other parties thereto.
3.1*   Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hi-Crush Partners LP, dated October 21, 2018.
4.1*   Third Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement by and among Hi-Crush Partners LP and the Contributor Parties, dated October 21, 2018.
10.1*   First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated October  18, 2018, by and among Hi-Crush Partners LP, as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and an issuing lender, and the lenders party thereto.

 

*

Filed Herewith

+

Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Partnership agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.


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.

 

   

Hi-Crush Partners LP

    By:  

Hi-Crush GP LLC, its general partner

Date: October 23, 2018     By:   /s/ Laura C. Fulton
     

Laura C. Fulton

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 2.1

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

BY AND AMONG

THE CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES PARTY HERETO,

HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP,

AND,

SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 6.9,

HI-CRUSH PROPPANTS LLC

AND

HI-CRUSH AUGUSTA ACQUISITION CO. LLC


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     2  

Section 1.1      Definitions

     2  

Section 1.2      Rules of Interpretation

     2  

ARTICLE II CONTRIBUTION AND EXCHANGE

     3  

Section 2.1      Contribution of the Subject Units

     3  

Section 2.2      Closing

     3  

Section 2.3      Closing Deliveries

     4  

Section 2.4      Withholding

     5  

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES CONCERNING THE CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES

     6  

Section 3.1      Organization

     6  

Section 3.2      Validity of Agreement; Authorization

     6  

Section 3.3      No Conflict or Violation

     6  

Section 3.4      Consents and Approvals

     7  

Section 3.5      Ownership of the Subject Units

     7  

Section 3.6      Affiliate Transactions

     7  

Section 3.7      Liability for Brokers’ Fees

     7  

Section 3.8      Investment Intent; Investment Experience; Restricted Securities

     7  

Section 3.9      Litigation

     8  

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES CONCERNING THE SPONSOR ENTITIES AND THE GENERAL PARTNER

     8  

Section 4.1      Organization

     8  

Section 4.2      No Conflict or Violation

     8  

Section 4.3      Consents and Approvals

     9  

Section 4.4      Capitalization of Sponsor; Ownership of the GP Membership Interest and IDRs

     9  

Section 4.5      Subsidiaries; Interests

     9  

Section 4.6      Sponsor Company Agreement; GP Agreement

     10  

Section 4.7      Business of Sponsor Entities and General Partner

     10  

Section 4.8      Employees; Employee Plans

     10  

Section 4.9      Tax Matters

     13  

Section 4.10    Litigation

     14  

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTNERSHIP

     14  

Section 5.1      Organization

     14  

Section 5.2      No Conflict or Violation

     15  

Section 5.3      Consents and Approvals

     15  

Section 5.4      Partnership Capitalization.

     15  

Section 5.5      Listing

     16  

Section 5.6      Brokers

     16  

Section 5.7      Litigation

     16  

 

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ARTICLE VI COVENANTS

     16  

Section 6.1      Further Assurances; Cooperation

     16  

Section 6.2      Conflicts Committee

     16  

Section 6.3      Certain Business Activities

     17  

Section 6.4      Public Statements

     17  

Section 6.5      Confidential Information

     17  

Section 6.6      Certain Insurance and Indemnification Matters

     18  

Section 6.7      Post-Closing Access; Records

     19  

Section 6.8      Tax Matters

     20  

Section 6.9      Waiver of Earnout Rights

     22  

ARTICLE VII INDEMNIFICATION, COSTS AND EXPENSES

     22  

Section 7.1      Survival of Representations and Warranties

     22  

Section 7.2      Indemnification

     23  

Section 7.3      Defense of Claims

     23  

Section 7.4      Exclusive Remedy

     25  

Section 7.5      Limitations

     25  

Section 7.6      Tax Treatment of Indemnity Provisions

     26  

Section 7.7      Calculation of Losses

     26  

Section 7.8      No Duplication

     26  

Section 7.9      Release

     26  

Section 7.10    No Reliance

     27  

ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS

     28  

Section 8.1      Amendments and Modifications

     28  

Section 8.2      Waiver of Compliance

     28  

Section 8.3      Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

     28  

Section 8.4      Notices

     29  

Section 8.5      Assignment

     30  

Section 8.6      Contributor Parties’ Representative

     30  

Section 8.7      Expenses

     30  

Section 8.8      Specific Performance

     31  

Section 8.9      Entire Agreement

     31  

Section 8.10    Severability

     31  

Section 8.11    Disclosure Schedules

     31  

Section 8.12    Third Party Beneficiaries

     32  

Section 8.13    Facsimiles; Electronic Transmission; Counterparts

     32  

Section 8.14    Time of Essence

     32  

Section 8.15    Action by the Partnership

     32  

 

ii


EXHIBITS

Exhibit A        Definitions

Exhibit B        Form of Revised Partnership Agreement

Exhibit C        Form of Assignment of Units

Exhibit D        Form of Registration Rights Agreement Amendment

Exhibit E        Form of Non-Compete Agreement

 

iii


CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October     , 2018, is entered into by and among each Person designated as a “Contributor Party” on the signature pages attached hereto (collectively, the “ Contributor Parties ”), Hi-Crush Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), and solely for purposes of Section 6.9 of this Agreement, Hi-Crush Proppants LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Sponsor ”), and Hi-Crush Augusta Acquisition Co. LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Hi-Crush Augusta ”).

WHEREAS, the Contributor Parties are the only members of the Sponsor and own all of the Sponsor’s (i) Class A Units (the “ Class  A Units ”), (ii) Class B Units (the “ Class  B Units ”) and (iii) Class C Units (the “ Class  C Units ”, and together with the Class A Units and the Class B Units, the “ Subject Units ”), which represent all of the Interests in the Sponsor;

WHEREAS the Sponsor owns (i) all of the Interests (as defined below) in, and is the sole member of, (a) Hi-Crush GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), (b) Hi-Crush Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Hi-Crush Holdings ”), (c) Hi-Crush Rupert LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Hi-Crush Rupert ” and together with Hi-Crush Holdings, the “ Legacy Sponsor Subsidiaries ”), and (d) Hi-Crush Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Hi-Crush Services ” and together with the Sponsor and the Legacy Sponsor Subsidiaries, the “ Sponsor Entities ”), and (ii) all of the incentive distribution rights representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ IDRs ”);

WHEREAS, the Sponsor possesses the right to receive certain earnout payments (collectively, the “ Earnout Payments ”) pursuant to (i) Section 2.3 of that certain Contribution Agreement, dated February 23, 2017, by and among the Sponsor, Hi-Crush Augusta and the Partnership, as amended or otherwise modified (the “ 2017 Contribution Agreement ”), and (ii) Section 2.3 of that certain Contribution Agreement, dated August 9, 2016, by and between the Sponsor and the Partnership, as amended or otherwise modified (the “ 2016 Contribution Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, the General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership and owns all of the general partner interests (the “ GP Interests ”) in the Partnership;

WHEREAS, the Contributor Parties desire to contribute, assign, transfer and deliver to the Partnership, and the Partnership desires to accept and acquire from the Contributor Parties, the Subject Units, and in exchange the Partnership desires to issue and deliver to the Contributor Parties, the Consideration upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Conflicts Committee (as defined below) has (i) received an opinion of Jefferies Group LLC, the financial advisor to the Conflicts Committee, that [the Consideration (as defined below) to be paid by the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Partnership and its unaffiliated common unitholders] 1 , (ii) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are in the best interests of the Partnership and (iii) approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (with such approval constituting “Special Approval” for purposes of the Partnership Agreement); and

 

1  

NTD: To be conformed to final fairness opinion.


WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 13.1(d)(i) of the Partnership Agreement, the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, has consented to and approved the amendment and restatement of the Partnership Agreement in substantially the form attached as Exhibit B hereto to give effect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (as defined below).

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.1     Definitions . Unless otherwise provided to the contrary in this Agreement, capitalized terms in this Agreement have the meanings set forth in Exhibit  A .

Section 1.2     Rules of Interpretation . Unless expressly provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the following provisions:

(a)    the words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” and other equivalent words shall refer to this Agreement as an entirety and not solely to the particular portion, article, section, subsection or other subdivision of this Agreement in which any such word is used;

(b)    the word “including” and its derivatives mean “including without limitation” and are terms of illustration and not of limitation;

(c)    all definitions set forth herein shall be deemed applicable whether the words defined are used herein in the singular or in the plural and correlative forms of defined terms shall have corresponding meanings;

(d)    the word “or” is not exclusive, and has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”;

(e)    a defined term has its defined meaning throughout this Agreement and each Exhibit and Schedule to this Agreement, regardless of whether it appears before or after the place where it is defined;

(f)    all references to prices, values or monetary amounts refer to United States dollars;

(g)    wherever used herein, any pronoun or pronouns shall be deemed to include both the singular and plural and to cover all genders;

 

2


(h)    the Transaction Documents have been jointly prepared by the parties thereto, and no Transaction Document shall be construed against any Person as the principal draftsperson hereof or thereof, and no consideration may be given to any fact or presumption that any Party had a greater or lesser hand in drafting any Transaction Document;

(i)    the captions of the articles, sections or subsections appearing in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and in no way define, limit, construe or describe the scope or extent of such section, or in any way affect this Agreement;

(j)    any references herein to a particular Section, Article, Exhibit or Schedule means a Section or Article of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise expressly stated herein;

(k)    the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference and shall be considered part of this Agreement;

(l)    unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, and all determinations with respect to accounting matters hereunder shall be made, in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis;

(m)    all references to days shall mean calendar days unless otherwise provided;

(n)    all references to time shall mean Houston, Texas time;

(o)    references to any Person shall include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns;

(p)    any references to a Person that will be party to a Transaction Document includes any Person that is contemplated hereunder to be party to a Transaction Document; and

(q)    all references in Article  III , Article  IV and Article  V to any Law or Contract shall mean such Law or Contract as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

CONTRIBUTION AND EXCHANGE

Section 2.1     Contribution of the Subject Units . Subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, (a) the Contributor Parties shall contribute, assign, transfer and deliver to the Partnership, and the Partnership shall accept and acquire from the Contributor Parties, all right, title and interest in and to the Subject Units and (b) the Partnership shall issue and deliver to the Contributor Parties the common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“ Common Units ”) as set forth on Schedule  2.1 (the “ Consideration ”).

Section 2.2     Closing .

(a)    The closing of the transactions referred to in Section  2.1 (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin St., Suite 2500, Houston, Texas 77002, commencing at 10:00 a.m. local time on the date hereof or on such other date or time as the Parties may mutually agree (the date and time on which the Closing takes place, the “ Closing Date ”).

 

3


(b)    The Parties acknowledge and agree that, effective as of and contingent upon the Closing:

(i)    (A) the Contributor Parties shall cease to be members of the Sponsor, (B) the Partnership shall be admitted as the sole member of the Sponsor and (C) the Sponsor Company Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety by the Partnership, acting in its capacity as the sole member of the Sponsor, to reflect, among other things, the admission of the Partnership as the sole member thereof;

(ii)    the GP Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety by the Sponsor, acting in its capacity as the sole member of the General Partner, to reflect, among other things, the election of the directors of the General Partner by the limited partners of the Partnership; and

(iii)    the Partnership Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety by the General Partner (acting pursuant to its authority in Section 13.1(d) of the Partnership Agreement) in substantially the form attached as Exhibit B hereto (as so amended and restated, the “ Revised Partnership Agreement ”), to reflect, among other things, the cancellation and elimination of the IDRs and the addition of provisions relating to the election of the directors of the General Partner by the limited partners of the Partnership.

Section 2.3     Closing Deliveries .

(a)    At the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Contributor Parties shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Partnership:

(i)    a counterpart of an assignment evidencing the contribution, assignment, transfer and delivery to the Partnership of the Subject Units free and clear of any Encumbrances, other than restrictions on transfer set forth in the Sponsor Company Agreement or the applicable requirements of the federal securities Laws, and any applicable state or other local securities Laws, duly executed by the Contributor Parties in substantially the form attached as Exhibit C hereto (the “ Assignment of Units ”);

(ii)    an affidavit, duly executed and acknowledged by each Contributor Party (or, if such Contributor Party is classified as an entity disregarded as separate from another Person, then by such Person) dated as of the Closing Date, in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 1.1445-2(b)(2) and Section 1446(f) of the Code, certifying that such Contributor Party (or, if such Contributor Party is classified as an entity disregarded as separate from another Person, then by such Person) is not a “foreign person” for such purposes;

(iii)    duly executed letters of resignation of the officers and directors of each Sponsor Entity and of the officers and directors of the General Partner identified on Schedule  2.3(a)(iii) ;

 

4


(iv)    a counterpart of the Revised Partnership Agreement duly executed by the General Partner and effective as of the Closing Date;

(v)    a counterpart of an amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Partnership and each Contributor Party in substantially the form attached as Exhibit D hereto (the “ Registration Rights Agreement Amendment ”), duly executed by each Contributor Party; and

(vi)    a counterpart of the non-competition agreements by and between the Partnership and each of James M. Whipkey and Jefferies V. Alston, III in substantially the form attached as Exhibit E hereto (each, a “ Non-Compete Agreement ”), duly executed by James M. Whipkey and Jefferies V. Alston, III.

(b)    At the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Partnership shall deliver, or cause to be delivered to the Contributor Parties:

(i)    the Consideration in book entry form, in each case free and clear of any Encumbrances, other than restrictions on transfer set forth in the Partnership Agreement or the applicable requirements of the federal securities Laws, and any applicable state or other local securities Laws;

(ii)    a counterpart of the Assignment of Units, duly executed by the Partnership (or its designee);

(iii)     a counterpart of the Registration Rights Agreement Amendment, duly executed by the Partnership;

(iv)     a counterpart of each of the Non-Compete Agreements, duly executed by the Partnership; and

(v)    the First Amendment to ABL Credit Agreement.

Section 2.4     Withholding . The Partnership shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to the Contributor Parties pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Partnership reasonably determines that it is required to deduct and withhold under the Code, or any Tax Law, with respect to the making of such payment, provided that the Partnership shall notify the Contributor Parties’ Representative of its determination that withholding is required reasonably in advance of such required withholding and the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to minimize to the extent permissible under applicable Law the amount of any such deduction or withholding, including by providing any certificates or forms that are reasonably requested to establish an exemption from (or reduction in) any deduction or withholding. To the extent that amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Contributor Parties.

 

5


ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES

CONCERNING THE CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES

Each Contributor Party hereby represents and warrants, as to itself and not on behalf of any other Person, to the Partnership, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

Section 3.1     Organization . With respect to each Contributor Party that is an entity, such Contributor Party (a) is duly incorporated or formed (if applicable), validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, (b) has all requisite legal and corporate or other entity power (if applicable) and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to conduct its respective business as currently owned and conducted, and (c) is duly qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the ownership or leasing of its assets and properties requires it to so qualify, except with respect to clause  (c) for circumstances that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Contributor Parties Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.2     Validity of Agreement; Authorization . Such Contributor Party has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Contributor Party is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to comply with the terms and conditions hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Contributor Party is a party and the performance by such Contributor Party of its obligations hereunder and thereunder have been duly and validly authorized by the governing body of such Contributor Party (to the extent such Contributor Party is an entity), and no other proceedings on the part of such Contributor Party or its members, partners or stockholders (to the extent such Contributor Party is an entity) are necessary to authorize such execution, delivery and performance. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Contributor Party is a party have been duly executed and delivered by such Contributor Party and constitute such Contributor Party’s valid and binding obligation, enforceable against such Contributor Party in accordance with their respective terms.

Section 3.3     No Conflict or Violation . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Contributor Party is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not: (a) violate or conflict with any provision of the Organizational Documents of such Contributor Party (to the extent such Contributor Party is an entity); (b) violate any Law applicable to such Contributor Party; (c) violate, result in a breach of, constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default or cause any obligation, penalty or premium to arise or accrue under any lease, loan agreement, mortgage, security agreement, trust indenture or other Contract or instrument to which such Contributor Party is a party or by which such Contributor Party is bound or to which any of its properties or assets are subject; (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrances upon any of (i) the Subject Units or (ii) the other properties or assets of such Contributor Party; or (e) result in the cancellation, modification, revocation or suspension of any Permit of such Contributor Party, except, in the case of clauses  (b) , (c) , (d)(ii) or (e) , as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Contributor Parties Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 3.4     Consents and Approvals . Except (a) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Contributor Parties Material Adverse Effect or (b) for any filings required for compliance with any applicable requirements of the federal securities Laws, any applicable state or local securities Laws and any applicable requirements of a national securities exchange, neither such Contributor Party’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Contributor Party is a party, nor such Contributor Party’s performance of its obligations hereunder or thereunder, requires the consent, approval, waiver or authorization of, or declaration, filing, registration or qualification with, any Governmental Authority or any similar Person, by such Contributor Party.

Section 3.5     Ownership of the Subject Units . Such Contributor Party has good, valid and marketable title to, and is the record and beneficial owner of, its respective Subject Units described on Schedule  3.5 free and clear of any Encumbrances, except for (a) restrictions on transfer arising under applicable securities Laws and (b) the applicable terms and conditions of the Organizational Documents of the Sponsor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, none of the Subject Units are subject to any voting trust, member agreement or voting agreement or other agreement, right, instrument or understanding with respect to any purchase, sale, issuance, transfer, repurchase, redemption or voting of any Interest of the Sponsor, other than the Organizational Documents of the Sponsor. Upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the Partnership will acquire good, valid and marketable title to all the Subject Units owned by such Contributor Party, free and clear of any Encumbrances other than those that may arise by virtue of any actions taken by or on behalf of the Partnership or its Affiliates.

Section 3.6     Affiliate Transactions . Except as set forth on Schedule  3.6 , none of the Contributor Parties, their respective managers, directors or officers (or the equivalent thereof), nor any of their respective Affiliates (a) is a party to any Contract with any Hi-Crush Entity or (b) owns or leases any material asset, property or right that is used by any Hi-Crush Entity.

Section 3.7     Liability for Brokers Fees . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7 , no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made on behalf of the Contributor Parties or the Sponsor Entities.

Section 3.8     Investment Intent; Investment Experience; Restricted Securities . In acquiring its respective portion of the Consideration, such Contributor Party is not offering or selling, and shall not offer or sell its respective portion of the Consideration, in connection with any distribution of such Consideration, and such Contributor Party has not participated, and shall not participate, in any such undertaking or in any underwriting of such an undertaking except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities Laws. Such Contributor Party acknowledges that (a) it has been provided with the opportunity to ask questions concerning the terms and conditions of an investment in the Partnership and has knowingly and voluntarily elected instead to rely solely on its own investigation, (b) it can bear the economic risk of its investment in its respective portion of the Consideration, and (c) it has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in its respective portion of the Consideration. Such Contributor Party understands that the issuance of the Consideration will not have been registered pursuant to the Securities Act or any applicable state securities Laws, that the Consideration shall be characterized as “restricted securities” under federal securities Laws (and shall bear a restrictive legend to that effect) and that under such Laws its respective portion of the Consideration cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom.

 

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Section 3.9     Litigation . There are no Proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Contributor Parties’ Representative, threatened before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator against such Contributor Party, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Contributor Parties Material Adverse Effect.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES

CONCERNING THE SPONSOR ENTITIES AND THE GENERAL PARTNER

Each Contributor Party hereby represents and warrants to the Partnership, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

Section 4.1     Organization . Each Sponsor Entity and the General Partner (a) is a limited liability company duly formed, as the case may be, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (b) has all requisite legal and limited liability company power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to conduct its businesses as currently owned and conducted and (c) is duly qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the ownership or leasing of its assets and properties requires it to so qualify, except with respect to clause  (c) for circumstances that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect. The Contributor Parties have made available to the Partnership true and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of each Sponsor Entity and the General Partner as in effect on the date of this Agreement; such Organizational Documents are in full force and effect and no other Organizational Documents are applicable to or binding upon any Sponsor Entity or the General Partner.

Section 4.2     No Conflict or Violation . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which any Sponsor Entity or the General Partner is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not: (a) violate or conflict with any provision of the Organizational Documents of any Sponsor Entity or the General Partner; (b) violate any Law applicable to any Sponsor Entity or the General Partner; (c) violate, result in a breach of, constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default or cause any obligation, penalty or premium to arise or accrue under any lease, loan agreement, mortgage, security agreement, trust indenture or other Contract or instrument to which any Sponsor Entity or the General Partner is a party or by which any Sponsor Entity or the General Partner is bound or to which any of its properties or assets are subject; (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrances upon any of (i) Interests of any Sponsor Entity or the General Partner or (ii) the other properties or assets of any Sponsor Entity or the General Partner; or (e) result in the cancellation, modification, revocation or suspension of any Permit of any Sponsor Entity or the General Partner, except, in the case of clauses  (b) , (c) , (d)(ii) or (e) , as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 4.3     Consents and Approvals . Except (a) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect or (b) for any filings required for compliance with any applicable requirements of the federal securities Laws, any applicable state or local securities Laws and any applicable requirements of a national securities exchange, neither any Sponsor Entity’s nor the General Partner’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Sponsor Entity or the General Partner is a party, nor such Sponsor Entity’s or the General Partner’s performance of its respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, requires the consent, approval, waiver or authorization of, or declaration, filing, registration or qualification with, any Governmental Authority or any similar Person, by such Sponsor Entity.

Section 4.4     Capitalization of Sponsor; Ownership of the GP Membership Interest and IDRs .

(a)    The Subject Units have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable except to the extent specified in Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the DLLCA. There is no Interest in the Sponsor outstanding other than the 102.5999 Class A Units, 0.5216 Class B Units and 1.1997 Class C Units comprising the Subject Units. The record and beneficial owners of all Interests in the Sponsor are set forth on Schedule  4.4(a) .

(b)    The Sponsor is the sole record and beneficial owner of the GP Membership Interest and 100% of the IDRs, in each case free and clear of any Encumbrances, except for (i) restrictions on transfer arising under applicable securities Laws and (ii) the applicable terms and conditions of the Organizational Documents of the General Partner and the Partnership, as applicable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the GP Membership Interest is not subject to any voting trust, member agreement or voting agreement or other agreement, right, instrument or understanding with respect to any purchase, sale, issuance, transfer, repurchase, redemption or voting of any such Interest, other than the Organizational Documents of the General Partner and the Partnership, as applicable. The GP Membership Interest has been duly authorized and validly issued (in accordance with its respective Organizational Documents) and is fully paid and non-assessable except to the extent specified in Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the DLLCA.

Section 4.5     Subsidiaries; Interests . Except for, solely with respect to the Sponsor, the Hi-Crush Entities:

(a)    None of the Sponsor Entities has any Subsidiaries, and none of them owns, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock, voting rights or other Interests or investments in any other Person; and

 

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(b)    None of the Sponsor Entities has any obligation or rights to acquire by any means, directly or indirectly, any capital stock, voting rights, Interests or investments in another Person. All of the Interests of the Sponsor Entities have been duly authorized and are validly issued (in accordance with their respective Organizational Documents and in compliance with applicable Laws), fully paid (to the extent required under the applicable Organizational Documents) and non-assessable (except to the extent specified in Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the DLLCA) and were not issued in violation of preemptive or similar rights. Except for Encumbrances set forth on Schedule  4.5(b) , the Sponsor owns all of the Interests of Hi-Crush Services and the Legacy Sponsor Subsidiaries free and clear of any Encumbrances, except for (i) restrictions on transfer arising under applicable securities Laws and (ii) the applicable terms and conditions of the Organizational Documents of the applicable Sponsor Entity.

Section 4.6     Sponsor Company Agreement ; GP Agreement . The Sponsor Company Agreement has been duly authorized and executed by the Contributor Parties and is a valid and legally binding agreement of the Sponsor, enforceable against the Sponsor and the Contributor Parties in accordance with its terms. The GP Agreement has been duly authorized and executed by Sponsor and is a valid and legally binding agreement of Sponsor, enforceable against Sponsor in accordance with its terms.

Section 4.7     Business of Sponsor Entities and General Partner . Except as set forth on Schedule  4.7 :

(a)    The Sponsor does not and has not directly engaged in or conducted any business or other activities other than (i) acting as the sole member of the General Partner, Hi-Crush Services and the Legacy Sponsor Subsidiaries and certain Partnership Operating Subsidiaries, (ii) owning Partnership Interests and (iii) pursuing its rights and obligations under the Partnership’s ABL Credit Agreement or any other agreements related to the indebtedness of the Hi-Crush Entities.

(b)    None of the Legacy Sponsor Subsidiaries has engaged in or conducted, directly or indirectly, any business or other activities. None of the Legacy Sponsor Subsidiaries owns, or has any right to own, any assets or property, or is involved in the operation of any business or property. None of the Legacy Sponsor Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect liabilities (including accounts payable), indebtedness or other obligations of any kind whatsoever.

(c)    The General Partner has never engaged in or conducted, directly or indirectly, any business or other activities (including but not limited to the ownership of any Subsidiaries) other than (i) acting as the sole general partner of the Partnership or its predecessors and (ii) owning the GP Interests.

Section 4.8     Employees; Employee Plans . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8 ,

(a)    As of the date of this Agreement, (i) none of the Subject Employees are (or within the past three years have been) employed pursuant to the terms of any collective bargaining agreements or other Contract with a labor union, (ii) none of the Hi-Crush Entities has currently (or within the past three years) agreed or been subject to an agreement to recognize any union or other collective bargaining representative with respect to any Subject Employees and (iii) no union or other collective bargaining representative, to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, is attempting or within the past three years has attempted to organize or been certified as the exclusive bargaining representative of any Subject Employee. There are no labor strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, walkouts, lockouts or similar labor activities now occurring or, to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, threatened involving any Subject Employees and no such labor strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, walkouts or similar labor activities have occurred or, to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, been threatened involving any Subject Employees within the past 3 years.

 

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(b)    Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Hi-Crush Entity and the General Partner is in compliance with all labor and employment Laws including all Laws relating to employment discrimination, payment and withholding of wages, overtime compensation, immigration, occupational health and safety, and wrongful discharge, employee classification and the provision of required employee benefits; (ii) no action, suit, complaint, charge, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority, brought by or on behalf of any employee, prospective or former employee or labor organization or other representative of the employees or of any prospective or former employees of any of the Hi-Crush Entities is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, threatened against any of the Hi-Crush Entities (including with respect to alleged sexual harassment, unfair labor practices or discrimination); and (iii) none of the Hi-Crush Entities is subject to or otherwise bound by, any consent decree, order, or agreement with, any Governmental Authority relating to employees or former employees of any of the Hi-Crush Entities.

(c)    None of the Hi-Crush Entities has, in the last year, effectuated a “plant closing” or “mass layoff” as those terms are defined in Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the “ WARN ”), without complying with the notice requirements and other provisions of WARN.

(d)     Schedule  4.8(d) contains a list of each material Benefit Plan. With respect to each Benefit Plan listed on Schedule  4.8(d) , true and complete copies of the following have been made available to Partnership, to the extent applicable: (i) the plan document (including any amendments), (ii) a written description of all material terms for any unwritten Benefit Plan, (iii) the summary plan description and any current summary of material modification, (iv) related trust or funding agreement, (v) the most recent IRS determination letter (or opinion letter, if applicable), (vi) the most recently filed Form 5500, (vii) the most recently completed financial statement, actuarial report and non-discrimination testing results, if applicable, and (viii) all non-routine filings made with any Governmental Authorities.

(e)    Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect, each Benefit Plan complies with all applicable Laws (including, where applicable, ERISA and the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) and the terms of the applicable Benefit Plan and, with respect to each Benefit Plan, no event has occurred and, to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, no condition exists, that has subjected or would reasonably be expected to subject the Hi-Crush Entities to any tax, fine, lien, penalty or other liability imposed by ERISA, the Code or any other applicable Law, either directly or by reason of any affiliation with any ERISA Affiliate. There has been no “prohibited transaction” (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary duty (as determined under ERISA) with respect to any Benefit Plan.

 

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(f)    All material contributions required to be made under the terms of any of the Benefit Plans as of the date of this Agreement have been timely made or, if not yet due, have been properly accrued. With respect to each Benefit Plan, (i) no material actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course) are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, threatened, (ii) to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, no facts or circumstances exist that could reasonably be expected to give rise to any such actions, suits or claims, and (iii) no administrative investigation, audit or other administrative proceeding by any Governmental Authorities are pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, threatened.

(g)    No Hi-Crush Entity nor any ERISA Affiliate has any liability (whether absolute or contingent) with respect to, and no Benefit Plan is subject to, Title IV of ERISA (including a “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA)), Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. No Benefit Plan is a “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of Section 210 of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code) or a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA).

(h)    With respect to each Benefit Plan, no Proceedings or claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course) are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, threatened that would reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Hi-Crush Entities.

(i)    Other than as required under Section 4980B of the Code or other applicable Law, no Benefit Plan provides benefits or coverage in the nature of post-retirement or post-termination health, life, welfare or disability insurance for current or future retired or former employees or service providers (or their spouses or dependents).

(j)    Neither the negotiation or execution of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement would, either alone or in combination with another event, (A) result in any material payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus, or otherwise) becoming due under any Benefit Plan, (B) materially increase any benefits under any Benefit Plan, or (C) result in the acceleration of the time of payment, funding or vesting of any material payments or other material benefits or give rise to any additional service credits under any Benefit Plan.

(k)    No amount or benefit that could be, or has been, received (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property or the cancellation of indebtedness) by any current or former employee, officer or director of any Hi-Crush Entity who is a “disqualified individual” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code could be characterized as an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No Benefit Plan provides for the gross-up of any Taxes imposed by Section 4999 of the Code.

(l)    Each Benefit Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code and any award thereunder, in each case that is nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, has been operated and documented in all material respects in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and all applicable regulations and notices issued thereunder.

 

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(m)    Each Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter or is entitled to rely on a favorable opinion letter from the IRS, in either case, that has not been revoked, and to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, no event or circumstance exists that has adversely affected or would reasonably be expected to adversely affect such qualified status. Each trust established in connection with any Benefit Plan which is intended to be exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code is so exempt, and to the knowledge of such Contributor Party, no fact or event has occurred that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the exempt status of any such trust.

Section 4.9     Tax Matters . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9 or would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect, to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties:

(a)    All Tax Returns required by applicable Law to be filed by or with respect to each Sponsor Entity have been timely filed (taking into account any extensions of time within which to file), and such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects.

(b)    All Taxes owed by or with respect to the Sponsor Entities that are or have become due have been timely paid in full.

(c)    All Taxes required to be withheld, collected or deposited by or with respect to the Sponsor Entities have been timely withheld, collected or deposited, as the case may be, and to the extent required, have been paid to the relevant Governmental Authority.

(d)    There are no Encumbrances (other than Encumbrances with respect to Taxes that are not yet due and payable or, if due, not delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings) on any of the assets of any of the Sponsor Entities that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax.

(e)    There is no action, suit, proceeding, investigation, audit, dispute or claim concerning any Tax Return or any amount of Taxes of the Sponsor Entities either claimed or raised by any Governmental Authority in writing.

(f)    The Sponsor has made an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code and such election is currently in effect.

(g)    There are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the applicable statutory periods of limitation for any Taxes of the Sponsor Entities.

(h)    Except for any agreements among the Sponsor Entities, no Sponsor Entity is a party to any Tax sharing agreement or Tax indemnity agreement or has any continuing obligations under any such agreements.

(i)    No power of attorney related to Taxes which is currently in force has been granted by any Sponsor Entity.

 

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(j)    No Sponsor Entity has liability for Taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), as a transferee, successor, or by Contract.

(k)    None of the Sponsor Entities has been a party to a transaction that is a “listed transaction,” as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).

(l)    Hi-Crush Services and each Legacy Sponsor Subsidiary is classified as an entity disregarded as separate from the Sponsor for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3. Sponsor is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3. None of the Sponsor Entities has elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

(m)    Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, (i) except to the extent that Taxes or the Code are explicitly referenced elsewhere, the representations and warranties in this Section  4.9 are the only representations and warranties in this Agreement with respect to the Tax matters of the Sponsor Entities, and (ii) none of the Sponsor Entities make any representation or warranty with respect to the existence, availability, amount, usability or limitations (or lack thereof) of any net operating loss, net operating loss carryforward, capital loss, capital loss carryforward, basis amount or other Tax attribute of any Sponsor Entities after the Closing Date.

Section 4.10     Litigation . There are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Contributor Parties, threatened before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator against the Sponsor Entities or the General Partner, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTNERSHIP

Except as disclosed in any Partnership SEC Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC (excluding any disclosures included in any “risk factor” section of such Partnership SEC Reports or any other disclosures in such Partnership SEC Reports to the extent they are predictive or forward looking and general in nature) prior to the date of this Agreement, the Partnership hereby represents and warrants to the Contributor Parties as follows:

Section 5.1     Organization . The Partnership (a) is a limited partnership formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (b) has all requisite legal and limited partnership power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to conduct its businesses as currently owned and conducted and (c) is duly qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the ownership or leasing of its assets and properties requires it to so qualify, except with respect to clause  (c) for circumstances that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.2     No Conflict or Violation . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which the Partnership is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not: (a) violate or conflict with any provision of the Organizational Documents of the Partnership; (b) violate any Law applicable to the Partnership; (c) violate, result in a breach of, constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default or cause any obligation, penalty or premium to arise or accrue under any Contract; (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Partnership; or (e) result in the cancellation, modification, revocation or suspension of any Permit of any of the Partnership, except, in the case of clauses  (b) through (e) , as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.3     Consents and Approvals . Except (a) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect or (b) for any filings required for compliance with any applicable requirements of the federal securities Laws, any applicable state or other local securities Laws and any applicable requirements of a national securities exchange, neither the Partnership’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which the Partnership is a party, nor the Partnership’s performance of its obligations hereunder or thereunder, requires the consent, approval, waiver or authorization of, or declaration, filing, registration or qualification with any Governmental Authority by the Partnership.

Section 5.4     Partnership Capitalization .

(a)    As of the date of this Agreement, the Partnership has no partnership or other equity interests outstanding other than (i) 89,866,063 Common Units, (ii) the GP Interests, (iii) the IDRs and (iv) 1,536,881 Phantom Units (collectively, the “ Partnership Interests ”). All of the Partnership Interests (other than the Phantom Units) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and, other than the GP Interests, non-assessable (except to the extent specified in Sections 17-303, 17-607 or 17-804 of the DRULPA).

(b)    Except as described in Schedule  5.4(b) , there are no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of any interest in the Partnership (provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any such rights to purchase or restriction on voting or transfer that any holder of Common Units may have imposed upon such Common Units).

(c)    Except for the Phantom Units or as described in Schedule  5.4(c) : (i) there are no outstanding options, warrants, subscriptions, puts, calls or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments (preemptive, contingent or otherwise) obligating the Partnership to offer, issue, sell, redeem, repurchase, otherwise acquire or transfer, pledge or encumber any equity interest in the Partnership; (ii) there are no outstanding securities or obligations of any kind of the Partnership which are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any equity interest in the Partnership or any other Person, and the Partnership has no obligation of any kind to issue any additional securities or to pay for or repurchase any securities; (iii) there are no outstanding equity appreciation rights, phantom equity or similar rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments based on the book value, income or any other attribute of any of the Partnership; (iv) there are no outstanding bonds, debentures or other evidence of indebtedness or obligations of the Partnership

 

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having the right to vote (or that are exchangeable for or convertible or exercisable into securities having the right to vote) with the holders of the common units of the Partnership; and (v) except as described in the in Schedule  5.4(c) , there are no unitholder agreements, proxies, voting trusts, rights to require registration under securities Laws or other arrangements or commitments to which the Partnership is a party or by which any of their respective securities are bound with respect to the voting, disposition or registration of any outstanding securities of the Partnership ( provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any such restriction on voting or disposition that any holder of Common Units may have imposed upon such Common Units).

Section 5.5     Listing . The common units of the Partnership are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Prior to Closing, the New York Stock Exchange shall have authorized the listing of the Consideration, subject to official notice of issuance.

Section 5.6     Brokers . Except as set forth on Schedule 5.6 , no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Partnership Entities.

Section 5.7     Litigation . There are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Partnership, threatened before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator against the Partnership, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS

Section 6.1     Further Assurances; Cooperation . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party will use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. None of the Parties will, without the prior written consent of the other Parties, take or fail to take any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. From time to time after the Closing Date, without further consideration, each Party will, at its own expense, execute and deliver such documents to the other Parties as the other Parties may reasonably request in order to more effectively consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 6.2     Conflicts Committee . Prior to the Closing, none of the Contributor Parties shall, directly or indirectly, without the consent of the Conflicts Committee, eliminate or cause the elimination of the Conflicts Committee, or revoke or diminish the authority of the Conflicts Committee, or remove or cause the removal of any director of the board of directors of the General Partner (the “ Board of Directors ”) that is a member of the Conflicts Committee either as a member of the Board of Directors or the Conflict Committee without the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, including the affirmative vote of each of the other members of the Conflicts Committee. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6.2 shall not apply to the filling in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Organizational Documents of any vacancies caused by the death, incapacity or resignation of any director.

 

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Section 6.3     Certain Business Activities .

(a)    From the date hereof until the Closing and except as contemplated by this Agreement or as required by applicable Law, without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto, each of the Parties shall not, and shall not take any action to cause any other Party to, take any action that would be reasonably likely to prevent or materially impair, delay or interfere with the ability of such Party to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Party is a party, including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, (x) in the case of the General Partner, selling, assigning, exchanging or otherwise transferring the GP Interest, and (y) in the case of the Sponsor, selling, assigning, exchanging or otherwise transferring the IDRs, in each case to any Person other than the Partnership (or its designee) pursuant to this Agreement.

(b)    From the date hereof until the Closing and except as contemplated by this Agreement, as required by applicable Law or as agreed to in writing by the other Parties hereto, each of the Parties shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, conduct its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

(c)    Prior to the Closing Date, the Board of Directors shall only declare distributions in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice, including with timing consistent with past practice; provided, that the amount of any quarterly distribution declared prior to the Closing Date shall not exceed $0.25 per Common Unit without the consent of the Conflicts Committee.

Section 6.4     Public Statements . The Parties shall consult with each other prior to issuing any public announcement, statement or other disclosure with respect to the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby and none of the Partnership and its Affiliates, on the one hand, nor any of the Contributor Parties and their Affiliates, on the other hand, shall issue any such public announcement, statement or other disclosure without having first notified the Contributor Parties, on the one hand, or the Partnership, on the other hand, and provided such Party with, if legally permitted and practically possible, a reasonable time period to review and comment thereon.

Section 6.5     Confidential Information .

(a)    For two years after the Closing:

(i)    The Contributor Parties and their Affiliates shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose to any Person any information that is not in the public domain or generally known in the industry, in any form, whether acquired prior to or after the Closing Date, relating to the business and operations of the Hi-Crush Entities; and

(ii)    The Partnership and its Affiliates shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose to any Person any information that is not in the public domain or generally known in the industry, in any form, whether acquired prior to or after the Closing Date, relating to the Contributor Parties (“ Confidential Information ”); provided , however , that any such confidential information received, obtained or created in the course of defending any claim or action under Article  VII shall not be disclosed for a period of two years following the resolution of such claim or action.

 

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(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(i)    The Partnership, the Contributor Parties and their respective Affiliates may disclose any information relating to the business and operations of the Hi-Crush Entities, or the Contributor Parties, as the case may be:

(A)    if required by Law, including applicable regulatory authority or applicable stock exchange rule or if contemplated by the requirements set forth herein;

(B)    to such other Persons if, at the time such information is provided, such Person is already in the possession of such information through no fault of or action by the disclosing Party; or

(C)    if required in connection with a Claim under Article  VII .

(ii)    The Contributor Parties and their Affiliates shall be entitled to disclose Confidential Information to investors and limited partners, and to prospective investors or other Persons as part of fundraising or marketing activities undertaken by Avista Capital Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ Avista ”), or any of its Affiliates; provided that such disclosures are made only to Persons who are subject to an obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information that is no less stringent than the obligations set forth in this Section  6.5 .

(c)    Nothing in this Agreement will prevent any individual from: (i) lawfully initiating communications directly with, cooperating with, providing information to, causing information to be provided to, or otherwise assisting in an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other Governmental Authority regarding a possible violation of any Law; (ii) responding to any inquiry or legal process directed to an individual from any Governmental Authority; (iii) testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in an action or proceeding by any Governmental Authority relating to a possible violation of law, including providing documents or other confidential information to Governmental Authorities; or (iv) receiving an award for information provided to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or another Governmental Authority. No individual will be required to obtain prior authorization from the Partnership, the Contributor Parties, or any of their respective Affiliates before engaging in any of the conduct described in the previous sentence, or to notify the Partnership, the Contributor Parties or their respective Affiliates of having engaged in any such conduct.

Section 6.6     Certain Insurance and Indemnification Matters .

(a)    The Partnership agrees that all rights to indemnification and exculpation existing in favor of the Sponsor Entities or the General Partner or any present or former director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Sponsor Entities or the General Partner, as provided in the respective Organizational Documents of the Sponsor Entities or the General Partner in effect

 

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as of the date of this Agreement, shall survive the Closing and shall continue in full force and effect for a period of not less than the applicable statute of limitations. The Partnership shall not amend, restate, waive or terminate any Organizational Document of the Sponsor Entities or the General Partner in any manner that would adversely affect the indemnification or exculpation rights of any such present or former director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent.

(b)    The Partnership covenants and agrees that, during the period that commences on the Closing Date and ends on the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Closing Date, with respect to each individual who (i) served as a director or officer of any of the Sponsor Entities or the General Partner at any time prior to the Closing Date or (ii) previously resigned or resigned pursuant to Section  2.3(a)(iii) (each, a “ Covered Person ”), the Partnership shall cause such Sponsor Entity or the General Partner (A) to continue in effect the current director and officer liability or similar insurance policy or policies, including fiduciary liability insurance, that such Sponsor Entity or the General Partner has as of the date of this Agreement, or (B) upon the termination or cancellation of any such policy or policies, (x) to provide director and officer liability or similar insurance in substitution for, or in replacement of, such cancelled or terminated policy or policies or (y) to provide a ‘tail’ or runoff policy (covering all claims, whether choate or inchoate, made during such six (6) year period), in each case so that each Covered Person has coverage thereunder for acts, events, occurrences or omissions occurring or arising at or prior to the Closing to the same extent (including policy limits, exclusions and scope) as such Covered Person has coverage for such acts, events, occurrences or omissions under the director and officer insurance or similar policy maintained by the Sponsor Entities or the General Partner as of the date of this Agreement.

(c)    In the event that any Sponsor Entity or the General Partner (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) in one or more series of transactions, directly or indirectly, transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person (whether by consolidation, merger or otherwise), then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that such continuing or surviving corporation or entity or transferee of such assets, as the case may be, assume the obligations set forth in this Section  6.6 .

Section 6.7     Post-Closing Access; Records . From and after the Closing, the Partnership and its Affiliates shall make or cause to be made available to the Contributor Parties all books, records, Tax Returns and documents of the Hi-Crush Entities (and the assistance of employees responsible for such books, records and documents) upon reasonable notice during regular business hours as may be reasonably necessary for (a) investigating, settling, preparing for the defense or prosecution of, defending or prosecuting any Proceeding, (b) preparing reports to stockholders and Governmental Authorities or (c) such other purposes for which access to such documents is determined by the Contributor Parties to be reasonably necessary, including preparing and delivering any accounting or other statement provided for under this Agreement or otherwise, preparing Tax Returns, pursuing Tax refunds or responding to or disputing any Tax audit, or the determination of any matter relating to the rights and obligations of the Contributor Parties or any of their Affiliates under any Transaction Documents; provided , however , that access to such books, records, documents and employees shall not interfere with the normal operations of the Hi-Crush Entities and the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Hi-Crush Entities incurred in connection therewith shall be paid by the Contributor Parties. The Partnership shall cause each Hi-Crush Entity to maintain and preserve all such Tax Returns, books, records and other documents for the greater of (i) five (5) years after the Closing Date and (ii) any applicable statutory or regulatory retention period, as the same may be extended and, in each case, shall offer to transfer such records to the Contributor Parties at the end of any such period.

 

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Section 6.8     Tax Matters .

(a)     Transfer Taxes . Any transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, and other similar Taxes and fees incurred in connection with this Agreement (“ Transfer Taxes ”) shall be borne equally by the Partnership, on the one hand, and the Contributor Parties, on the other hand. The Partnership and Contributor Parties shall cooperate to file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to such Transfer Taxes, and, if required by applicable Law, the Parties agree to join in the execution of any such Tax Return and other documentation.

(b)     Allocation . On or prior to the date that is ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, the Contributor Parties’ Representative shall provide to the Partnership the Contributor Parties’ proposed allocation of the Consideration and other items treated as consideration for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which shall (i) allocate the Consideration (and the other items properly treated as consideration for U.S. federal income tax purposes) among the equity of the Partnership, the General Partner, and the Sponsor Entities indirectly transferred pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with Section 1060 of the Code and, to the extent applicable, Section 755 of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, and (ii) in accordance with the amounts allocated to the equity of the General Partner and Sponsor Entities pursuant to clause  (i) , allocate such amounts among the assets of the General Partner and the Sponsor Entities in accordance with Section 1060 of the Code and, to the extent applicable, Section 755 of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (the “ Draft Allocation ”). For the avoidance of doubt, the amounts allocated to the equity of to the Partnership pursuant to clause  (i) of the preceding sentence shall be allocated among the assets of the Partnership for purposes of Sections 704(c), 751 and 755 of the Code consistent with the Partnership’s existing methodologies and current practices used for other transfers of equity in the Partnership, and nothing in the Draft Allocation or Tax Allocation shall require the Parties or the Partnership to use a different methodology. The Partnership shall have thirty (30) days after the receipt of the Draft Allocation to propose in writing any comments to the Draft Allocation (and in the event no such comments are proposed to the Contributor Parties within such time period, Partnership will be deemed to have agreed to, and accepted, the Draft Allocation). The Contributor Parties and the Partnership shall negotiate in good faith to agree upon a final allocation (the “ Tax Allocation ”). In the event that Partnership and the Contributor Parties are unable to agree upon a final allocation within thirty (30) days of Partnership’s delivery to the Contributor Parties of written comments to the Draft Allocation, the Parties may take inconsistent Tax reporting positions with respect to the allocation of the Consideration (and the other items properly treated as consideration for U.S. federal income tax purposes). In the event that the Parties agree upon a final Tax Allocation, Partnership and the Contributor Parties agree to (A) treat and report the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in all respects consistent with such Tax Allocation for purposes of any U.S. federal and applicable state income Taxes (including, but not limited to any statements required under Treasury Regulation § 1.751-1(a)(3) and any allocation required under Section 755 of the Code), and (B) not take any action inconsistent with such Tax Allocation; provided, however , that neither the Partnership nor the Contributor Parties shall be unreasonably impeded in its ability and discretion to negotiate, compromise and/or settle any Tax audit, claim or similar proceedings in connection with such allocation.

 

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(c)     Cooperation . Prior to the destruction or discarding of any books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the General Partner or any Sponsor Entity relating to any taxable period beginning on or before the Closing Date, each Party shall give the other Party reasonable written notice and, if the other Party so requests, shall itself allow, or cause the General Partner or Sponsor Entity to allow the other Party to take, possession of such books and records. Partnership and the Contributor Parties further agree, upon request, to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Governmental Authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed on the General Partner or a Sponsor Entity as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby or for any taxable period of the General Partner or Sponsor Entity beginning on or before the Closing Date.

(d)     Allocations . The Partnership and the Contributor Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Partnership to allocate all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable to the Subject Units between Partnership and the Contributor Parties (as the owners of the Sponsor) based on the “interim closing method” under Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

(e)     Tax Indemnity .

(i)    The Contributor Parties, on a several and not joint basis, shall be liable for, shall pay and shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership and its Subsidiaries from and against all Losses such parties incur arising from (i) any breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section  4.9 , (ii) any Taxes of the Sponsor Entities arising prior to and including the Closing Date, and (iii) any liability of each Sponsor Entity for the Tax of another Person as a result of being (A) a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group or (B) a party to any Contract providing for an obligation to indemnify any other Person for Tax. The Partnership shall be solely liable for, shall pay and shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Contributor Parties from any and all Taxes which arise as a result of the ownership of the Sponsor Entities after the Closing Date.

(ii)    If any claim (an “ Indemnified Tax Claim ”) is made by any Tax Authority that, if successful, would result in indemnification of any Party (the “Tax Indemnified Party ”) by another Party (the “ Tax Indemnifying Party ”) under this Section  6.8 , the Tax Indemnified Party shall promptly, but in no event later than the earlier of (i) forty-five (45) days after receipt of notice from the Tax Authority of such claim or (ii) fifteen (15) days prior to the date required for the filing of any protest of such claim, notify the Tax Indemnifying Party in writing of such fact.

(iii)    The Tax Indemnifying Party shall control all decisions with respect to any Tax Proceeding involving an Indemnified Tax Claim and the Tax Indemnified Party shall take such action (including settlement with respect to such Tax Proceeding or the prosecution of such Tax Proceeding to a determination in a court or other tribunal of initial or appellate jurisdiction) in connection with a Tax Proceeding involving an Indemnified Tax Claim as the Tax Indemnifying Party shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including the selection

 

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of counsel and experts and the execution of powers of attorney; provided, however, that (i) within thirty (30) days after the notice required by Section  6.8(e)(ii) has been delivered (or such earlier date that any payment of Taxes with respect to such claim is due but in no event sooner than five days after the Tax Indemnifying Party’s receipt of such notice), the Tax Indemnifying Party requests that such claim be contested, and (ii) if the Tax Indemnified Party is requested by the Tax Indemnifying Party to pay the Tax claimed and sue for a refund, the Tax Indemnifying Party shall have advanced to the Tax Indemnified Party, on an interest-free basis, the amount of such claim. The Tax Indemnified Party shall not make any payment of an Indemnified Tax Claim for at least thirty (30) days (or such shorter period as may be required by Law) after the giving of the notice required by Section  6.8(e)(ii) with respect to such claim, shall give to the Tax Indemnifying Party any information requested related to such claim, and otherwise shall cooperate with the Tax Indemnifying Party in order to contest effectively any such claim.

(f)     Scope . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Section  6.8 shall be the exclusive remedy for any claims relating to Taxes (including any claims relating to representations respecting Tax matters including Section  4.9 ). The rights under this Section  6.8 shall survive the Closing until thirty (30) days after the expiration of the statute of limitations (including extensions) applicable to such Tax matter. No claim may be made or brought by any Party hereto after the expiration of the applicable survival period unless such claim has been asserted by written notice specifying the details supporting the claim on or prior to the expiration of the applicable survival period. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section  6.8 shall not be subject to the provisions of Article  VII .

Section 6.9     Waiver of Earnout Rights . By entering into this Agreement, each Contributor Party, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, hereby waives, from and after the Closing, any and all rights related to, and acknowledges the termination of any obligations of any Partnership Entity in respect of, the Earnout Payments including, without limitation, the right of such Contributor Party and/or its Affiliates to receive any indirect payments thereunder, and acknowledges and agrees that the Contributor Parties and their Affiliates shall not have any further rights with respect thereto. The Sponsor hereby waives, from and after the Closing, any and all rights related to, and acknowledges the termination of any obligations of the Partnership in respect of, any Earnout Payment contemplated by the 2016 Contribution Agreement (including any rights by the Sponsor to receive any payments thereunder) pursuant to the terms of Section 12.8 therein, and acknowledges and agrees that the Sponsor shall not have any further rights with respect thereto. The Sponsor hereby waives, from and after the Closing, any and all rights related to, and acknowledges the termination of any obligations of the Partnership or Hi-Crush Augusta in respect of, any Earnout Payment contemplated by the 2017 Contribution Agreement (including any rights by the Sponsor to receive any payments thereunder) pursuant to the terms of Section 12.8 therein, and acknowledges and agrees that the Sponsor shall not have any further rights with respect thereto.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION, COSTS AND EXPENSES

Section 7.1     Survival of Representations and Warranties .

 

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(a)    Except as provided in Section  6.8 and Section  7.1(b) , the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and in any Transaction Document shall not survive the Closing. The covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement shall survive until fully discharged.

(b)    The Fundamental Representations shall survive the Closing for a period of two years (the “ Survival Period ”). The Partnership acknowledges that from and after Closing it will not have any claims or causes of action or any right to indemnification pursuant to Section  7.2 or otherwise for a breach of any representation or warranty in this Agreement that does not survive the Closing.

Section 7.2     Indemnification .

(a)    Subject to Section  6.8 relating to Taxes, from and after the Closing, the Partnership and the partners, directors, managers, officers, employees and agents of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Partnership Indemnified Parties ”) shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Contributor Parties for any Losses that the Partnership incurs by reason of the incorrectness, falsity or breach of the Fundamental Representations under this Agreement. Written notice of any claim by the Partnership for indemnification from the Contributor Parties under this Section  7.2 relating to the incorrectness, falsity or breach of the Fundamental Representations under this Agreement arising during the Survival Period must be given by the Partnership to the Contributor Parties’ Representative no later than the end of the Survival Period. For purposes of clarity, any claim by the Partnership for the breach of any Fundamental Representations contained in Article III or Article IV , or any claim pursuant to Section  6.8 , shall be indemnified by the Contributor Parties on a several and not joint basis.

(b)    From and after the Closing, the Partnership Indemnified Parties shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Contributor Parties, and the Contributor Parties and their current and future Affiliates and each of the direct and indirect equity holders, members, directors, managers, officers, employees and agents of the foregoing (the “ Contributor Parties Indemnified Parties ”) shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership, for any Losses that the Partnership or the Contributor Parties, as the case may be, incurs by reason of breach by the other Party of the covenants or agreements of the other Party set forth in this Agreement.

Section 7.3     Defense of Claims .

(a)    If any Indemnified Party receives notice of the assertion of any claim or of the commencement of any claim, action, or proceeding made or brought by any Person who is not a Party to this Agreement or any Representative of a Party to this Agreement (a “ Third Party Claim ”) with respect to which indemnification is to be sought from an Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party shall give such Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event such notice shall not be given later than thirty (30) calendar days after the Indemnified Party’s receipt of notice of such Third Party Claim. Such notice shall describe the nature of the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail and shall indicate the estimated amount, if practicable, of the indemnifiable Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party will have the right to participate in or, by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party, to elect to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim at such Indemnifying

 

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Party’s expense and by such Indemnifying Party’s own counsel; provided , that the counsel for the Indemnifying Party who shall conduct the defense of such Third Party Claim shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall cooperate in good faith in such defense at such Indemnified Party’s own expense. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party may compromise or settle such Third Party Claim over the objection of the Indemnifying Party, which settlement or compromise shall conclusively establish the Indemnifying Party’s liability pursuant to this Agreement.

(b)    (i) If, within 20 calendar days after an Indemnified Party provides written notice to the Indemnifying Party of any Third Party Claims, the Indemnified Party receives written notice from the Indemnifying Party that such Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim as provided in this Section  7.3 , the Indemnifying Party will not be liable for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof (unless the Indemnifying Party is also a party to such proceeding and the Indemnified Party determines in good faith that joint representation would be inappropriate based on a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party, in which case the Indemnified Party shall have the right to engage not more than one firm as its own counsel, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party); provided , however , that if the Indemnifying Party shall fail to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently such Third Party Claim within 20 calendar days after receiving notice from the Indemnified Party that the Indemnified Party believes the Indemnifying Party has failed to take such steps, the Indemnified Party may assume its own defense and the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for all reasonable expenses thereof.

(ii)    Without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into any settlement of any Third Party Claim that would lead to liability or create any financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party for which the Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification hereunder. If a firm offer is made to settle a Third Party Claim without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party for which the Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification hereunder and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party shall give written notice to the Indemnified Party to that effect. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within 30 calendar days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnifying Party shall be relieved of its obligations to defend such Third Party Claim and the Indemnified Party may contest or defend such Third Party Claim. In such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third Party Claim will be the amount of such settlement offer plus reasonable costs and expenses paid or incurred by Indemnified Party up to the date of said notice.

(c)    Any claim by an Indemnified Party on account of an indemnifiable Loss that does not result from a Third Party Claim (a “ Direct Claim ”) shall be asserted by giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, stating the nature of such claim in reasonable detail and indicating the estimated amount, if practicable, but in any event such notice shall not be given later than 30 calendar days after the Indemnified Party becomes aware of such Direct Claim, and the Indemnifying Party shall have a period of 20 calendar days within which to respond to such Direct Claim. If the Indemnifying Party does not respond within such 20 calendar day period, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have accepted such claim. If the Indemnifying Party rejects such claim, the Indemnified Party will be free to seek enforcement of its right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

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(d)    If the amount of any indemnifiable Loss, at any time subsequent to the making of an indemnity payment in respect thereof, is reduced by recovery, settlement or otherwise under or pursuant to any insurance coverage, or pursuant to any claim, recovery, settlement or payment by, from or against any other entity, the amount of such reduction, less any costs, expenses or premiums incurred in connection therewith (together with interest thereon from the date of payment thereof to the date or repayment at the “prime rate” as published in The Wall Street Journal ) shall promptly be repaid by the Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party.

(e)    A failure to give timely notice as provided in this Section  7.3 shall not affect the rights or obligations of any Party hereunder except if, and only to the extent that, as a result of such failure, the Party that was entitled to receive such notice was actually prejudiced as a result of such failure.

(f)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  7.3 , the indemnification procedures set forth in Section  6.8 shall control any indemnities relating to Taxes.

Section 7.4     Exclusive Remedy . Except for the remedies contained in Section  6.8 relating to Taxes, Section  8.8 and in the case of fraud, after the Closing, the Partnership acknowledges that the indemnification obligations of the Contributor Parties set forth in Section  7.2 are the sole and exclusive remedy of the Partnership Entities with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, whether asserted against (a) the Contributor Parties or the Sponsor Entities or (b) the former, current and future holders of any equity, partnership or limited liability company interest, controlling persons, directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, Affiliates, members, managers, general or limited partners, stockholders, assignees of the or any of the Contributor Parties or the Sponsor Entities. Subject to and in furtherance of the foregoing, the Partnership hereby waives, from and after the Closing, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, any and all rights, claims and causes of action it may have relating to the subject matter of this Agreement based upon predecessor or successor liability, contribution, tort, strict liability or any Law or otherwise.

Section 7.5     Limitations . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article  VII or elsewhere in this Agreement (other than Section  6.8 relating to Taxes):

(a)    Each Contributor Party’s aggregate liability under this Agreement and from the transactions contemplated hereby shall not exceed its pro rata share of the value of the Consideration.

(b)    Each Indemnified Party shall take, and cause its Affiliates to take, commercially reasonable steps to mitigate any Loss for which it would otherwise be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article  VII upon becoming aware of any event or circumstance that would be reasonably expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring costs only to the minimum extent necessary to remedy the breach that gives rise to such Loss; provided that any reasonable cost incurred by a Party to mitigate any such Loss will be deemed a Loss for purposes of this Article  VII .

 

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(c)    NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER THE PARTNERSHIP NOR THE CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES NOR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES SHALL BE LIABLE HEREUNDER TO ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, REMOTE, SPECULATIVE, SPECIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH LOST PROFITS OR DAMAGES ARE INCLUDED IN ANY ACTION BY A THIRD PARTY AGAINST SUCH INDEMNIFIED PARTY FOR WHICH IT IS ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 7.6     Tax Treatment of Indemnity Provisions . Each Party, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, agrees to treat any payments made pursuant to this Article  VII as adjustments to the Consideration for all U.S. federal and applicable state income and franchise Tax purposes.

Section 7.7     Calculation of Losses . In calculating amounts payable to an Indemnified Party, the amount of any indemnified Losses shall be computed net of (a) payments actually recovered by any Indemnified Party under any insurance policy with respect to such Losses net of expenses and (b) any actual recovery by any Indemnified Party from any Person with respect to such Losses net of expenses. Each Indemnified Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue reimbursement for Losses, including under insurance policies and indemnity arrangements.

Section 7.8     No Duplication . In no event shall any Indemnified Party be entitled to recover any Losses under one Section or provision of this Agreement to the extent of the full amount of such Losses already recovered by such Indemnified Party, nor shall its insurer or indemnitor be entitled to any kind of subrogation or substitution which would give it the right to make a claim against the Indemnifying Party.

Section 7.9     Release .

(a)    Except for the obligations of the Partnership under this Agreement or any Transaction Document and in the case of fraud, effective as of the Closing, each Contributor Party hereby forever fully and irrevocably releases and discharges each Hi-Crush Entity and its respective predecessors, successors and past and present stockholders, directors, managers, officers, employees, agents, and other representatives (collectively, the “ Hi-Crush Released Parties ”) from any and all actions, suits, claims, demands, debts, promises, judgments, liabilities or obligations of any kind whatsoever in law or equity and causes of action of every kind and nature, or otherwise (including claims for damages, costs, expense, and attorneys’, brokers’ and accountants fees and expenses) in each case related directly to such Contributor Party’s ownership of any of the Subject Units and the ownership and/or operation of the Sponsor Entities, or the assets, business, operations conduct, services, products and/or employees (including former employees) or any of the Sponsor Entities (and any predecessors), related to any period of time before the Closing Date, which each such Contributor Party can, shall or may have against the Hi-Crush Released Parties, whether known or unknown, and that now exist or may hereinafter accrue based on matters now known or unknown (collectively, the “ Hi-Crush Released Claims ”), and hereby irrevocably agrees to refrain from directly or indirectly asserting any claim or demand or commencing (or causing to be commenced) any proceeding of any kind before any Governmental Authority, against any Hi-Crush Released Party based upon any Hi-Crush Released Claim.

 

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(b)    Except for the obligations of the Contributor Parties under this Agreement or any Transaction Document and in the case of fraud, effective as of the Closing, the Partnership hereby forever fully and irrevocably releases and discharges each Contributor Party and its respective predecessors, successors and past and present stockholders, directors, managers, officers, employees, agents, and other representatives, as applicable (collectively, the “ Contributor Released Parties ”), from any and all actions, suits, claims, demands, debts, promises, judgments, liabilities or obligations of any kind whatsoever in law or equity and causes of action of every kind and nature, or otherwise (including claims for damages, costs, expense, and attorneys’, brokers’ and accountants fees and expenses) in each case related directly to such Contributor Party’s ownership of any of the Subject Units and the ownership and/or operation of the Hi-Crush Entities, or the assets, business, operations conduct, services, products and/or employees (including former employees) or any of the Hi-Crush Entities (and any predecessors), related to any period of time before the Closing Date, which the Partnership can, shall or may have against any of the Contributor Parties, whether known or unknown, and that now exist or may hereinafter accrue based on matters now known or unknown (collectively, the “ Contributor Released Claims ”), and hereby irrevocably agrees to refrain from directly or indirectly asserting any claim or demand or commencing (or causing to be commenced) any proceeding of any kind before any Governmental Authority, against any Contributor Released Party based upon any Contributor Released Claim.

(c)    Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 7.9(a) and 7.9(b ) and for the avoidance of doubt, “Hi-Crush Released Claims” and “Contributor Released Claims” shall not include, and the preceding provisions of Sections 7.9(a) and 7.9(b) shall not release or otherwise diminish the obligations of the Partnership or the Contributor Parties expressly set forth in any provisions of this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document or otherwise release or operate to limit any claim by a Party for fraud.

Section 7.10     No Reliance . EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE IN THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR IN ANY CERTIFICATE DELIVERED PURSUANT HERETO OR THERETO, NONE OF THE PARTIES OR ANY OTHER PERSON, INCLUDING ANY AFFILIATE OF ANY PARTY, MAKES ANY OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PARTIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AND EACH PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WHETHER MADE BY SUCH PARTIES OR ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES (INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF, OR ANY SUCH PERSON’S RELIANCE ON, ANY INFORMATION, DISCLOSURE OR OTHER DOCUMENT OR OTHER MATERIAL MADE AVAILABLE IN ANY DATA ROOM, MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION OR IN ANY OTHER FORM IN EXPECTATION OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY). EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, EACH PARTY HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY, PROJECTION, FORECAST, STATEMENT, OR INFORMATION MADE, COMMUNICATED, OR FURNISHED (ORALLY OR IN WRITING) TO ANY OTHER PARTY OR ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR

 

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REPRESENTATIVES (INCLUDING OPINION, INFORMATION, PROJECTION, OR ADVICE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OR MAY BE PROVIDED TO ANY PARTY OR ANY DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, AGENT, CONSULTANT OR REPRESENTATIVE OF SUCH PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES) WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PARTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTNERSHIP UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT ANY INVENTORY, EQUIPMENT, ASSETS, PROPERTIES AND BUSINESS OF THE SPONSOR ENTITIES AND THE GENERAL PARTNER ARE FURNISHED “AS IS”, “WHERE IS” AND SUBJECT TO THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN ARTICLE  III AND ARTICLE  IV , WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT ANY OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO RELY ON THE REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE OTHER PARTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY CERTIFICATE DELIVERED HEREUNDER, NOR WILL ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OPERATE TO LIMIT ANY CLAIM BY A PARTY FOR FRAUD.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1     Amendments and Modifications . This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only by written agreement of the Parties hereto.

Section 8.2     Waiver of Compliance . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any failure of any of the Parties to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition herein may be waived by the Party entitled to the benefits thereof only by a written instrument signed by the Party granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.

Section 8.3     Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . This Agreement and all questions relating to the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the Laws of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction that would call for the application of the substantive laws of any jurisdiction other than Delaware. Each Party hereby agrees that service of summons, complaint or other process in connection with any Proceedings contemplated hereby may be made in accordance with Section  8.4 addressed to such Party at the address specified pursuant to Section  8.4 . Each of the Parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery, or in the event, but only in the event, that such court does not have jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (or, in the event that such court does not have jurisdiction over such action or Proceeding, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Superior Court) (collectively, the “ Courts ”), for the purposes of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby (and agrees not to commence any Proceeding relating hereto except in such Courts). Each of the Parties further agrees that

 

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service of any process, summons, notice or document hand delivered or sent in accordance with Section  8.4 to such Party’s address set forth in Section  8.4 will be effective service of process for any Proceeding in Delaware with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence. Each of the Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby in the Courts, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Proceeding properly brought in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment in any jurisdiction or in any other manner provided at law or in equity. EACH PARTY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH.

Section 8.4     Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or by email transmission, or mailed by a nationally recognized overnight courier, postage prepaid, to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice; provided , that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt thereof):

If to the Partnership:

Hi-Crush Partners LP

1330 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 600

Houston, TX 77056

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile: (713) 980-6200

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

Hi-Crush Partners LP

1330 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 600

Houston, TX 77056

Attention: Joseph C. Winkler III

                 Chairman of the Conflicts Committee

Facsimile: (713) 980-6202

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

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main Street, Suite 3700

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: William N. Finnegan IV

        Nick S. Dhesi

E-Mail: bill.finnegan@lw.com

              nick.dhesi@lw.com.com

 

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If to the Contributor Parties, to the Contributor Parties’ Representative on behalf of all the Contributor Parties:

Avista Capital Holdings, L.P.

65 East 55 th Street

18 th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Ben Silbert

E-Mail: silbert@avistacap.com

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

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin St.Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: E. Ramey Layne

E-Mail: rlayne@velaw.com

Section 8.5     Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties. Neither Party may assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Parties.

Section 8.6     Contributor Parties Representative . As of the date of this Agreement, each Contributor Party hereby appoints Avista as his, her or its agent and attorney in fact to act on such Contributor Party’s behalf in effecting the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, with full power and authority to bind such Contributor Party as though such Contributor Party was present and acting on his, her or its own behalf. Each Contributor Party further instructs Partnership to discuss all matters relating to this Agreement and any other matters associated with the Transaction Documents with the Contributor Parties’ Representative on behalf of all of the Contributor Parties. All actions to be taken or notices to be provided by the Contributor Parties under this Agreement shall be taken or provided on behalf of the Contributor Parties by the Contributor Parties’ Representative and all notices to the Contributor Parties under this Agreement shall be provided to the Contributor Parties’ Representative on behalf of the Contributor Parties. All decisions and actions by the Contributor Parties’ Representative, including any agreement between the Contributor Parties’ Representative and Partnership relating to the defense or settlement of any claim pursuant to Article  VII for which the Contributor Parties may be required to indemnify any Partnership Indemnified Party, shall be binding upon all of the Contributor Parties and no Contributor Party shall have the right to object, protest or otherwise contest the same.

Section 8.7     Expenses . Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, each Party shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal, accounting, financial advisory and consulting fees and expenses) incurred by such Party in connection with the negotiation and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, except that Partnership shall pay expenses incurred in connection with obtaining the First Amendment to ABL Credit Agreement required pursuant to Section  2.3(b)(v) .

 

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Section 8.8     Specific Performance . The Parties acknowledge and agree that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable damage to the Partnership and the Contributor Parties and Partnership and the Contributor Parties will not have an adequate remedy at Law. Therefore, the obligations of Partnership and the Contributor Parties under this Agreement, including each Contributor Party’s obligation to contribute the Subject Units to Partnership and Partnership’s obligation to acquire the Subject Units from the Contributor Parties, shall be enforceable by a decree of specific performance issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, and appropriate injunctive relief may be applied for and granted in connection therewith. Such remedies shall, however, be cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in addition to any other remedies which any Party may have under this Agreement or otherwise.

Section 8.9     Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto), together with each of the other Transaction Documents, constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all prior or contemporaneous discussions, agreements and understandings, whether written or oral.

Section 8.10     Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision or portion of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law in any jurisdiction by any applicable Governmental Authority, (a) such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision in any other jurisdiction, (b) such provision shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable only to the extent strictly required by such Governmental Authority, (c) to the extent any such provision is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, each of the Contributor Parties and the Partnership agrees that it shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Governmental Authority to modify such provision so that such provision shall be valid, legal and enforceable as originally intended to the greatest extent possible and (d) to the extent that the Governmental Authority does not modify such provision, each of the Contributor Parties and the Partnership agrees that they shall endeavor in good faith to exercise or modify such provision so that such provision shall be valid, legal and enforceable as originally intended to the greatest extent possible.

Section 8.11     Disclosure Schedules . The inclusion of any information (including dollar amounts) in any section of any schedule required by this Agreement (the “ Disclosure Schedules ”) shall not be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgment by the disclosing party or any other Party that such information is required to be listed on such section of the relevant Disclosure Schedule or is material to or outside the ordinary course of the business of the applicable Person to which such disclosure relates. Each disclosure item set forth in the Disclosure Schedules shall relate only to the specific Section of the Agreement that corresponds to the number of such Schedule and to any other Section of this Agreement to which it is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure that such disclosure relates. The information contained in this Agreement, the Exhibits hereto and the Disclosure Schedules is disclosed solely for purposes of this Agreement, and no information contained herein or therein shall be deemed to be an admission by any Party hereto to any Third Party of any matter whatsoever (including any violation of Law or breach of contract).

 

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Section 8.12     Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement shall be binding upon and, except as provided below, inure solely to the benefit of the Parties hereto. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any Person other than the Parties, including any creditor of any Party or any of their Affiliates, except that Section  6.6 shall inure to the benefit of the Persons referred to therein. No Person other than the Parties shall obtain any right under any provision of this Agreement or shall by reason of any such provision make any claim in respect of any Liability (or otherwise) against any other Party hereto.

Section 8.13     Facsimiles; Electronic Transmission; Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including scanned documents delivered by email) by any Party and such execution shall be deemed binding for all purposes hereof, without delivery of an original signature being thereafter required. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which, when executed, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same document.

Section 8.14     Time of Essence . Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.

Section 8.15     Action by the Partnership . With respect to any action (including any case where the agreement of, or selection by, the Partnership is required), notice, consent, approval or waiver that is required to be taken or given or that may be taken or given by the Partnership at any time prior to the Closing with respect to, or in connection with, this Agreement, such action, notice, consent, approval or waiver shall not be taken or given by the Partnership unless first approved by the Conflicts Committee.

* * * * *

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties execute and deliver this Agreement, effective as of the date first above written.

 

PARTNERSHIP:
HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP
By: Hi-Crush GP LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Laura Fulton

Name:

Title:

 

Laura Fulton

Chief Financial Officer

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C ONTRIBUTION A GREEMENT


CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES:
Class A Members:
ACP HIP SPLITTER, L.P.
By:   /s/ Ben Silbert

Name:

Title:

 

Ben Silbert

General Counsel

 

ACP HIP SPLITTER (OFFSHORE), L.P.
By:   /s/ Ben Silbert

Name:

Title:

 

Ben Silbert

General Counsel

 

RER LEGACY INVESTMENTS LLC
By:   /s/ Robert E. Rasmus

Name:

Title:

 

Robert E. Rasmus

Sole Member

 

JMW LEGACY INVESTMENTS LLC
By:   /s/ James M. Whipkey

Name:

Title:

 

James M. Whipkey

Sole Member

 

BLESSED & FAVORED INVESTMENTS LLC
By:   /s/ Jefferies V. Alston, III

Name:

Title:

 

Jefferies V. Alston, III

President

 

JOHN AND KAREN HUFF, TENANTS IN COMMON
By:   /s/ John Huff
Name:   John Huff
By:   /s/ Karen Huff
Name:   Karen Huff

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C ONTRIBUTION A GREEMENT


LASROSAS CAPITAL LLC
By:   /s/ James E. Parkman, Jr.

Name:

Title:

 

James E. Parkman, Jr.

Sole Member

 

RGW INTERESTS LLC
By:   /s/ R. Graham Whaling

Name:

Title:

 

R. Graham Whaling

Manager

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C ONTRIBUTION A GREEMENT


Class B Members:
By:   /s/ Chad McEver
Name:   Chad McEver

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C ONTRIBUTION A GREEMENT


Class C Members:
By:   /s/ Laura Fulton
Name:   Laura Fulton
By:   /s/ Martha Romig
Name:   Martha Romig
By:   /s/ Mark Skolos
Name:   Mark Skolos

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C ONTRIBUTION A GREEMENT


Solely for purposes of Section 6.9,
HI-CRUSH PROPPANTS LLC
By:   /s/ Laura Fulton

Name:

Title:

 

Laura Fulton

Chief Financial Officer

 

HI-CRUSH AUGUSTA ACQUISITION CO., LLC
By:   Hi-Crush Partners LP, its sole member
By:   Hi-Crush GP, LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Laura Fulton

Name:

Title:

 

Laura Fulton

Chief Financial Officer

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C ONTRIBUTION A GREEMENT

 

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EXHIBIT A

DEFINITIONS

2016 Contribution Agreement ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

2017 Contribution Agreement ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person, whether now in existence or hereafter created, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition and the definition of Subsidiary, “ control ” (including, with correlative meanings, “ controlling , ” “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”) means, with respect to a Person, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of equity interests, including but not limited to voting securities, by contract or agency or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, except where otherwise noted, the Hi-Crush Entities shall not be considered Affiliates of the Contributor Parties and, prior to the Closing, neither the Contributor Parties nor the Sponsor Entities shall be considered Affiliates of the Partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the term “Affiliate” shall not include, and no provision of this Agreement shall be applicable to, the direct or indirect portfolio companies of investment funds advised or managed by Avista or its Affiliates.

Agreement ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble.

Assignment of Units ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  2.3(a)(i) .

Avista ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  6.5(b)(ii) .

Benefit Plan ” means (a) all “employee benefit plans” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) and (b) all other compensation or employee benefit plans, programs and other agreements, whether or not subject to ERISA, including cash or equity or equity-based, employment, retention, change of control, health, medical, dental, disability, accident, life insurance, vacation, severance, retirement, pension, savings, termination and other employee benefit plans, programs or other agreements, including the LTIP, in each case of clauses  (a) and (b)  that are sponsored, maintained, contributed to or required to be contributed to by any Hi-Crush Entity for the benefit of current or former employees, individual managers, directors, individual independent contractors or individual consultants of a Hi-Crush Entity, or with respect to which a Hi-Crush Entity has any current or contingent liability.

Board of Directors ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  6.2 .

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday for commercial banks in New York, New York.

Class  A Units ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Class  B Units ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

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Class  C Units ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Closing ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  2.2(a) .

Closing Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  2.2(a) .

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

Confidential Information ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  6.5(a)(ii) .

Conflicts Committee ” shall have the meaning specified in the Partnership Agreement.

Consideration ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  2.1(b) .

Contract ” means any written contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, mortgage, loan, instrument, evidence of indebtedness, security agreement, lease, easement, right of way agreement, sublease, license, commitment, subcontract, or other arrangement, understanding, undertaking, or commitment.

Contributor Parties ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble.

Contributor Parties Indemnified Parties ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7.2(b) .

Contributor Parties Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, change, fact, development, circumstance, condition or occurrence that would, or would be reasonably likely to, materially impair or delay the ability of any of the Contributor Parties or any of their Affiliates to perform any of its obligations or to consummate any of the transactions under the Transaction Documents or otherwise materially threaten, interfere with or impede the Contributor Parties’ or their Affiliates’ consummation or performance of the transactions or obligations under the Transaction Documents.

Contributor Parties Representative ” means Avista, in its capacity as the representative of the Contributor Parties.

Contributor Released Claims ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7.9(b) .

Contributor Released Parties ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7.9(b) .

Courts ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8.3 .

Covered Person ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  6.6(b) .

Direct Claim ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7.3(c) .

Disclosure Schedules ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  8.11 .

DLLCA ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended.

 

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Draft Allocation ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  6.8(b) .

DRULPA ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended.

Earnout Payments ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Encumbrances ” means any mortgage, deed of trust, encumbrance, charge, claim, equitable or other interest, easement, right of way, building or use restriction, lease, license, lien, option, pledge, security interest, purchase rights, preemptive right, right of first refusal or similar right or adverse claim or restriction of any kind.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

ERISA Affiliate ” means any Person that, together with any Hi-Crush Entity, is (or at any relevant time was) treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

First Amendment to ABL Credit Agreement ” means the [First Amendment to Credit Agreement], dated as of [the date hereof], by and among the Partnership, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the lenders party thereto, amending that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2018 among the Partnership, as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders party thereto, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Fundamental Representations ” means the representations and warranties contained in Section  3.1 (Organization), Section  3.2 (Validity of Agreement; Authorization), Section  3.3 (No Conflict of Violation), Section  3.5 (Ownership of the Subject Units), Section  3.7 (Liability for Brokers’ Fees), Section  3.9 (Litigation), Section  4.1 (Organization), Section  4.2 (No Conflict or Violation), Section  4.4 (Capitalization of Sponsor; Ownership of the GP Membership Interest and IDRs), Section  4.7 (Business of Sponsor Entities and General Partner) and Section  4.10 (Litigation).

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

General Partner ” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Governmental Authority ” means any (a) federal, state, local, or municipal government, or any subsidiary body thereof or (b) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature, including, (i) any governmental agency, branch, department, official, or entity, (ii) any court, judicial authority, or other tribunal, and (iii) any arbitration body or tribunal.

GP Agreement ” shall mean the First Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of the General Partner dated August 20, 2012.

GP Interests ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

GP Membership Interest ” means all of the Interests in the General Partner.

Hi-Crush Augusta ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble.

 

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Hi-Crush Entities ” means (a) the Sponsor Entities, (b) the General Partner and (c) the Partnership Entities.

Hi-Crush Holdings ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Hi-Crush Released Claims ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7.9(a) .

Hi-Crush Released Parties ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7.9(a) .

Hi-Crush Rupert ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Hi-Crush Services ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

IDRs ” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Indemnified Party ” means any of Partnership Indemnified Parties or Contributor Parties Indemnified Parties, as applicable.

Indemnified Tax Claim ” has the meaning provided such term in Section  6.8(e)(ii) .

Indemnifying Party ” shall mean any Party submitting a claim for indemnification pursuant to Article  VII .

Interest ” means (a) capital stock, common units, member or limited liability company interests, partnership interests, other equity interests, rights to profits or revenue and any other similar interest, (b) any security or other interest convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing and (c) any right (contingent or otherwise) to acquire any of the foregoing.

Knowledge ” means the actual knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, of Robert E. Rasmus and Laura Fulton.

Law ” means any applicable domestic or foreign federal, state, local, municipal, or other administrative order, constitution, law, Order, policy, ordinance, rule, code, principle of common law, case, decision, regulation, statute, tariff or treaty, or other requirements with similar effect of any Governmental Authority or any binding provisions or interpretations of the foregoing.

Legacy Sponsor Subsidiaries ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Liability ” means, collectively, any indebtedness, commitment, guaranty, endorsement, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, cost, expense, obligation, contingency, responsibility or other liability, in each case, whether fixed or unfixed, asserted or unasserted, due or to become due, accrued or unaccrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise.

Loss ” means, as to any specified Person, any loss, cost, damages, amounts paid in settlement, expense (including reasonable fees of and actual disbursements by attorneys, consultants, experts or other representatives, including litigation costs), fine of, penalty on, or liability of any other nature of that Person.

 

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LTIP ” means the Hi-Crush Partners LP First Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Plan.

Non-Compete Agreement ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  2.3(a)(vi) .

Order ” means any award, decision, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, subpoena, writ, decree or verdict entered, issued, made or rendered by any Governmental Authority.

Organizational Document ” means (a) with respect to a corporation, the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws thereof together with any other governing agreements or instruments of such corporation or the shareholders thereof, each as amended, (b) with respect to a limited liability company, the certificate of formation and the operating or limited liability company agreement or regulations thereof, or any comparable governing instruments, each, as amended, (c) with respect to a partnership, the certificate of formation and the partnership agreement of the partnership and, if applicable, the Organizational Documents of such partnership’s general partner, or any comparable governing instruments, each as amended and (d) with respect to any other Person, the organizational, constituent or governing documents or instruments of such Person, each as amended.

Partnership ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble.

Partnership ABL Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 1, 2018 among the Partnership, as borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and an issuing lender, and each other issuing lender party thereto.

Partnership Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hi-Crush Partners, LP, dated January 31, 2013.

Partnership Entities ” means the Partnership and the Partnership Operating Subsidiaries.

Partnership Indemnified Parties ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7.2(a) .

Partnership Interests ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  5.4(a) .

Partnership Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, change, fact, development, circumstance, condition or occurrence that would, or would be reasonably likely to, materially impair or delay the ability of any of the Partnership Entities to perform any of its obligations or to consummate any of the transactions under the Transaction Documents or otherwise materially threaten, interfere with or impede the Partnership Entities’ consummation or performance of the transactions or obligations under the Transaction Documents.

Partnership Operating Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Partnership.

Partnership SEC Reports ” means all periodic reports, current reports and registration statements, including exhibits and other information incorporated therein, filed by the Partnership with, or furnished by the Partnership to, the SEC, from January 1, 2017 until the date of this Agreement.

 

A-5


Party ” means, as applicable, the Partnership and the Contributor Parties.

Permits ” means all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, certificates of need, variances, exemptions, consents, certificates, approvals and orders.

Person ” means any individual, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust, cooperative, association, foreign trust, unincorporated organization, foreign business organization or Governmental Authority or any department or agency thereof, and the heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors, and assigns of such “Person” where the context so permits.

Phantom Units ” means any phantom unit that, following vesting, entitles the holder to receive common units of the Partnership (including corresponding distribution rights) and/or cash that was granted pursuant to the LTIP.

Proceedings ” means any claim, action, arbitration, mediation, audit, hearing, investigation, proceeding, litigation, or suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or informal) commenced, brought, conducted, or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any Governmental Authority, arbitrator, or mediator.

Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Partnership and Sponsor dated August 20, 2012, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Partnership and Sponsor, dated January 31, 2013, and as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Partnership and Sponsor, dated August 31, 2016.

Registration Rights Agreement Amendment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.3(a)(v) .

Representatives ” means all directors, officers, managers, trustees, employees, consultants, advisors (including attorneys), or other representatives of a Person.

Revised Partnership Agreement ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  2.2(b)(iii) .

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

Sponsor ” has the meaning specified in the preamble.

Sponsor Company Agreement ” means the Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Sponsor dated May 3, 2017.

Sponsor Entities ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

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Sponsor Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, change, fact, development, circumstance, condition, matter or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with one or more other events, changes, facts, developments, circumstances, conditions, matters or occurrences, that is or would be reasonably likely to (i) be materially adverse to, or has had or would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on or change in, on or to the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Sponsor Entities, taken as a whole (including, their respective assets, properties or businesses, taken as a whole), or (ii) materially impair or delay the ability of any of the Sponsor Entities to perform any of its obligations or to consummate any of the transactions under the Transaction Documents or otherwise materially threaten, interfere with or impede the Sponsor Entities’ consummation or performance of the transactions or obligations under the Transaction Documents; provided , however , that in the case of clause (i), none of the following events, changes, facts, developments, circumstances, conditions, matters or occurrences (either alone or in combination) shall be taken into account for purposes of determining whether or not a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect has occurred: (a) changes in general local, domestic, foreign, or international economic conditions (including but not limited to, prevailing interest rates, commodity prices, transportation conditions, fuel costs, labor costs, rail costs and trucking costs) or political conditions (b) changes affecting generally the industries or markets in which such Person operates, (c) acts of war or major hostilities, sabotage or terrorism, military actions or the escalation thereof, (d) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, the performance or consummation of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or the public announcement (in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) or other publicity with respect to any of the foregoing, including any disruption of customer or supplier relationships or loss of any employees or independent contractors of any Sponsor Entity; (e) any failure, in and of itself, of any Sponsor Entities to meet any published or internally prepared projections, budgets, plans or forecasts of revenues, earnings or other financial performance measures or operating statistics (it being understood that the facts and circumstances underlying any such failure that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of a “Material Adverse Effect” may be considered in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect) or (f) any changes in the applicable laws or accounting rules or principles, including changes required by GAAP or enforcement or interpretations thereof; except, in the case of clauses (a) through (c) and clause (f), to the extent disproportionately affecting the Sponsor Entities as compared with other Persons in the same industry and then only such disproportionate impact shall be considered

Subject Employees ” means those individuals who are employees of a Hi-Crush Entity.

Subject Units ” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, or business entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which (a) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, (b) if a partnership (whether general or limited), a general partner interest is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof or (c) if a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity gains or losses.

 

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Survival Period ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7.1(b) .

Tax ” means all taxes, charges, fees, levies, or other assessments, including all net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, excise, estimated, severance, stamp, occupation, property, or other taxes, customs duties, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatsoever, or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including all interest and penalties thereon, and additions to tax or additional amounts, imposed by any Tax Authority.

Tax Allocation ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  6.8(b) .

Tax Authority ” means a Governmental Authority or political subdivision thereof responsible for the imposition, administration, assessment, or collection of any Tax (domestic or foreign) and the agency (if any) charged with the collection or administration of such Tax for such entity or subdivision.

Tax Returns ” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, estimate, information, rendition, statement or other document pertaining to any Taxes required to be filed with a Governmental Authority, including any attachments or supplements or amendments thereto.

Tax Indemnified Party ” has the meaning provided such term in Section  6.8(e)(ii) .

Tax Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning provided such term in Section  6.8(e)(ii) .

Third Party ” means any Person other than (a) a Party, (b) an Affiliate of a Party or (c) the Hi-Crush Entities.

Third Party Claim ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  7.3(a) .

Transaction Documents ” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, the Revised Partnership Agreement, the Assignment of Units, the Non-Compete Agreements, the Contribution Agreement Amendments and any and all other agreements or instruments provided for in this Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

Transfer Taxes ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  6.8(a) .

Treasury Regulation ” shall mean the regulations promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provision of the Code. All references herein to sections of the Treasury Regulations shall include any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding, similar, substitute, temporary or final Treasury Regulations.

WARN ” shall have the meaning specified in Section  4.8(c) .

 

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Exhibit 3.1

 

 

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1      Definitions

     2  

Section 1.2      Construction

     12  

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

  

Section 2.1      Continuation

     13  

Section 2.2      Name

     13  

Section 2.3      Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices

     13  

Section 2.4      Purpose and Business

     13  

Section 2.5      Powers

     14  

Section 2.6      Term

     14  

Section 2.7      Title to Partnership Assets

     14  

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

  

Section 3.1      Limitation of Liability

     14  

Section 3.2      Management of Business

     14  

Section 3.3      Outside Activities of the Limited Partners

     15  

Section 3.4      Rights of Limited Partners

     15  

ARTICLE IV

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;

REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

  

Section 4.1      Certificates

     16  

Section 4.2      Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

     16  

Section 4.3      Record Holders

     17  

Section 4.4      Transfer Generally

     17  

Section 4.5      Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests

     18  

Section 4.6      Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest

     19  

Section 4.7      Restrictions on Transfers

     19  

Section 4.8      Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders

     20  

Section 4.9      Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders

     21  

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

  

Section 5.1      Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates

     22  

Section 5.2      Interest and Withdrawal

     22  

Section 5.3      Capital Accounts

     23  

Section 5.4      Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments

     25  

Section 5.5      Limited Preemptive Right

     26  

Section 5.6      Splits and Combinations

     26  

Section 5.7      Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests

     27  

ARTICLE VI

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

  

Section 6.1      Allocations for Capital Account Purposes

     27  

Section 6.2      Allocations for Tax Purposes

     31  

Section 6.3      Distributions; Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders

     32  

 

i


ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

  

Section   7.1      Management

     33  

Section   7.2      Replacement of Fiduciary Duties

     35  

Section   7.3      Certificate of Limited Partnership

     35  

Section   7.4      Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority

     36  

Section   7.5      Reimbursement of the General Partner

     36  

Section   7.6      Outside Activities

     37  

Section   7.7      Indemnification

     38  

Section   7.8      Liability of Indemnitees

     39  

Section   7.9      Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties

     40  

Section   7.10    Other Matters Concerning the General Partner and Indemnitees

     41  

Section   7.11    Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests

     42  

Section   7.12    Reliance by Third Parties

     42  

ARTICLE VIII

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

  

Section   8.1      Records and Accounting

     43  

Section   8.2      Fiscal Year

     43  

Section   8.3      Reports

     43  

ARTICLE IX

TAX MATTERS

  

Section   9.1      Tax Returns and Information

     44  

Section   9.2      Tax Elections

     44  

Section   9.3      Tax Controversies

     44  

Section   9.4      Withholding and Other Tax Payments by the Partnership

     45  

ARTICLE X

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

  

Section 10.1      Admission of Limited Partners

     46  

Section 10.2      Admission of Successor General Partner

     47  

Section 10.3      Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

     47  

 

ii


ARTICLE XI

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

  

Section 11.1      Withdrawal of the General Partner

     47  

Section 11.2      Removal of the General Partner

     49  

Section 11.3      Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner

     49  

Section 11.4      Withdrawal of Limited Partners

     51  

ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

  

Section 12.1      Dissolution

     51  

Section 12.2      Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution

     51  

Section 12.3      Liquidator

     52  

Section 12.4      Liquidation

     52  

Section 12.5      Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

     53  

Section 12.6      Return of Contributions

     53  

Section 12.7      Waiver of Partition

     53  

Section 12.8      Capital Account Restoration

     54  

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

  

Section 13.1      Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner

     54  

Section 13.2      Amendment Procedures

     55  

Section 13.3      Amendment Requirements

     56  

Section 13.4      Special Meetings

     57  

Section 13.5      Notice of a Meeting

     57  

Section 13.6      Record Date

     57  

Section 13.7      Adjournment

     57  

Section 13.8      Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes

     58  

Section 13.9      Quorum and Voting

     58  

Section 13.10    Conduct of a Meeting

     58  

Section 13.11    Action Without a Meeting

     59  

Section 13.12    Election of Directors.

     60  

ARTICLE XIV

MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION

  

Section 14.1      Authority

     64  

Section 14.2      Procedure for Merger or Consolidation

     64  

Section 14.3      Approval by Limited Partners

     65  

Section 14.4      Certificate of Merger

     67  

Section 14.5      Effect of Merger or Consolidation

     67  

 

iii


ARTICLE XV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

  

Section 15.1      Addresses and Notices; Written Communications

     67  

Section 15.2      Further Action

     68  

Section 15.3      Binding Effect

     68  

Section 15.4      Integration

     68  

Section 15.5      Creditors

     68  

Section 15.6      Waiver

     68  

Section 15.7      Third-Party Beneficiaries

     68  

Section 15.8      Counterparts

     69  

Section 15.9      Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury

     69  

Section 15.10    Invalidity of Provisions

     70  

Section 15.11    Consent of Partners

     70  

Section 15.12    Facsimile Signatures

     70  

 

 

iv


THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT

OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP

THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP, dated as of October 21, 2018, is entered into by Hi-Crush GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner.

WHEREAS, the General Partner and the other parties thereto entered into that certain First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hi-Crush Partners LP dated as of August 20, 2012 (the “ First Amended and Restated Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, the General Partner and the other parties thereto amended and restated the First Amended and Restated Agreement, effective as of January 31, 2013 (such agreement, the “ Second Amended and Restated Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, Section 13.1(g) of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement provides that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement to reflect an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement;

WHEREAS, Section 13.1(d)(i) of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement provides that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement to reflect a change that the General Partner determines does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect;

WHEREAS, the Partnership has entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “ Contribution Agreement ”), dated as of the date hereof, among the Partnership, the holders of all of the membership interests of Hi-Crush Proppants LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the sole member of the General Partner (“ Hi-Crush Proppants ”), and certain other parties, pursuant to which, among other things, such holders contributed all of the membership interests in Hi-Crush Proppants to the Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of 11,000,000 Common Units allocated among such holders (such transaction, the “ Contribution ”); and

WHEREAS, the General Partner has determined, pursuant to Section 13.1(g) or Section13.1(d)(i) of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement, that the amendments to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement set forth herein are necessary or appropriate in connection with the issuance of Common Units pursuant to the Contribution Agreement or do not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect.

NOW, THEREFORE, the General Partner does hereby amend and restate the Second Amended and Restated Agreement in its entirety as follows:

 

H I -C RUSH P ARTNERS LP

T HIRD A MENDED AND R ESTATED A GREEMENT OF L IMITED P ARTNERSHIP

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ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1     Definitions . The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

Adjusted Capital Account ” means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each taxable period of the Partnership, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) decreased by (i) the amount of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such taxable period, are reasonably expected to be allocated to such Partner in subsequent taxable periods under Sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that, as of the end of such taxable period, are reasonably expected to be made to such Partner in subsequent taxable periods in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting increases to such Partner’s Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to) the taxable period in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases as a result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(i) or 6.1(c)(ii) ). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

Adjusted Property ” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section  5.3(d) .

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, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agreed Allocation ” means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section  6.1 , including a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term “Agreed Allocation” is used).

Agreed Value ” of any Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property at the time of contribution and in the case of an Adjusted Property, the fair market value of such Adjusted Property on the date of the Revaluation Event as described in Section  5.3(d) , in both cases as determined by the General Partner.

Agreement ” means this Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hi-Crush Partners LP, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

H I -C RUSH P ARTNERS LP

T HIRD A MENDED AND R ESTATED A GREEMENT OF L IMITED P ARTNERSHIP

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Associate ” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer, manager, general partner or managing member or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.

Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the General Partner.

Book-Tax Disparity ” means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for U.S. federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section  5.3 and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with U.S. federal income tax accounting principles.

Business Day ” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of Texas shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

Capital Account ” means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section  5.3 . The “Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

Capital Contribution ” means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership or that is contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership on behalf of a Partner (including, in the case of an underwritten offering of Units, the amount of any underwriting discounts or commissions).

Carrying Value ” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property or an Adjusted Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in respect of such property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for U.S. federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section  5.3(d) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.

Cause ” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner is liable to the Partnership or any Limited Partner for actual fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.

 

H I -C RUSH P ARTNERS LP

T HIRD A MENDED AND R ESTATED A GREEMENT OF L IMITED P ARTNERSHIP

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Certificate ” means a certificate in such form (including in global form if permitted by applicable rules and regulations) as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Partnership Interests. The initial form of certificate approved by the General Partner for Common Units is attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement.

Certificate of Limited Partnership ” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section  7.3 , as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Citizenship Eligibility Trigger ” is defined in Section  4.8(a)(ii) .

Closing Date ” means the date of the closing of the Contribution.

Closing Price ” means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the primary reporting system then in use in relation to such Limited Partner Interests of such class, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner.

Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.

Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Unit ” means a Partnership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement.

Conflicts Committee ” means a committee of the Board of Directors composed entirely of one or more directors, each of whom (a) is not an officer or employee of the General Partner, (b) is not an officer or employee of any Affiliate of the General Partner or a director of any Affiliate of the General Partner (other than any Group Member), (c) is not a holder of any ownership interest in the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, including any Group Member, other than Common Units and awards that are granted to such director under the LTIP and (d) is determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner to be independent under the independence standards for directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which any class of Partnership Interests is listed or admitted to trading.

 

H I -C RUSH P ARTNERS LP

T HIRD A MENDED AND R ESTATED A GREEMENT OF L IMITED P ARTNERSHIP

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Contributed Property ” means each property, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section  5.3(d) , such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.

Contribution ” is defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.

Contribution Agreement ” is defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.

Curative Allocation ” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section  6.1(c)(xi) .

Current Market Price ” means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the average of the daily Closing Prices per Limited Partner Interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date.

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

Departing General Partner ” means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section  11.1 or 11.2 .

Derivative Instruments ” means options, right, warrants, appreciation rights, tracking, profit and phantom interests and other derivative instruments relating to, convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests.

Directors ” means the members of the Board of Directors.

Economic Risk of Loss ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).

Effective Time ” means the closing of the Contribution.

Eligibility Certificate ” is defined in Section  4.8(b) .

Eligible Holder ” means a Limited Partner whose (a) U.S. federal income tax status would not, in the determination of the General Partner, have the material adverse effect described in Section  4.9(a)(i) or (b) nationality, citizenship or other related status would not, in the determination of the General Partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture as described in Section  4.9(a)(ii) .

Event of Withdrawal ” is defined in Section  11.1(a) .

 

H I -C RUSH P ARTNERS LP

T HIRD A MENDED AND R ESTATED A GREEMENT OF L IMITED P ARTNERSHIP

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Excess Distribution ” is defined in Section  6.1(c)(iii)(A) .

Excess Distribution Unit ” is defined in Section  6.1(c)(iii)(A) .

First Amended and Restated Agreement ” is defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.

General Partner ” means Hi-Crush GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general partner of the Partnership, in their capacities as general partner of the Partnership (except as the context otherwise requires).

General Partner Interest ” means the non-economic management interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner and without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it) and includes any and all rights, powers and benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The General Partner Interest does not include any rights to profits or losses or any rights to receive distributions from operations or upon the liquidation or winding-up of the Partnership.

Gross Liability Value ” means, with respect to any Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i), the amount of cash that a willing assignor would pay to a willing assignee to assume such Liability in an arm’s-length transaction.

Group ” means two or more Persons that with or through any of their respective Affiliates or Associates have any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power or disposing of any Partnership Interests with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests.

Group Member ” means a member of the Partnership Group.

Group Member Agreement ” means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Hi-Crush Proppants ” is defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

H I -C RUSH P ARTNERS LP

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Indemnitee ” means (a) any General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of any Group Member, a General Partner, any Departing General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of a General Partner, any Departing General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates as an officer, director, manager, managing member, general partner, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another Person owing a fiduciary or similar duty to any Group Member; provided that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, (f) any Person who controls a General Partner or Departing General Partner and (g) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement because such Person’s service, status or relationship exposes such Person to potential claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings relating to the Partnership Group’s business and affairs.

Ineligible Holder ” is defined in Section  4.8(c) .

Initial Offering ” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement, including any offer and sale of Common Units pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

Liability ” means any liability or obligation of any nature, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise.

Limited Partner ” means, unless the context otherwise requires, each Person that becomes or has become a Limited Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and any Departing General Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section  11.3 , in each case, in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.

Limited Partner Interest ” means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units or other Partnership Interests or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

Liquidation Date ” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section  12.2 , the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.

Liquidator ” means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions described in Section  12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.

LTIP ” means the Long-Term Incentive Plan of the General Partner, as may be amended, or any equity compensation plan successor thereto.

Merger Agreement ” is defined in Section  14.1 .

 

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National Securities Exchange ” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act (or any successor to such Section) and any other securities exchange (whether or not registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) (or successor to such Section) of the Securities Exchange Act) that the General Partner shall designate as a National Securities Exchange for purposes of this Agreement.

Net Agreed Value ” means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section  5.3(d)(ii) ) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution.

Net Income ” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section  5.3 but shall not include any items specially allocated under Section  6.1(c) .

Net Loss ” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section  5.3 but shall not include any items specially allocated under Section  6.1(c) .

Noncompensatory Option ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.721-2(f).

Nonrecourse Built-in Gain ” means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Section  6.2(b) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.

Nonrecourse Deductions ” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner.

 

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Outstanding ” means, with respect to Partnership Interests, all Partnership Interests that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as of the date of determination; provided , however , that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding, none of the Partnership Interests owned by such Person or Group shall be entitled to be voted on any matter or be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Partnership Interests so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section  11.1(b) (such Partnership Interests shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Interests for purposes of this Agreement or the Delaware Act); provided , further , that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than the Partnership), (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i) provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, or (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply.

Partner Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions ” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.

Partners ” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

Partnership ” means Hi-Crush Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

Partnership Group ” means, collectively, the Partnership and its Subsidiaries.

Partnership Interest ” means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership, which shall include any General Partner Interest and Limited Partner Interests but shall exclude any Derivative Instruments.

Partnership Minimum Gain ” means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

Percentage Interest ” means as of any date of determination (a) as to any Unitholder with respect to Units, the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of Units held by such Unitholder by (B) the total number of Outstanding Units. The Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interest shall at all times be zero.

 

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

Pro Rata ” means (a) when used with respect to Units or any class thereof, apportioned equally among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests and (b) when used with respect to Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests.

Quarter ” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, or, with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Partnership in which the Closing Date occurs, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.

Rate Eligibility Trigger ” is defined in Section  4.8(a)(i) .

Recapture Income ” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.

Record Date ” means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.

Record Holder ” means (a) with respect to any class of Partnership Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Person in whose name a Partnership Interest of such class is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the closing of business on a particular Business Day, or (b) with respect to other classes of Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Interest is registered on the books that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the closing of business on such Business Day.

Redeemable Interests ” means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section  4.9 .

Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-182754) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Offering.

 

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Reorganization Event ” means (i) any consolidation, merger or combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (other than a merger or consolidation in which the Partnership is the continuing Partnership and in which the Common Units outstanding immediately prior to the merger or consolidation are not exchanged for cash, securities or other property of the Partnership or another Person), (ii) any sale, transfer, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Partnership to any other Person, or (iii) any statutory exchange of the Partnership’s securities with another Person (other than in connection with a merger or acquisition covered by clause (i) above), in each case where Common Units are exchanged for, or converted into, stock, securities, property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof).

Required Allocations ” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(i) , Section  6.1(c)(ii) , Section  6.1(c)(iv) , Section  6.1(c)(v) , Section  6.1(c)(vi) , Section  6.1(c)(vii) or Section  6.1(c)(ix) .

Revaluation  Event ” means an event that results in an adjustment of the Carrying Value of each Partnership property pursuant to Section  5.3(d) .

Second Amended and Restated Agreement ” is defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

Securities Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

Special Approval ” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee or, if the Conflicts Committee has only one member, the sole member of the Conflicts Committee.

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 partner of such partnership, but only if such Person, directly or by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, controls such partnership on the date of determination or (c) any other Person 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.

Surviving Business Entity ” is defined in Section  14.2(b)(ii) .

Trading Day ” means, for the purpose of determining the Current Market Price of any class of Limited Partner Interests, a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if Limited Partner Interests of a class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.

 

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transfer ” is defined in Section  4.4(a) .

Transfer Agent ” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as may be appointed from time to time by the Partnership to act as registrar and transfer agent for any class of Partnership Interests; provided , that if no Transfer Agent is specifically designated for any class of Partnership Interests, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.

Unit ” means a Partnership Interest that is designated as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units but shall not include a General Partner Interest.

Unitholders ” means the holders of Common Units.

Unit Majority ” means at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units.

Unrealized Gain ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section  5.3(d) ) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section  5.3(d) as of such date).

Unrealized Loss ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section  5.3(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section  5.3(d) ).

Unrestricted Person ” means (a) each Indemnitee, (b) each Partner, (c) each Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, employee or agent of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner and (d) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Unrestricted Person” for purposes of this Agreement.

U.S. GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.

Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ” is defined in Section  11.1(b) .

Section 1.2     Construction . Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include”, “includes”, “including” and words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and (d) the terms “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1     Continuation . The General Partner, pursuant to the authority contained in Section 13.1(d)(i) of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement, does hereby amend and restate the Second Amended and Restated Agreement in its entirety, effective immediately following the Effective Time, to continue the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act and to set forth the rights and obligations of the Partners and certain related matters hereto. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act.

Section 2.2     Name . The name of the Partnership shall be “Hi-Crush Partners LP.” The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words “Limited Partnership,” “LP,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.

Section 2.3     Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices . Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 1330 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 600, Houston, TX 77056, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be 1330 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 600, Houston, TX 77056, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.

Section 2.4     Purpose and Business . The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner, in its sole discretion, and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, (b) own, directly or indirectly, the General Partner and to exercise (including through one or more intermediaries) all the rights and powers of a member of the General Partner and (c) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided , however , that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would be reasonably likely to cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve, and may, in its sole discretion, decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business.

 

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Section 2.5     Powers . The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section  2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.

Section 2.6     Term . The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article  XII . The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.

Section 2.7     Title to Partnership Assets . Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided , however , that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership or one or more of the Partnership’s designated Affiliates as soon as reasonably practicable; provided , further , that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

Section 3.1     Limitation of Liability . The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.

Section 3.2     Management of Business . No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. All actions taken by any Affiliate of the

 

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General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be participating in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.

Section 3.3     Outside Activities of the Limited Partners . Subject to the provisions of Section  7.6 , which shall continue to be applicable to the Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also be Limited Partners, each Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner.

Section 3.4     Rights of Limited Partners .

(a)    Each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose that is reasonably related, as determined by the General Partner, to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense, to obtain:

(i)    true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership ( provided that the requirements of this Section  3.4(a)(i) shall be satisfied to the extent the Limited Partner is furnished the Partnership’s most recent annual report and any subsequent quarterly or periodic reports required to be filed (or which would be required to be filed) with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act);

(ii)    a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Record Holder; and

(iii)    a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with copies of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed.

(b)    The rights to information granted the Limited Partners pursuant to Section  3.4(a) replace in their entirety any rights to information provided for in Section 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act and each of the Partners and each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in Partnership Interests hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have any rights as Partners to receive any information either pursuant to Sections 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act or otherwise except for the information identified in Section  3.4(a) .

 

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(c)    The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or its business or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section  3.4 ).

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or Section 17-305 of the Delaware Act, each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have rights to receive information from the Partnership or any Indemnitee for the purpose of determining whether to pursue litigation or assist in pending litigation against the Partnership or any Indemnitee relating to the affairs of the Partnership except pursuant to the applicable rules of discovery relating to litigation commenced by such Person.

ARTICLE IV

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;

REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 4.1     Certificates . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless the General Partner shall determine otherwise in respect of some or all of any or all classes of Partnership Interests, Partnership Interests shall not be evidenced by certificates. Certificates that may be issued shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Executive Vice President or Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the General Partner. No Certificate for a class of Partnership Interests shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent for such class of Partnership Interests; provided , however , that if the General Partner elects to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests of such class in global form, the Certificate shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Partnership Interests have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership.

Section 4.2     Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates .

(a)    If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Interests as the Certificate so surrendered.

(b)    The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:

(i)    makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;

 

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(ii)    requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;

(iii)    if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and

(iv)    satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner or the Transfer Agent.

If a Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after such Limited Partner has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.

(c)    As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section  4.2 , the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.

Section 4.3     Record Holders . The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such representative Person shall be (a) the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest and (b) bound by this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of a Partner hereunder as, and to the extent, provided herein.

Section 4.4     Transfer Generally .

(a)    The term “ transfer ,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall mean a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns its General Partner Interest to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, excluding a pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage but including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.

 

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(b)    No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article  IV . Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article  IV shall be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, null and void.

(c)    Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of any Partner of any or all of the shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in such Partner and the term “transfer” shall not mean any such disposition.

Section 4.5     Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests .

(a)    The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section  4.5(b) , the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests.

(b)    The Partnership shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided , that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section  4.5 , the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions hereof, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.

(c)    By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with this Section  4.5 and except as provided in Section  4.8 , each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of Section  10.1(a) .

(d)    Subject to (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section  4.5 , (ii) Section  4.3 , (iii) Section  4.7 , (iv) with respect to any class or series of Limited Partner Interests, the provisions of any statement of designations or an amendment to this Agreement establishing such class or series, (v) any contractual provisions binding on any Limited Partner and (vi) provisions of applicable law including the Securities Act, Limited Partner Interests shall be freely transferable.

 

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(e)    The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer Common Units to one or more Persons.

Section 4.6     Transfer of the General Partner s General Partner Interest .

(a)    The General Partner may at its option transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest without approval from any other Partner.

(b)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest held by the General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section  4.6 , the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section  10.2 , be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner effective immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.

Section 4.7     Restrictions on Transfers .

(a)    Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article  IV , no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

(b)    The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it determines, with the advice of counsel, that such restrictions are necessary or advisable to (i) avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) preserve the uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided , however , that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted to trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.

 

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(c)    Nothing contained in this Agreement, other than Section  4.7(a) , shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

Section 4.8     Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders .

(a)    If at any time the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that:

(i)    the U.S. federal income tax status (or lack of proof of the U.S. federal income tax status) of one or more Limited Partners or their beneficial owners has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the rates that can be charged to customers by any Group Member with respect to assets that are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or similar regulatory body (a “ Rate Eligibility Trigger ”); or

(ii)    any Group Member is subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of a Limited Partner (a “ Citizenship Eligibility Trigger ”);

then, the General Partner may adopt such amendments to this Agreement as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to (x) in the case of a Rate Eligibility Trigger, obtain such proof of the U.S. federal income tax status of the Limited Partners and, to the extent relevant, their beneficial owners, as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reduce risk of the occurrence of a material adverse effect on the rates that can be charged to customers by any Group Member or (y) in the case of a Citizenship Eligibility Trigger, obtain such proof of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of the Limited Partner and, to the extent relevant, their beneficial owners as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to eliminate or mitigate a significant risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any properties or interests therein of a Group Member.

(b)    Such amendments may include provisions requiring all Partners to certify as to their (and their beneficial owners’) status as Eligible Holders upon demand and on a regular basis, as determined by the General Partner, and may require transferees of Units to so certify prior to being admitted to the Partnership as a Partner (any such required certificate, an “ Eligibility Certificate ”).

(c)    Such amendments may provide that any Partner who fails to furnish to the General Partner within a reasonable period requested proof of its (and its beneficial owners’) status as an Eligible Holder or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner (or its beneficial owner) is not an Eligible Holder (an “ Ineligible Holder ”), the Partnership Interests owned by such Limited Partner shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section  4.9 . In addition, the General Partner shall be substituted and treated as the owner of all Partnership Interests owned by an Ineligible Holder.

 

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(d)    The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Partnership Interests held by it on behalf of Ineligible Holders, cast such votes in the same manner and in the same ratios as the votes of Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) in respect of Partnership Interests other than those of Ineligible Holders are cast.

(e)    Upon dissolution of the Partnership, an Ineligible Holder shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section  12.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Ineligible Holder’s share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for purposes hereof as a purchase by the Partnership from the Ineligible Holder of the portion of his Partnership Interest representing his right to receive his share of such distribution in kind.

(f)    At any time after he can and does certify that he has become an Eligible Holder, an Ineligible Holder may, upon application to the General Partner, request that with respect to any Partnership Interests of such Ineligible Holder not redeemed pursuant to Section  4.9 , such Ineligible Holder be admitted as a Partner, and upon approval of the General Partner, such Ineligible Holder shall be admitted as a Partner and shall no longer constitute an Ineligible Holder and the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the owner in respect of such Ineligible Holder’s Partnership Interests.

Section 4.9     Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders .

(a)    If at any time a Partner fails to furnish an Eligibility Certificate or other information requested within the period of time specified in amendments adopted pursuant to Section  4.8 or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate, the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Partner is an Ineligible Holder, the Partnership may, unless the Partner establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Partner is an Eligible Holder or has transferred his Limited Partner Interests to a Person who is an Eligible Holder and who furnishes an Eligibility Certificate to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Partnership Interest of such Partner as follows:

(i)    The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Partner, at his last address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent, as applicable, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon redemption of the Redeemable Interests (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests) and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which the Partner would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made.

 

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(ii)    The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Partnership Interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Partnership Interests of each such class included among the Redeemable Interests. The redemption price shall be paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 8% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.

(iii)    The Partner or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment for the Redeemable Interests at the place of payment specified in the notice of redemption on the redemption date (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender by or on behalf of the Partner at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank).

(iv)    After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.

(b)    The provisions of this Section  4.9 shall also be applicable to Partnership Interests held by a Partner as nominee of a Person determined to be an Ineligible Holder.

(c)    Nothing in this Section  4.9 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Partnership Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided the transferee of such Partnership Interest certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner that he is an Eligible Holder. If the transferee fails to make such certification, such redemption will be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 5.1     Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates . The General Partner Interest is a non-economic management interest in the Partnership. From and after the Effective Time, the General Partner Interest shall represent only a non-economic management interest of the General Partner in the Partnership. Hi-Crush GP LLC hereby continues as the general partner of the Partnership, and the Partnership is continued without dissolution.

Section 5.2     Interest and Withdrawal . No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon liquidation of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority over any other Partner either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.

 

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Section 5.3     Capital Accounts .

(a)    The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section  5.3(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section  6.1 , and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section  5.3(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section  6.1 .

(b)    For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is to be allocated pursuant to Article  VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided , that:

(i)    Solely for purposes of this Section  5.3 , the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement) of all property owned by (x) any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (y) any other partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes of which a Group Member is, directly or indirectly, a partner, member or other equity holder.

(ii)    All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section  6.1 .

(iii)    Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To

 

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the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

(iv)    To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

(v)    In the event the Carrying Value of Partnership property is adjusted pursuant to Section  5.3(d) , any Unrealized Gain resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain and any Unrealized Loss resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as an item of loss.

(vi)    Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the property’s Carrying Value as of such date.

(vii)    Any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property or Adjusted Property shall be determined under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d)(2) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment.

(viii)    The Gross Liability Value of each Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i) shall be adjusted at such times as provided in this Agreement for an adjustment to Carrying Values. The amount of any such adjustment shall be treated for purposes hereof as an item of loss (if the adjustment increases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership) or an item of gain (if the adjustment decreases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership).

(c)    Except as otherwise provided in this Section  5.3(c) , a transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.

(d)    

(i)    In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of a Noncompensatory Option, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the Capital Accounts of each Limited Partner and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property; provided, however, that in the event of the issuance of

 

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a Partnership Interest pursuant to the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option where the right to share in Partnership capital represented by such Partnership Interest differs from the consideration paid to acquire and exercise such option, the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately after the issuance of such Partnership Interest shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s); provided further, however, that in the event of an issuance of Partnership Interests for a de minimis amount of cash or Contributed Property, in the event of an issuance of a Noncompensatory Option to acquire a de minimis Partnership Interest, or in the event of an issuance of a de minimis amount of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the General Partner may determine that such adjustments are unnecessary for the proper administration of the Partnership. If, upon the occurrence of a Revaluation Event described in this Section 5.3(d), a Noncompensatory Option of the Partnership is Outstanding, the Partnership shall adjust the Carrying Value of each Partnership property in accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(1) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2). In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests (or, in the case of a Revaluation Event resulting from the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, immediately after the issuance of the Partnership Interest acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Noncompensatory Option) shall be determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt; provided, however, that the General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time. The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines in its discretion to be reasonable) to arrive at a fair market value for individual properties.

(ii)    In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any actual or deemed distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Capital Accounts of all Partners and the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of an actual distribution that is not made pursuant to Section  12.4 or in the case of a deemed distribution, be determined and allocated in the same manner as that provided in 1)a)i)(1)  or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section  12.4 , be determined and allocated by the Liquidator using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

Section 5.4     Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments .

(a)    The Partnership may issue additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.

 

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(b)    Each additional Partnership Interest authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section  5.4(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Interests), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may or shall be required to redeem the Partnership Interest (including sinking fund provisions); (v) whether such Partnership Interest is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Interest will be issued, evidenced by Certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Interest; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Interest to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Interest.

(c)    The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments pursuant to this Section  5.4 , (ii) the conversion of the General Partner Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) reflecting admission of such additional Limited Partners in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holders of such Limited Partner Interests and (iv) all additional issuances of Partnership Interests. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Interests being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Interests or in connection with the conversion of the General Partner Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

(d)    No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.

Section 5.5     Limited Preemptive Right . Except as otherwise provided in a separate agreement by the Partnership, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Interest, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created.

Section 5.6     Splits and Combinations .

(a)    Subject to Section  5.6(d) , the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Interests to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis or stated as a number of Units are proportionately adjusted retroactive to the beginning of the Partnership.

 

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(b)    Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice. The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Interests to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.

(c)    Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates to the Record Holders of Partnership Interests as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Interests held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Interests Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.

(d)    The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of Section  5.4(d) and this Section  5.6(d) , each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).

Section 5.7     Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests . All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article  V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act.

ARTICLE VI

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 6.1     Allocations for Capital Account Purposes . For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Section  5.3(b) ) for each taxable period shall be allocated among the Partners as provided herein below.

(a)     Net Income . Net Income for each taxable period (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable period) shall be allocated 100% to the Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(b)     Net Loss . Net Loss for each taxable period (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Loss for such taxable period) shall be allocated 100% to the Unitholders, Pro Rata.

 

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(c)     Special Allocations . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section  6.1 , the following special allocations shall be made for each taxable period:

(i)    Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section  6.1 , if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section  6.1(c) , each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section  6.1(c) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(vi) and Section  6.1(c)(vii) ). This Section  6.1(c)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(ii)    Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section  6.1 (other than Section  6.1(c)(i) ), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions. For purposes of this Section  6.1(c) , each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section  6.1(c) , other than Section  6.1(c)(i) and other than an allocation pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(vi) and Section  6.1(c)(vii) , with respect to such taxable period. This Section  6.1(c)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(iii)    Priority Allocations.

(A)    If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed pursuant to Section  12.4 ) with respect to a Unit for a taxable period exceeds the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed with respect to another Unit within the same taxable period (the amount of the excess, an “ Excess Distribution ” and the Unit with respect to which the greater distribution is paid, an “ Excess Distribution Unit ”), then there shall be allocated gross income and gain to each Unitholder receiving an Excess Distribution with respect to the Excess Distribution Unit until the aggregate amount of such items allocated with respect to such Excess Distribution Unit pursuant to this Section  6.1(c)(iii)(A) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the amount of the Excess Distribution.

 

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(iv)    Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership gross income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible; provided , that an allocation pursuant to this Section  6.1(c)(iv) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Section  6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section  6.1(c)(iv) were not in this Agreement.

(v)    Gross Income Allocation. In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided , that an allocation pursuant to this Section  6.1(c)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Section  6.1 have been tentatively made as if Section  6.1(c)(iv) and this Section  6.1(c)(v) were not in this Agreement.

(vi)    Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners Pro Rata. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.

(vii)    Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, the Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.

 

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(viii)    Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners Pro Rata.

(ix)    Code Section 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to a Partner in complete liquidation of such Partner’s interest in the Partnership, 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) taken into account pursuant to Section  5.3 , and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

(x)    Economic Uniformity; Changes in Law. For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section  6.1(c)(x) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests or the Partnership.

(xi)    Curative Allocation.

(A)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section  6.1 , other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of gross income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section  6.1 . In exercising its discretion under this Section  6.1(c)(xi)(A) , the General Partner may take into account future Required Allocations that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Required Allocations previously made. Allocations pursuant to this Section  6.1(c)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners.

 

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(B)    The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section  6.1(c)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

Section 6.2     Allocations for Tax Purposes .

(a)    Except as otherwise provided herein, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section  6.1 .

(b)    In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for U.S. federal income tax purposes among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, as determined appropriate by the General Partner (taking into account the General Partner’s discretion under Section  6.1(c)(x) ); provided , that the General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d) in all events.

(c)    The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.

(d)    In accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1250-1(f), any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section  6.2 , be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

 

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(e)    All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided , however , that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

(f)    Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be determined for each taxable period and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided , however , such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full or the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the next succeeding month; and provided , further , that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income, gain, loss or deduction as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which such item is recognized for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.

(g)    Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article  VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.

(h)    If, as a result of an exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the General Partner shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

Section 6.3     Distributions; Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders .

(a)    The General Partner may adopt a cash distribution policy, which it may change from time to time without amendment to this Agreement. Distributions will be made as and when declared by the General Partner. Cash and cash equivalents distributed shall be distributed, to all Unitholders, Pro Rata.

 

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(b)    All distributions made under this Agreement by the Partnership shall be made subject to Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Act.

(c)    In the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all Partnership assets shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section  12.4 .

(d)    Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through any Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1     Management .

(a)    The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, but without limitation on the ability of the General Partner to delegate its rights and power to other Persons, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no other Partner shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted to a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section  7.4 , shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section  2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section  2.4 , including the following:

(i)    the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible or exchangeable into Partnership Interests, and the incurring of any other obligations;

(ii)    the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;

(iii)    the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section  7.4 or Article  XIV );

 

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(iv)    the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group Member; and the making of capital contributions to any Group Member;

(v)    the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if the same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);

(vi)    the distribution of cash or cash equivalents by the Partnership;

(vii)    the selection, employment, retention and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors of the General Partner or the Partnership Group and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

(viii)    the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and Indemnitees;

(ix)    the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other Persons (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time);

(x)    the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;

(xi)    the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

(xii)    the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange;

(xiii)    the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Interests, or the issuance of Derivative Instruments;

(xiv)    the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in the management of any Group Member; and

 

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(xv)    the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.

(b)    Each of the Partners and each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person who is otherwise bound by this Agreement hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement (in the case of each agreement other than this Agreement, without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or restatements after the date hereof); (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own behalf or on behalf of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners, the other Persons who acquire a Partnership Interest and the Persons who are otherwise bound by this Agreement; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise that the General Partner may owe the Partnership, the Limited Partners, the other Persons who acquire a Partnership Interest or the Persons who are otherwise bound by this Agreement.

(c)    As used in the following provisions of this Article  VII , the term Partnership Interest shall include any Derivative Instruments.

Section 7.2     Replacement of Fiduciary Duties .

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that any provision of this Agreement purports or is interpreted (a) to have the effect of replacing, restricting or eliminating the duties that might otherwise, as a result of Delaware or other applicable law, be owed by the General Partner or any other Indemnitee to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, or (b) to constitute a waiver or consent by the Partnership, the Limited Partners, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement to any such replacement or restriction, such provision shall be deemed to have been approved by the Partnership, all the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person who is bound by this Agreement.

Section 7.3     Certificate of Limited Partnership . The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent

 

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the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section  3.4(a) , the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Partner.

Section 7.4     Restrictions on the General Partner s Authority . Except as provided in Article  XII and Article  XIV , the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions without the approval of a Unit Majority; provided , however , that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance.

Section 7.5     Reimbursement of the General Partner .

(a)    The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person (including Affiliates of the General Partner) to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership Group’s business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the General Partner or any member of the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section  7.5 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section  7.7 . The General Partner and its Affiliates may charge any member of the Partnership Group a management fee to the extent necessary to allow the Partnership Group to reduce the amount of any state franchise or income tax or any tax based upon revenues or gross margin of any member of the Partnership Group if the tax benefit produced by the payment for such management fee exceeds the amount of such fee.

(b)    The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership benefit plans, programs and practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Interests), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests in connection with, or pursuant to, any benefit plan, program or practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of employees, officers, consultants and directors of the General Partner or its Affiliates, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Interests that the General Partner

 

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or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees, officers, consultants and directors pursuant to any such benefit plans, programs or practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Interests purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates, from the Partnership or otherwise, to fulfill awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section  7.5(a) . Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any benefit plans, programs or practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section  7.5(b) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section  4.6 .

Section 7.6     Outside Activities .

(a)    The General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (i) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, (ii) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt securities or equity interests in any Group Member or (iii) the direct or indirect provision of management, advisory, and administrative services to its Affiliates or to other Persons.

(b)    Each Unrestricted Person (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member. No such business interest or activity shall constitute a breach of this Agreement, any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, or obligation of any type whatsoever to the Partnership or other Group Member, any Partner, any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any Person who is otherwise bound by this Agreement.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to any Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner). No Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Partnership, shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to any Group Member, and such Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) shall not be liable to the Partnership or any other Group Member, any Partner any person who acquires a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is otherwise bound by this Agreement for breach of any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise by reason of the fact that such Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to any Group Member.

 

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(d)    The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Interests in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units or other Partnership Interests acquired by them. The term “Affiliates” when used in this Section  7.6(d) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.

Section 7.7     Indemnification .

(a)    To the fullest extent permitted by law, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all threatened pending or completed claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal and including appeals, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee and acting (or refraining to act) in such capacity; provided , that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section  7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

(b)    To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section  7.7(a) in appearing at, participating in or defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section  7.7 , the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Section  7.7 .

(c)    The indemnification provided by this Section  7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law, in equity or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.

(d)    The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of an Indemnitee and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Indemnitee in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such Indemnitee’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Indemnitee against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

 

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(e)    For purposes of this Section  7.7 , the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section  7.7(a) ; and action taken or omitted by an Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.

(f)    In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

(g)    An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section  7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

(h)    The provisions of this Section  7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees and their heirs, successors, assigns, executors and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

(i)    No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section  7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section  7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

Section 7.8     Liability of Indemnitees .

(a)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Partners or any other Persons who have acquired interests in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was criminal. In the case where an Indemnitee is liable for damages, those damages shall only be direct damages and shall not include punitive damages, consequential damages or lost profits.

(b)    The General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.

 

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(c)    To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership, the Partners, any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to the Partnership, the Partners, any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, for its reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

(d)    Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section  7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section  7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

Section 7.9     Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties .

(a)    Whenever the General Partner, the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee), makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any Affiliates of the General Partner cause the General Partner to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, the Board of Directors, such committee or such Affiliates causing the General Partner to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any higher standard contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. A determination, other action or failure to act by the General Partner, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee) will be deemed to be in good faith unless the General Partner, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee) believed such determination, other action or failure to act was adverse to the interests of the Partnership. In any proceeding brought by the Partnership, any Limited Partner, or any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement challenging such action, determination or failure to act, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of proving that such determination, action or failure to act was not in good faith.

(b)    Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary duty or other

 

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duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who otherwise is bound by this Agreement, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrases, “at the option of the General Partner,” “in its sole discretion” or some variation of those phrases, are used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its Partnership Interests, or refrains from voting or transferring its Partnership Interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity.

(c)    Whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement on the other hand, the General Partner may in its discretion submit any resolution or course of action with respect to such conflict of interest for (i) Special Approval or (ii) approval by the vote of a majority of the Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates). If such course of action or resolution receives Special Approval or approval of a majority of the Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), then such course of action or resolution shall be conclusively deemed approved by the Partnership, all the Partners, each Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person who is bound by this Agreement, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise or obligation of any type whatsoever.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates or any other Indemnitee shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be in its sole discretion.

(e)    The Partners, each Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a Group Member, to approve actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section  7.9 .

Section 7.10     Other Matters Concerning the General Partner and Indemnitees .

(a)    The General Partner and any other Indemnitee may rely upon, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

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(b)    The General Partner and any other Indemnitee may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted in reliance upon the advice or opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.

(c)    The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of any Group Member.

Section 7.11     Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests . The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Interests. As long as Partnership Interests are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Interests shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 7.12     Reliance by Third Parties . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

Section 8.1     Records and Accounting . The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section  3.4(a) . Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders of Units or other Partnership Interests, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided , that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Partnership shall not be required to keep books maintained on a cash basis and the General Partner shall be permitted to calculate cash-based measures, by making such adjustments to its accrual basis books to account for non-cash items and other adjustments as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

Section 8.2     Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.

Section 8.3     Reports .

(a)    As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 105 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means, to each Record Holder of a Unit or other Partnership Interest as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner, and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

(b)    As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 50 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means to each Record Holder of a Unit or other Partnership Interest, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

(c)    The General Partner shall be deemed to have made a report available to each Record Holder as required by this Section  8.3 if it has either (i) filed such report with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such report is publicly available on such system or (ii) made such report available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership.

 

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ARTICLE IX

TAX MATTERS

Section 9.1     Tax Returns and Information . The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable period or year that it is required by law to adopt, from time to time, as determined by the General Partner. In the event the Partnership is required to use a taxable period other than a year ending on December 31, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to change the taxable period of the Partnership to a year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal, state and local income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable period shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable period ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Section 9.2     Tax Elections .

(a)    The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section  6.2(f) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.

(b)    Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.

Section 9.3     Tax Controversies .

(a)    Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner (or its designee) is designated as the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code as in effect prior to the enactment of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015), and the Partnership Representative (as defined in Section 6223 of the Code following the enactment of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 or under any applicable state or local law providing for an analogous capacity), and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. In its capacity as Partnership Representative, the General Partner shall exercise any and all authority of the Partnership Representative, including (i) binding the

 

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Partnership and its Partners with respect to tax matters and (ii) determining whether to make any available election under Section 6226 of the Code or an analogous election under state or local law, which election permits the Partnership to pass any partnership adjustment through to the Persons who were Partners of the Partnership in the year to which the adjustment relates and irrespective of whether such Persons are Partners of the Partnership at the time such election is made. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the General Partner in its capacity as Tax Matters Partner or Partnership Representative. For Partners that are not tax-exempt entities (as defined in Section 168(h)(2) of the Code) and subject to the General Partner’s discretion to seek modifications of an imputed underpayment, this cooperation includes (i) filing amended federal, state or local tax returns, paying any additional tax (including interest, penalties and other additions to tax), and providing the General Partner with an affidavit swearing to those facts (all within the requisite time periods), and (ii) providing any other information requested by the General Partner in order to seek modifications of an imputed underpayment. For Partners that are tax-exempt entities (as defined in Section 168(h)(2) of the Code) and subject to the General Partner’s discretion to seek modifications of an imputed underpayment, this cooperation includes providing the General Partner with information necessary to establish the Partner’s tax-exempt status. This agreement to cooperate applies irrespective of whether such Persons are Partners of the Partnership at the time of the requested cooperation.

(b)    Each Partner agrees that notice of or updates regarding tax controversies shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made by the General Partner if the Partnership has either (i) filed the information for which notice is required with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such information is publicly available on such system or (ii) made the information for which notice is required available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership, whether or not such Partner remains a Partner in the Partnership at the time such information is made publicly available. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in this provision shall obligate the Partnership Representative to provide notice to the Partners other than as required by the Code.

(c)    The General Partner may amend the provisions of this Agreement as it determines appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions, or guidelines set forth in any amendment to the provisions of Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of Subtitle F of the Code, any analogous provisions of the laws of any state or locality, or the promulgation of regulations or publication of other administrative guidance thereunder.

Section 9.4     Withholding and Other Tax Payments by the Partnership .

(a)    The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of all or less than all of the Partners as a distribution of cash to such Partners, as a general expense of the Partnership, or as indemnifiable payments made by the Partnership on behalf of the Partners or former Partners (as provided in Section  9.4(c) ), as determined appropriate under the circumstances by the General Partner.

 

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(b)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income or from a distribution to any Partner or Assignee (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section  6.3 or Section  12.4(c) in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.

ARTICLE X

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 10.1     Admission of Limited Partners .

(a)    A Person shall be admitted as a Limited Partner and shall become bound by the terms of this Agreement if such Person purchases or otherwise lawfully acquires any Limited Partner Interest and becomes the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests in accordance with the provisions of Article  IV or Article  V hereof.

(b)    By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with Article  IV or the acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to Article  V or pursuant to a merger or consolidation or conversion pursuant to Article  XIV , and except as provided in Section  4.8 , each transferee of, or other such Person acquiring, a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued to such Person when any such transfer or admission is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership and such Limited Partner becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound, by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) represents that the transferee or other recipient has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and (iv) makes the consents, acknowledgements and waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement. A Person may become a Limited Partner or Record Holder of a Limited Partner Interest without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A Person may not become a Limited Partner without acquiring a Limited Partner Interest and until such Person is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest. The rights and obligations of a Person who is an Ineligible Holder shall be determined in accordance with Section  4.8 .

(c)    The name and mailing address of each Record Holder shall be listed on the books and records of the Partnership maintained for such purpose by the Partnership or the Transfer Agent. The General Partner shall update the books and records of the Partnership from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable). A Limited Partner Interest may be represented by a Certificate, as provided in Section  4.1 .

 

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(d)    Any transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to share in the profits and losses, to receive distributions, to receive allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit or any similar item or to any other rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to Section  10.1(b) .

Section 10.2     Admission of Successor General Partner . A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner, pursuant to Section  11.1 or 11.2 , provided , however , that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.

Section 10.3     Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership . To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary or appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership.

ARTICLE XI

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

Section 11.1     Withdrawal of the General Partner .

(a)    The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “ Event of Withdrawal ”);

(i)    The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;

(ii)    The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section  11.2 ;

(iii)    The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(C) of this Section  11.1(a)(iii) ; or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;

 

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(iv)    A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or

(v)    (A) if the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) if the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) if the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) if the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise upon the termination of the General Partner.

If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section  11.1(a)(iii) , (iv) or (v)(A) , (B) , (C) or (E)  occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section  11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.

(b)    Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 11:59 pm, prevailing Central Time, on June 30, 2022, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided , that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“ Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ”) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed); (ii) at any time after 11:59 pm, prevailing Central Time, on June 30, 2022, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner is removed pursuant to Section  11.2 ; or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section  11.1(a)(i) , a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent

 

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applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal pursuant to Section  11.1(a)(i) , a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section  12.1 unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section  12.2 . Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section  11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section  10.2 .

Section 11.2     Removal of the General Partner . The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) voting as a single class. Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, voting as a class. Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section  10.2 . The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section  11.2 , such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section  10.2 , automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section  11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section  10.2 .

Section 11.3     Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner .

(a)    In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if the successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 , the Departing General Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or removal of such Departing General Partner, to require its successor to purchase its General Partner Interest in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of the General Partner Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its withdrawal or removal. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section  12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or removal of such Departing General Partner (or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the General Partner Interest for such fair market value of the General Partner Interest. In either event, the Departing General Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section  7.5 , including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing General Partner or its Affiliates (other than any Group Member) for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.

 

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For purposes of this Section  11.3(a) , the fair market value of the General Partner Interests hall be determined by agreement between the Departing General Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing General Partner’s withdrawal or removal, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing General Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such withdrawal or removal, then the Departing General Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing General Partner’s successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the General Partner Interest. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the value of the Units, including the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed or admitted to trading, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing General Partner and the General Partner Interest and other factors it may deem relevant.

(b)    If the General Partner Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section  11.3(a) , the Departing General Partner (and its Affiliates, if applicable) shall become a Limited Partner and the General Partner Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section  11.3(a) , without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing General Partner as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing General Partner becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the General Partner Interest to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing General Partner (and its Affiliates, if applicable) contributed the General Partner Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.

(c)    If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section  12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section  11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the amount equal to the product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner and (y) the Net Agreed Value of the Partnership’s assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to its Percentage

 

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Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing General Partner was entitled. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be its Percentage Interest.

Section 11.4     Withdrawal of Limited Partners . No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided , however , that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.

ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

Section 12.1     Dissolution . The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section  11.1 , Section  11.2 or Section  12.2 , the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner is hereby authorized to, and shall, continue the business of the Partnership. Subject to Section  12.2 , the Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon:

(a)    an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section  11.1(a) unless a successor is elected and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement;

(b)    an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by a Unit Majority;

(c)    the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or

(d)    at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.

Section 12.2     Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution . Upon (a) an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section  11.1(a)(i) or (ii)  and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 , then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section  11.1(a)(iii) , (iv) or (v) , then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:

 

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(i)    the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article  XII ;

(ii)    if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section  11.3 ; and

(iii)    the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement; provided , that the right of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership nor any Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

Section 12.3     Liquidator . Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section  12.2 , the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, voting as a single class. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, voting as a single class. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, voting as a single class. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article  XII , the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section  7.4 ) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.

Section 12.4     Liquidation . The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:

 

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(a)    The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section  12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnership’s assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.

(b)    Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section  12.3 ) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article  VI . With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.

(c)    All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section  12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section  12.4(c) ) for the taxable period of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable period (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).

Section 12.5     Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership . Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section  12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

Section 12.6     Return of Contributions . The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.

Section 12.7     Waiver of Partition . To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

 

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Section 12.8     Capital Account Restoration . No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable period of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

Section 13.1     Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner . Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:

(a)    a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;

(b)    admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;

(c)    a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

(d)    a change that the General Partner determines (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed or admitted to trading, or (iii) is required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;

(e)    a change in the fiscal year or taxable period of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable period of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;

 

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(f)    an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;

(g)    an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments pursuant to Section  5.4 ;

(h)    any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;

(i)    an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in accordance with Section  14.3 ;

(j)    an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section  2.4 or Section  7.1(a) ;

(k)    a merger, conveyance or conversion pursuant to Section  14.3(d) ; or

(l)    any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.

Section 13.2     Amendment Procedures . Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so in its sole discretion, and, in declining to propose or approve an amendment, to the fullest extent permitted by law shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. An amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and, except as otherwise provided by Section  13.1 or 13.3 , a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement or by Delaware law. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any amendments. The General Partner shall be deemed to have notified all Record Holders as required by this Section  13.2 if it has either (i) filed such amendment with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such amendment is publicly available on such system or (ii) made such amendment available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership

 

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Section 13.3     Amendment Requirements .

(a)    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section  13.1 and Section  13.2 , no provision of this Agreement (other than Section  11.2 or Section  13.4 ) that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) or requires a vote or approval of Partners (or a subset of Partners) holding a specified Percentage Interest required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing or increasing such percentage, unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced or increased, as applicable, or the affirmative vote of Partners whose aggregate Percentage Interests constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced or increased, as applicable.

(b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section  13.1 and Section  13.2 , no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of (including requiring any holder of a class of Partnership Interests to make additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership) any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section  13.3(c) , or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict, change or modify in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.

(c)    Except as provided in Section  14.3 or Section  13.1 , any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected. If the General Partner determines an amendment does not satisfy the requirements of Section  13.1(d) because it adversely affects one or more classes of Partnership Interests, as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests, in any material respect, such amendment shall only be required to be approved by the adversely affected class or classes.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section  13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section  14.3(b) , no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Percentage Interests of all Limited Partners voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable partnership law of the state under whose laws the Partnership is organized.

(e)    Except as provided in Section  13.1 , this Section  13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) holding at least 90% of the Percentage Interests of all Limited Partners.

 

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Section 13.4     Special Meetings . All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article  XIII . Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given as provided in Section  15.1 . Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

Section 13.5     Notice of a Meeting . Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section  13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section  15.1 . The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.

Section 13.6     Record Date . For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section  13.11 the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading or U.S. federal securities laws, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange or U.S. federal securities laws shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals. If the General Partner does not set a Record Date, then (a) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, and (b) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall be the date the first written approval is deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner in accordance with Section  13.11 .

Section 13.7     Adjournment . When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article  XIII .

 

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Section 13.8     Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes . The transaction of business at any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting.

Section 13.9     Quorum and Voting . The holders of a majority, by Percentage Interest, of Partnership Interests of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Partnership Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Partners requires approval by holders of a greater Percentage Interest, in which case the quorum shall be such greater Percentage Interest. At any meeting of the Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Partners holding Partnership Interests that, in the aggregate, represent a majority of the Percentage Interest of those present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Partners holding Partnership Interests that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required; provided , however , that if, pursuant to Section  13.12(c)(iv) or as a matter of law or amendment to this Agreement, approval by plurality vote of Partners (or any class thereof) is required to approve any action, no minimum quorum shall be required. The Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by Partners holding the required Percentage Interest specified in this Agreement. In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Partners may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of Partners with at least a majority, by Percentage Interest, of the Partnership Interests entitled to vote at such meeting (including Partnership Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in Section  13.7 .

Section 13.10     Conduct of a Meeting . The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section  13.4 , the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General

 

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Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.

Section 13.11     Action Without a Meeting . If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting, without a vote and without prior notice, if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage, by Percentage Interest, of the Partnership Interests of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Partnership Interests deemed owned by the General Partner), as the case may be, that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners entitled to vote at such meeting were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held by the Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner and (b) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners. Nothing contained in this Section  13.11 shall be deemed to require the General Partner to solicit all Limited Partners in connection with a matter approved by the holders of the requisite percentage of Units acting by written consent without a meeting.

(a)    Only those Record Holders of the Outstanding Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section  13.6 shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.

 

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(b)    With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section  13.11(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section  4.3 .

Section 13.12     Election of Directors .

(a)    On an ongoing basis, the Limited Partners shall have the right to elect all of the Directors . The number of Directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall not be less than four and not more than nine as shall be established from time to time by a resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors. The Directors shall be divided into three classes, Class I, Class II, and Class III, by majority vote of the Directors on or promptly after the Effective Time. The number of Directors in each class shall be the whole number contained in the quotient arrived at by dividing the authorized number of Directors by three, and if a fraction is also contained in such quotient, then if such fraction is one-third, the extra director shall be a member of Class I and if the fraction is two-thirds, one of the extra directors shall be a member of Class I and the other shall be a member of Class II. Each Director shall serve for a term ending as provided herein; provided , however , that the Directors designated to Class I shall serve for an initial term that expires at the first annual meeting of Limited Partners following the Effective Time, the Directors designated to Class II shall serve for an initial term that expires at the second annual meeting of Limited Partners following the Effective Time, and the Directors designated to Class III shall serve for an initial term that expires at the third annual meeting of Limited Partners following the Effective Time. At each annual meeting of Limited Partners successors to the class of Directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term.

(b)    If the number of Directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes of Directors so as to maintain the number of Directors in each class as nearly equal as possible and any additional Director of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of Directors shorten the term of any incumbent Director. A Director shall hold office until the annual meeting of the Limited Partners of the year in which his term expires and until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to death, resignation or removal from office. Any vacancy among the Directors (including, without limitation, any vacancy caused by an increase in the number of Directors on the Board of Directors) may only be filled by a majority of the Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum. Any Director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of Directors shall have the same remaining term as that of his predecessor; provided, that any Directors elected to fill such a vacancy at any time prior to the first annual meeting following the Effective Time shall only serve until such first annual meeting. A Director may be removed only for cause and only upon a vote of the majority of the other Directors then in office.

 

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(c)    

(i)    Nominations of persons for election as Directors may be made at an annual meeting of the Limited Partners only (A) by or at the direction of the Directors or any committee thereof or (B) by any Limited Partner that beneficially owns 10% or more of the Outstanding Common Units and who was a Record Holder at the time the notice provided for in this Section  13.12(c) is delivered to the General Partner, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section  13.12(c) .

(ii)    For any nominations brought before an annual meeting by a Limited Partner pursuant to Section  13.12(c)(i) , the Limited Partner must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the General Partner. To be timely, a Limited Partner’s notice shall be delivered to the General Partner not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day, nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day, prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date, notice by the Limited Partner must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Partnership or the General Partner). An annual meeting of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units for the election of Directors to the Board of Directors and such other matters as the General Partner shall submit to a vote of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units shall be held in April of each year beginning in 2020 or at such other date and time as may be fixed from time to time by the General Partner at such place within or without the State of Delaware as may be fixed from time to time by the General Partner and all as stated in the notice of the meeting. The first annual meeting following the Effective Time shall occur no later than July 1, 2020. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Limited Partner’s notice as described above. Such Limited Partner’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each person whom the Limited Partner proposes to nominate for election as a Director (1) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and (2) such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected; and (B) as to the Limited Partner giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made (1) the name and address of such Limited Partner, as they appear on the Partnership’s books and records, and of such beneficial owner, (2) the number of Common Units that are owned beneficially and of record by such Limited Partner and such beneficial owner, (3) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination between or among such Limited Partner and such beneficial owner, any of their respective Affiliates or associates, and any others acting in concert with any of the foregoing, (4) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned Common Units) that has been entered into as of the date of the Limited Partner’s notice by, or on behalf of, such Limited Partner and such beneficial owners, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of Common Unit price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Limited Partner and such beneficial owner, with

 

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respect to Common Units, (5) a representation that the Limited Partner is a Record Holder entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination, and (6) a representation whether the Limited Partner or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Partnership’s Common Units required to elect the nominee and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies from Limited Partners in support of such nomination. The General Partner may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a Director.

(iii)    Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section  13.12(c)(ii) to the contrary, in the event that the number of Directors to be elected is increased effective at the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Partnership or the General Partner naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a Limited Partner’s notice required by this Section  13.12(c) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the General Partner not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Partnership or the General Partner.

(iv)     The Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units shall vote together as a single class for the election of Directors to the Board of Directors. The Limited Partners described in the immediately preceding sentence shall elect by a plurality of the votes cast at such meeting persons to serve as Directors who are nominated in accordance with the provisions of this Section  13.12(c) . The exercise by a Limited Partner of the right to elect the Directors and any other rights afforded to such Limited Partner under this Section  13.12(c) or Section 13.12(d) shall be in such Limited Partner’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership and shall not cause a Limited Partner to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize such Limited Partner’s limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

(d)    After the Effective Time, nominations of persons for election as Public Directors may be made at a special meeting of Limited Partners at which Directors are to be elected pursuant to the General Partner’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Directors or any committee thereof or (2) provided that the Directors or the Limited Partners pursuant to Article XIII hereof have determined that Directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any Limited Partner who is a Record Holder at the time the notice provided for in this Section  13.12(d) is delivered by the General Partner, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Section  13.12(c) . In the event the General Partner calls a special meeting of Limited Partners for the purpose of electing one or more Directors, any Limited Partner entitled to vote in such election of Directors and that beneficially owns 10% or more of the Outstanding Common Units may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the General Partner’s notice of meeting, if the Limited Partner’s notice required by Section  13.12(c)(ii) shall be delivered to the General Partner not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting

 

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or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Limited Partner’s notice as described above.

(e)    

(i)    Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section  13.12 shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of Limited Partners to serve as Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairman designated by the General Partner pursuant to Section  13.10 shall have the power and duty (a) to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section  13.12 (including whether the Limited Partner or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such Limited Partner’s nominee in compliance with such Limited Partner’s representation as required by clause (B)(6) of Section  13.12(c)(ii) and (b) if any proposed nomination was not made in compliance with this Section  13.12 , to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section  13.12(e) unless otherwise required by law, if the Limited Partner (or a qualified representative of the Limited Partner) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of Limited Partners to present a nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the General Partner or the Partnership. For purposes of this Section  13.12 , to be considered a qualified representative of the Limited Partner, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Limited Partner or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Limited Partner or an electronic transmission delivered by such Limited Partner to act for such Limited Partner as proxy at the meeting of Limited Partners and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of Limited Partners.

(ii)    For purposes of this Section  13.12 , “public announcement” shall include disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or other national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Partnership or the General Partner with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(iii)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section  13.12 , a Limited Partner shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section  13.12(e)(iii) ; provided , however , that any references in this Agreement to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations pursuant to this Section  13.12 , and compliance with Section  13.12(c) shall be the exclusive means for a Limited Partner to make nominations.

 

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(f)    This Section  13.12 shall not be deemed in any way to limit or impair the ability of the Board of Directors to adopt a “poison pill” or unitholder or other similar rights plan with respect to the Partnership, whether such poison pill or plan contains “dead hand” provisions, “no hand” provisions or other provisions relating to the redemption of the poison pill or plan, in each case as such terms are used under Delaware common law.

(g)    The Partnership and the General Partner shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to take such action as shall be necessary or appropriate to give effect to and implement the provisions of this Section  13.12 , including, without limitation, amending the limited liability company agreement of the General Partner such that at all times such agreement shall provide (i) that the Directors shall be elected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (ii) terms consistent with this Section  13.12 .

(h)    If the General Partner delegates to an existing or newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary the power and authority to manage and control the business and affairs of the Partnership Group, the foregoing provisions of this Section  13.12 shall be applicable with respect to the board of directors or other governing body of such subsidiary.

ARTICLE XIV

MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION

Section 14.1     Authority . The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written plan of merger or consolidation (“ Merger Agreement ”) in accordance with this Article  XIV .

Section 14.2     Procedure for Merger or Consolidation .

(a)    Merger or consolidation of the Partnership pursuant to this Article  XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided , however , that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger or consolidation of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner and, in declining to consent to a merger or consolidation, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.

(b)    If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:

(i)    the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;

(ii)    the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “ Surviving Business Entity ”);

 

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(iii)    the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;

(iv)    the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity interests of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, then the cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of equity interests represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;

(v)    a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership, certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;

(vi)    the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section  14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement ( provided , that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain and stated in the certificate of merger); and

(vii)    such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

Section 14.3     Approval by Limited Partners .

(a)    Except as provided in Section  14.3(d) , the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement shall direct that the Merger Agreement and the merger or consolidation contemplated thereby, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article  XIII . A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement, as the case may be, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.

(b)    Except as provided in Sections  14.3(d) and 14.3(e) , the Merger Agreement shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority unless the Merger Agreement contains any provision that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement or the Delaware Act would require for its approval the vote or consent of a greater percentage of the Outstanding Units or of any class of Limited Partners, in which case such greater percentage vote or consent shall be required for approval of the Merger Agreement.

 

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(c)    Except as provided in Sections  14.3(d) and 14.3(e) , after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section  14.4 , the merger or consolidation may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article  XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s assets to, another limited liability entity that shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership or any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such merger, or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with substantially the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.

(e)    Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article  XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity if (A) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership or any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already treated as such), (B) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to this Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section  13.1 , (C) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (D) each Partnership Interest outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Partnership Interest of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, and (E) the number of Partnership Interests to be issued by the Partnership in such merger or consolidation does not exceed 20% of the Partnership Interests Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.

(f)    Pursuant to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Article  XIV may (a) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (b) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for the Partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section  14.3 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.

 

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Section 14.4     Certificate of Merger . Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement, a certificate of merger shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.

Section 14.5     Effect of Merger or Consolidation .

(a)    At the effective time of the certificate of merger:

(i)    all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;

(ii)    the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;

(iii)    all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and

(iv)    all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.

ARTICLE XV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 15.1     Addresses and Notices; Written Communications .

(a)    Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below. Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interests at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Interests by reason of any assignment or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a Partner shall consent to receiving notices, demands, requests, reports or proxy materials via electronic mail or by the Internet or (ii) the rules of the Commission shall permit any report or proxy materials to be delivered electronically or made available via the Internet, any such notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials shall be deemed given or made when delivered or made available via such mode

 

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of delivery. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section  15.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report given or made in accordance with the provisions of this Section  15.1 is returned marked to indicate that such notice, payment or report was unable to be delivered, such notice, payment or report and, in the case of notices, payments or reports returned by the United States Postal Service (or other physical mail delivery mail service outside the United States of America), any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) or other delivery if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section  2.3 . The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.

(b)    The terms “in writing”, “written communications,” “written notice” and words of similar import shall be deemed satisfied under this Agreement by use of e-mail and other forms of electronic communication.

Section 15.2     Further Action . The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 15.3     Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

Section 15.4     Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

Section 15.5     Creditors . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

Section 15.6     Waiver . No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

Section 15.7     Third-Party Beneficiaries . Each Partner agrees that (a) any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Indemnitee and (b) any Unrestricted Person shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Unrestricted Person.

 

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Section 15.8     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest, pursuant to Section  10.1(a) without execution hereof.

Section 15.9     Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury .

(a)    This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.

(b)    Each of the Partners and each Person holding any beneficial interest in the Partnership (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise):

(i)    irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (A) arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of this Agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among Partners or of Partners to the Partnership, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Partners or the Partnership), (B) brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the Partnership, (C) asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the Partnership or the General Partner, or owed by the General Partner, to the Partnership or the Partners, (D) asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (E) asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction), in each case regardless of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims;

(ii)    irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction) in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding;

(iii)    agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or of any other court to which proceedings in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper;

 

H I -C RUSH P ARTNERS LP

T HIRD A MENDED AND R ESTATED A GREEMENT OF L IMITED P ARTNERSHIP

69


(iv)    expressly waives any requirement for the posting of a bond by a party bringing such claim, suit, action or proceeding; and

(v)    consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such services shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof; provided , nothing in clause (v) hereof shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

Section 15.10     Invalidity of Provisions . If any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement is or becomes for any reason, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions and/or parts thereof contained herein shall not be affected thereby and this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been contained herein, and such provision or part reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

Section 15.11     Consent of Partners . Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.

Section 15.12     Facsimile Signatures . The use of facsimile signatures affixed in the name and on behalf of the transfer agent and registrar of the Partnership on Certificates representing Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

 

H I -C RUSH P ARTNERS LP

T HIRD A MENDED AND R ESTATED A GREEMENT OF L IMITED P ARTNERSHIP

70


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the General Partner has executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

HI-CRUSH GP LLC

By:   /s/ Laura C. Fulton

Name:

Title:

 

Laura C. Fulton

Chief Financial Officer

 

S IGNATURE P AGE

H I -C RUSH P ARTNERS LP

T HIRD A MENDED AND R ESTATED A GREEMENT OF L IMITED P ARTNERSHIP


EXHIBIT A

to the Third Amended and Restated

Agreement of Limited Partnership of

Hi-Crush Partners LP

Certificate Evidencing Common Units

Representing Limited Partner Interests in

Hi-Crush Partners LP

 

No.    Common Units

In accordance with Section  4.1 of the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hi-Crush Partners LP, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “ Partnership Agreement ”), Hi-Crush Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), hereby certifies that                                     (the “ Holder ”) is the registered owner of                Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership, at the principal office of the Partnership located at 1330 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 600, Houston, TX 77056. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). HI-CRUSH GP LLC, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP, MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT DETERMINES, WITH THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL, THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY OR ADVISABLE (i) TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES OR (ii) TO PRESERVE THE ECONOMIC UNIFORMITY OF THE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS (OR ANY CLASS OR CLASSES THEREOF). THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.

 

A-1


The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred to such person when any such transfer or admission is reflected on the books and records of the Partnership and such Limited Partner becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound by the terms of the Partnership Agreement, (iii) represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into the Partnership Agreement and (iv) makes the consents, acknowledgements and waivers contained in the Partnership Agreement, with or without the execution of the Partnership Agreement by the Holder.

This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.

 

Dated:

   

Hi-Crush Partners LP

Countersigned and Registered by:     By:   Hi-Crush GP LLC

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC,

As Transfer Agent and Registrar

    By:    
    Name:    
    Title:    
    By:    
    Name:    
    Title:    

 

A-2


[Reverse of Certificate]

ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM — as tenants in common

 

TEN ENT — as tenants by the entireties

 

JT TEN — as joint tenants with right of survivorship and

not as tenants in common

  

UNIF GIFT TRANSFERS MIN ACT

 

__________ Custodian __________

(Cust)                              (Minor)

 

under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors Act (State)

Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.

ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS OF

HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,                                 hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto

 

 

         
(Please print or typewrite name and address of assignee)       (Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee)
__________ Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _______________ as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of Hi-Crush Partners LP
Date: ______________________________________________       NOTE: The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular. without alteration, enlargement or change.
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15      
        (Signature)
         
        (Signature)

 

A-3

Exhibit 4.1

THIRD AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Third Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Amendment ”) is made and entered into as of October 21, 2018 by and between Hi-Crush Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), and Hi-Crush Proppants LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Sponsor ”).

Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Registration Rights Agreement, entered into as of August 20, 2012 (as amended, the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), by and between the Partnership and the Sponsor (each a “ Party ,” and together, the “ Parties ”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , Section 3.11 of the Registration Rights Agreement provides that such agreement may be amended by the written agreement of the Partnership and the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities; and

WHEREAS , pursuant to the foregoing authority, and in connection with the issuance of common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”) pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2018, by and among the Contributor Parties (as defined therein), the Partnership and, solely for the purpose of Section 6.9 thereof, the Sponsor and Hi-Crush Acquisition Co. LLC, the Parties desire to amend the Registration Rights Agreement as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by each party hereto, the parties hereby agree as follows:

Section 1.     Amendments to Registration Rights Agreement

(a)     Amendments to Section  1.01 .

 

  i.

The following definition of “GP Contribution Agreement” is hereby added:

GP Contribution Agreement ” means the Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2018, by and among the Contributor Parties (as defined therein), the Partnership and, solely for the purpose of Section 6.9 thereof, the Sponsor and Hi-Crush Acquisition Co. LLC.”

 

  ii.

The definition of “Registrable Securities” is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Registrable Securities ” means the aggregate number of (i) Common Units issued (or issuable) to Sponsor pursuant to the Contribution Agreement (including pursuant to the Deferred Issuance and Distribution); (ii) Common Units issued upon conversion of the Subordinated Units; (iii) Common Units issued upon conversion of the Class B Units issued pursuant to the Class B Unit Contribution Agreement, (iv) Common Units issued pursuant to the Blair Contribution Agreement and (v) Common Units issued pursuant to the GP Contribution Agreement, which Registrable Securities are subject to the rights provided herein until such rights terminate pursuant to the provisions hereof.”


  iii.

The definition of “Notice” is hereby deleted in its entirety.

(b)     Amendment to Section  2.01.

Section 2.01 is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Section 2.01.  Demand Registration . The Partnership shall file with the Commission, as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event more than 30 days following the issuance of the Common Units issued pursuant to the GP Contribution Agreement, a registration statement (each, a “ Registration Statement ”) under the Securities Act providing for the resale of the Registrable Securities (which may, at the option of the Holders, be a registration statement under the Securities Act that provides for the resale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 from time to time by the Holders (a “ Shelf Registration Statement ”)). The Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement. Any Registration Statement shall provide for the resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, the Holders of any and all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement. The Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Registration Statement filed pursuant to this  Section  2.01  to be continuously effective, supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for the resale of all Registrable Securities by the Holders until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have ceased to be Registrable Securities (the “ Effectiveness Period ”). Each Registration Statement when effective (and the documents incorporated therein by reference) shall comply as to form with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. There shall be no limit on the number of Registration Statements that may be required by the Holders hereunder.

Section 2.     General Provisions .

(a)     Amendment . No amendment of this Amendment shall be valid unless such amendment is made in accordance with Section 3.11 of the Registration Rights Agreement.


(b)     Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Amendment.

(c)     Governing Law . The Laws of the State of New York shall govern this Amendment.

(d)     Severability of Provisions . Any provision of this Amendment 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 or affecting or impairing the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

(e)     Effect of the Amendment . Except as amended by this Amendment, all other terms of the Registration Rights Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and remain unchanged and are hereby confirmed in all respects by each Party.

[ Signature Page Follows ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto execute this Amendment, effective as of the date first written above.

 

HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP
By: Hi-Crush GP LLC, its general partner
  By:   /s/ Laura Fulton
 

Name:

Title:

 

Laura Fulton

Chief Financial Officer

 

CONTRIBUTOR PARTIES:
Class A Members:
ACP HIP SPLITTER, L.P.
By:   /s/ Ben Silbert

Name:

Title:

 

Ben Silbert

General Counsel

 

ACP HIP SPLITTER (OFFSHORE), L.P.
By:   /s/ Ben Silbert

Name:

Title:

 

Ben Silbert

General Counsel

 

RER LEGACY INVESTMENTS LLC
By:   /s/ Robert E. Rasmus

Name:

Title:

 

Robert E. Rasmus

Sole Member

 

JMW LEGACY INVESTMENTS LLC
By:   /s/ James M. Whipkey

Name:

Title:

 

James M. Whipkey

Sole Member


BLESSED & FAVORED INVESTMENTS LLC
By:   /s/ Jefferies V. Alston, III

Name:

Title:

 

Jefferies V. Alston, III

President

 

JOHN AND KAREN HUFF, TENANTS IN COMMON
By:   /s/ John Huff
Name:   John Huff
By:   /s/ Karen Huff
Name:   Karen Huff

 

LASROSAS CAPITAL LLC
By:   /s/ James E. Parkman, Jr.

Name:

Title:

 

James E. Parkman, Jr.

Sole Member

 

RGW INTERESTS LLC
By:   /s/ R. Graham Whaling

Name:

Title:

 

R. Graham Whaling

Manager

 

Class B Members:
By:   /s/ Chad McEver
Name:   Chad McEver

 

Class C Members:
By:   /s/ Laura Fulton
Name:   Laura Fulton
By:   /s/ Martha Romig
Name:   Martha Romig
By:   /s/ Mark Skolos
Name:   Mark Skolos

Exhibit 10.1

FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is entered into as of October 18, 2018 by HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership duly formed and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ Borrower ”), each of the undersigned Lenders and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) and as an Issuing Lender, and any other Issuing Lenders from time to time party thereto.

R E C I T A L S

A.    The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are parties to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 1, 2018 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Lenders and Issuing Lenders have made certain credit available to and on behalf of the Borrower.

B.    The Borrower has requested that Lenders constituting the Required Lenders waive compliance with Section 7.1(n) of the Credit Agreement with respect to any merger, investment, dissolution or similar corporate organizational transaction which results in the effective business combination of the Borrower and Proppants in which the Borrower is the surviving entity (if applicable) and which is not currently permitted or contemplated in the definition of “Hi-Crush Proppants Event” (the “ Proppants Combination ”).

C.    The Borrower has requested and the Administrative Agent and Lenders constituting the Required Lenders have agreed to make certain changes to the Credit Agreement as set forth herein.

D.    NOW, THEREFORE, to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party hereto to enter into this Amendment and in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1.     Defined Terms . Each capitalized term used herein but not otherwise defined herein has the meaning given such term in the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment. Unless otherwise indicated, all article, exhibit, section and schedule references in this Amendment refer to articles, exhibits, sections and schedules of the Credit Agreement.

Section 2.     Amendment to Credit Agreement . Clause (a)(ii) of the definition of “Change in Control” contained in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(ii)    the Permitted Holders or the Borrower shall fail to, directly or indirectly, own the greater of 50.1% and a Controlling Percentage of the Equity Interests (including the Voting Securities) of the General Partner;”

Section 3.     Waiver . Solely in connection with the Proppants Combination, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders party hereto hereby waive compliance with the provisions of Section 5.13, Section 6.4(e), Section 7.1(c)(i) (solely with respect to any breach of Section 6.4(e)), Section 7.1(c)(ii) (solely with respect to any breach of Section 5.13) and Section 7.1(n) of the Credit Agreement and any Default or Event of Default arising therefrom.


Section 4.     Conditions Precedent . Upon the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.3 of the Credit Agreement) (such date, the “ Satisfaction Date ”), this Amendment shall be deemed effective (such date, the “ First Amendment Effective Date ”):

4.1.     Execution and Delivery . The Administrative Agent shall have received from the Credit Parties and the Lenders constituting the Required Lenders, counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of this Amendment signed on behalf of such Person.

4.2.     Payment of Expenses . The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received all amounts due and payable on or prior to the Satisfaction Date, including, to the extent invoiced at least one Business Day prior to the Satisfaction Date, reimbursement or payment of all documented out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement.

4.3.     No Default or Event of Default . No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the date hereof, after giving effect to the terms of this Amendment.

The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized and directed to declare this Amendment to be effective when it has received documents confirming or certifying, to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, compliance with the conditions set forth in this Section  4 or the waiver of such conditions as permitted by Section 9.3 of the Credit Agreement. Such declaration shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties to the Credit Agreement for all purposes.

Section 5.     Miscellaneous .

5.1.     Confirmation . The provisions of the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect following the effectiveness of this Amendment.

5.2.     Ratification and Affirmation; Representations and Warranties . Each Credit Party hereby (a) acknowledges the terms of this Amendment; (b) ratifies and affirms its obligations under, and acknowledges, renews and extends its continued liability under, each Credit Document to which it is a party and agrees that each Credit Document to which it is a party remains in full force and effect, except as expressly amended hereby, notwithstanding the amendments contained herein; and (c) represents and warrants to the Lenders that as of the date hereof, after giving effect to the terms of this Amendment: (i) all of the representations and warranties contained in each Credit Document to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are stated to relate solely to an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date ( provided that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representation or warranty that is already qualified or modified by materiality in the Credit Agreement) and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

5.3.     No Waiver; Credit Document . The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender or the Administrative Agent under any of the Credit Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Credit Documents except as expressly provided herein. On and after the First Amendment Effective Date, this Amendment shall for all purposes constitute a Credit Document.

5.4.     Other Violations . Neither the execution by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders of this Amendment, nor any other act or omission by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or their respective officers in connection herewith, shall be deemed a waiver by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders of any Defaults (except as expressly set forth in Section  3 above) which may exist or which may occur in the future under the Credit Agreement and/or the other Credit Documents (collectively, “ Other Violations ”).


Similarly, nothing contained in this Amendment shall directly or indirectly in any way whatsoever either: (i) impair, prejudice or otherwise adversely affect the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s right at any time to exercise any right, privilege or remedy in connection with the Credit Documents with respect to any Other Violations, (ii) amend or alter any provision of the Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents, or any other contract or instrument, except as expressly waived herein or (iii) constitute any course of dealing or other basis for altering any obligation of the Borrower or any right, privilege or remedy of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents, or any other contract or instrument. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to be a waiver by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to any Other Violations.

5.5.     Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto in any number of separate counterparts, and all of such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of this Amendment by facsimile or electronic transmission in portable document format (.pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

5.6.     NO ORAL AGREEMENT . THIS AMENDMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND THEREWITH REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. AS OF THE DATE OF THIS AMENDMENT, THERE ARE NO ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

5.7.     GOVERNING LAW . THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]


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

 

BORROWER:     HI-CRUSH PARTNERS LP
    By: Hi-Crush GP LLC, its General Partner
    By:   /s/ Laura C. Fulton
   

Name:

Title:

 

Laura C. Fulton

Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement


ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ISSUING LENDER

AND LENDER:

    JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
    By:   /s/ Stephanie Balette
   

Name:

Title:

 

Stephanie Balette

Authorized Officer

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement


ISSUING LENDER AND LENDER:     ZIONS BANCORPORATION, N.A. DBA AMEGY BANK
    By:   /s/ Rachel Pletcher
   

Name:

Title:

 

Rachel Pletcher

Vice President

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement


LENDER:     CREDIT SUISSE AG CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
    By:   /s/ Nupur Kumar
   

Name:

Title:

 

Nupur Kumar

Authorized Signatory

    By:   /s/ Christopher Zybrick
   

Name:

Title:

 

Christopher Zybrick

Authorized Signatory

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement


LENDER:     BARCLAYS BANK PLC
    By:   /s/ May Huang
   

Name:

Title:

 

May Huang

Assistant Vice President

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement


LENDER:     IBERIABANK
    By:   /s/ John Michael Robinson III
   

Name:

Title:

 

John Michael Robinson III

Vice President

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement


LENDER:     MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.
    By:   /s/ Jake Dowden
   

Name:

Title:

 

Jake Dowden

Authorized Signatory

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement


LENDER:     ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
    By:   /s/ Jay T. Sartain
   

Name:

Title:

 

Jay T. Sartain

Authorized Signatory

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement


LENDER:     MIZUHO BANK, LTD.
    By:  

/s/ Donna DeMagistris

    Name:   Donna DeMagistris
    Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement


LENDER:     ORIGIN BANK
    By:   /s/ Carmen Jordan
   

Name:

Title:

 

Carmen Jordan

Executive Vice President

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement


LENDER:    

UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH

    By:  

/s/ Darlene Arias

    Name:  

Darlene Arias

    Title:   Director
    By:  

/s/ Houssem Daly

    Name:  

Houssem Daly

    Title:   Associate Director

 

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Credit Agreement