UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE TO

Tender Offer Statement Under Section 14(d)(1) or 13(e)(1)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.

(Name of Subject Company)

OMEGA ACQUISITION, INC.

(Offeror)

An entity wholly owned by Harold G. Hamm

Common Stock ($0.01 par value)

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

 

212015 10 1

(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

Omega Acquisition, Inc.

c/o Debra Richards

Hamm Capital LLC

P.O. Box 1295

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101

(405) 605-7788

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications on Behalf of Filing Persons)

Copies to:

David P. Oelman

Michael S. Telle

Stephen M. Gill

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

845 Texas Avenue, Suite 4700

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 758 - 2222

 

 

 

☐ 

Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer.

Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the statement relates:

 

  ☒ 

third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1.

  ☐ 

issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4.

  ☒ 

going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3.

  ☐ 

amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2.

Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender offer. ☐

If applicable, check the appropriate box(es) below to designate the appropriate rule provision(s) relied upon:

 

  ☐ 

Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)

  ☐ 

Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)

 

 

 


Items 1 through 11 and Item 13.

This Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (the “Schedule TO”) relates to the offer by Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and an affiliate of Continental Resources, Inc. (the “Company”), to purchase any and all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), other than: (i) Shares owned by the Founder, certain of the Founder’s family members and their affiliated entities; and (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company restricted stock awards, for $74.28 per share in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated October 24, 2022 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended from time to time), copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii), respectively.

The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase, including all schedules thereto, is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in response to all of the items of this Schedule TO, including, without limitation, all of the information required by Schedule 13E-3 that is not included in or covered by the items in the Schedule TO, and is supplemented by the information specifically provided herein, except as otherwise set forth below.

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.  

Description

(a)(1)(i)*   Offer to Purchase, dated as of October 24, 2022.
(a)(1)(ii)*   Letter of Transmittal (including Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on IRS Form W-9).
(a)(1)(iii)*   Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
(a)(1)(iv)*   Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.
(a)(1)(v)*   Letter to Clients for use by Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.
(a)(1)(vi)*   Summary Advertisement as published in The Wall Street Journal on October 24, 2022.
(a)(2)(i)   Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (incorporated by reference to the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 24, 2022 (the “Schedule 14D-9”)).
(a)(5)(i)*   Press Release issued by Continental Resources, Inc. on October 24, 2022.
(a)(5)(ii)   Press Release issued by Continental Resources, Inc. on October 17, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed October 17, 2022).
(a)(5)(iii)   Opinion of Evercore Group L.L.C., dated October 16, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Annex B attached to the Schedule 14D-9).
(b)   Not applicable.
(d)(1)   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 16, 2022, by and between Continental Resources, Inc. and Omega Acquisition, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed October 17, 2022).
(d)(2)   Non-Tender and Support Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2022, by and among Omega Acquisition, Inc., Harold G. Hamm, certain of Hamm’s family members and their affiliated entities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed October 17, 2022).

 

1


Exhibit No.  

Description

(d)(3)   Limited Guarantee, dated as of October 16, 2022, by and between Continental Resources, Inc. and Harold G. Hamm (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed October 17, 2022.
(d)(4)**   Continental Resources, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed May 19, 2022).
(d)(5)**   Form of Employee Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Continental Resources, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed May 19, 2022).
(d)(6)**   Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Continental Resources, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed May 19, 2022).
(d)(7)**   Amended and Restated Continental Resources, Inc. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed April 29, 2019).
(d)(8)**   First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Continental Resources, Inc. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed February 26, 2020).
(d)(9)**   Amended and Restated Form of Employee Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Continental Resources, Inc. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed April 29, 2019).
(d)(10)**   Amended and Restated Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Continental Resources, Inc. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed April 29, 2019).
(d)(11)   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 18, 2007 among Continental Resources, Inc., the Revocable Inter Vivos Trust of Harold G. Hamm, the Harold Hamm DST Trust and the Harold Hamm HJ Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed May 3, 2017).
(d)(12)   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 13, 2012 among Continental Resources, Inc., the Revocable Inter Vivos Trust of Harold G. Hamm and Jeffrey B. Hume (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (Commission File No. File No. 001-32886) filed February 21, 2018).
(d)(13)   Shareholders’ Agreement, dated February 7, 2022, by and among the Harold G. Hamm Family (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Amendment No. 9 to Schedule 13D/A (Commission File No. 005-82887) filed by Harold G. Hamm on February 9, 2022).
(d)(14)   Dividend and Dissolution Agreement, dated February 7, 2022, by and among the Founder and the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 9 to Schedule 13D/A (Commission File No. 005-82887) filed by Harold G. Hamm on February 9, 2022).

 

2


Exhibit No.  

Description

(d)(15)   Revolving Credit Agreement dated October 29, 2021 among Continental Resources, Inc., as borrower, and its subsidiaries Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C., CLR Asset Holdings, LLC and The Mineral Resources Company, as guarantors, MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, MUFG Union Bank, N.A., BofA Securities, Inc. Mizuho Bank, Ltd., TD Securities (USA) LLC, U.S. Bank National Association, Royal Bank of Canada, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and Truist Securities, Inc. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners and the other lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed November 3, 2021).
(d)(16)*   Amendment No. 1 and Agreement dated August 24 2022 among Continental Resources, Inc., as borrower, and its subsidiaries Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C., CLR Asset Holdings, LLC, The Mineral Resources Company, Continental Innovations LLC, SCS1 Holdings LLC, Jagged Peak Energy LLC and Parsley SoDe Water LLC, as guarantors, MUFG Bank, Ltd. (as successor to MUFG Union Bank, N.A.), as Administrative Agent, the lenders party thereto and the Issuing Banks.
(d)(17)   Conformed version of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Continental Resources, Inc. as amended by amendments filed on June 15, 2015 and May 21, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed August 3, 2020).
(d)(18)   Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Continental Resources, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Continental Resources, Inc.’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed February 21, 2018).
(g)   Not applicable.
(h)   Not applicable.
107*   Filing Fee Table.

 

 

*

Filed herewith

**

Indicates a management contract or any compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

 

3


SIGNATURES

After due inquiry and to the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned, each of the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: October 24, 2022

 

OMEGA ACQUISITION, INC.
By:  

/s/ Harold G. Hamm

  Name: Harold G. Hamm
  Title:   President
CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.
By:  

/s/ James R. Webb

  Name: James R. Webb
  Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel,            Chief Risk Officer & Secretary

 

4

Exhibit (a)(1)(i)

Offer to Purchase for Cash

Any and All Outstanding Shares of Common Stock

of

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.

at

$74.28 per Share by

OMEGA ACQUISITION, INC.,

an entity wholly owned by Harold G. Hamm

 

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT ONE MINUTE AFTER 11:59 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.

Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Purchaser”), 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and affiliate of Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), is offering to purchase any and all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of the Company, other than: (i) Shares owned by the Founder, certain of the Founder’s family members and their affiliated entities (collectively, the “Founder Family Rollover Shareholders”); and (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company RS Awards (as defined herein) (such Shares, together with the Shares referred to in clause (i), the “Rollover Shares” and the holders of such Rollover Shares, the “Rollover Shareholders”), for $74.28 per Share (the “Offer Price”), in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this “Offer to Purchase”), and in the related letter of transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Letter of Transmittal” and which, together with this Offer to Purchase, constitutes the “Offer”). Tendering shareholders whose Shares are registered in their names and who tender directly to the Purchaser will not be charged brokerage fees or similar expenses on the sale of Shares for cash pursuant to the Offer. Tendering shareholders whose Shares are registered in the name of their broker, bank or other nominee should consult such nominee to determine if any fees may apply. The Offer is being made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 16, 2022 (as amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), between the Company and the Purchaser.

The Merger Agreement provides that promptly (and, in any event, within two business days) after the Expiration Time (as defined below), and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the time at which Shares may be first accepted for payment under the Offer, the “Acceptance Time”). Immediately prior to the Acceptance Time, Founder will contribute 100% of the capital stock of the Purchaser to the Company, as a result of which the Purchaser will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation wholly owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders. At the effective time of the Merger (the “Merger Effective Time”), each Share outstanding as of immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (other than: (i) the Rollover Shares; (ii) Shares owned by the Company as treasury stock or owned by any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, including Shares irrevocably accepted by the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer; and (iii) Shares held by a holder who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal for such Shares in accordance with Section 1091 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”), in each case, as determined immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (collectively, the “Excluded Shares”)) will be automatically converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, in cash and without interest, subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes. The Merger Agreement is more fully described in “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement.” As a result of the Merger, the Company’s Shares will cease to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and will subsequently be deregistered under the Exchange Act.


If the Offer is consummated, the Purchaser does not anticipate seeking the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders before effecting the Merger. The parties to the Merger Agreement have agreed that, subject to the conditions specified in the Merger Agreement, the Merger will become effective as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time, without a vote of the Company’s shareholders, in accordance with Section 1081.H of the OGCA.

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has, upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors: (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders (other than any holder of Rollover Shares or an affiliate thereof or of the Company, such unaffiliated shareholders, the “Public Shareholders”); (ii) approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, in accordance with the requirements of the OGCA; (iii) resolved that the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall be governed by Section 1081.H of the OGCA; and (iv) resolved, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, to recommend that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares into the Offer, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Founder and Shelly G. Lambertz recused themselves from the Company Board approval due to their status as Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders entered into a Non-Tender and Support Agreement, dated October 16, 2022 (the “Support Agreement”), with the Purchaser pursuant to which each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agreed, among other things, not to tender any of the Shares beneficially owned by such person in the Offer. As of the date of this Offer to Purchase, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 83% of the outstanding Shares.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Founder entered into a limited guarantee in favor of the Company, dated October 16, 2022 (the “Limited Guarantee”), with respect to certain obligations of the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, including, under certain circumstances, a guarantee of payment for up to $274 million of the Purchaser’s obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger, provided, that the Company may only enforce such guarantee in connection with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.

The Offer is subject to conditions, including: (i) the Special Committee Recommendation Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”); (ii) the Representations and Warranties Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”); (iii) the Covenants Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”); (iv) the Average Crude Oil Price Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”); and (v) other conditions as set forth in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer.” Consummation of the Offer is not conditioned on obtaining financing or any minimum tender threshold.

Subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Purchaser also reserves the right to waive any of the conditions to the Offer (in each case, other than the Special Committee Recommendation Condition, which is non-waivable and may not be amended or modified) and to make any change in the terms of or conditions to the Offer that is not inconsistent with the Merger Agreement, provided that the Company’s prior written consent (which consent must be approved by the Special Committee) is required for the Purchaser to: (i) decrease the Offer Price; (ii) change the amount or form of consideration to be paid in the Offer; (iii) decrease the number of Shares subject to the Offer; (iv) impose any condition to the Offer other than those set forth in Annex I to the Merger Agreement; (v) terminate, accelerate, limit, extend or otherwise change (or make any other amendment that would terminate, accelerate, limit, extend or otherwise change) the Expiration Time in any manner (except as required under the Merger Agreement); or (vi) otherwise amend, modify or supplement any of the conditions to or terms of the Offer in a manner that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, adverse to the holders of Shares other than holders of the Rollover Shares.


Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer, promptly after the Expiration Time (and in any event, within two business days thereafter), the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all Shares that are validly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City Time, at the end of the day on November 21, 2022 or, in the event the Offer is extended or earlier terminated, the latest time and date at which the Offer, as so extended or earlier terminated, will expire (the “Expiration Time”). No “subsequent offering period” in accordance with Rule 14d-11 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Exchange Act”) will be available.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, if, at the initial Expiration Time or any subsequent time as of which the Offer is scheduled to expire, any condition to the Offer has not been satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable), the Purchaser must extend (and re-extend) the Offer from time to time until all of the conditions to the Offer have been satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable); provided that each individual extension will not be for a period of more than ten business days (except with the prior written consent of the Company, which consent must be approved by the Special Committee), provided further that the Purchaser will not be required to extend the Offer beyond December 31, 2022 (the “End Date”) unless the Purchaser is not then permitted to terminate the Merger Agreement, in which case the Purchaser is required to extend the Offer beyond the End Date. In addition, the Purchaser must extend the Offer for any period required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the SEC or its staff that is applicable to the Offer or required by the rules and regulations of the NYSE or applicable law. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser may not terminate the Offer, or permit the Offer to expire, prior to any such extended expiration date without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent must be approved by the Special Committee).

Any extension, termination or amendment of the Offer will be followed by a prompt public announcement thereof.

If you desire to tender all or any portion of your Shares in the Offer, you must: (i) if your Shares are represented by a stock certificate or held in book-entry form on the books of the Company, complete and sign the Letter of Transmittal in accordance with the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal, have your signatures guaranteed (if required by Instruction 1 to the Letter of Transmittal), mail or deliver the Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile copy) and any other required documents to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depositary for the Offer (the “Depositary”), and if your Shares are represented by a stock certificate, deliver the certificates for your Shares along with the Letter of Transmittal to the Depositary; or (ii) if you hold your Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, request that your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee effect the tender of your Shares for you. If you desire to tender your Shares, and certificates evidencing your Shares are not immediately available or you cannot deliver such certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary or you cannot comply with the procedures for book-entry transfer described in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” of this Offer to Purchase, in each case prior to the Expiration Time, you may tender your Shares by following the procedures for guaranteed delivery set forth in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” of this Offer to Purchase.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and to the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent waivable) of the conditions to the Offer, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, promptly after the Expiration Time (and in any event within two business days), all Shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. For purposes of the Offer, the Purchaser will be deemed to have accepted for payment, and thereby purchased, Shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn when, as and if the Purchaser gives oral or written notice of the Purchaser’s acceptance to the Depositary. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the Purchaser will pay for Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer by deposit of (or causing to be deposited) the purchase price therefor with the Depositary, which will act as agent for the purpose of receiving such payments and transmitting such payments to tendering shareholders. Under no circumstances will the Purchaser pay interest on the consideration paid for Shares pursuant to the Offer, regardless of any extension of the Offer or any delay in making such payment.

Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Time as explained below. For your withdrawal to be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal with respect to the applicable Shares must be timely received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase, and the notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Shares to


be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and, if different from that of the person who tendered such Shares, the name of the registered holder of the Shares. If the Shares to be withdrawn have been delivered to the Depositary (except in the case of Shares tendered by an Eligible Institution (as defined in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares”)), a signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an Eligible Institution must be submitted before the release of such Shares. In addition, such notice must specify, in the case of Shares tendered by delivery of certificates, the serial numbers shown on the specific certificates evidencing the Shares to be withdrawn or, in the case of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in “The Offer—Section 2—Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares”) to be credited with the withdrawn Shares. Withdrawals may not be rescinded, and Shares withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not validly tendered. However, withdrawn Shares may be retendered at any time before the Expiration Time by again following any of the procedures described in this Offer to Purchase.

Subject to applicable law as applied by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Purchaser will determine, in its sole discretion, all questions as to the form of documents and the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares, and its determination will be final and binding.

In general, your exchange of shares for cash pursuant to the Offer or the Merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and may also be a taxable transaction under applicable state, local or non-U.S. income or other tax laws. You should consult your tax advisor about the specific tax consequences to you of exchanging your shares for cash pursuant to the Offer or the Merger in light of your particular circumstances. See “The Offer—Section 5—Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” for a more detailed discussion of the tax consequences of the Offer and the Merger.

The Company has provided to the Purchaser its list of shareholders and security position listings for the purpose of disseminating the Offer to holders of Shares. This Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and other related materials will be mailed to record holders of Shares and will be furnished to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees whose names appear on the Company’s shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing agency’s security position listing for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of Shares.

We have filed with the SEC a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (the “Schedule TO”), of which this Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal form a part. In addition, the Company has filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the “Schedule 14D-9”), and the Company and the Founder Family Group (as defined herein) have filed a Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 (the “Schedule 13E-3”), each in connection with the Offer and/or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Schedule TO, Schedule 14D-9 and Schedule 13E-3, and any amendments, including exhibits, contain important information, and should be read carefully and in their entirety before any decision is made with respect to the Offer.

Questions and requests for assistance and copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and all other tender offer materials may be directed to the Information Agent (as defined herein), at its address and telephone numbers set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase and will be furnished promptly at the Purchaser’s expense. The Founder Family Group will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or any other person (other than to the Information Agent and the Depositary, as described in this Offer to Purchase) in connection with the solicitation of tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer. Brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees will, upon request, be reimbursed by the Purchaser for reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in forwarding materials to their customers.

This transaction has not been approved or disapproved by the SEC or any state securities commission, nor has the SEC or any state securities commission passed upon the fairness or merits of this transaction or upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information contained in this Offer to Purchase or the Letter of Transmittal. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful and a criminal offense.

October 24, 2022


IMPORTANT

If you desire to tender all or any portion of your Shares in the Offer, this is what you must do:

 

   

If you are a record holder (i.e., your Shares are represented by a stock certificate or held in book-entry form on the books of the Company), you must complete and sign the enclosed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), in accordance with the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal, and send it with your stock certificate (if your Shares are represented by a stock certificate) and any other required documents to the Depositary. These materials must reach the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time. Detailed instructions are contained in the Letter of Transmittal and in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” of this Offer to Purchase.

 

   

If you are a record holder and your stock is certificated but your stock certificate is not available or you cannot deliver it to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time, you may be able to tender your Shares using the enclosed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. Please contact D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the Offer, by phone, for shareholders at (800) 283-9185 (toll free), or for banks and brokers at (212) 269-5550 for assistance. See “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” for further details.

 

   

If you hold your Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, you must request that your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee effect the tender of your Share for you.

The Letter of Transmittal, the certificates for the Shares and any other required documents must reach the Depositary prior to the expiration of the Offer (currently scheduled to occur at one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City Time, at the end of the day on November 21, 2022, unless extended or earlier terminated), unless the procedures for guaranteed delivery described in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedure for Tendering Shares” of this Offer to Purchase are followed.

* * *

Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the information agent at the address and telephone number set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase. Additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other related materials may be obtained from the information agent or from your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee. Copies of these materials may also be found at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

SUMMARY TERM SHEET

     1  

Who is offering to buy my securities?

     2  

What securities are you offering to purchase?

     2  

Why are you making the Offer?

     2  

How much are you offering to pay for Shares and what is the form of payment? Will I have to pay any fees or commissions?

     2  

Do you have the financial resources to pay for the Shares?

     3  

Is your financial condition relevant to my decision to tender in the Offer?

     3  

What are the most significant conditions to the Offer?

     3  

Is there an agreement governing the Offer?

     3  

What does the Company’s Board of Directors think about the Offer?

     4  

Does the Founder Family Group have interests in the Offer that are different from my interests as a shareholder of the Company?

     4  

What is the position of the Founder Family Group as to the fairness of the transaction?

     5  

How long do I have to decide whether to tender my Shares in the Offer?

     5  

When and how will I be paid for my tendered Shares?

     5  

Can the Offer be extended and under what circumstances?

     5  

Will you provide a subsequent offering period?

     5  

How will I be notified if the Offer is extended?

     5  

How do I tender my Shares?

     6  

How do I tender Shares that are not represented by a certificate?

     6  

Until what time can I withdraw tendered Shares?

     6  

How do I withdraw tendered Shares?

     6  

Can holders of unvested restricted stock awards participate in the Offer?

     6  

Will the Offer be followed by a Merger if not all of the Shares (other than the Rollover Shares) are tendered in the Offer? If the Merger is completed, will the Company continue as a public company?

     7  

Will a meeting of the Company’s shareholders be required to approve the Merger?

     7  

If I decide not to tender, how will the Offer affect my Shares?

     8  

Are appraisal rights available in either the Offer or the Merger?

     8  

What is the market value of my Shares as of a recent date?

     8  

What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of exchanging my Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger?

     9  

Who can I talk to if I have questions about the Offer?

     9  

INTRODUCTION

     10  

SPECIAL FACTORS

     13  

1. Position of the Purchaser Regarding Fairness of the Transaction

     13  

2. Materials Prepared by the Founder’s Financial Advisor

     15  

3. Materials Prepared by the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor

     20  

THE OFFER

     21  

1. Terms of the Offer

     21  

2. Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares

     22  

3. Procedures for Tendering Shares

     23  

4. Withdrawal Rights

     25  

5. Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

     26  

6. Price Range of Shares; Dividends

     28  

7. Possible Effects of the Offer on the Market for the Shares; Stock Exchange Listing; Registration under the Exchange Act; Margin Regulations.

     29  

8. Certain Information Concerning the Company

     30  

9. Certain Information Concerning the Founder Family Group

     30  

10. Interests of Certain Persons in the Offer and Merger

     31  

11. Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares

     32  

 

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12. Related Party Transactions.

     33  

13. Source and Amount of Funds

     36  

14. Background of the Offer and the Merger; Contacts with the Company

     37  

15. Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights

     37  

16. The Merger Agreement

     39  

17. Dividends and Distributions

     52  

18. Conditions to the Offer

     52  

19. Certain Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals

     54  

20. Fees and Expenses

     56  

21. Conduct of the Company’s Business If the Offer Is Not Consummated

     56  

22. Miscellaneous

     57  

SCHEDULE I

     S-1  

Directors and Executive Officers of the Purchaser

     S-1  

Founder and the Founder Family Group

     S-2  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

     S-3  

SCHEDULE II

     S-1  

General Corporation Act of Oklahoma Section 1091 Appraisal Rights

     S-1  

 

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SUMMARY TERM SHEET

Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Purchaser”), 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and affiliate of Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), is offering to purchase any and all of the outstanding Shares (as defined below) of the Company, other than: (i) Shares owned by the Founder, certain of the Founder’s family members and their affiliated entities (collectively, the “Founder Family Rollover Shareholders”) and; (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company RS Awards (as defined herein) (such Shares, together with the Shares referred to in clause (i), the “Rollover Shares” and the holders of such Rollover Shares, the “Rollover Shareholders”), for $74.28 per share (the “Offer Price”), of such Shares in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this “Offer to Purchase”), the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Letter of Transmittal” and which, together with this Offer to Purchase, constitutes the “Offer”), and pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 16, 2022, by and between the Company and the Purchaser (as amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”).

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders entered into a Non-Tender and Support Agreement, dated October 16, 2022 (the “Support Agreement”), with the Purchaser pursuant to which each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agreed, among other things, not to tender any of the Shares beneficially owned by such person in the Offer. As of the date of the Offer to Purchase, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 83% of the outstanding Shares.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Founder entered into a limited guarantee in favor of the Company, dated October 16, 2022 (the “Limited Guarantee”), with respect to certain obligations of the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, including, under certain circumstances, a guarantee of payment for up to $274 million of the Purchaser’s obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger, provided, that the Company may only enforce such guarantee in connection with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.

The following are some of the questions you, as a Company shareholder, may have, and answers to those questions. This summary term sheet is not meant to be a substitute for the more detailed information contained in the remainder of this Offer to Purchase, and you should carefully read this Offer to Purchase and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal in their entirety because the information in this summary term sheet is not complete and additional important information is contained in the remainder of this Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal. This summary term sheet includes cross-references to other sections of this Offer to Purchase to direct you to the sections of the Offer to Purchase containing a more complete description of the topics covered in this summary term sheet.

Unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise set forth herein, the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to the Purchaser. The term “Founder Family Group” refers to the Purchaser, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders and Roger Clements, a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma who serves as co-trustee of certain trusts that are Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

The information concerning the Company contained herein and elsewhere in the Offer to Purchase has been provided to the Purchaser and/or the Founder Family Group by the Company or has been taken from or is based upon publicly available documents or records of the Company on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or other public sources at the time of the Offer. Neither the Purchaser nor the Founder Family Group has independently verified the accuracy or completeness of such information.

 

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Securities Sought    Any and all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of the Company, other than the Rollover Shares.
Price Offered Per Share    $74.28, in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes.
Scheduled Expiration of Offer    One minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City Time, at the end of the day on November 21, 2022, unless the Offer is extended or earlier terminated.
Purchaser    Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by the Founder.

Who is offering to buy my securities?

Omega Acquisition, Inc. is an Oklahoma corporation formed by the Founder for the purpose of making the Offer. The Purchaser’s capital stock is 100% owned by the Founder as of the date of this Offer to Purchase. Immediately prior to the closing of the Offer, the Founder will contribute all of the capital stock of the Purchaser to the Company. Following the closing of the Offer, the Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the Merger (as defined below) as an entity that is wholly owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

As of the date of this Offer to Purchase, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders own approximately 83% of the outstanding Shares, or approximately 299.7 million Shares. See the “Introduction” to this Offer to Purchase and “The Offer—Section 9—Certain Information Concerning the Founder Family Group.”

What securities are you offering to purchase?

We are offering to purchase any and all of the outstanding Shares, other than the Rollover Shares, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal. We refer to each share of the Company’s common stock as a “Share.” See the “Introduction” to this Offer to Purchase and “The Offer—Section 1—Terms of the Offer.”

Why are you making the Offer?

We are making the Offer as the initial step in a two-step transaction that, if consummated, will result in the Company, as the surviving corporation in the second-step Merger (as described below), becoming an entity that is wholly owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders. The Merger Agreement provides that promptly (and, in any event, within two business days) after the expiration of the Offer, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the time at which Shares may be first accepted for payment under the Offer, the “Acceptance Time”). If the Offer is consummated, the Purchaser intends, as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time, to consummate the Merger. Upon consummation of the Merger, the Company’s Shares will cease to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and will subsequently be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

How much are you offering to pay for Shares and what is the form of payment? Will I have to pay any fees or commissions?

We are offering to pay $74.28 per Share, in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes. If you are the record holder of your Shares (i.e., your Shares are represented by a stock certificate or held in book-entry form on the books of the Company) and you directly tender your Shares to us in the Offer, you will not have to pay brokerage fees or similar expenses. If you own your Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, and your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee tenders your Shares on your behalf, then they may charge you a fee for doing so. You should consult your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to determine whether any charges will apply. See the “Introduction” to this Offer to Purchase and “The Offer—Section 2—Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares.”

 

2


Do you have the financial resources to pay for the Shares?

Yes. We have access to sufficient resources to make the payment for your Shares. We estimate that we will need approximately $4.3 billion to acquire the Shares pursuant to the Offer and the Merger. In the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to cooperate with us in obtaining the funds needed to acquire the Shares pursuant to the Offer and the Merger. The Company had a cash balance of approximately $1.8 billion as of September 30, 2022 and expects to have a cash balance of between approximately $2.2 billion and $2.4 billion as of the scheduled expiration of the Offer. In addition, the Company’s Revolving Credit Agreement (as defined herein) has $2.255 billion of lender commitments and no outstanding borrowings as of October 24, 2022. While the Company expects that its cash on hand and availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement should be sufficient to acquire the Shares in the Offer and the Merger, it is in the process of negotiating the terms of a term loan in order to provide funds to consummate the Offer and the Merger and expects to have access to borrowing capacity under that term loan prior to the Expiration Time. In addition, the Founder has entered into the Limited Guarantee described under “The Offer—Section 12—Related Party Transactions—Limited Guarantee” pursuant to which the Founder has provided the Company with a guarantee, under certain circumstances, of payment for up to $274 million of the Purchaser’s obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger, provided the Company may only enforce such guarantee in connection with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger. We expect that such funds will come from a combination of the foregoing sources.

The Offer is not conditioned upon the availability of any financing arrangements. See “The Offer—Section 13—Source and Amount of Funds.”

Is your financial condition relevant to my decision to tender in the Offer?

No. We do not think our financial condition is relevant to your decision whether to tender Shares and accept the Offer because:

 

   

the Offer is being made for all outstanding Shares solely for cash;

 

   

as described above, the Company has access to significant capital resources and has agreed to cooperate with us in obtaining the funds needed to acquire the Shares pursuant to the Offer and the Merger;

 

   

consummation of the Offer is not subject to any financing condition; and

 

   

if we consummate the Offer, we expect to complete the Merger as promptly as practicable after the Acceptance Time, in which all Shares (other than the Excluded Shares (as defined below)) that then remain issued and outstanding will be converted into the right to receive the Offer Price.

See “The Offer—Section 13—Source and Amount of Funds” and “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement.”

What are the most significant conditions to the Offer?

The Offer is subject to conditions, including: (i) the Special Committee Recommendation Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”), (ii) the Representations and Warranties Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”); (iii) the Covenants Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”); (iv) the Average Crude Oil Price Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”) and (v) other conditions as set forth in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer.” Consummation of the Offer is not conditioned on obtaining financing or any minimum tender threshold.

Is there an agreement governing the Offer?

Yes. The Company and the Purchaser have entered into the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the parties have agreed on, among other things, the terms and conditions of the Offer and, following the Acceptance Time, the Merger of the Purchaser with and into the Company. See the “Introduction” to this Offer to Purchase, “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement” and “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer.”

 

3


Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders entered into the Support Agreement with the Purchaser pursuant to which each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agreed, among other things, not to tender any of the Shares beneficially owned by such person in the Offer. See “Introduction” to this Offer to Purchase and “The Offer—Section 12—Related Party Transactions—Support Agreement.”

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Founder entered into the Limited Guarantee, with respect to certain obligations of the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, including, under certain circumstances, a guarantee of payment for up to $274 million of the Purchaser’s obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger, provided, that the Company may only enforce such guarantee in connection with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger. See “Introduction” to this Offer to Purchase and “The Offer—Section 12—Related Party Transactions—Limited Guarantee.”

What does the Company’s Board of Directors think about the Offer?

The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Company Board”), upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors (the “Special Committee”), has:

 

   

determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders (other than any holder of Rollover Shares or an affiliate thereof or of the Company, such unaffiliated shareholders, the “Public Shareholders”);

 

   

approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, in accordance with the requirements of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”);

 

   

resolved that the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall be governed by Section 1081.H of the OGCA; and

 

   

resolved, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, to recommend that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares into the Offer, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Founder and Shelly G. Lambertz recused themselves from the Company Board approval due to their status as Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

The Company will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the “Schedule 14D-9”) with the SEC indicating the approval of the Merger Agreement, the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement by the Company Board and recommending that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares in the Offer.

See “The Offer—Section 14—Background of the Offer and the Merger; Contacts with the Company” and “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement.” We expect that a more complete description of the reasons for the Company Board’s approval of the Offer and the Merger will be set forth in the Schedule 14D-9 to be prepared by the Company and filed with the SEC and mailed to the Public Shareholders.

Does the Founder Family Group have interests in the Offer that are different from my interests as a shareholder of the Company?

Yes. The Founder Family Group’s interests in the Offer and the Merger are different from those of the Public Shareholders. In particular, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders’ financial interests with regard to the price to be paid in the Offer and the Merger are adverse to the interests of the Public Shareholders because they have an interest in acquiring the Shares as inexpensively as possible and the Public Shareholders have an interest in selling their Shares for the highest possible price. Also, if you sell Shares in the Offer or your Shares (other than Company RS Awards) are converted into the right to receive cash consideration in the Merger, you will cease to have any interest in the Company and will not have the opportunity to participate in the future earnings or growth, if any, of the Company. On the other hand, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders will benefit from any future increase in the value of the Company, as well as bear the burden of any future decrease in the value of the Company. See “The Offer—Section 15—Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights.”

 

4


What is the position of the Founder Family Group as to the fairness of the transaction?

The Founder Family Group believes that the transaction is fair to the Public Shareholders, based upon the factors set forth under “Special Factors—Section 1—Position of the Purchaser Regarding Fairness of the Transaction.”

How long do I have to decide whether to tender my Shares in the Offer?

You have until one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City Time, at the end of the day on November 21, 2022 (unless extended or earlier terminated), to tender your Shares in the Offer. See “The Offer—Section 1—Terms of the Offer.” If you cannot deliver everything required to make a valid tender to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depositary for the Offer (the “Depositary”), prior to such time, you may be able to use a guaranteed delivery procedure, which is described in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares.” In addition, if we extend the Offer as described below under “Introduction” to this Offer to Purchase, you will have an additional opportunity to tender your Shares. Please be aware that if your Shares are held by a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, they may require advance notification before the expiration time of the Offer (the “Expiration Time”) in order to be able to tender your Shares prior to the expiration of the Offer.

When and how will I be paid for my tendered Shares?

If the conditions to the Offer set forth in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” are satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable) as of the expiration of the Offer, we will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all validly tendered and not validly withdrawn Shares as promptly as practicable after (and in any event within two business days) the date of expiration of the Offer.

We will pay for your validly tendered and not validly withdrawn Shares by depositing the purchase price with the Depositary, which will act as agent for the purpose of receiving payments from us and transmitting such payments to you. In all cases, payment for tendered Shares will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of certificates for such Shares (or of a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Shares as described in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares”), a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any other required documents for such Shares.

Can the Offer be extended and under what circumstances?

Yes. The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the parties’ respective termination rights in the Merger Agreement, if at the scheduled expiration date of the Offer, including following a prior extension, any condition to the Offer has not been satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable), we must extend (and re-extend) the Offer from time to time until all of the conditions to the Offer have been satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable); provided that each individual extension will not be for a period of more than ten business days (except with the prior written consent of the Company, which consent must be approved by the Special Committee), provided further that we will not be required to extend the Offer beyond December 31, 2022 (the “End Date”) unless the Purchaser is not then permitted to terminate the Merger Agreement, in which case the Purchaser is required to extend the Offer beyond the End Date. In addition, we must extend the Offer for any period required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the SEC or its staff that is applicable to the Offer or required by the rules and regulations of the NYSE or applicable law. See “The Offer—Section 1—Terms of the Offer.”

Will you provide a subsequent offering period?

We do not presently intend to offer, and the Merger Agreement does not provide for, a subsequent offering period.

How will I be notified if the Offer is extended?

If we extend the Offer, we will inform the Depositary and the Information Agent of that fact and will make a prompt public announcement of the extension.

 

5


How do I tender my Shares?

If you wish to accept the Offer, this is what you must do:

 

   

If you are a record holder (i.e., your Shares are represented by a stock certificate or held in book-entry form on the books of the Company), you must complete and sign the enclosed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), in accordance with the instructions provided in the Letter Transmittal, and send it with your stock certificates (if your Shares are represented by a stock certificate) and any other required documents to the Depositary. These materials must reach the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time. Detailed instructions are contained in the Letter of Transmittal and in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares.”

 

   

If you are a record holder and your stock is certificated, but your stock certificate is not available or you cannot deliver it to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time, you may be able to tender your Shares using the enclosed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. Please contact D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Information Agent, by phone at, for shareholders at (800) 283-9185 (toll free), or for banks and brokers at (212) 269-5550 for assistance. See “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” for further details.

 

   

If you hold your Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, you must request that your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee effect the tender of your Shares for you.

How do I tender Shares that are not represented by a certificate?

If you directly hold uncertificated Shares in an account with the Company’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, you should follow the instructions for book-entry transfer of your Shares as described in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” and in the attached Letter of Transmittal. If you hold your uncertificated Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, you must request that your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee effect the tender of your Shares for you.

Until what time can I withdraw tendered Shares?

You can withdraw some or all of the Shares that you previously tendered in the Offer at any time prior to the Expiration Time (as it may be extended from time to time). Further, if we have not accepted your Shares for payment by December 23, 2022, you may withdraw them at any time after that date until we accept your Shares for payment. Once we accept your tendered Shares for payment upon expiration of the Offer, however, you will no longer be able to withdraw them. See “The Offer—Section 4—Withdrawal Rights.”

How do I withdraw tendered Shares?

To withdraw Shares that you previously tendered in the Offer, you must deliver a written notice of withdrawal, or a facsimile of one, which includes the required information as set forth in “The Offer—Section 4—Withdrawal Rights” to the Depositary while you have the right to withdraw such Shares. If you tendered Shares by giving instructions to a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, then you must instruct the broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to arrange to withdraw the Shares. See “The Offer—Section 4—Withdrawal Rights.”

Can holders of unvested restricted stock awards participate in the Offer?

The Offer is only for the outstanding Shares that are not subject to vesting and/or forfeiture conditions and is not being made for Shares underlying unvested restricted stock awards (“Company RS Awards”).

At the Merger Effective Time, however, each unvested Company RS Award issued under the Company’s long-term incentive compensation plans that is outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, will be replaced with a restricted stock unit award covering the same number of shares of the surviving corporation as the number of Shares covered by the Company RS Award immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (assuming

 

6


that a share of the surviving corporation immediately following the Merger Effective Time has the same value as a Share immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time) that provides the holder of such cancelled Company RS Award with the right to receive, upon vesting of such replacement award, at the surviving corporation’s sole discretion, for each share of common stock of the surviving corporation covered by such a share of the replacement award (i) a share of the surviving corporation, (ii) a cash amount having substantially equivalent value to the consideration described in clause (i), or (iii) a combination of cash and shares (including fractional shares) of the surviving corporation that, together, have substantially equivalent value to the consideration described in clause (i), in each case, together with any unpaid dividends accrued on such Company RS Award. See “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement—Company RS Awards.”

Will the Offer be followed by a Merger if not all of the Shares (other than the Rollover Shares) are tendered in the Offer? If the Merger is completed, will the Company continue as a public company?

If the conditions to the Merger are satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable), we will effect the Merger as promptly as practicable following the Acceptance Time in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, without a vote or any further action by the shareholders of the Company, pursuant to Section 1081.H of the OGCA.

Upon the completion of the Merger, the surviving corporation will be wholly owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders. In addition, we intend to cause the Shares to be delisted from the NYSE and deregistered under the Exchange Act, after completion of the Merger. If the Merger takes place, each Share outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (other than the Excluded Shares) will be converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, in cash and without interest, subject to any applicable withholding taxes. See the “Introduction” to this Offer to Purchase and “The Offer—Section 15—Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights” and “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement.”

Will a meeting of the Company’s shareholders be required to approve the Merger?

No. Section 1081.H of the OGCA provides that, unless expressly required by its certificate of incorporation, no vote of shareholders will be necessary to authorize the merger of a constituent corporation whose shares are listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders immediately prior to the execution of the applicable agreement of merger by such corporation if, subject to certain statutory provisions:

 

   

the agreement of merger expressly permits or requires that the merger shall be effected by Section 1081.H of the OGCA and provides that such merger be effected as soon as practicable following the consummation of the tender offer;

 

   

an acquiring corporation consummates a tender offer for any and all of the outstanding stock of such constituent corporation on the terms provided in the Merger Agreement that, absent Section 1081.H of the OGCA, would be entitled to vote on the adoption or rejection of the Merger Agreement (other than shares of rollover stock (as defined in Section 1081.H of the OGCA));

 

   

immediately following the consummation of the tender offer, the stock irrevocably accepted for purchase pursuant to such tender offer and received by the depository prior to the expiration of such tender offer (together with any rollover stock) equals at least the amount of shares of each class of stock of the constituent corporation, and of each class or series thereof, that, absent Section 1081.H of the OGCA, that would otherwise be required for the shareholders of the constituent corporation to adopt a merger agreement with the acquiring entity pursuant to Section 1081 of the OGCA and the certificate of incorporation of such constituent corporation;

 

   

the corporation consummating the tender offer referred to above merges with or into such constituent corporation pursuant to such agreement; and

 

   

each outstanding share (other than any rollover stock), of each class or series of stock of the constituent corporation not irrevocably accepted for purchase in the tender offer is converted into the right to receive the same consideration as was payable in the tender offer.

 

7


If the conditions to the Offer and the Merger are satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable), we have agreed in the Merger Agreement to effect the Merger as promptly as practicable following the Acceptance Time in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, without a vote or any further action by the Company’s shareholders.

If I decide not to tender, how will the Offer affect my Shares?

If the Merger is consummated between the Company and the Purchaser, the Company shareholders who did not tender their Shares in the Offer (other than the holders of Excluded Shares) will receive cash in an amount equal to the price per Share paid in the Offer, without interest, and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes. If we accept and purchase Shares in the Offer, we will consummate the Merger as soon as practicable without a vote of or any further action by the Public Shareholders, pursuant to the OGCA. Therefore, if the Merger takes place, the only differences to you between tendering your Shares and not tendering your Shares are: (i) that you may be paid earlier if you tender your Shares; and (ii) appraisal rights under Section 1091 of the OGCA will not be available to you if you tender Shares in the Offer, but will be available to you in the Merger if you do not tender Shares in the Offer. See “The Offer—Section 15— Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights—No Shareholder Approval.”

While we intend, and are obligated under the Merger Agreement, to consummate the Merger as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time, if the Merger does not take place and the Offer is consummated, there may be so few remaining shareholders and publicly traded Shares that there will no longer be an active or liquid public trading market (or, possibly, any public trading market) for Shares held by the Public Shareholders. We cannot predict whether the reduction in the number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly would have an adverse or beneficial effect on the market price for, or marketability of, the Shares. Also, the Company may no longer be required to make filings with the SEC or otherwise may no longer be required to comply with the SEC’s rules relating to publicly held companies. See “The Offer—Section 7—Possible Effects of the Offer on the Market for the Shares; Stock Exchange Listing; Registration under the Exchange Act; Margin Regulations” and “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement.”

No shareholder vote will be required to consummate the Merger, and we expect the consummation of the Offer and the consummation of the Merger to occur on the same date. See “The Offer—Section 15— Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights—No Shareholder Approval.”

Are appraisal rights available in either the Offer or the Merger?

No appraisal rights are available in connection with the Offer. However, pursuant to the OGCA, if the Merger is consummated, any shareholder who does not tender its Shares in the Offer will have the right, by fully complying with the applicable provisions of Section 1091 of the OGCA, to choose not to accept the consideration payable for their Shares pursuant to the Merger, and instead to demand an appraisal of its Shares in any federal court or state court located in Oklahoma County in the State of Oklahoma and receive a cash payment of the “fair value” of its Shares as of the Merger Effective Time as determined by such court. The “fair value” of such Shares as of the Merger Effective Time may be more than, less than, or equal to the Offer Price. See “The Offer—Section 15— Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights—Appraisal Rights.”

What is the market value of my Shares as of a recent date?

On June 13, 2022, the last full trading day before the Company announced that the Founder had made a proposal to the Company Board to pursue the Offer, the closing sale price of a Share reported on the NYSE was $64.50. On October 14, 2022, the last full trading day before the Company announced the execution of the Merger Agreement, the closing sale price of a Share reported on the NYSE was $68.22. On October 21, 2022, the last full trading day before the date of this Offer to Purchase, the closing sale price of a Share reported on the NYSE was $74.00. Please obtain a recent quotation for the Shares before deciding whether or not to tender your Shares. See “The Offer—Section 6—Price Range of Shares; Dividends.”

 

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What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of exchanging my Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger?

In general, your receipt of cash in exchange for your Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and may also be a taxable transaction under applicable state, local or non-U.S. income or other tax laws. You should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences to you of exchanging your Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger in light of your particular circumstances. See “The Offer—Section 5—Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” for a more detailed discussion of the tax consequences of the Offer and the Merger.

Who can I talk to if I have questions about the Offer?

You can contact D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Information Agent, by phone at, for shareholders at (800) 283-9185 (toll free), or for banks and brokers at (212) 269-5550. See the back cover of this Offer to Purchase.

 

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To the Shareholders of Continental Resources, Inc.:

INTRODUCTION

Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Purchaser”), 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and affiliate of Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), is offering to purchase any and all outstanding shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, other than: (i) Shares owned by the Founder, certain of the Founder’s family members and their affiliated entities (collectively, the “Founder Family Rollover Shareholders”); and (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company RS Awards (as defined herein) (such Shares, together with the Shares referred to in clause (i), the “Rollover Shares” and the holders of such Rollover Shares, the “Rollover Shareholders”), for $74.28 per Share (the “Offer Price”), of such Shares in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this “Offer to Purchase”) and the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Letter of Transmittal” and which, together with the Offer to Purchase, constitutes the “Offer”). Unless the context requires otherwise or as otherwise set forth herein, the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to the Purchaser. The term “Founder Family Group” refers to the Purchaser, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders and Roger Clements, a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma who serves as co-trustee of certain trusts that are Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

If you are the record holder of your Shares (i.e., your Shares are represented by a stock certificate or held in book-entry form on the books of the Company), you will not be required to pay brokerage fees, commissions or, except as set forth in Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal, stock transfer taxes on the exchange of Shares for cash pursuant to the Offer. Shareholders with Shares held in street name by a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee should consult with their nominee to determine if they will be charged any transaction fees. We will pay all charges and expenses of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depositary for the Offer (the “Depositary”) and D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the Offer (the “Information Agent”) incurred in connection with the Offer. See “The Offer—Section 20—Fees and Expenses.”

We are making the Offer pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 16, 2022 (as amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), between the Company and the Purchaser. The Merger Agreement provides that promptly (and, in any event, within two business days) after the expiration of the Offer and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the time at which Shares may be first accepted for payment under the Offer, the “Acceptance Time”). Immediately prior to the Acceptance Time, Founder will contribute 100% of the capital stock of the Purchaser to the Company, as a result of which the Purchaser will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with Company continuing as the surviving corporation wholly owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders. At the Merger Effective Time, each outstanding Share (other than: (i) the Rollover Shares; (ii) Shares owned by the Company as treasury stock or owned by any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, including Shares irrevocably accepted by the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer; and (iii) Shares held by a holder who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal for such Shares in accordance with Section 1091 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”), in each case, as determined immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (collectively, the “Excluded Shares”)) will be converted into the right to receive the Offer Price in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes. The Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions described in “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger.” “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement” contains a more detailed description of the Merger Agreement. “The Offer—Section 5—Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer and the exchange of Shares pursuant to the Merger.

The Offer is being made only for Shares that are not subject to vesting and/or forfeiture conditions and is not being made for Shares underlying unvested restricted stock awards (the “Company RS Awards”), holders of which are not eligible to participate in the Offer. The Merger Agreement provides that at the Merger Effective Time, however, each unvested Company RS Award issued under the Company’s long-term incentive compensation plans

 

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that is outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time will be replaced with a restricted stock unit award covering the same number of shares of the surviving corporation as the number of Shares covered by the Company RS Award immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (assuming that a share of the surviving corporation immediately following the Merger Effective Time has the same value as a Share immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time) that provides the holder of such cancelled Company RS Award with the right to receive, upon vesting of such replacement award, at the surviving corporation’s sole discretion, for each share of common stock of the surviving corporation covered by such a share of the replacement award (i) a share of the surviving corporation, (ii) a cash amount having substantially equivalent value to the consideration described in clause (i), or (iii) a combination of cash and shares (including fractional shares) of the surviving corporation that, together, have substantially equivalent value to the consideration described in clause (i), in each case, together with any unpaid dividends accrued on such Company RS Award (the “Replacement RS Awards”). See “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement—Company RS Awards.”:

The Company Board of Directors (the “Company Board”) has, upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent and disinterested directors (the “Special Committee”): (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders (other than any holder of Rollover Shares or an affiliate thereof or of the Company, such unaffiliated shareholders, the “Public Shareholders”); (ii) approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger in accordance with the requirements of the OGCA; (iii) resolved that the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall be governed by Section 1081.H of the OGCA; and (iv) resolved, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, to recommend that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares into the Offer, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Founder and Shelly G. Lambertz recused themselves from the Company Board approval due to their status as Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders entered into a Non-Tender and Support Agreement, dated October 16, 2022 (the “Support Agreement”), with the Purchaser pursuant to which each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agreed, among other things, not to tender any of the Shares beneficially owned by such person in the Offer. As of the date of this Offer to Purchase, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 83% of the outstanding Shares.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Founder entered into a limited guarantee in favor of the Company, dated October 16, 2022 (the “Limited Guarantee”), with respect to certain obligations of the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, including, under certain circumstances, a guarantee of payment for up to $274 million of the Purchaser’s obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger, provided, that the Company may only enforce such guarantee in connection with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.

The Company will file its Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the “Schedule 14D-9”) with the SEC and disseminate the Schedule 14D-9 to holders of Shares, in connection with the Offer. The Schedule 14D-9 will include a more complete description of the Company Board’s reasons for authorizing and approving the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and therefore, the Public Shareholders are encouraged to review the Schedule 14D-9 carefully and in its entirety.

The Offer is subject to conditions, including: (i) the Special Committee Recommendation Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”), (ii) the Representations and Warranties Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”); (iii) the Covenants Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”); (iv) the Average Crude Oil Price Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”) and (v) other conditions as set forth in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer.” The Offer is not conditioned upon the Purchaser obtaining financing or any minimum tender threshold.

 

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According to the Company, as of the close of business on October 16, 2022, there were: (i) 357,633,808 outstanding Shares (excluding Company RS Awards); (ii) 5,385,920 outstanding Shares in respect of Company RS Awards; (iii) 15,658,068 Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company Plans (as defined in the Merger Agreement); and (iv) no outstanding shares of preferred stock. As of the date of this Offer to Purchase, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders own approximately 299.7 million Shares.

We currently intend, as soon as practicable following the Acceptance Time and the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent waivable) of the other conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, to consummate the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Following the Merger, the directors of the Purchaser at the Merger Effective Time will be the directors of the surviving corporation. As of the date of this Offer to Purchase, the surviving corporation has not entered into any new or revised compensation arrangements with any of the directors or officers of the Company for their service following the Merger Effective Time, and it does not anticipate any new or revised arrangements, other than any documentation that would be necessary in connection with Replacement RSU Awards.

Section 1081.H of the OGCA provides that, if immediately following the consummation of a tender offer for any and all shares of an Oklahoma corporation whose shares are listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders immediately prior to the execution of the applicable agreement of merger by such corporation, the stock irrevocably accepted for purchase pursuant to such tender offer and received by the depository prior to the expiration of such tender offer (together with any rollover stock) equals at least the amount of shares of each class of stock of the constituent corporation, and of each class or series thereof, that, absent Section 1081.H of the OGCA would otherwise be required for the shareholders of the constituent corporation to adopt a merger agreement with the acquiring entity pursuant to Section 1081 of the OGCA and the certificate of incorporation of such constituent corporation, and each outstanding share (other than any rollover stock) of each class or series of stock of the constituent corporation not irrevocably accepted for purchase in the tender offer is converted into the right to receive the same consideration as was payable in the tender offer, the constituent corporation can effect a merger without the vote of the shareholders of the constituent corporation. Therefore, the parties have agreed, and the Merger Agreement requires, that, subject to the conditions specified in the Merger Agreement, the Merger will become effective as promptly as practicable after the Acceptance Time, without a vote of the Company shareholders, in accordance with Section 1081.H of the OGCA. See “The Offer—Section 15— Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights.”

The Offer is conditioned upon the fulfillment of the conditions described in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer.” The Offer will expire at one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City Time, at the end of the day on November 21, 2022, unless we extend the Offer. See “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement—Extensions of the Offer.”

This Offer to Purchase does not constitute a solicitation of proxies, and the Purchaser is not soliciting proxies in connection with the Offer or the Merger. If the Purchaser consummates the Offer, the Purchaser will consummate the Merger pursuant to Section 1081.H of the OGCA without the approval of the Company’s shareholders.

THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, AND YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ BOTH IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER.

 

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SPECIAL FACTORS

Under the SEC’s rules governing “going private” transactions, each member of the Founder Family Group is deemed to be an affiliate of the Company and, therefore, is required to disclose certain information and express his, her or its beliefs as to certain matters to the Company’s “unaffiliated security holders,” as defined under Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act. Each member of the Founder Family Group is making the statements included in this “Special Factors” section solely for the purpose of complying with the requirements of Rule 13e-3 and related rules under the Exchange Act. References to “we,” “us,” “our,” and similar references in this “Special Factors” section are to the Founder Family Group.

1. Position of the Purchaser Regarding Fairness of the Transaction

We believe that the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement and the Limited Guarantee and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to the Public Shareholders. We base our belief on the following factors, each of which, in our judgment, supports our view as to the fairness of the transaction:

 

   

The terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Offer and the Merger, were reviewed and negotiated by the Special Committee, which was comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors who are unaffiliated with the Founder Family Group and are not officers or employees of the Company.

 

   

The Special Committee has unanimously: (a) determined that the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement and the Limited Guarantee and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the Public Shareholders; (b) recommended that the Company Board approve, adopt and declare advisable the Merger Agreement; (c) recommended that the Company Board approve the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement and the Limited Guarantee, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, in accordance with the requirements of the OGCA; and (d) recommended that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares into the Offer (which recommendation’s continuing effect shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the Special Committee’s rights thereunder).

 

   

In connection with taking the foregoing actions, the Special Committee selected and was advised by its own advisors, including Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, its independent legal counsel, and Evercore Group L.L.C. (“Evercore”), its independent financial advisor. A copy of Evercore’s opinion, dated October 16, 2022, which was rendered to the Special Committee, is attached as Annex B to the Schedule 14D-9.

 

   

The Company Board determined, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the Public Shareholders. The Founder and Shelly G. Lambertz recused themselves from the Company Board approval due to their status as Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

 

   

The Offer Price represents a premium of approximately:

 

   

15.2% to the closing price of the Shares on June 13, 2022, the last trading day prior to the announcement by the Company that the Founder had made a proposal to pursue the Offer;

 

   

17.5% to the volume weighted average price of the Shares over the last 30 trading days through June 13, 2022, the last trading day prior to the announcement by the Company that the Founder had made a proposal to pursue the Offer; and

 

   

28.1% to the volume weighted average price of the Shares traded from January 3, 2022 through June 13, 2022, the last trading day prior to the announcement by the Company that the Founder had made a proposal to pursue the Offer;

 

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The negotiations between the Special Committee and its legal and financial advisors, on the one hand, and us and our legal and financial advisors, on the other hand, resulted in an increase of approximately 6.1% over the initial proposed Offer Price of $70.00 per Share.

 

   

Neither the Offer nor the Merger is subject to any financing condition.

 

   

The fact that the Offer and the Merger do not represent a change of control of the Company.

 

   

The Offer provides the Public Shareholders with the certainty of receiving cash for their Shares.

 

   

Any shareholder that tenders all its Shares in the Offer or has its Shares converted into the right to receive the Offer Price in the Merger will not bear the risk of loss due to any decline in the value of the Shares following the Merger Effective Time, if the Offer and the Merger are completed.

 

   

The payment of the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend (as defined below) to the Public Shareholders in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances.

 

   

The other factors considered by the Special Committee in connection with the Special Committee’s recommendation, as more fully described in the Schedule 14D-9 under the captions “Item 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION—Recommendation of the Special Committee and the Board of Directors” and “—Reasons for the Offer and the Merger; Recommendation of the Special Committee; Recommendation of the Company Board; Fairness of the Offer and the Merger.”

In addition, the Founder Family Group believes that the Offer is procedurally fair to the Public Shareholders, based on the following factors:

 

   

The terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, including the Offer Price, resulted from arms’-length negotiations between the Special Committee and the Purchaser.

 

   

No director of the Company affiliated with the Purchaser participated in or had any influence on the deliberative process with respect to the conclusions reached by the Special Committee.

 

   

The directors that are Founder Family Rollover Shareholders did not participate in the Company Board’s approval of the Merger Agreement.

 

   

The Public Shareholders will have sufficient time to make a decision whether or not to tender since the Offer will remain open for a minimum of 20 business days.

 

   

In deciding whether to tender their Shares, the Public Shareholders will have the opportunity to consider the Special Committee’s position on the Offer as well as the reasons therefor as more fully described in the Schedule 14D-9 under the captions “Item 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION—Recommendation of the Special Committee and the Board of Directors” and “—Reasons for the Offer and the Merger; Recommendation of the Special Committee; Recommendation of the Company Board; Fairness of the Offer and the Merger.”

 

   

If the Merger is completed, the Public Shareholders at that time who do not tender their Shares in the Offer will be entitled to receive the “fair value” of their Shares, as determined by a court, by following the appraisal procedures under the OGCA.

 

   

The fact that the Merger Agreement provides that, prior to the Merger Effective Time, it cannot be amended, nor may any provision be waived by the Company, without the approval of the Special Committee.

We also considered the following uncertainties, risks and potentially countervailing factors in our consideration of the fairness of the terms of the transaction:

 

   

Any shareholder who tenders all its Shares in the Offer or has its Shares converted into cash in the Merger would cease to participate in the future earnings or growth, if any, of the Company or benefit from increases, if any, in the value of the Company.

 

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Neither the Offer nor the Merger is conditioned on the tender by or affirmative vote of a majority of the Public Shareholders and the Merger will be consummated without any vote of the Company’s shareholders, in accordance with Section 1081.H of the OGCA.

 

   

The receipt of cash for Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger generally will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

   

The Founder Family Rollover Shareholders’ current ownership of approximately 83% in the Company, and the Founder’s prior public statements that the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders are not interested in selling any of their Shares, may preclude competing offers to acquire the Company from third parties.

 

   

Certain directors and officers of the Company have actual or potential conflicts of interest in connection with the Offer and the Merger. See “—Section 10—Interests of Certain Persons in the Offer and Merger”.

We did not find it practicable to assign, nor did we assign, relative weights to the individual factors considered in reaching our conclusion as to fairness. The Founder’s financial advisor, Intrepid Partners, LLC (“Intrepid”), was not asked to and has not delivered a fairness opinion to us or any other person in connection with the Offer.

In reaching our conclusion as to fairness, we did not consider the liquidation value or net book value of the Company. The liquidation value was not considered because the Company is a viable going concern and we have no plans to liquidate the Company. Therefore, we believe that the liquidation value of the Company is irrelevant to a determination as to whether the Offer is fair to unaffiliated security holders. Further, we did not consider net book value, which is an accounting concept, as a factor because we believe that net book value is not a material indicator of the value of the Company as a going concern because it is indicative of historical costs, and it does not include the value of the Company’s oil and natural gas reserves. We are not aware of any firm offers made by a third party to acquire the Company during the past two years and in any event have no intention of selling the Shares we own. Third-party offers were not considered in reaching our conclusion as to fairness.

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and given weight by us is not intended to be exhaustive and is not presented in any relative order of importance, but includes the factors considered by us that we believe to be material. Our view as to the fairness of the transaction to the unaffiliated security holders should not be construed as a recommendation to any shareholder as to whether that shareholder should tender Shares in the Offer.

2. Materials Prepared by the Founder’s Financial Advisor

The Founder retained Intrepid as his financial advisor in connection with his consideration of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Founder selected Intrepid as his financial advisor because it is a recognized investment banking firm that has substantial experience in transactions similar to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. In this capacity, representatives of Intrepid provided the Founder with certain financial advisory services. Although Intrepid acted as financial advisor to the Founder, Intrepid was not requested to provide, and did not provide, to the Founder, the Harold G. Hamm Trust (through which Founder engaged Intrepid) (the “Founder Trust”), the Purchaser, the Company, the holders of any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Purchaser or the Company, or any other person: (i) any report, opinion or appraisal as to the fairness, from a financial point of view or otherwise, of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Offer Price, the consideration to be paid pursuant to the Merger Agreement or any other term or aspect of any of the foregoing; (ii) any other valuation of either the Purchaser or the Company for the purpose of assessing the fairness of the Offer Price or the merger consideration to any such person or any of its shareholders; or (iii) any advice as to the underlying decision by the Purchaser to engage in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Because Intrepid was not requested to, and did not, deliver a fairness opinion in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Intrepid did not perform financial analyses with a view towards those analyses supporting a fairness opinion.

The discussion materials prepared by representatives of Intrepid for use in discussions between Intrepid and the Founder (the “Intrepid Discussion Materials”) have been filed as an exhibit to the Schedule 13E-3 filed with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and are incorporated herein by reference. The Schedule 13E-3, including the Intrepid Discussion Materials, may be examined at, and copies may be obtained from, the SEC in the manner described under “The Offer—Section 9—Certain Information Concerning the

 

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Founder Family Group.” The information in the Intrepid Discussion Materials is subject to, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and limitations, qualifications and other conditions contained therein and is necessarily based on business, economic, monetary, regulatory, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Intrepid as of, the respective dates of such materials. The Intrepid Discussion Materials are not intended to be and do not constitute a recommendation to the Founder, the Founder Trust, the Purchaser, the Company, the shareholders of the Company or any other person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any other matter. The Intrepid Discussion Materials do not constitute, and are not intended to represent, any view, opinion, report or appraisal as to the fairness, from a financial point of view or otherwise, of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Offer Price or the merger consideration to any of the Founder, the Founder Trust, the Purchaser, the Company, the shareholders of the Company or any other person. The Intrepid Discussion Materials do not constitute a recommendation as to whether any holder of Shares should tender its Shares into the Offer and should not be relied upon by any shareholder as such. Intrepid has consented to the inclusion of the Intrepid Discussion Materials in their entirety as exhibits to the Schedule 13E-3.

Below is a summary of the Intrepid Discussion Materials, which is qualified in its entirety by the full contents of the Intrepid Discussion Materials. The below summary presents the material information presented by Intrepid and provided to the Founder but does not purport to be a complete description of the financial information or data presented by Intrepid or the underlying assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and limitations, qualifications and other conditions contained therein, nor does the order of presentation represent relative importance or weight given to that information and materials by Intrepid. The Intrepid Discussion Materials were not appraisals of the business of Company or the actual value that may be received in connection with the transaction and did not consider the potential effects of the transaction. In general, the preparation of financial analyses, information and data is a complex analytical process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore, financial analyses and information are not readily susceptible to summary description. Considering the summary set forth below without reviewing the Intrepid Discussion Materials filed as an exhibit to the Schedule 13E-3 filed with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the information set forth in the Intrepid Discussion Materials, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the Intrepid Discussion Materials. The Intrepid Discussion Materials are materials that representatives of Intrepid presented to the Founder with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

The Intrepid Discussion Materials were provided solely for the benefit of the Founder for his information and assistance in connection with his consideration of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Intrepid Discussion Materials do not themselves convey rights or remedies upon the holders of any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of any of the Purchaser, the Company or any other person (other than the Founder Trust).

In connection with Intrepid’s role as financial advisor to the Founder, Intrepid reviewed, among other things, certain publicly available business and financial information concerning the Company and certain non-public information regarding the business and prospects of the Company, including certain financial analyses and forecasts concerning the Company prepared by management of the Company, all of which was approved for Intrepid’s use by the Founder. The Intrepid Discussion Materials were based on then-publicly available business and financial information about the Company. Intrepid assumed and relied, without independent verification, upon the accuracy and completeness of all such information. Intrepid also considered such other factors as Intrepid deemed appropriate. The Founder did not give any specific instructions nor impose any limitations on Intrepid with respect to Intrepid’s preparation of the Intrepid Discussion Materials.

Intrepid assumed, with the consent of the Founder, that the financial analyses and forecasts for the Company prepared by the management of the Company were reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgment of the management of the Company as of the date of such analysis or forecast. With respect to any financial forecasts, projections, other estimates and other forward-looking information provided to or otherwise obtained by Intrepid from public sources, data suppliers and other third parties, Intrepid assumed that such forecasts, projections, other estimates and information were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the preparer as to, and were a reasonable and reliable basis upon which to evaluate, the matters covered thereby. Intrepid expressed no view as to any of the foregoing financial forecasts, projections, other estimates and other forward-looking information or the assumptions on which they were based. No representation or warranty, express or implied, was made by Intrepid in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented in the Intrepid Discussion Materials or their suitability for any particular purpose.

 

 

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Intrepid expressed no view, opinion, representation, guaranty or warranty (in each case, express or implied) regarding the reasonableness or achievability of any financial forecasts, projections, other estimates or other forward-looking information provided to, obtained or otherwise reviewed by, or discussed with, Intrepid, or the assumptions upon which they are based. Intrepid did not conduct, and was not provided with, any independent valuation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities (including any contingent, derivative or other off-balance sheet assets and liabilities) of the Company or any other company or business, nor did Intrepid make any physical inspection of the properties or assets of the Company or any other company or business. Intrepid did not express any view with respect to accounting, tax, regulatory, legal or similar matters and relied, with the Founder’s consent, upon the assessments of representatives of the Founder as to such matters.

Intrepid expressed no opinion as to the prices at which the Shares will trade at any time, or as to the potential effects of volatility in the credit, financial and stock markets on the Founder, the Purchaser, the Company or the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or as to the impact of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement on the solvency or viability of the Founder, the Purchaser or the Company or the ability of the Founder, the Purchaser or the Company to pay their respective obligations when they come due. The matters considered by Intrepid in its financial analyses and reflected in the Intrepid Discussion Materials were necessarily based on various assumptions, including assumptions concerning general business, economic and capital markets conditions and industry-specific and company-specific factors as in effect on, and information made available to Intrepid as of the date of such Intrepid Discussion Materials. Many such conditions are beyond the control of the Founder, the Company and Intrepid. Accordingly, the financial analyses included in the Intrepid Discussion Materials are inherently subject to uncertainty, and neither Intrepid nor any other person assumes responsibility if future results are different from those forecasted. Furthermore, it should be understood that subsequent developments may affect the views expressed in the Intrepid Discussion Materials and that Intrepid does not have any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm its financial analyses or the Intrepid Discussion Materials based on circumstances, developments or events occurring after the date of such Intrepid Discussion Materials. With respect to the financial analyses performed by Intrepid in the Intrepid Discussion Materials, such financial analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by these analyses. While none of the companies referred to in the Intrepid Discussion Materials as “peers” are directly comparable to the Company, the companies were chosen because they are publicly traded companies with operations that for purposes of analysis may be considered similar to certain operations of the Company based on the familiarity of Intrepid with the upstream oil and gas industry. Such financial analyses do not purport to be reports, appraisals or to reflect the prices at which the Shares or other securities or financial instruments of or relating to the Company may trade or otherwise be transferable at any time.

The Intrepid Discussion Materials are not, and should not be viewed as, a recommendation with respect to any matter pertaining to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The terms of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Offer Price and the merger consideration, were determined solely through negotiations between the parties to the Merger Agreement. The Intrepid Discussion Materials did not address the relative merits of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any other transactions contemplated in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement compared to other business strategies or transactions that may have been considered by the Founder or the Company.

July 8, 2022 – Discussion Materials

The preliminary, illustrative materials that representatives of Intrepid shared with the Founder on July 8, 2022 contained, among other things, the following:

 

   

a review of trading and price performance of the Shares, including for the time period from June 13, 2022 (the day before the announcement of the proposal) to July 7, 2022;

 

   

an illustrative share price and premiums analysis based on the trading performance of an industry index and comparable companies to July 7, 2022 relative to the unaffected Company share price on June 13, 2022 of $64.50, which indicated an illustrative range of implied share prices per share of $50.22 to $53.47; and

 

   

updates in certain analyst price targets and ratings following the June 14, 2022 announcement of the proposal.

 

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September 13, 2022 – Discussion Materials

The preliminary, illustrative materials that representatives of Intrepid shared with the Founder on September 13, 2022 contained, among other things, the following:

 

   

a review of trading and price performance of the Shares, including for the time period from June 13, 2022 to September 13, 2022;

 

   

a review of (1) trading price performance of comparable companies and (2) commodity price performance, as compared to the Company share price, for the time period from June 13, 2022 to September 13, 2022;

 

   

an illustrative share price and premiums analysis based on the trading performance of an industry index, comparable companies and crude oil prices to September 13, 2022 relative to the unaffected Company share price on June 13, 2022 of $64.50, which indicated an illustrative range of implied share prices per share of $46.70 to $65.65; and

 

   

an illustrative analysis of the implied crude oil price per barrel required to achieve a net asset value per share range of $71.50 to $75.75, as implied by the Company’s net asset value model.

September 14, 2022 – Discussion Materials

The preliminary, illustrative materials that representatives of Intrepid shared with the Founder on September 14, 2022 contained, among other things, the following:

 

   

a review of trading and price performance of the Shares, including for the time period from June 13, 2022 to September 13, 2022;

 

   

a review of NYMEX forward strip pricing for crude oil and natural gas as of May 24, 2022, August 30, 2022 and September 13, 2022;

 

   

an illustrative comparison of the share price implied by a preliminary unlevered discounted cash flow valuation analysis assuming a Company weighted average cost of capital of 9.75% to 11.50%, a 3.5x to 5.0x terminal EBITDA multiple and NYMEX forward strip prices as of May 24, 2022 and August 30, 2022, which indicated an implied share price range of $53.11 to $76.22, or a reduction of implied share price of ($1.20) to ($1.48) over the period;

 

   

an illustrative comparison of the share price implied by a preliminary net asset value analysis using the Company’s net asset value model and assuming a range of discount rates for each reserve category and NYMEX forward strip prices as of May 24, 2022 and August 30, 2022, which indicated an implied share price of $51.88 for the PDP PV-10/PUD PV-15/PROB PV-20/POSS PV-25 discount rate case, or a reduction of implied share price of ($1.44) over the period; and

 

   

an illustrative analysis comparing the market trading multiples and yields of comparable companies, as of September 13, 2022, relative to those multiples and yields implied by the Company’s financial metrics and assuming a share price range of $69.73 to $75.75, which indicated an illustrative range of total enterprise value to EBITDA multiples of 3.8x to 4.1x for 2022 and 4.0x to 4.3x for 2023 relative to a mean and median of 4.4x and 4.5x, respectively, for both 2022 and 2023, respectively, for the comparable companies.

September 23, 2022 – Discussion Materials

The preliminary, illustrative materials that representatives of Intrepid shared with the Founder on September 23, 2022 contained, among other things, the following:

 

   

a comparison of premiums paid versus the target company’s 52-week high stock price in 14 non-MLP all-cash public buyouts, where the acquirer previously held a greater than 75% ownership interest in the target company, which indicated a premium range from (81%) to 40% and mean and median of (11%) and (17%), respectively.

 

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Miscellaneous

As described above, Intrepid was not asked to, and did not, render any opinion, report or appraisal as to the fairness, from a financial point of view or otherwise, of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Offer Price or the merger consideration to the Founder, the Founder Trust, the Purchaser, the Company or the holders of any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Founder, the Founder Trust, the Purchaser or the Company, or to any other person. The Intrepid Discussion Materials were one of many factors taken into consideration by the Founder in his deliberations in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

Intrepid believes that the foregoing summary and the Intrepid Discussion Materials must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the foregoing summary and the Intrepid Discussion Materials, without considering all of such materials as a whole, could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying the Intrepid Discussion Materials. As a result, any potential indications with respect to valuation resulting from any particular analysis or information included in the Intrepid Discussion Materials were merely utilized to create points of reference for informational purposes. In preparing the Intrepid Discussion Materials, Intrepid did not attribute any particular weight to any information, data or other factors considered and did not form an opinion as to whether any individual information, data or other factor (positive or negative), considered in isolation, supported or failed to support the other information presented in the Intrepid Discussion Materials. Rather, Intrepid considered the totality of the factors and analyses performed in preparing the Intrepid Discussion Materials. Moreover, the Intrepid Discussion Materials and the information contained therein are not and do not purport to be reports, appraisals or otherwise reflective of the prices at which businesses actually could be acquired or sold.

Intrepid did not recommend any specific Offer Price or merger consideration to the Founder or that any specific amount constituted the only appropriate Offer Price or merger consideration for the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

As a part of its investment banking business, Intrepid and its affiliates are regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, investments for passive and control purposes, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements, and valuations for corporate and other purposes. Intrepid was selected to advise the Founder with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement on the basis of, among other things, such experience and its qualifications and reputation in connection with such matters and its familiarity with the Founder and the Company and the industries in which they operate.

Intrepid has acted exclusively as financial advisor to the Founder in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement and will receive a transaction fee for its services, a portion of which was paid upon execution of Intrepid’s engagement letter with the Founder, a portion of which was paid upon announcement of the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and a portion of which is contingent (and payable) upon the consummation of the transaction. In addition, the Founder has agreed to reimburse Intrepid for its expenses incurred in connection with its services, including the fees and disbursements of counsel, and will indemnify Intrepid against certain liabilities arising out of Intrepid’s engagement.

In the ordinary course, Intrepid and its affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities or financial instruments (including derivatives, bank loans and other obligations) of the Company, other parties involved in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and their respective affiliates, as applicable, for their own accounts or for the accounts of their customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or short positions or otherwise effect transactions in such securities or financial instruments.

 

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3. Materials Prepared by the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor

In connection with the Offer and the Merger, the Special Committee was advised by Evercore, its independent financial advisor, as more fully described in the Schedule 14D-9 under the caption “Item 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION—Opinion of the Special Committee’s Financial Advisor.” A copy of Evercore’s opinion, dated October 16, 2022, which was rendered to the Special Committee, is attached as Annex B to the Schedule 14D-9.

 

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THE OFFER

1. Terms of the Offer

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, promptly after the Expiration Time (and in any event, within two business days thereafter), we will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, any and all Shares that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in accordance with the procedures set forth in “—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares”. “Expiration Time” means one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City Time, at the end of the day on November 21, 2022, unless extended or earlier terminated, in which event “Expiration Time” means the latest time and date at which the Offer, as so extended, expires. No “subsequent offering period” in accordance with Rule 14d-11 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Exchange Act”), will be available.

The Offer is subject to conditions, as set forth in “—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer.” Subject to the satisfaction and waiver of the conditions to the Offer, we will accept and pay for any and all Shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer promptly after the Expiration Time (and in any event within two business days).

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, if, at the initial Expiration Time or any subsequent time as of which the Offer is scheduled to expire, any condition to the Offer has not been satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable), the Purchaser must extend (and re-extend) the Offer from time to time until all of the conditions to the Offer have been satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable); provided that each individual extension will not be for a period of more than ten business days (except with the prior written consent of the Company, which consent must be approved by the Special Committee), provided further that the Purchaser will not be required to extend the Offer beyond the End Date unless the Purchaser is not then permitted to terminate the Merger Agreement, in which case the Purchaser is required to extend the Offer beyond the End Date. In addition, the Purchaser must extend the Offer for any period required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the SEC or its staff that is applicable to the Offer or required by the rules and regulations of the NYSE or applicable law. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser may not terminate the Offer, or permit the Offer to expire, prior to any such extended expiration date without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent must be approved by the Special Committee). See “—Section 4—Withdrawal Rights.”

Subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, the Purchaser also reserves the right to waive any of the conditions to the Offer (in each case, other than the Special Committee Recommendation Condition, which is non-waivable and may not be amended or modified) and to make any change in the terms of or conditions to the Offer that is not inconsistent with the Merger Agreement, provided that the Company’s prior written consent (which consent must be approved by the Special Committee) is required for the Purchaser to: (i) decrease the Offer Price; (ii) change the amount or form of consideration to be paid in the Offer; (iii) decrease the number of Shares subject to the Offer; (iv) impose any condition to the Offer other than those set forth in Annex I to the Merger Agreement; (v) terminate, accelerate, limit extend or otherwise change (or make any other amendment that would terminate, accelerate, limit, extend or otherwise change) the expiration date of the Offer in any manner (except as required under the Merger Agreement); or (vi) otherwise amend, modify or supplement any of the conditions to or terms of the Offer in a manner that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, adverse to the Public Shareholders.

If we make a material change to the terms of the Offer or waive a material condition to the Offer, we will extend the Offer and disseminate additional tender offer materials, in each case, to the extent required by applicable law. The minimum period during which a tender offer must remain open following material changes in the terms of the offer, other than a change in price or a change in percentage of securities sought, depends upon the facts and circumstances, including the materiality of the changes. In a published release, the SEC has stated that in its view an offer must remain open for a certain minimum additional period of time following a material change in the terms of such offer. The release states that an offer should remain open for a minimum of five business days from the date the material change is first published, sent or given to shareholders, and that if material changes are made with respect to information that approaches the significance of price and the percentage of securities sought (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a change in price or percentage of securities sought), a minimum of ten business days generally is required to allow adequate dissemination and investor response. If, prior to the Expiration Time, the Purchaser increases the consideration being paid for the Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer, such increased consideration will be paid to all shareholders whose Shares are purchased pursuant to the Offer, whether or not such Shares were tendered prior to the announcement of the increase in consideration.

 

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Any extension, termination or amendment of the Offer will be followed by a prompt public announcement thereof. Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make any public announcement, we will have no obligation (except as otherwise required by applicable law) to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by issuing a press release to a national news service.

The Merger Agreement does not contemplate a subsequent offering period for the Offer.

As soon as practicable following the Acceptance Time, the Purchaser expects to complete the Merger without a vote of the shareholders of the Company pursuant to Section 1081.H of the OGCA.

The Company has provided us with its shareholder list, security position listings and certain other information regarding the beneficial owners of Shares for the purpose of disseminating the Offer to holders of Shares. We will send this Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and other related documents to record holders of the Shares and to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees whose names appear on the shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing agency’s security position listing for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of Shares.

2. Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions to the Offer, we will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, promptly after the Expiration Time (and in any event within two business days), any and all Shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Time. For information with respect to approvals or other actions that we are or may be required to obtain prior to the completion of the Offer, see “—Section 19—Certain Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals.”

We will pay for Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer by depositing the purchase price with the Depositary, which will act as agent for the purpose of receiving payments from us and transmitting such payments to you. Upon the deposit of such funds with the Depositary Trust Company (the “Book-Entry Transfer Facility”), the Purchaser’s obligation to make such payment will be satisfied in full, and tendering shareholders must thereafter look to the Depositary for payment of amounts owed to them by reason of the acceptance for payment of Shares pursuant to the Offer.

In all cases, payment for Shares accepted for payment will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (i) certificates for such Shares (or of a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility), (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees, or in connection with a book-entry transfer at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, an Agent’s Message (as defined in “—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares—Book-Entry Delivery”) and (iii) any other required documents. For a description of the procedures for tendering Shares pursuant to the Offer, see “—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares.” Accordingly, payment may be made to tendering shareholders at different times if delivery of the Shares and other required documents occurs at different times.

For the purposes of the Offer, we will be deemed to have accepted for payment, and thereby purchased, Shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn when, as and if we give oral or written notice of our acceptance to the Depositary.

Under no circumstances will we pay interest on the consideration paid for Shares pursuant to the Offer, regardless of any extension of the Offer or any delay in making such payment.

If we do not accept for payment any tendered Shares pursuant to the Offer for any reason, or if you submit certificates for more Shares than are tendered, we will return certificates (or cause to be issued new certificates) representing unpurchased or untendered Shares, without expense to you (or, in the case of Shares delivered by book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the procedures set forth in “—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares,” the Shares will be credited to an account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, promptly following the expiration, termination or withdrawal of the Offer.

 

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We reserve the right to transfer or assign, in whole or from time to time in part, to one or more of our affiliates the right to purchase Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, but any such transfer or assignment will not relieve us of our obligations under the Offer or prejudice your rights to receive payment for Shares validly tendered and accepted for payment.

3. Procedures for Tendering Shares

Valid Tender of Shares

Except as set forth below, in order for you to tender Shares in the Offer, the Depositary must receive the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and signed, together with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message (as defined below) in connection with a book-entry transfer at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, and any other required documents, at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase on or prior to the Expiration Time and either: (i) you must deliver certificates for the Shares representing tendered Shares to the Depositary or you must cause your Shares to be tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer set forth below and the Depositary must receive timely confirmation of the book-entry transfer of the Shares into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility or; (ii) you must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below.

The method of delivery of Shares, including through the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, and all other required documents, is at your election and sole risk, and delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Depositary. If certificates for Shares are sent by mail, we recommend that you use registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, in time to be received on or prior to the Expiration Time. In all cases, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery.

The tender of Shares pursuant to any one of the procedures described above will constitute your acceptance of the Offer, as well as your representation and warranty that: (i) you own the Shares being tendered; (ii) you have the full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Shares tendered, as specified in the Letter of Transmittal; and (iii) when the Shares are accepted for payment by us, we will acquire good and unencumbered title, free and clear of any liens, restrictions, charges or encumbrances and not be subject to any adverse claims. Our acceptance for payment of Shares tendered by you pursuant to the Offer will constitute a binding agreement between us with respect to such Shares, upon the terms and subject to the conditions to the Offer.

Book-Entry Delivery

The Depositary has established or will establish an account with respect to the Shares for the purposes of the Offer at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility. Any financial institution that is a participant in the system of the Book-Entry Transfer Facility may deliver Shares by causing the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Shares into the Depositary’s account in accordance with the procedures of the Book-Entry Transfer Facility. However, although delivery of Shares may be effected through book-entry transfer, either the Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof) properly completed and duly executed together with any required signature guarantees or an Agent’s Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents must, in any case, be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase by the Expiration Time, or the guaranteed delivery procedure described below must be complied with.

Agent’s Message” means a message transmitted by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation stating that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility tendering the Shares that are the subject of such book-entry confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that we may enforce that agreement against the participant.

Required documents must be transmitted to and received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover page of this Offer to Purchase prior to the Expiration Time. Delivery of the enclosed Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.

 

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Signature Guarantees

All signatures on a Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a member of a recognized Medallion Program approved by The Securities Transfer Association, Inc., including the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the Stock Exchange Medallion Program and the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program or any other “eligible guarantor institution” (as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act) (each, an “Eligible Institution”), unless the Shares tendered are tendered: (i) by a registered holder of Shares who has not completed either the box labeled “Special Payment Instructions” or the box labeled “Special Delivery Instructions” on the Letter of Transmittal; or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the Letter of Transmittal.

If the Shares are certificated and are registered in the name of a person other than the signer of the Letter of Transmittal, or if payment is to be made to, or certificates for the Shares for unpurchased Shares are to be issued or returned to, a person other than the registered holder, then the tendered certificates for the Shares must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or holders appear on the certificates for the Shares, with the signatures on the certificates for the Shares or stock powers guaranteed by an Eligible Institution as provided in the Letter of Transmittal. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the Letter of Transmittal.

If the Shares are certificated and the certificates representing the Shares are forwarded separately to the Depositary, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof) must accompany each delivery of certificates for the Shares.

Guaranteed Delivery

If you wish to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer and cannot deliver such Shares and all other required documents to the Depositary or cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer prior to the Expiration Time, you may nevertheless tender such Shares if all of the following conditions are met:

 

   

such tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution;

 

   

a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery in the form provided by us with this Offer to Purchase is received by the Depositary by the Expiration Time; and

 

   

the certificates for all such tendered Shares (or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof) together with any required signature guarantee (or an Agent’s Message) and any other required documents, are received by the Depositary within two NYSE trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted by facsimile transmission or mailed to the Depositary and must include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. Shares tendered by a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will not be deemed validly tendered for any purpose unless and until Shares underlying such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery are delivered to the Depositary.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments made to holders of Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger generally will be subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding (currently, at a rate of 24%). To avoid backup withholding, if you are a U.S. person, you should provide the Depositary with your correct taxpayer identification number and certify that you are not subject to such backup withholding by properly completing and executing the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-9 included in the Letter of Transmittal or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. If you are a non-U.S. person, you generally will not be subject to backup withholding if you provide the Depositary with the applicable and properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8 certifying your non-U.S. status or otherwise establish an exemption. A non-U.S. person should consult a tax advisor to determine which Form W-8 is appropriate.

 

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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished in the appropriate manner to the IRS.

Appointment of Proxy

By executing a Letter of Transmittal, you irrevocably appoint our designees as your attorneys-in-fact and proxies, with full power of substitution, in the manner set forth in the Letter of Transmittal to the full extent of your rights with respect to the Shares tendered and accepted for payment by us (and any and all other Shares or other securities issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after the date of this Offer to Purchase). All such powers of attorney and proxies are irrevocable and coupled with an interest in the tendered Shares. Such appointment is effective only upon our acceptance for payment of such Shares in accordance with the terms of the Offer. Upon such acceptance for payment, all prior powers of attorney and proxies and consents granted by you with respect to such Shares and other securities will, without further action, be revoked, and no subsequent powers of attorney or proxies may be given nor subsequent written consents executed (and, if previously given or executed, will cease to be effective). Upon such acceptance for payment, our designees will be empowered to exercise all of your voting and other rights as they, in their sole discretion, may deem proper at any annual, special or adjourned meeting of the Company’s shareholders, by written consent or otherwise. We reserve the right to require that, in order for Shares to be validly tendered, immediately upon our acceptance for payment of such Shares, we are able to exercise full voting rights with respect to such Shares and other securities (including voting at any meeting of shareholders then scheduled or acting by written consent without a meeting).

The foregoing powers of attorney and proxies are effective only upon acceptance for payment of Shares pursuant to the Offer. The Offer does not constitute a solicitation of proxies, absent a purchase of Shares, for any meeting of the Company’s shareholders.

Determination of Validity

We will determine, in our sole discretion, all questions as to the form of documents and the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares, and our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any or all tenders of Shares that we determine not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of or payment for which may, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right to waive any defect or irregularity in any tender of Shares. No tender of Shares will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities with respect to such tender have been cured or waived. None of the Purchaser, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity in tenders or waiver of any such defect or irregularity or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Subject to applicable law as applied by a court of competent jurisdiction, our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto) will be final and binding. Tendering shareholders have the right to challenge our determination with respect to their Shares.

4. Withdrawal Rights

You may withdraw some or all of the Shares that you have previously tendered in the Offer at any time before the Expiration Time and, if such Shares have not yet been accepted for payment as provided herein, any time after December 23, 2022, which is 60 days from the date of the commencement of the Offer.

If we extend the period of time during which the Offer is open, are delayed in accepting for payment or paying for Shares or are unable to accept for payment or pay for Shares pursuant to the Offer for any reason, then, without prejudice to our rights under the Offer, the Depositary may, on our behalf, retain all Shares tendered, and such Shares may not be withdrawn except to the extent that you duly exercise withdrawal rights as described in this Section 4.

 

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For your withdrawal to be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal with respect to the Shares must be timely received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase, and the notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Shares to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and the name of the registered holder of Shares, if different from that of the person who tendered such Shares. If the Shares to be withdrawn have been delivered to the Depositary, a signed notice of withdrawal with (except in the case of Shares tendered by an Eligible Institution) signatures guaranteed by an Eligible Institution must be submitted before the release of such Shares. In addition, such notice must specify, in the case of Shares tendered by delivery of certificates, the serial numbers shown on the specific certificates evidencing the Shares to be withdrawn or, in the case of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the withdrawn Shares. Withdrawals may not be rescinded, and Shares withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not validly tendered. However, withdrawn Shares may be retendered at any time before the Expiration Time by again following any of the procedures described in “—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares.”

We will determine, in our sole discretion, all questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal. None of the Purchaser, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity in any notice of withdrawal or waiver of any such defect or irregularity or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Subject to applicable law as applied by a court of competent jurisdiction, our determination will be final and binding. Tendering shareholders have the right to challenge our determination with respect to their Shares.

5. Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders (in each case, as defined below) of the Offer and the Merger who tender Shares pursuant to the Offer or whose Shares are converted into the right to receive the Offer Price in cash in connection with the Merger. The following discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and judicial and administrative authorities, rulings and decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this Offer to Purchase. These authorities may change or be subject to different interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect, and any such change or different interpretations could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth in this discussion. This discussion assumes that the Merger will be completed in accordance with the Merger Agreement and as further described in this Offer to Purchase. This discussion is not a complete description of all of the tax considerations relating to the Offer and the Merger and, in particular, does not address any tax consequences arising under the unearned income Medicare contribution tax pursuant to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, or any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction or under any U.S. federal laws other than U.S. federal income tax law. This discussion also does not address, except as specifically discussed below, any tax reporting requirements.

The following discussion applies only to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders of Shares who hold such shares as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). Further, this discussion does not purport to consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that might be relevant to holders in light of their particular circumstances or that may apply to holders subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws (such as, for example, banks and certain other financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, governmental organizations, partnerships, S corporations or other pass-through entities or arrangements (or investors in partnerships, S corporations or other pass-through entities or arrangements), regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, insurance companies, mutual funds, dealers or brokers in stocks, securities, commodities or currencies, traders in securities that elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities, holders who are required to recognize income or gain with respect to the Offer or the Merger no later than such income or gain is required to be reported on an applicable financial statement under Section 451(b) of the Code, holders subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code, holders who acquired their Shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options, through a tax qualified retirement plan or otherwise as compensation, holders who actually or constructively own more than 5% of the outstanding Shares, U.S. holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, holders who hold the Shares as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale, conversion or other integrated transaction, or expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States).

 

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For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation, or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (iii) a trust if (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) such trust has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or (iv) an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source.

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of Shares that is neither a U.S. Holder nor an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If an entity or an arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that holds Shares and any partners in such partnership should consult their own independent tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Offer or the Merger to their specific circumstances.

We have not sought and do not intend to seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed herein. This discussion is not binding on the IRS. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any described herein.

This summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Because individual circumstances may differ, each shareholder should consult its, his or her tax advisor to determine the particular tax consequences of the Offer and the Merger to it, him or her, including the application and effect of the alternative minimum tax and any state, local and non-U.S. tax laws and changes in any laws.

U.S. Holders

The exchange of Shares for cash pursuant to the Offer or conversion of Shares into the right to receive the Offer Price in cash in the Merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. Holders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, a U.S. Holder who exchanges Shares for cash pursuant to the Offer or the Merger will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received (determined before the deduction of backup withholding, if any) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares. Gain or loss will be determined separately for each block of Shares (i.e., Shares acquired for the same cost in a single transaction) tendered pursuant to the Offer or converted into the right to receive the Offer Price in cash in the Merger. Such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss and generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Shares is more than one year as of the date of the exchange. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers, including individuals, generally are subject to U.S. federal income tax at preferential rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Non-U.S. Holders

The exchange of Shares for cash pursuant to the Offer or conversion of the Shares into the right to receive the Offer Price in cash in the Merger by a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless: (i) the gain, if any, on Shares is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States (and, if certain income tax treaties apply, is attributable to the Non-U.S. Holder’s permanent establishment in the United States), in which event (x) the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as described under “U.S. Holders,” and (y) if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified under an applicable income tax treaty); or (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the exchange and certain other conditions are met, in which event the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified under an applicable income tax treaty) on the gain from the exchange of the Shares, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder.

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments made to a U.S. Holder or Non-U.S. Holder in exchange for such holder’s Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger generally will be subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding (currently, at a rate of 24%). To avoid backup withholding, U.S. Holders should provide their correct taxpayer identification number and certify they are not subject to such backup withholding by properly completing and executing IRS Form W-9 or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to backup withholding if they provide the applicable and properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8 certifying their non-U.S. status or otherwise establish an exemption. A Non-U.S. Holder should consult a tax advisor to determine which Form W-8 is appropriate. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or credit against a holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished in the appropriate manner to the IRS. See “—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.” U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding in their particular situation, the availability of an exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if available.

6. Price Range of Shares; Dividends

The Shares are listed and principally traded on the NYSE under the symbol “CLR.” The following table sets forth the high and low daily closing sale prices per Share on the NYSE each quarter during the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 and thereafter as reported in published financial sources and rounded to the nearest cent, and the per Share cash dividend declared for each such quarterly period:

 

     High      Low      Dividends  
            ($)         

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

        

First Quarter

     36.02        7.71        —    

Second Quarter

     21.58        7.47        —    

Third Quarter

     18.67        12.32        —    

Fourth Quarter

     19.23        12.03        —    

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

        

First Quarter

     31.74        17.15        0.11  

Second Quarter

     39.40        25.01        0.15  

Third Quarter

     47.07        32.02        0.20  

Fourth Quarter

     53.87        42.68        0.23  

Fiscal year ending December 31, 2022

        

First Quarter

     65.19        46.20        0.28  

Second Quarter

     74.22        55.02        0.28  

Third Quarter

     72.31        62.65        —    

Fourth Quarter (through October 21, 2022)

     74.14        68.22        —    

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, except as otherwise permitted by the Merger Agreement, until the Merger Effective Time (or the earlier termination of the Merger Agreement) the Company is not permitted to declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of the Shares.

On June 13, 2022, the last full trading day before the announcement by the Company that the Founder had made a proposal to the Company Board to pursue the Offer, the closing sale price of a Share reported on the NYSE was $64.50. On October 14, 2022, the last full trading day before the Company announced the execution of the Merger Agreement, the closing sale price of a Shares reported on the NYSE was $68.22. On October 21, 2022, the last full trading day before the date of this Offer to Purchase, the closing sale price of a Share reported on the NYSE was $74.00. Before deciding whether to tender, you should obtain a current market quotation for the Shares.

 

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7. Possible Effects of the Offer on the Market for the Shares; Stock Exchange Listing; Registration under the Exchange Act; Margin Regulations.

No shareholder vote will be required to consummate the Merger. Following the Acceptance Time and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, we intend to consummate the Merger as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time.

Possible Effects of the Offer on the Market for the Shares

While we intend to consummate the Merger as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time, if the Offer is consummated but the Merger does not occur, the number of shareholders, and the number of Shares that are still in the hands of the public, may be so small that there will no longer be an active or liquid public trading market (or possibly any public trading market) for Shares held by the Public Shareholders. We cannot predict whether the reduction in the number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly would have an adverse or beneficial effect on the market price for, or marketability of, the Shares or whether such reduction would cause future market prices to be greater or less than the price paid in the Offer. If the Merger is consummated, the Public Shareholders not tendering their Shares in the Offer will receive cash in an amount equal to the price per Share paid in the Offer.

Stock Exchange Listing

While we intend to consummate the Merger as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time, if the Offer is consummated but the Merger does not occur, depending upon the number of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the Shares may no longer meet the standards for continued listing on the NYSE. If, as a result of the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Shares no longer meet the criteria for continued listing on the NYSE, the market for the Shares could be adversely affected. According to the NYSE’s published guidelines, the Shares would not meet the criteria for continued listing on the NYSE if, among other things: (i) there were fewer than 400 shareholders; (ii) there were fewer than 1,200 shareholders and the average monthly trading volume was less than 100,000 Shares over the most recent 12 months; (iii) the number of publicly held Shares (excluding Shares held by officers, directors, their immediate families and other concentrated holdings of 10% or more) were less than 600,000; or (iv) the aggregate market value of the publicly held Shares was less than $50 million over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. If, as a result of the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Shares no longer meet the standards for continued listing on the NYSE and the listing of Shares is discontinued, the market for the Shares could be adversely affected.

If the NYSE were to delist the Shares, it is possible that the Shares would trade on another securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market and that price quotations for the Shares would be reported by such exchange or other sources. The extent of the public market for the Shares and availability of such quotations would, however, depend upon such factors as the number of holders and/or the aggregate market value of the publicly held Shares at such time, the interest in maintaining a market in the Shares on the part of securities firms, the possible termination of registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act and other factors.

Registration under the Exchange Act

The Shares are currently registered under the Exchange Act. While we intend to consummate the Merger as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time, if the Offer is consummated but the Merger does not occur, the purchase of the Shares pursuant to the Offer may result in the Shares becoming eligible for deregistration under the Exchange Act. Registration may be terminated upon application of the Company to the SEC if the Shares are neither listed on a national securities exchange nor held by 300 or more holders of record. Termination of the registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act, assuming there are no other securities of the Company subject to registration, would substantially reduce the information required to be furnished by the Company to holders of Shares and to the SEC and would make certain of the provisions of the Exchange Act, such as the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16(b) thereof, the requirement to furnish a proxy statement pursuant to Section 14(a) thereof in connection with a shareholder’s meeting and the related requirement to furnish an annual report to shareholders, and the requirements of Rule 13e-3 thereof with respect to “going private” transactions, no longer applicable to the Company. Furthermore, “affiliates” of the Company and persons holding “restricted securities” of the Company may be deprived of the ability to dispose of such securities pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act were terminated, the Shares would no longer be “margin securities” or eligible for stock exchange listing.

 

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Following the purchase of Shares in the Offer and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, we will consummate the Merger as soon as practicable, following which the Shares will no longer be publicly owned. Following the consummation of the Merger, we intend to take steps to cause the delisting of the Shares from the NYSE and the termination of the registration of Shares under the Exchange Act as promptly as practicable and may in the future take steps to cause the suspension of all of the Company’s reporting obligations under the Exchange Act.

8. Certain Information Concerning the Company

The information concerning the Company contained in this Offer to Purchase has been taken from or based upon publicly available documents and records on file with the SEC and other public sources and is qualified in its entirety by reference.

As set forth in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Company 2021 10-K”), the Company was formed in 1967 as a corporation in the State of Oklahoma. The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 20 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102. The telephone number of the Company’s principal executive offices is (405) 234-9000.

The following description of the Company and its business has been taken from the Company 2021 10-K, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company 2021 10-K. The Company is an independent crude oil and natural gas company engaged in the exploration, development, management, and production of crude oil and natural gas and associated products in the North, South and East regions of the United States. The Company’s primary business focus is in large crude oil and natural gas plays that provide it the opportunity to acquire undeveloped acreage positions and apply its geologic and operational expertise to drill and develop properties at attractive rates of return.

Financial Information

The financial statements included: (i) in the section of the Company 2021 10-K entitled “Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021; and (ii) in the section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2022 entitled “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” for each of the three months and six months periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2022 are hereby incorporated by reference in this Offer to Purchase. The reports may be examined, and copies may be obtained from the SEC in the manner described under “Additional Information” below.

Additional Information

The Company is subject to the informational and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and in accordance therewith files and furnishes periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC relating to its business, financial condition and other matters. The Company’s SEC filings are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company’s internet address is www.clr.com. The Company’s SEC filings are also available, free of charge, through its website, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports or filings are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on the Company’s website, the SEC’s website or any other website is not incorporated by reference in this Offer to Purchase and you should not consider it as part of the Offer to Purchase.

9. Certain Information Concerning the Founder Family Group

The Purchaser

We are an Oklahoma corporation incorporated on October 11, 2022, with principal executive offices at c/o Omega Acquisition, Inc., P.O. Box 1295, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101. The telephone number of our principal executive offices is (405) 234-9000. To date, we have engaged in no activities other than those incidental to our formation and the Offer.

 

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The name, business address, current principal occupation or employment, five-year employment history and citizenship of each director and executive officer of the Purchaser and certain other information are set forth on Schedule I hereto. None of such listed persons, during the past five years, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which such person was or is subject to a judgment, decree, or final order enjoining him or her from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violations of such laws.

The Founder Family Group

The Founder is Harold G. Hamm, a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and an affiliate of the Company. The Founder Family Group consists of the Purchaser, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders and Roger Clement, a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma who serves as co-trustee of certain trusts that are Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

The name, principal business address, principal occupation and business experience during the past five years of the Founder and each other member of the Founder Family Group is set forth in Schedule I hereto. None of the listed persons, during the past five years, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which such person was or is subject to a judgment, decree, or final order enjoining him or her from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violations of such laws. The Founder and each other member of the Founder Family Group are citizens of the United States. The principal address of the Founder and each member of the Founder Family Group is c/o Hamm Capital LLC, P.O. Box 1295, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101.

We do not believe that our financial condition is relevant to your decision whether to tender your Shares and accept the Offer because: (i) the Offer is being made for all outstanding Shares solely for cash; (ii) the Company has access to significant capital resources and has agreed to cooperate with us in obtaining the funds needed to acquire the Shares pursuant to the Offer and the Merger; (iii) consummation of the Offer is not subject to any financing condition; and (iv) if we consummate the Offer, we expect to acquire any remaining Shares (other than Excluded Shares) for the same cash per Share price in the Merger, which is expected to follow as promptly as practicable following the closing of the Offer.

Pursuant to Rule 14d-3 under the Exchange Act, we have filed with the SEC a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (which we refer to as the “Schedule TO”), of which this Offer to Purchase forms a part, and exhibits to the Schedule TO. The Schedule TO and the exhibits, as well as other information filed by the Purchaser with the SEC, are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Neither the Founder nor the Purchaser has made any arrangements in connection with the Offer to provide holders of Shares access to the Company’s corporate files or to obtain counsel or appraisal services at the Company’s expense. For a discussion of appraisal rights, see “—Section 15—Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights.”

10. Interests of Certain Persons in the Offer and Merger

Financial Interests.

The financial interests of the Founder Family Group with regard to the Offer Price are generally adverse to the financial interests of the Public Shareholders because the Founder Family Group has an interest in acquiring the Shares as inexpensively as possible and the Public Shareholders have an interest in selling their Shares for the highest possible price.

Executive Officers and Directors of Company.

The Public Shareholders should be aware that certain of the executive officers and directors of the Company have interests in connection with the Offer and the Merger that present them with actual or potential conflicts of interest. A description of these interests is included in the Schedule 14D-9 under the caption “Item 3. PAST CONTACTS, TRANSACTIONS, NEGOTIATIONS AND AGREEMENTS—Arrangements with Current Executive Officers and Directors of the Company,” which description and information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Conflicts of Interest.

In considering the fairness of the consideration to be received in the Offer, the Public Shareholders should be aware that the Founder Family Group has certain current actual or potential conflicts of interest in connection with the Offer and the Merger. As a result of the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders’ current ownership of approximately 83% of the outstanding Shares, or approximately 299.7 million Shares, as of the date of this Offer to Purchase, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders may be deemed to control the Company. We note that the Company Board, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors, determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Public Shareholders. The Founder and Shelly G. Lambertz recused themselves from the Company Board approval due to their status as Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

11. Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares

Except as set forth elsewhere in this Offer to Purchase or Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase: (i) neither the Founder Family Group, or, to the Founder Family Group’s knowledge, the persons listed in Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase or any associate of any such persons, beneficially owns or has a right to acquire any Shares or any other equity securities of the Company; (ii) neither the Founder Family Group, or, to the Founder Family Group’s knowledge, the persons or entities referred to in clause (i) above has effected any transaction in the Shares or any other equity securities of the Company during the past 60 days; (iii) neither the Founder Family Group, or, to the Founder Family Group’s knowledge, the persons listed in Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase, has any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with any other person with respect to any securities of the Company (including, but not limited to, any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the transfer or the voting of any such securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guaranties of loans, guaranties against loss or the giving or withholding of proxies, consents or authorizations); (iv) during the two years before the date of this Offer to Purchase, there have been no transactions between the Founder Family Group, or, to the Founder Family Group’s knowledge, any of the persons listed in Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase, on the one hand, and the Company or any of its executive officers, directors or affiliates, on the other hand, that would require reporting under SEC’s rules and regulations; (v) during the two years before the date of this Offer to Purchase, there have been no contacts, negotiations or transactions between the Founder Family Group, or, to the Founder Family Group’s knowledge, any of the persons listed in Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase, on the one hand, and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, on the other hand, concerning a merger, consolidation or acquisition, a tender offer or other acquisition of securities, an election of directors or a sale or other transfer of a material amount of assets; (vi) neither the Founder Family Group, or, to the Founder Family Group’s knowledge, the persons listed in Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding during the past five years (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors); (vii) none of the persons listed on Schedule I of this Offer to Purchase has made a recommendation either in support of or opposed to the Offer or the Merger; and (viii) neither the Founder Family Group, or, to the Founder Family Group’s knowledge, the persons listed in Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase, has been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding during the past five years that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining that person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws.

For additional information on related party transactions and arrangements, see “—Related Party Transactions” below.

The Company’s directors and executive officers will make individual determinations regarding whether to tender their Shares in the Offer or receive cash pursuant to the Merger. Individual decisions will be influenced by a number of factors, including Section 16 considerations based on their personal acquisitions or dispositions, if any, of Shares during the six months preceding the Merger Effective Date. The decision of directors and executive officers to tender their Shares in the Offer will not impact the outcome of the transaction.

 

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12. Related Party Transactions.

Initial Public Offering Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) in May 2007, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with the Founder pursuant to which the Company granted certain demand and “piggyback” registration rights to the Revocable Inter Vivos Trust of Harold G. Hamm, the Harold Hamm DST Trust and the Harold Hamm HJ Trust. The Founder transferred the securities subject to this registration rights agreement to the Harold Hamm Family LLC (the “Hamm Family LLC”) in September 2015 (the “September Transfer”). In February 2022, the Hamm Family LLC distributed securities to successor or other trusts established for the benefit of the Founder’s children. Under the registration rights agreement, each holder of securities covered by the registration rights agreement has the one time right to require the Company to file a registration statement for the public sale of all or part of the securities owned by it at any time if at least six months have passed since the last demand registration statement. In connection with a demand by any such holder, the non-demanding parties have the right to participate in such registration process. However, in the event securities are to be sold in an underwritten offering pursuant to such demand registration statement and the managing underwriter thereof advises the participants the amount of securities to be offered thereby should be limited, such limitation shall be satisfied first from the securities allocated to participants other than the demanding party.

If the Company sells any Shares in a registered underwritten offering, each holder of securities covered by the registration rights agreement has the right to include its Shares in that offering. The underwriters of any such offering have the right to limit the number of shares to be included in such sale. The Company will pay all expenses relating to any demand or piggyback registration, except for underwriters’ or brokers’ commissions or discounts. The securities covered by the registration rights agreement will no longer be registrable under the registration rights agreement if they have been sold to the public either pursuant to a registration statement or under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Wheatland Transaction Registration Rights Agreement

In March 2012, the Company entered into a Reorganization and Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with Wheatland Oil Inc. (“Wheatland”) and the shareholders of Wheatland. Wheatland was owned 75% by the Founder Trust and 25% by Jeffrey B. Hume, the Company’s Vice Chairman of Strategic Growth Initiatives.

Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement granting the Founder Trust and Mr. Hume registration rights for the Shares they received, at the direction of Wheatland, upon the closing of the acquisition (the “Registrable Securities”). The Founder Trust transferred the Registrable Securities held by it to the Hamm Family LLC as part of the September Transfer. As a result, the rights of the Founder Trust under this registration rights agreement may be assigned to the Hamm Family LLC at the direction of the Founder Trust and Hamm Family LLC. Under the registration rights agreement, each holder of Registrable Securities has demand and “piggyback” registration rights. The demand rights enable each of the holders of Registrable Securities to require the Company to register its respective shares of Registrable Securities with the SEC at any time, subject to certain limited exceptions, including the requirement that the aggregate proceeds from the demand registration exceed $40 million (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) and the Company is not required to effect more than four demand registrations in any three-year period. The piggyback rights allow each of the holders of Registrable Securities to register their Registrable Securities along with any shares the Company registers with the SEC. These registration rights are subject to customary conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters of an offering to limit the number of shares.

Dividend and Dissolution Agreement

Pursuant to a Dividend and Dissolution Agreement, dated February 7, 2022 (the “Dividend Agreement”), between the members of the Hamm Family LLC, on February 7, 2022, all Shares owned by the Hamm Family LLC were distributed by the Hamm Family LLC by way of a pro rata dividend to its members, including 72,265,137 Shares distributed to the Founder Trust.

 

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Shareholders’ Agreement

In connection with the Dividend Agreement, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders entered into that certain Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2022 (the “Shareholders’ Agreement”), pursuant to which they agreed to certain obligations, including, among other things: (i) certain acquisitions and dispositions of Shares held by such parties require the approval of a majority of the trustees of the trusts party to the Shareholders’ Agreement, subject to certain exceptions; (ii) following the death of the Founder, to vote their Shares as directed by such parties holding a majority of all Shares; and (iii) customary tag-along and drag-along rights.

The Shareholders’ Agreement may be amended or terminated upon the approval of the parties holding a majority of all Shares.

Support Agreement

The following summary description of the Support Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Support Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit (d)(2) to the Schedule TO and is incorporated herein by reference.

Concurrently with entering into the Merger Agreement, we, the Company and the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders entered the Support Agreement. The Founder Family Rollover Shareholders beneficially own, in the aggregate, Shares representing approximately 83% of all outstanding Shares. See Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase for the beneficial ownership of the Founder, the Purchaser and each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder.

The Support Agreement provides that each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder will not tender (or cause to be tendered) pursuant to the Offer its Subject Shares pursuant to the terms of the Offer. The term “Subject Shares” means: (i) Shares that on the date hereof have been issued and are outstanding and are beneficially owned by any Founder Family Rollover Shareholder; and (ii) any Shares that are hereafter issued to, or otherwise directly or indirectly acquired by, or become beneficially owned by, any Founder Family Rollover Shareholder during the Support Period (as defined therein).

The Support Agreement also provides that each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agrees to irrevocably and unconditionally waive its right to receive the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend with respect to the Subject Shares and any other Shares beneficially owned by such person. The Company intends to take all necessary steps to enforce such waiver and each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its agents and representatives to ensure that no portion of the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend is paid in respect to the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders. Additionally, if any Founder Family Rollover Shareholder receives any portion of the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend in respect of their Shares, such Founder Family Rollover Shareholder has agreed to provide notice to the Company and transfer any such monies received to the Company as promptly as practicable.

In addition, each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agrees that such Founder Family Rollover Shareholder will not vote any Subject Shares in favor of, or consent to, and will vote against and not consent to, the approval of any: (i) Acquisition Proposal, other than the Merger and the other transactions; (ii) corporate action or proposal submitted for approval by the shareholders of the Company, the consummation of which could impede, interfere with, prevent or delay the consummation of the transactions, including, without limitation, the Merger and the purchase of all Shares validly tendered pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn; or (iii) other corporate action or proposal submitted for approval by the shareholders of the Company, substantially facilitating any of the foregoing matters described in the immediately preceding clauses (i) or (ii), or that could reasonably be expected to result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of such Founder Family Rollover Shareholder under the Support Agreement or of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of the Purchaser or the Company in the Merger Agreement. Each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder shall ensure that any other person having voting power with respect to any of such Founder Family Rollover Shareholders’ Subject Shares will not vote any of such Subject Shares in favor of or consent to, and will vote against, the approval of the matters described in clauses (i) through (iii) of the preceding sentence.

The Support Agreement automatically terminates without any notice or other action by any person, upon the earliest of (i) the mutual written agreement of the Purchaser and the Founder, (ii) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, and (iii) the Merger Effective Time. Upon termination of the Support Agreement, no party shall have any further obligations or liabilities under such agreement; provided, however, that (x) nothing set forth in the termination provisions shall relieve any party hereto from liability for any fraud, willful or

 

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material breach of any provision of the Support Agreement prior to such termination hereof, (y) the waiver of appraisal and dissenters’ rights and actions and termination provisions shall survive any termination of the Support Agreement. The representations and warranties herein shall not survive the termination of the Support Agreement and (z) the irrevocable and unconditional waiver by each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder of its right to receive the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend with respect to the Subject Shares and any other Shares beneficially owned by such person. The Company intends to take all necessary steps to enforce such waiver and each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its agents and representatives to ensure that no portion of the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend is paid in respect to the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders and to provide notice to the Company of the receipt of any such monies and transfer any such amounts received to the Company as promptly as practicable shall survive the termination of the Support Agreement.

Limited Guarantee

The following summary description of the Limited Guarantee is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Limited Guarantee, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit (d)(3) to the Schedule TO and is incorporated herein by reference.

Concurrently with entering into the Merger Agreement, the Founder entered into the Limited Guarantee, with respect to certain obligations of the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, including, under certain circumstances, a guarantee of payment for up to $274 million of the Purchaser’s obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger, provided, that the Company may only enforce such guarantee in connection with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.

Royalty and Common Ownership

In 2021, the Company received approximately $128,000 from the Founder Trust, a trust with interests owned in various oil and gas wells which the Company operates. The Company also disbursed to the Founder Trust approximately $359,000 in 2021 for the Founder Trust’s share of oil and gas sales attributed to these interests which were received from the purchasers of production. As of December 31, 2021, approximately $33,000 was due from the Founder Trust and approximately $34,000 was due to the Founder Trust.

Aircraft Related Matters

From time to time, the Company allows certain affiliates to use the corporate aircraft and crews and has used the aircraft of Transwestern Transports, LLC (“Transwestern”), an entity owned by the Founder, pursuant to a dry lease agreement which contains terms customary in the air transport industry to facilitate efficient transportation of personnel. In 2021, the Company paid Transwestern approximately $84,000 for use of its aircraft and reimbursement of expenses and owed $26,000 to Transwestern as of December 31, 2021. Additionally, in 2021, the Company received approximately $5,000 from Transwestern for use of the aircraft crews and as of December 31, 2021, Transwestern owed the Company approximately $6,300. The Company also has a similar dry lease agreement to use an aircraft owned by Berriere Capital LLC (“Berriere”), an entity owned by William B. Berry, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and this agreement went into effect in February of 2021. At December 31, 2021, approximately $7,000 was due to Berriere for use of its aircraft in 2021.

Founder Compensation

In 2021, the Founder served as Executive Chairman. During this time, he received salary payments of $201,638 and other compensation of $38,526 for total Executive Chairman compensation of $240,164. The other compensation is comprised of $9,138 for personal aircraft use, $2,899 for vehicle use, $26,000 in Company matching contributions to the Founder’s account in the Company’s 401(k) plan and $489 for a club membership.

Shelly Lambertz Compensation

In 2021, Ms. Lambertz served as Chief Culture Officer and Senior Vice President, Human Resources. In connection with this role, Ms. Lambertz received the following compensation: (i) annual base pay of $308,000, with an annual cash incentive bonus target of 50% of her annual base pay; (ii) a target annual stock grant value of $550,000; and (iii) participation in the Company’s benefits programs on terms consistent with the Company’s standard practices for employees at Ms. Lambertz’s level. The total number of Shares of restricted common stock held by Ms. Lambertz at December 31, 2021 was 45,591 Shares. Due to the economic environment during the pandemic, Ms. Lambertz elected to forego any increase in her base salary resulting from her promotion to this role in February 2020 effective March 8, 2020 and continuing through February 6, 2021.

 

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In January 2022, Ms. Lambertz was appointed as Executive Vice President, Chief Culture and Administrative Officer. In connection with her appointment, the following compensation was approved: (i) annual base pay of $600,000; (ii) an annual cash incentive bonus target of 100% of her annual base pay; and (iii) a target annual stock grant value of $2,100,000. In association with the promotion, Ms. Lambertz also received an additional aggregate amount of $1,647,156 added to existing restricted stock awards vesting from 2022 to 2024, with $11,045, $559,722, and $1,076,389 in value being added to the shares vesting on each of February 15, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Ms. Lambertz is the daughter of the Founder.

Thomas Lerum Compensation

In February 2022, the Audit Committee approved the following compensation for Mr. Lerum in his role as Manager, Corporate Planning: (i) annual base pay of $153,000, with an annual cash incentive bonus target of 25% of his annual base pay; (ii) a target annual stock grant value of $45,000; and (iii) participation in the Company’s benefits programs on terms consistent with the Company’s standard practices for employees hired at Mr. Lerum’s level. Mr. Lerum is the husband of Jane Elizabeth Hamm Lerum, a member of the Founder Family Group and the son-in-law of the Founder.

Repayment of Senior Notes

On February 10, 2022, certain affiliated entities of the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders each repaid a note having an original principal amount of $700 million, plus accrued interest thereon (the “Note Repayment”), that was issued by the Founder in 2015, through the delivery to the Founder Trust of 13,912,204 Shares. As a result of the Note Repayment, the Founder Trust received 69,561,020 Shares in repayment of all such notes. Accordingly, the Founder paid an average price of $55.00 per Share, which includes any accrued interest thereon, in the Note Repayment purchase.

13. Source and Amount of Funds

We estimate that we will need approximately $4.3 billion to purchase all Shares (other than the Excluded Shares) pursuant to the Offer and the Merger. In the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to cooperate with us in obtaining the funds needed to acquire such Shares pursuant to the Offer of the Merger. We expect that such funds will come from a combination of the Company’s cash on hand and borrowings under its Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), among the Company, as borrower (the “Borrower”), MUFG Bank, Ltd. (as successor to MUFG Union Bank, N.A.), as administrative agent, the joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners and the lenders party thereto. Neither we nor the Founder has any alternative financing plans or arrangements.

The Revolving Credit Agreement, which matures in October 2026, has $2.255 billion of aggregate lender commitments (which may be increased up to a total of $4.0 billion upon agreement between the Borrower and participating lenders) and no outstanding borrowings as of October 24, 2022. At the Borrower’s option (other than with respect to swingline loans), loans will bear interest at (A) the Adjusted Reference Rate (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin of 0% to 1.000% per annum based on the Borrower’s index debt ratings or (B) Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin of 1.000% to 2.000% per annum based on the Borrower’s index debt ratings. The commitment fee rate of 0.100% to 0.350% per annum is also determined based on the Borrower’s index debt ratings. The Revolving Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants including a requirement that the Borrower maintain a consolidated net debt to total capitalization ratio of no greater than 0.65 to 1.00. This ratio represents the ratio of net debt (calculated as the aggregate amount of certain specified types of debt of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) less cash and cash equivalents) divided by the sum of consolidated net debt plus total shareholders’ equity of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries plus, to the extent resulting in a reduction of total shareholders’ equity, the amount of any non-cash impairment charges incurred by Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, net of any tax effect, after June 30, 2014. The Company was in compliance with the Revolving Credit Agreement covenants as of June 30, 2022.

 

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While the Company expects that its cash on hand and availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement should be sufficient to acquire the Shares in the Offer and the Merger, it is in the process of negotiating the terms of a term loan in order to provide funds to consummate the Offer and the Merger and expects to have access to borrowing capacity under that term loan prior to the Expiration Time. In addition, the Founder has entered into the Limited Guarantee described under “The Offer—Section 12—Related Party Transactions—Limited Guarantee.”

The Offer is not conditioned upon the availability of any financing arrangements or subject to a financing condition.

14. Background of the Offer and the Merger; Contacts with the Company

For a description of the background of the Offer and the Merger, please read “Item 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION—Background of the Offer and the Merger” in the Schedule 14D-9.

15. Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights

Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company

The purpose of the Offer and the Merger is for the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders to acquire the entire equity interest in the Company. The Offer is the initial step in a two-step transaction that, if consummated, will result in the Company, as the surviving corporation in the second-step Merger, becoming an entity that is wholly owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

We currently intend, and are obligated under the Merger Agreement, to consummate the Merger as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time. As described in “—Section 16—The Merger Agreement—The Merger,” the Shares acquired in the Offer (other than any Excluded Shares) will be cancelled in the Merger. If the Merger occurs: (i) the Rollover Shares owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time will be converted into an identical number of newly issued shares of the surviving corporation having identical rights to the previously existing Shares held by such holder, and such converted shares of the surviving corporation will be the only capital stock of the surviving corporation; and (ii) the Rollover Shares underlying each unvested Company RS Award will be replaced with the Replacement RS Awards. Following the Merger, the directors of the Purchaser at the Merger Effective Time will be the directors of the Company as the surviving corporation, and the officers of the Company at the Merger Effective Time will be the officers of the Company as the surviving corporation. As of the date of this Offer to Purchase, the surviving corporation has not entered into any new or revised compensation arrangements with any of the directors or officers of the Company for their service following the Merger Effective Time, and it does not anticipate any new or revised arrangements, other than any documentation that would be necessary in connection with Replacement RSU Awards. See “—Section 16—The Merger Agreement—The Merger.” Upon completion of the Merger, the Shares will cease to be listed on the NYSE and will subsequently be deregistered under the Exchange Act.

If you sell your Shares in the Offer, you will cease to have any equity interest in the Company or any right to participate in its earnings and future growth. If you do not tender your Shares, but the Merger is consummated, you also will no longer have an equity interest in the Company. Similarly, after selling your Shares in the Offer or the subsequent Merger, you will not bear the risk of any decrease in the value of the Company.

The Founder Family Rollover Shareholders generally intend to continue the Company’s business, operations, capitalization and management in accordance with past practice.

If, for any reason following completion of the Offer, the Merger is not consummated, the Purchaser and their affiliates reserve the right to acquire additional Shares through private purchases, market transactions, tender or exchange offers or otherwise on terms and at prices that may be more or less favorable than those of the Offer, or, subject to any applicable legal restrictions, to dispose of any or all Shares acquired by them.

 

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Except as described above or elsewhere in this Offer to Purchase and except for the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser has no present plans or proposals that would relate to or result in: (i) any extraordinary corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries (such as a merger, reorganization, liquidation, relocation of any operations or sale or other transfer of a material amount of assets); (ii) any change in the Company Board or management; (iii) any material change in the Company’s capitalization or dividend policy; (iv) any other material change in the Company’s corporate structure or business; (v) any class of equity securities of the Company being delisted from a national securities exchange or ceasing to be authorized to be quoted in an automated quotation system operated by a national securities association; or (vi) any class of equity securities of the Company becoming eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act.

Effects of the Offer

If the Offer is consummated, the interest of the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders in the Company’s net book value and net earnings would increase in proportion to the number of Shares acquired in the Offer. If the Merger is consummated, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders’ interest in such items would further increase to 100%, and the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders would be entitled to all benefits resulting from that interest, including all income generated by the Company’s operations and any future increase in the Company’s value. Former shareholders would thereafter have no opportunity to participate in the earnings and growth of the Company and would not have any right to vote on corporate matters. Similarly, after any such Merger, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders would also bear the entire risk of losses generated by the Company’s operations and any decrease in the value of the Company, and former shareholders would not face the risk of losses generated by the Company’s operations or decline in the value of the Company.

No Shareholder Approval

If the Offer is consummated, we do not anticipate seeking the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders before effecting the Merger. Section 1081.H of the OGCA provides that, subject to certain statutory provisions, if immediately following the consummation of a tender offer for any and all shares of a public Oklahoma corporation that would otherwise be entitled to vote on the merger (other than shares held by the acquiring entity and its affiliates), the stock irrevocably accepted for purchase pursuant to such offer and received by the Depositary prior to the expiration of such offer (together with any rollover stock) equals at least the amount of shares of each class of stock of the constituent corporation, and of each class or series thereof, that, absent Section 1081.H of the OGCA, would otherwise be required for the shareholders of the constituent corporation to adopt a merger agreement with the acquiring entity pursuant to Section 1081 and the certificate of incorporation of such constituent corporation, and each outstanding share other than any rollover stock of each class or series of stock of the constituent corporation not irrevocably accepted for purchase in the tender offer is converted into the right to receive the same consideration for their stock in the merger as was payable in the tender offer, the constituent corporation can effect a merger without the vote of the shareholders of the constituent corporation. Therefore, the parties have agreed, and the Merger Agreement requires, that, subject to the conditions specified in the Merger Agreement, the Merger will become effective as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time, without a vote of the Company shareholders, in accordance with Section 1081.H of the OGCA.

Appraisal Rights

No appraisal rights are available in connection with the Offer. However, if the Merger is consummated, pursuant to the OGCA, shareholders who do not tender their Shares in the Offer will have the right, by fully complying with the applicable provisions of Section 1091 of the OGCA, to choose not to accept the consideration payable for their Shares pursuant to the Merger, and instead to demand an appraisal of their Shares in any federal court or state court located in Oklahoma County in the State of Oklahoma and to receive a cash payment of the “fair value” of their Shares as of the Merger Effective Time of the Merger as determined by such court. The “fair value” of such Shares may be more than, less than, or equal to the Offer Price.

Under Section 1091 of the OGCA, where a merger is approved under Section 1081.H of the OGCA, either a constituent corporation before the effective date of the merger, or the surviving corporation within 10 days thereafter, will notify each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation who are entitled to seek appraisal of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent corporation, and will include in such notice a copy of Section 1091 of the OGCA. The Schedule 14D-9 will constitute the formal notice of appraisal rights under Section 1091 of the OGCA.

 

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As will be described more fully in the Schedule 14D-9, in order to exercise appraisal rights under Section 1091 of the OGCA in connection with the Merger, a shareholder must do all of the following:

 

   

within the later of the Acceptance Time and 20 days after the notice through the Schedule 14D-9, deliver to the Company a written demand (or a demand delivered by electronic transmission if directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in the Schedule 14D-9) for appraisal of Shares held, which demand must reasonably inform the Company of the identity of the shareholder and that the shareholder is demanding appraisal;

 

   

not tender its Shares in the Offer;

 

   

continuously hold of record the Shares from the date on which the written demand for appraisal is made through the Merger Effective Time; and

 

   

strictly follow the statutory procedures for perfecting appraisal rights under Section 1091 of the OGCA.

Any holder of Shares who wishes to exercise such appraisal rights or who wishes to preserve his, her or its right to do so in connection with the Merger should review the Schedule 14D-9 and Section 1091 of the OGCA carefully because failure to timely and properly comply with the procedures specified will result in the loss of appraisal rights under the OGCA.

The foregoing summary of the rights of the Public Shareholders to appraisal rights under the OGCA in connection with the Merger does not purport to be a complete statement of the procedures to be followed by the Public Shareholders desiring to exercise appraisal rights in connection with the Merger and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Section 1091 of the OGCA. The proper exercise of appraisal rights in connection with the Merger requires strict adherence to the applicable provisions of the OGCA. A copy of Section 1091 of the OGCA is set forth in Schedule II hereto.

16. The Merger Agreement

The following summary description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which the Purchaser has included as Exhibit (d)(1) to the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO and is incorporated herein by reference. Shareholders and other interested parties should read the Merger Agreement for a more complete description of the provisions summarized below. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the respective meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement. The summary description has been included in this Offer to Purchase to provide you with information regarding the terms of the Merger Agreement and is not intended to modify or supplement any factual disclosures about the Purchaser, the Company or their respective affiliates. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for the purposes of the Merger Agreement, were made as of specific dates, were made solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement and may not have been intended to be statements of fact, but rather, as a method of allocating risk and governing the contractual rights and relationships between the parties to the Merger Agreement. In addition, such representations, warranties and covenants may have been qualified by certain disclosures not reflected in the text of the Merger Agreement and may apply standards of materiality and other qualifications and limitations in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material by the Company’s shareholders. In reviewing the representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement or any descriptions thereof in this summary, it is important to bear in mind that such representations, warranties, covenants and descriptions were not intended by the parties to the Merger Agreement to be characterizations of the actual state of facts or conditions of the Purchaser, the Company or their respective affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may have changed or may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures. For the foregoing reasons, the representations, warranties, covenants and descriptions of those provisions should not be read alone and should instead be read in conjunction with the other information contained in the reports, statements and filings that the Purchaser, its affiliates and the Company publicly file.

 

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The Offer

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser has agreed to commence a cash tender offer (as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than November 4, 2022) for any and all of the Shares (other than the Rollover Shares) at a purchase price of $74.28 per Share, in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes. The Purchaser’s obligation to accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, Shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in “—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer.” Subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, the Purchaser expressly reserves the right to waive any of the conditions to the Offer (in each case, other than the Special Committee Recommendation Condition, which is non-waivable and may not be amended or modified) or modify the terms of or conditions to the Offer that is not inconsistent with the Merger Agreement, except that, without the prior written consent (which consent must be approved by the Special Committee) of the Company, it will not:

 

   

decrease the Offer Price;

 

   

change the amount or form of consideration to be paid in the Offer;

 

   

decrease the number of Shares subject to the Offer;

 

   

impose any condition to the Offer other than the Offer conditions set forth in Annex I to the Merger Agreement;

 

   

terminate, accelerate, limit, extend or otherwise change (or make any other amendment that would terminate, accelerate, limit, extend or otherwise change) the expiration date of the Offer in any manner other than in accordance with the terms specified under “—Extensions of the Offer” below; or

 

   

otherwise amend, modify or supplement any of the conditions to the Offer or terms of the Offer in a manner that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, adverse to the holders of the Shares, other than holders of the Rollover Shares.

Extensions of the Offer

If at the scheduled expiration date of the Offer, including following a prior extension, any condition to the Offer has not been satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable), the Merger Agreement requires that we extend (and re-extend) the Offer from time to time until all of the conditions to the Offer have been satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable); provided that each individual extension will not be for a period of more than ten business days (except with the prior written consent of the Company, which consent must be approved by the Special Committee), provided further that we will not be required to extend the Offer beyond the End Date unless the Purchaser is not then permitted to terminate the Merger Agreement (in which case we are required to extend the Offer beyond the End Date). In addition, we must extend the Offer for any period required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the SEC or its staff that is applicable to the Offer or any period otherwise required by the rules and regulations of the NYSE or applicable law. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we may not terminate the Offer prior to the expiration date or any such extended expiration date unless the Merger Agreement is validly terminated.

The Merger Agreement obligates the Purchaser, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in “—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer,” to accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all Shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer promptly after the Expiration Time (and in any event within two business days).

 

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The Merger

As soon as practicable following the Acceptance Time, and unless applicable law prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the Merger, the Purchaser will merge with and into the Company, and the Company will survive and be wholly owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders. At the Merger Effective Time, any Shares issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares) will be automatically converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, in cash and without interest, subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes.

The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time will be the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the surviving corporation, until thereafter amended in accordance with the OGCA. The directors of the Purchaser immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time will be the directors of the Company as the surviving corporation until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified, as the case may be. The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time will be the officers of the Company as the surviving corporation until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified, as the case may be.

The Merger Agreement provides the Merger will be governed by Section 1081.H of the OGCA and will be effected without a vote of the Company shareholders.

Company RS Awards

The Merger Agreement provides that, at the Merger Effective Time, each unvested Company RS Award issued under the Company’s long-term incentive compensation plans that is outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time will be replaced with a Replacement RS Award.

Representations and Warranties

In the Merger Agreement, the Company has made customary representations and warranties to the Purchaser that are subject, in some cases, to specified exceptions and qualifications contained in the Merger Agreement or confidential disclosure schedules that the Company delivered to the Founder and the Purchaser in connection with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement. These representations and warranties relate to, among other things: (i) corporate existence and power; (ii) corporate authorization; (iii) governmental authorization; (iv) non-contravention; (v) capitalization; (vi) subsidiaries; (vii) SEC filings and internal controls; (viii) financial statements; (ix) disclosure documents; (x) absence of certain changes; (xi) no undisclosed material liabilities; (xii) compliance with laws and court orders; (xiii) litigation; (xiv) properties; (xv) oil and gas matters; (xvi) taxes; (xvii) employee benefit plans; (xviii) environmental matters; (xvix) material contracts; (xx) finders’ fees; (xxi) opinion of financial advisor; and (xxii) antitakeover statutes.

In the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser has made customary representations and warranties to the Company that are subject, in some cases, to specified exceptions and qualifications contained in the Merger Agreement. These representations and warranties relate to, among other things, with respect to the Purchaser: (i) corporate existence, power and ownership of the Shares; (ii) corporate authorization; (iii) governmental authorization; (iv) non-contravention; (v) disclosure documents; (vi) litigation; (vii) guarantee; (viii) finders’ fees; (ix) financial capability; (x) ownership of shares; and (xi) no other transactions.

The Merger Agreement provides that the representations and warranties contained therein will not survive the Acceptance Time; provided that such provision will not place any limit on any covenant or other agreement contained in the Merger Agreement or in any other writing delivered pursuant to the Merger Agreement or in connection with the Merger Agreement that by its terms applies in whole or in part after the Acceptance Time.

 

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Operating Covenants

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, from the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the Merger Effective Time and the date, if any, on which the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms, except (a) as may be required by applicable law, (b) as may be agreed to in writing by the Purchaser (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (c) as may be expressly required or permitted pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (d) as set forth in the confidential disclosure schedules that the Company delivered to the Founder and the Purchaser in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement or (e) with respect to actions taken or omitted by, or at the specific direction of, any Specified Person (as defined in the Merger Agreement) taken at the direction of the Founder or with the Founder’s consent (the exceptions set forth in the foregoing clauses (a) – (e), the “Interim Covenant Exceptions”), the Company has agreed to, and has agreed to cause each of its subsidiaries to use its and their commercially reasonable efforts to: (i) conduct its business in the ordinary course of business and preserve intact its present business organization; and (ii) maintain satisfactory relationships with its customers, lenders, suppliers and others having material business relationships with it.

From the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the Merger Effective Time and the date, if any, on which the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms, except pursuant to any Interim Covenant Exception, the Company has agreed not to, and has agreed to cause each of its subsidiaries not to:

 

   

amend its or any of its subsidiaries’ certificates of incorporation, bylaws or other similar organizational documents, other than: (i) in immaterial respects and (ii) amendments to the governing documents of any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that would not prevent, materially delay or materially impair the Offer, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

   

split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock;

 

   

declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its capital stock, except for dividends or other such distributions by or among any of its wholly owned subsidiaries;

 

   

redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire or offer to redeem, repurchase, or otherwise acquire any securities of the Company or of its subsidiaries, except as required by the terms of the Company’s long-term incentive compensation plans;

 

   

issue, deliver or sell, or authorize the issuance, delivery or sale of, any shares of any securities of the Company or its subsidiaries, other than the issuance of: (i) any Shares underlying Company RS Awards that are issued after the date of the Merger Agreement as permitted under the Merger Agreement; or (ii) any shares of securities of any subsidiaries of the Company to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company;

 

   

amend any term of any security of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company, except as required by the terms of any the Company’s long-term incentive compensation plans;

 

   

incur any material capital expenditures or any obligations or liabilities in respect thereof not included in the budget as currently approved by the Company Board, other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

acquire (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise), directly or indirectly, any business, division, corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof, other than: (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; and (ii) acquisitions with a purchase price (including assumed indebtedness) that does not exceed $250 million individually or $500 million in the aggregate;

 

   

sell or otherwise transfer any business, division, corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof, other than: (i) sales of equipment or assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; or (ii) sales of assets, securities, properties, interests or businesses with a sale price (including any related assumed indebtedness) that does not exceed $250 million individually or $500 million in the aggregate;

 

   

other than in connection with permitted capital expenditure actions pursuant to the Merger Agreement, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person (other than loans or advances between the Company and any of its wholly owned subsidiaries or among wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company and capital contributions to or investments in its wholly owned subsidiaries), other than: (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; and (ii) loans, advances, capital contributions to, or investments in, the Purchaser in connection with consummating the Offer and the Merger;

 

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create, incur, assume, suffer to exist or otherwise be liable with respect to any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees thereof other than: (i) indebtedness or guarantees outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement or among the Company and any of its wholly owned subsidiaries or among wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company; (ii) indebtedness or guarantees incurred thereafter in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as necessary to finance working capital needs; and (iii) indebtedness or guarantees incurred in connection with the financing of the Offer and the Merger;

 

   

settle any material lawsuit before a governmental authority, except for settlements: (i) in the ordinary course of business; or (ii) that involve monetary remedies with a value not in excess of $25 million (net of amounts covered by insurance or indemnification agreements with third parties) and that do not impose material equitable relief against the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

 

   

except: (i) as required by applicable law; (ii) under the terms of any of the Company’s long-term incentive compensation plans in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement; or (iii) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (A) grant any material severance, retention or termination pay to, or enter into or amend any severance, retention, termination, employment, consulting, bonus, change in control or severance agreement with, any executive officer, (B) increase materially the compensation or benefits provided to any current or former executive officer (other than increases in base compensation in the ordinary course of business), (C) grant any equity or equity-based awards to, or discretionarily accelerate the vesting or payment of any such awards held by, any current or former executive officer or (D) establish, adopt, enter into or amend in any material respect any employee benefit or compensation plan or collective bargaining agreement;

 

   

change the Company’s methods of financial accounting, except as required by GAAP or Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act;

 

   

(i) other than in the ordinary course of business, enter into any material closing agreement described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any analogous provision of state, local or non-U.S. law), (ii) other than in the ordinary course of business, settle any material tax claim, audit or assessment for an amount materially in excess of amounts reserved in the Company’s financial statements or (iii) seek any material written ruling from a taxing authority (it being agreed and understood that, notwithstanding any other provision and subject to certain exceptions described in the Merger Agreement, none of the clauses above or below shall apply with respect to tax or tax compliance matters);

 

   

withdraw or modify, or permit the withdrawal or modification of, approval or ratification by an appropriate committee of the Company Board, or the Company Board directly, for all payments or benefits that have been, or are to be, made or granted pursuant to employment compensation, severance, and other employee benefit arrangements of the Company and its subsidiaries; or

 

   

agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.

No Solicitation

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed that, until the Acceptance Time, neither it nor any of its subsidiaries shall, and the Company and its subsidiaries shall cause their respective officers and directors not to, authorize any of its or their respective employees, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, consultants and other agents, advisors or other representatives (collectively, “Representatives”) to, directly or indirectly:

 

   

solicit, initiate or take any action to knowingly facilitate or encourage the submission of any Acquisition Proposal (as defined below);

 

   

enter into, engage in or participate in any discussions or negotiations with, furnish any non-public information relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or afford access to the business, properties, assets, books or records of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, or knowingly assist, participate in, facilitate or encourage any effort by, any third party that has made or is seeking to make an Acquisition Proposal, in each case relating to an Acquisition Proposal (other than to refer them to the terms of the Merger Agreement that prohibit such discussions);

 

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enter into any agreement in principle, letter of intent, merger agreement, acquisition agreement or other definitive agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal (other than an acceptable confidentiality agreement);

 

   

fail to include the recommendation by the Company Board (the “Company Board Recommendation”) or the recommendation by the Special Committee (the “Special Committee Recommendation”) in the Schedule 14D-9 that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares into the Offer;

 

   

withdraw or modify in a manner adverse to the Purchaser or propose publicly to withdraw or modify the Company Board Recommendation or the Special Committee Recommendation; or

 

   

recommend any Acquisition Proposal (any of the foregoing, an “Adverse Recommendation Change”).

Any violation of the foregoing restrictions by any Representative of the Company or its subsidiaries who is also an affiliate of the Purchaser will not be a breach of the foregoing restrictions by the Company.

Notwithstanding the restrictions described above, at any time prior to the Acceptance Time, if the Special Committee determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to take the following actions would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law:

 

   

The Company, directly or indirectly through advisors, agents or other intermediaries, may: (i) contact any third party that has made an Acquisition Proposal that was not solicited in material breach of the Merger Agreement to clarify the terms thereof; and (ii) engage in negotiations or discussions with any third party and its Representatives that has made a bona fide Acquisition Proposal that was not solicited in material breach of the Merger Agreement that the Special Committee determines in good faith constitutes or could lead to a Superior Proposal (as defined below) and furnish to such third party or its Representatives non-public information relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to a confidentiality agreement with such third party (which need not contain a standstill provision), provided that, to the extent that any material non-public information relating to the Company or its subsidiaries is provided to any such third party which was not previously provided to or made available to the Purchaser, such material non-public information or access is provided or made available to the Purchaser promptly (and in any event within 48 hours) thereafter; and

 

   

Subject to compliance with the notices requirement of the Company and the last look right of the Purchaser described below, the Special Committee may: (i) make an Adverse Recommendation Change in response to a material fact, event, change or development in circumstances arising after the date of the Merger Agreement that was not known or reasonably foreseeable to the Special Committee as of the date of the Merger Agreement and does not involve or relate to an Acquisition Proposal (an “Intervening Event”) (but in no event shall any of the following constitute or contribute to an Intervening Event: (A) changes in the market price or trading volume of the Shares, in and of itself (however the underlying reasons for such changes may constitute an Intervening Event), (B) the receipt, existence or terms of any Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry, offer, request or proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (C) changes in the Company’s reserves estimates (including categorization thereof) or production volumes as compared to expected, forecasted or previously estimated amounts or (D) changes in the value of any land or any real property interest, regardless of whether owned by the Company or any other person; provided that the facts, events, changes or developments in circumstances giving rise to or contributing to any such change may constitute an Intervening Event) provided, further, that the determination of whether an Intervening Event has occurred as a result of an increase in crude oil prices shall be based solely on a material increase in long term crude oil price expectations determined with reference to expected prices over a period not shorter than that utilized in calculating the Average Crude Oil Price; or (ii) terminate the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the receipt of a Superior Proposal that was not solicited in material breach of the Merger Agreement.

 

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The Company is required to notify the Purchaser promptly (but in no event later than 48 hours) after the Company or any of its Representatives receives any bona fide written Acquisition Proposal or any request for non-public information relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or for access to the business, properties, assets, books or records of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any third party that has notified the Company that it is considering making, or has made, an Acquisition Proposal or any third party that has made such request for the purpose of facilitating the submission of an Acquisition Proposal, and shall provide copies of any written materials submitted to the Company by any third party that describes the terms or conditions of any Acquisition Proposal and keep the Purchaser reasonably informed of the status and material terms and conditions of any Acquisition Proposal.

The term “Acquisition Proposal” means, other than the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, any third party offer, proposal or inquiry, or any third party indication of interest that would result in: (i) the acquisition or purchase, directly or indirectly, of 30% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries or 15% or more of any class of equity or voting securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 30% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company; (ii) a tender offer (including a self-tender offer) or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in such third party beneficially owning 15% or more of any class of equity or voting securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 30% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company; or (iii) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, sale of substantially all the assets, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 30% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company.

The term “Average Crude Oil Price” means, as of a date of determination, the arithmetic average over the ten trading days ending on and including such date (the “Averaging Period”) of the arithmetic average on each day during the Averaging Period of the settlement prices (per barrel) of NYMEX West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures contracts appearing in the “Settle” column as published on the CME Group Crude Oil Futures website (which as of the date hereof is https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/energy/crude-oil/light-sweet-crude.settlements.html) for each of the 36 months of January 2023 through December 2025, which contracts have the following Globex Codes: CLF3, CLG3, CLH3, CLJ3, CLK3, CLM3 CLN3, CLQ3, CLU3, CLV3, CLX3, CLZ3, CLF4, CLG4, CLH4, CLJ4, CLK4, CLM4 CLN4, CLQ4, CLU4, CLV4, CLX4, CLZ4, CLF5, CLG5, CLH5, CLJ5, CLK5, CLM5 CLN5, CLQ5, CLU5, CLV5, CLX5, CLZ5; provided, that (a) if CME Group Crude Oil Futures settlement prices are no longer available at the time of such determination, such crude oil index or price as is then commonly used in the industry shall be utilized in substitution for CME Group Crude Oil Futures and (b) if trading of a given futures contract has terminated, it shall be replaced with the next chronological futures contract. For example, if trading of the January 2023 contract has terminated, the contract for January 2023 (Globex Code: CLF3) would be replaced with the contract for January 2026 (Globex Code: CLF6).

The term “Superior Proposal” means a bona fide Acquisition Proposal (but substituting “100%” for all references to “15%” or “30%”, as applicable, in the definition of such term) that the Special Committee determines in good faith, after consultation with the Special Committee’s financial advisor, is on the terms that are more favorable from a financial point of view to the Company’s shareholders (other than the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders) (taking into account any offer by the Purchaser to amend the terms of the Merger Agreement).

Company Board Recommendation

The Company has represented to the Purchaser in the Merger Agreement that the Company Board, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, at a meeting duly called and held:

 

   

determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the Public Shareholders;

 

   

approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Offer and the Merger, in accordance with the requirements of the OGCA;

 

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resolved that the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall be governed by Section 1081.H of the OGCA; and

 

   

resolved, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, to recommend that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares into the Offer,

in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Founder and Shelly G. Lambertz recused themselves from the Company Board approval due to their status as Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

The Merger Agreement does not prevent the Company, the Special Committee or the Company Board (or any committee thereof) from: (i) taking and disclosing to the Company’s shareholders a position contemplated by Rule 14d-9 and Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any similar communication to shareholders in connection with the making or amendment of a tender offer or exchange offer) or from making any legally required disclosure to shareholders with regard to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or an Acquisition Proposal (provided that neither the Company nor the Special Committee may recommend any Acquisition Proposal unless permitted by the provisions described above); (ii) issuing a “stop, look and listen” disclosure or similar communication of the type contemplated by Rule 14d-9(f) under the Exchange Act; or (iii) informing such third party of the restrictions imposed by the Merger Agreement.

Last Look

Neither the Special Committee nor the Company Board may make an Adverse Recommendation Change or terminate the Merger Agreement in connection with a Superior Proposal unless:

 

   

The Company shall have notified the Purchaser, in writing and at least four business days prior to taking such action, of its intention to take such action, specifying, in reasonable detail, the reasons for the Adverse Recommendation Change or termination of the Merger Agreement in connection with a Superior Proposal, as applicable; and

 

   

The Purchaser shall not have made, within three business days after receipt of such written notification, an offer to amend the terms of the Merger Agreement that the Special Committee determines in good faith, after consultation with the Special Committee’s financial advisor, obviates the need to effect the Adverse Recommendation Change or termination of the Merger Agreement, as applicable.

Regulatory Undertaking

See “—Section 19—Certain Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals—Regulatory Undertakings.”

Access to Information

From the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the Merger Effective Time or the termination of the Merger Agreement, subject to applicable law, the Company has agreed to: (i) provide the Purchaser and its Representatives, upon reasonable notice and request, reasonable access during normal business hours to the offices, properties, books and records of the Company and its subsidiaries; (ii) furnish to the Purchaser and its Representatives such financial and operating data and other information as such persons may reasonably request; and (iii) instruct its Representatives to cooperate reasonably with the Purchaser in its investigation of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Purchaser agreed to, and agreed to cause its Representatives to, hold any such information confidential, consistent with past practice prior to the Merger Effective Time.

Financing Cooperation

From the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the Merger Effective Time and the date, if any, on which the Merger Agreement is terminated, the Company will, and will use its reasonable best efforts to cause its Representatives to, provide the Purchaser such cooperation as may be reasonably requested by the Purchaser with respect to the debt financing transactions intended to be pursued by the Company in order to generate proceeds that, together with (i) the unrestricted cash of the Company and (ii) borrowings by the Company under the Company’s Revolving Credit Agreement are sufficient to pay the Required Amount (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (any revolver borrowing and such other debt financing, the “Debt Financing”). Such cooperation shall include using reasonable best efforts to:

 

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make appropriate officers reasonably available, with appropriate advance notice and at times and locations reasonably acceptable to the Company and any applicable Debt Financing Source (as defined in the Merger Agreement) for participation in a reasonable number of bank meetings, road shows, due diligence sessions and reasonable assistance in the preparation thereof, in each case, in connection with customary marketing efforts of the Purchaser and/or the Company for all or any portion of the Debt Financing;

 

   

furnish the Purchaser and the Debt Financing Sources with copies of such historical financial data with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries as is reasonably requested by the Purchaser or any financing source and is customarily required for the arrangement and syndication of financings;

 

   

assist with the preparation of appropriate and customary materials relating to the Company and its subsidiaries for rating agency presentations, offering documents, bank information memoranda and similar documents reasonably required in connection with the Debt Financing;

 

   

provide reasonable and customary authorization letters to the Debt Financing Sources authorizing the distribution of information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries to prospective lenders subject to customary confidentiality provisions;

 

   

cooperate with the Purchaser to satisfy the conditions precedent to the Debt Financing to the extent within the control of the Company and its affiliates; and

 

   

provide the Purchaser and the Debt Financing Sources promptly, and in any event, where possible, at least five business days prior to the closing of the Merger, with all documentation and other information that any financing source has requested in writing and that such financing source has reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer”, anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act, and beneficial ownership information.

Director and Officer Indemnification and Insurance

The surviving corporation has agreed, for the six years after the Merger Effective Time, to indemnify and hold harmless the present and former directors, officers, employees, trustees, members, fiduciaries, and agents of the Company and its subsidiaries and any individuals serving in such capacity at or with respect to other persons at the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ request (each, together with such person’s heirs, executors or administrators, an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any losses, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses (including advancing attorneys’ fees and expenses or other necessary expenses in advance of the final disposition of any claim, suit, proceeding or investigation to each Indemnified Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided, that such advance may be conditioned upon the surviving corporation’s receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified pursuant to the Merger Agreement), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any thereof) in respect of the Indemnified Persons’ having served in such capacity prior to the Merger Effective Time, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by the OGCA or any other applicable law or provided under the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement, provided that all rights to indemnification in respect of any claim made within such period will continue until the disposition of the applicable action or resolution of the applicable claim.

From and after the Merger Effective Time, the surviving corporation has also agreed to, for six years after the Merger Effective Time, cause to be maintained in effect provisions in the surviving corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ certificates of incorporation and bylaws and other organizational documents (or in such documents of any successor to the business of the surviving corporation and its subsidiaries) regarding limitation of liability of directors, indemnification of directors, officers and employees and advancement of fees, costs and expenses that are no less advantageous to the intended beneficiaries than the corresponding provisions in existence on the date of the Merger Agreement.

 

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The Merger Agreement also provides that, prior to the Merger Effective Time, the Company will purchase a “tail policy” on terms and conditions (in both amount and scope) providing substantially equivalent benefits as the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance maintained by the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, “D&O Insurance”), with respect to matters arising on or before the Merger Effective Time, with a term of not less than six years after the Merger Effective Time, in each case with respect to any claim related to any period of time at or prior to the Merger Effective Time with terms, conditions, retentions and limits of liability that are at least as favorable as those contained in the Company’s D&O Insurance in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement.

Conditions to the Offer

See “—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer.”

Conditions to the Merger

The obligations of each party to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction (or to the extent permissible under applicable law, waiver) of the following conditions:

 

   

there being no injunction or other order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or any applicable law issued or enacted that prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the Merger; and

 

   

the Purchaser shall have accepted for payment the Shares validly tendered pursuant to the Offer and not validly withdrawn.

Termination

The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Merger Effective Time:

 

   

by mutual written agreement of the Company (provided that such termination is approved by the Special Committee) and the Purchaser;

 

   

by either the Company (provided that such termination is approved by the Special Committee) or the Purchaser upon written notice to the other party, if:

 

   

the Acceptance Time has not occurred on or before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on December 31, 2022 (the “End Date”); provided that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement under this provision will not be available to a party whose breach of any provision of the Merger Agreement is the primary cause of the failure to consummate the Offer by the End Date; or

 

   

prior to the Acceptance Time, any injunction or other order is issued by a court of competent jurisdiction that has become final and non-appealable or any applicable law is issued, enacted or enforced that makes acceptance for payment of, and payment for, the Shares pursuant to the Offer or consummation of the Merger illegal or otherwise prohibited or permanently enjoins the Purchaser from consummating the Offer or the Merger; provided that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement will not be available to any party whose breach of any provision of the Merger Agreement is the primary cause of the existence of any fact or occurrence described in either of the foregoing clauses;

 

   

by the Purchaser, if, prior to the Acceptance Time:

 

   

an Adverse Recommendation Change has occurred (provided that any written notice delivered by the Special Committee or the Company to the Purchaser stating the Special Committee’s intention to make an Adverse Recommendation Change in advance thereof shall not, in and of itself, result in the Purchaser having a termination right pursuant to this provision); or

 

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the Company breaches any of its representations or warranties or fails to perform any of its covenants or agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement that would cause any of the conditions set forth in clauses (iv) or (v) of “—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” to fail to be satisfied and such breach or failure is incapable of being cured by the End Date or, if curable by the End Date, the Company does not cure such breach or failure within 30 days after receipt by the Special Committee and the Company of the Purchaser’s written notice of such breach or failure; provided, however, that the Purchaser may not invoke this termination right at any time that, the Purchaser is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties, obligations or agreements under the Merger Agreement;

 

   

by the Company (provided that such termination has been approved by the Special Committee), if:

 

   

the Purchaser will have (A) failed to commence the Offer within five business days of the latest date on which the Offer was required to be commenced hereunder, (B) terminated the Offer in breach of the terms of the Merger Agreement or (C) made any change to the Offer in material breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement; provided that the Company shall not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to clause (A) if the Company’s breach of any provision of the Merger Agreement is the primary cause of the failure of the Purchaser to timely commence the Offer;

 

   

(A) all of the offer conditions and the merger conditions (other than any conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied by the delivery of documents or the taking of actions at the closing of the Merger, each of which would be, as of the date of notice referenced in clause (C) below, satisfied if the Acceptance Time and the closing of the Merger were to occur on such date) have been satisfied, (B) the Purchaser, following the Expiration Time and in violation of the terms of the Merger Agreement, fails to accept for purchase Shares validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, (C) the Company has provided written notice to the Purchaser (and the Company shall not have delivered written notice (which notice shall require the prior written approval of the Special Committee) purporting to revoke such notice (which revocation notice shall require the prior written approval of the Special Committee)) (1) that all of the offer conditions and the merger conditions (other than any conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied by the delivery of documents or the taking of actions at the closing of the Merger, each of which would be, as of the date of such notice, satisfied if the Acceptance Time and the closing of the Merger were to occur on the date of such notice) have been satisfied, (2) of the Company’s intention to terminate the Merger Agreement if the Purchaser fails to accept for purchase Shares validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and (3) that the Company is ready, willing and able to consummate the closing of the Merger on such date of notice and at all times during the two business day period immediately thereafter and (D) the Purchaser fails to accept for purchase Shares validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and consummate the closing of the Merger within two business days following the date of receipt of such written notice;

 

   

prior to the Acceptance Time, the Purchaser breaches any of its representations or warranties or fails to perform any of its covenants or agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Purchaser from consummating the Offer or the Merger and such breach or failure is incapable of being cured by the End Date or, if capable of being cured by the End Date, the Purchaser does not cure such breach or failure within 30 days after receipt by the Purchaser of written notice from the Company of such breach or failure; provided, however, that the Company may not invoke this termination right at any time that, the Company is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties, obligations or agreements under the Merger Agreement; or

 

   

in connection with the receipt of a Superior Proposal as permitted under the heading “—No Solicitation” above; provided that the Company has complied in all material respects with the remainder of that section in connection with such Superior Proposal.

 

49


If the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms, the Merger Agreement will become void and of no effect without liability of either party to the Merger Agreement (or any shareholder or Representative of such party) to the other party; provided that the Company shall not be relieved or released from any liabilities or damages arising out of its fraud or willful breach of the Merger Agreement, and that certain provisions of the Merger Agreement shall survive any termination of the Merger Agreement.

Special Termination Dividend

 

   

If the Merger Agreement is (i) unilaterally terminated by the Company for any of the reasons listed above or (ii) mutually terminated by either the Purchaser or the Company because the Acceptance Time has not occurred prior to the End Date and at such time, the Company could have unilaterally terminated the Merger Agreement for the reasons listed above, then unless prohibited by Section 1052 of the OGCA (and in that event, solely to the extent and solely for so long as so prohibited), the Company Board will, within three business days of such termination, declare and fix a record date for a cash dividend (the “Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend”) to be paid no later than 30 business days following such declaration date to holders of Shares in an amount per Share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) $250,000,000 by (ii) the number of Shares (other than Rollover Shares held by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders) issued and outstanding as of the date of such termination. Each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder irrevocably and unconditionally waived the right to receive the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend with respect to the Subject Shares and any other Shares beneficially owned by such person. In the Support Agreement, each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder has agreed to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its agents and representatives to ensure that no portion of the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend is paid to the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders, and if any Founder Family Rollover Shareholder receives any portion of the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend in respect of their Shares, such Founder Family Rollover Shareholder has agreed to provide notice to the Company and transfer any such monies received to the Company as promptly as practicable.

 

   

The Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend is payable only once, and not in duplication, even though such payment may be required under one or more provisions of the Merger Agreement. In the event that the Company declares and pays the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend in full, notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the payment in full of the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the Company, its shareholders, affiliates of the Company and Representatives of the Company for any and all losses or damages suffered or incurred by the Company, its shareholders, affiliates of the Company and Representatives of the Company in connection with the Merger Agreement (and the termination hereof), the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (and the abandonment thereof) or any matter forming the basis for such termination, and, none of the Purchaser, the Founder, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders or their affiliates or Representatives shall have any further liability, whether pursuant to a claim at law or in equity, to the Company, its shareholders, affiliates of the Company and Representatives of the Company in connection with the Merger Agreement (and the termination hereof), the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (and the abandonment thereof) or any matter forming the basis for such termination, and none of the Company, its shareholders, affiliates of the Company and Representatives of the Company shall be entitled to bring or maintain any action, suit or proceeding against the Purchaser, the Founder, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders or their affiliates or Representatives for damages or any equitable relief arising out of or in connection with the Merger Agreement (and the termination hereof), the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (and the abandonment thereof) or any matter forming the basis for such termination.

 

   

The parties to the Merger Agreement acknowledged and agreed that the payment of the Unaffiliated Shareholder Termination Dividend is not intended to be a penalty but rather is liquidated damages in a reasonable amount that will compensate the Company and its shareholders (other than the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders), as applicable, in the circumstances described above in which it is payable, for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities foregone while negotiating the Merger Agreement and in reliance on the Merger Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, which amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision.

 

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Costs and Expenses

Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Merger Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement will be paid by the party incurring such costs or expenses.

Amendment; Waiver

The Merger Agreement provides that any provision of the Merger Agreement may be amended or waived prior to the Merger Effective Time if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by each party to the Merger Agreement or, in the case of a waiver, by each party against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided that: (i) any such amendment accepted or waiver given by the Company will be at the direction of and approved by the Special Committee; (ii) after the Acceptance Time, no amendment shall be made that decreases the amount, or changes the form of, the Offer Price or the consideration payable pursuant to the Merger Agreement or that would adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Shares, other than the holders of Rollover Shares, in connection with the Merger; and (iii) following the contribution of the equity interests of the Purchaser to the Company by the Founder in accordance with the Merger Agreement, no such amendment or waiver shall be made without first obtaining the written approval of the Founder.

Actions that Require Special Committee Approval

The Merger Agreement provides that, notwithstanding anything in the Merger Agreement to the contrary, until the consummation of the Offer and the Merger, the Company may take the following actions only with the prior approval of, and will take any such action if directed to do so by, the Special Committee:

 

   

amending, restating, modifying or otherwise changing any provision of the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement or the Limited Guarantee;

 

   

waiving any right under the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement or the Limited Guarantee, or extending the time for the performance of any obligation of Purchaser under the Merger Agreement or any other party under the Support Agreement or the Limited Guarantee;

 

   

terminating the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement or the Limited Guarantee;

 

   

taking any action under the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement or the Limited Guarantee that expressly requires the approval of the Special Committee;

 

   

making any decision or determination, or taking any action under or with respect to the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement or the Limited Guarantee that would reasonably be expected to be, or is required to be, approved, authorized, ratified or adopted by the Company Board; and

 

   

agreeing to do any of the foregoing.

Additionally, no decision or determination may be made, or action taken, by the Company Board under or with respect to the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement or the Limited Guarantee without first obtaining the approval of the Special Committee. In the event that the Special Committee ceases to exist, any consents, determinations, actions or other rights or obligations afforded to the Special Committee will be afforded to a majority of the remaining independent and disinterested members of the Company Board.

Specified Persons

The Merger Agreement provides that, notwithstanding anything in the Merger Agreement to the contrary, to the extent any actions or omissions of the Founder, or certain of our executive officers and non-independent directors (collectively, the “Specified Persons”) taken at the direction of the Founder or with the Founder’s consent, would constitute a breach by the Company of a covenant or agreement contained in the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement or the Limited Guarantee, or would result in any of the representations or warranties of the Company

 

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contained in the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement or the Limited Guarantee becoming inaccurate for which the Company otherwise would have been responsible, such breach or inaccuracy will be disregarded as a basis for providing the Purchaser with any rights or remedies, or relieving the Purchaser of any obligations, or otherwise providing a benefit to the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement. Additionally, the Merger Agreement provides that the Purchaser does not have any right to rely on any failure of the Covenants Condition or the Representations and Warranties Condition (both as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer”) to be satisfied (or terminate the Merger Agreement in connection with a breach of a representation or warranty or covenant of the Company) or claim any damage or seek any other remedy at law or in equity to the extent that such failure, damage or injury arises from any actions or omissions of the Company, any Specified Person taken at the direction of the Founder or with the Founder’s consent.

17. Dividends and Distributions

As discussed in “—Section 16—The Merger Agreement—Operating Covenants,” pursuant to the Merger Agreement, from the date of the Merger Agreement until the Merger Effective Time, except: (i) with the prior written consent of the Purchaser (email by an officer of the Purchaser being sufficient and such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); (ii) as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (iii) as set forth in the confidential disclosure schedules that the Company delivered to the Founder and the Purchaser in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement; or (iv) as required by applicable law, the Company has agreed not to, and has agreed not to permit any of its subsidiaries to:

 

   

split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock;

 

   

declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its capital stock, except for dividends or other such distributions by any of its wholly owned subsidiaries; or

 

   

redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire or offer to redeem, repurchase, or otherwise acquire any securities of the Company or its subsidiaries except as required by the terms of the Company’s long-term incentive compensation plans.

18. Conditions to the Offer

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, the Purchaser shall not be required to accept for payment or pay for, or cause to be paid for, any Shares pursuant to the Offer, if:

 

  (i)

the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms;

 

  (ii)

the Company Board (upon the recommendation of the Special Committee) or the Special Committee shall have effected and not withdrawn an Adverse Recommendation Change (the “Special Committee Recommendation Condition”);

 

  (iii)

any injunction or other order is issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or any applicable law is issued, enacted or enforced that prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the Offer or the Merger;

 

  (iv)

(1) any of the representations of the Company contained in certain sections and regarding any of the following: (A) corporate existence and power; (B) corporate authorization; (C) absence of certain changes; (D) finders’ fees; (E) opinion of financial advisor; or (F) antitakeover statutes shall not be true and correct in all material respects at and as of immediately prior to the expiration of the Offer as if made at and as of such time (other than any such representation and warranty that by its terms addresses matters only as of another specified time, which shall be true only as of such time) or (2) any of the representations and warranties of the Company (disregarding all materiality and “Company Material Adverse Effect” qualifications contained therein) shall not be true and correct in all material respects at and as of immediately prior to the expiration of the Offer as if made at and as of such time (other than any such representation and warranty that by its terms addresses matters only as of another specified time, which shall be true only as of such time), in the case of clause (2) only, except as has not had and would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect (the “Representations and Warranties Condition”);

 

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  (v)

the Company shall have failed to perform in all material respects any of its obligations under the Merger Agreement required to be performed prior to the Expiration Time (the “Covenants Condition”);

 

  (vi)

there shall have occurred, from the date of the Merger Agreement, an event, circumstance, change, effect, development, condition or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect that is continuing; or

 

  (vii)

the Average Crude Oil Price determined on the day that is three business days prior to the Expiration Time is less than $60.24 (the “Average Crude Oil Price Condition”).

For purposes of the Merger Agreement, a “Company Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, occurrence or circumstance which, individually or in the aggregate, has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, assets, or continuing results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, excluding any effect from: (A) any changes in conditions or developments generally applicable to the oil and gas exploration, development or production industry in any area or areas where the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are located; (B) changes in the financial or securities markets or general economic or political conditions, including changes generally in supply, demand, price levels, inflation and the rate thereof, interest rates, changes in the price of any commodity (including hydrocarbons) or general market prices, changes in the cost of fuel, sand or proppants and changes in exchange rates, in each case in the United States or any area or areas where the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries are located; (C) the occurrence, escalation, outbreak or worsening of any cyberattacks, data breaches, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military conflicts; (D) the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine; (E) the existence, occurrence or continuation of any natural disasters, including any earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tropical storms, fires, pandemics, epidemics or other natural disasters; (F) changes or proposed changes in applicable law or applicable accounting regulations (including GAAP), including interpretations and the enforcement thereof; (G) the negotiation, execution, announcement, performance, pendency or consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including (i) by reason of the identity of the Founder or any of his affiliates or their respective financing sources, or any communication by the Purchaser, the Founder or any of their affiliates or their respective financing sources, including regarding their plans or intentions with respect to the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (ii) any litigation, claim or legal proceeding threatened or initiated against the Founder, the Purchaser, the Company or any of their respective affiliates, officers or directors, in each case, arising out of or relating to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the effect thereof on the relationships, contractual or otherwise, of the Company or any of its subsidiaries with employees, contractors, investors, customers, suppliers, lenders, partners and other third parties; provided that the exception in this clause (G) shall not apply, including for purposes of the conditions to the Offer, to the representations and warranties relating to non-contravention; (H) any action taken by the Special Committee or the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the Merger Agreement, or any action taken or not taken at the prior written request or direction of the Founder or the Purchaser; (I) any failure by the Company and its subsidiaries to meet any internal, external or published budgets, projections, forecasts or predictions of financial performance or results of operations for any period (but this clause (I) shall not prevent a party from asserting that any change, event, occurrence or circumstance that may have contributed to such failure, and that is not otherwise excepted pursuant to this definition, independently constitutes or contributes to a Company Material Adverse Effect); or (J) any change in the market price, trading volume or credit rating of any of the Company’s securities; provided that the exception in this clause (J) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change, event, occurrence or circumstance underlying such change, and that is not otherwise excepted pursuant to this definition, has resulted in or contributed to a Company Material Adverse Effect; provided that, with respect to clauses (A) through (F), any effects resulting from any change, event, occurrence or circumstance that have had a materially disproportionate adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other participants in the oil and gas exploration, development and production industry may be considered (to the extent not otherwise excepted pursuant to this definition) for purposes of determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred pursuant to this definition (but only to the extent of the incremental disproportionate effect thereof).

 

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Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the foregoing offer conditions are for the sole benefit of the Purchaser and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, may be waived by the Purchaser, in whole or in part, at any time, at the sole discretion of the Purchaser. The failure or delay by the Purchaser at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and from time to time.

19. Certain Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals

Regulatory Matters

General

Based on our examination of publicly available information filed by the Company with the SEC and a review of certain information furnished by the Company to us, we are not aware of any governmental license or regulatory permit that appears to be material to the Company’s business that might be adversely affected by our acquisition of Shares pursuant to the Offer or, except as set forth below, of any approval or other action by any government or governmental authority or agency, domestic, foreign or supernational, that would be required for our acquisition or ownership of Shares pursuant to the Offer. Should any such approval or other action be required or desirable, we currently contemplate that such approval or other action will be sought. Except as described below, there is no current intent to delay the purchase of Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer pending the outcome of any such matter. We are unable to predict whether we will determine that we are required to delay the acceptance for payment of or payment for Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer pending the outcome of any approval or other action not described below. There can be no assurance that any such approval or other action, if needed, would be obtained (with or without substantial conditions) or that if such approvals were not obtained or such other actions were not taken adverse consequences might not result to the Company’s business or certain parts of the Company’s business might not have to be disposed of, any of which could cause us to elect to terminate the Offer without the purchase of Shares thereunder. Our obligation under the Offer to accept for payment and pay for Shares is subject to the conditions set forth in “—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer.”

State Takeover Statutes

In general, Section 1090.3 of the OGCA prevents an Oklahoma corporation from engaging in a “business combination” (defined to include mergers and certain other actions) with an “interested shareholder” (including a person who owns or has the right to acquire 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting stock) for a period of three years following the date such person became an “interested shareholder” unless, among other things, the “business combination” is approved by the board of directors of such corporation before such person became an “interested shareholder.” Since the Founder has been an interested shareholder for more than three years before the Offer and Merger, the provisions of Section 1090.3 of the OGCA are inapplicable to the Company. However, the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions similar to the provisions of Section 1090.3 of the OGCA, except that certain exempted persons, including the Purchaser and its affiliates, are excluded from the definition of “interested shareholder.” The Company has represented to us in the Merger Agreement that the Company has taken all action necessary to exempt the Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the other transactions contemplated thereby from the restrictions on business combination of Section 1090.3 of the OGCA.

In addition to Section 1090.3 of the OGCA, a number of other states have adopted laws which purport, to varying degrees, to apply to attempts to acquire corporations that are incorporated in, or which have substantial assets, shareholders, principal executive offices or principal places of business or whose business operations otherwise have substantial economic effects in, such states. The Company, directly or through subsidiaries, conducts business in a number of states throughout the United States, some of which may have enacted such laws. Except as described herein, we do not know whether any of these laws will, by their terms, apply to the Offer or the Merger, and we have not attempted to comply with any such laws. The Company has represented to us in the Merger Agreement that no other “control share acquisition,” “fair price,” “moratorium” or other antitakeover laws enacted under U.S. state or federal laws apply to the Merger Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

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If any government official or third party seeks to apply any state takeover law to the Offer or the Merger, we will take such action as then appears desirable, which action may include challenging the applicability or validity of such statute in appropriate court proceedings. If it is asserted that one or more state takeover statutes is applicable to the Offer or the Merger and an appropriate court does not determine that it is inapplicable or invalid as applied to the Offer or the Merger, we may be required to file certain information with, or to receive approvals from, the relevant state authorities or holders of Shares, and we may be unable to accept for payment or pay for Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, or be delayed in continuing or consummating the Offer or the Merger. In such case, we may not be obligated to accept for payment or pay for any tendered Shares. See “—Section 18— Conditions to the Offer.”

Regulatory Undertakings

Under the Merger Agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt, any actions described under the heading “—No Solicitation” above), the Company and the Purchaser have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable (in each case, to the extent within each party’s control) under applicable law to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement as soon as practicable (and in any event prior to the End Date), including: (i) preparing and filing (and the Purchaser shall cause its applicable affiliates to prepare and file) as promptly as practicable with any governmental authority, or other third party all documentation to effect all necessary, proper or advisable filings, notices, petitions, statements, registrations, submissions of information, applications and other documents (including any filings requested or recommended by any governmental authority pursuant to its regulations); and (ii) obtaining and maintaining all approvals, consents, registrations, permits, authorizations and other confirmations required to be obtained from any governmental authority or other third party that are necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

From and after the date of the Merger Agreement, each of the Company and the Purchaser has agreed to promptly notify the other of any of the following: (i) any notice or other communication from any person alleging that the consent of such person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (ii) any notice or other communication from any governmental authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (iii) any actions, suits, claims, proceedings or, to such party’s knowledge, investigations commenced or, to such party’s knowledge, threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the Purchaser, as the case may be, that relate to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and (iv) any failure of that party to perform in all material respects any of its obligations under the Merger Agreement that is reasonably likely to cause an offer condition (as set forth in Annex I to the Merger Agreement) not to be satisfied by it hereunder; provided that the delivery of any notice shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to the party receiving such notice and the failure to deliver any notice shall not constitute a breach of the Merger Agreement.

Litigation Related to the Offer and the Merger

On August 11, 2022, Pembroke Pines Firefighters & Police Officers Pension Fund (“Pembroke”), a beneficial owner of Shares, delivered a demand letter (the “Demand Letter”) to the Company requesting the inspection of its books and records in order to investigate potential breaches of fiduciary duties by the Company Board, senior management, and the Founder under Oklahoma law in connection with the proposed transaction. On August 18, 2022, the Company delivered a response to the Demand Letter to stating that the Demand Letter was premature, overbroad, speculative and unfounded. On October 20, 2022, Pembroke updated the Demand Letter.

On August 25, 2022, Walter T. Doggett, on behalf of himself and a class of all other similarly situated public shareholders of the Company (such parties, collectively, the “Doggett Plaintiffs”), filed a class action petition in the District Court of Oklahoma County in the State of Oklahoma (the “District Court”) against the Founder, as the controlling shareholder of the Company, for breaches of fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed transaction. The Doggett Plaintiffs, among other things, allege that the proposal made by the Founder is intrinsically unfair to the Doggett Plaintiffs and that the Founder breached fiduciary duties owed to the Doggett Plaintiffs. The Doggett Plaintiffs seek, among other things: (i) an injunction against the consummation of the proposed transaction or, if the proposed transaction is consummated, monetary damages; (ii) regardless of whether the proposed transaction is consummated, reimbursement for the costs and disbursements of bringing the lawsuit, including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees; and (iii) other equitable relief. The Founder intends to defend himself vigorously against this lawsuit.

 

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Other lawsuits arising out of or relating to the Offer, the Merger or any other transactions referenced herein may be filed in the future.

20. Fees and Expenses

Intrepid has provided certain financial advisory services to the Founder in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, for which Intrepid will receive compensation, as described above under “Special Factors—Section 2—Materials Prepared by the Founder’s Financial Advisor.” In the ordinary course, Intrepid and its affiliates may trade Shares for their own accounts and accounts of customers, and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in the Shares.

We have retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to act as the Information Agent and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC to act as the Depositary in connection with the Offer. The Information Agent may contact holders of Shares by mail, telephone and personal interviews and may request brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees to forward materials relating to the Offer to beneficial owners. The Information Agent and the Depositary each will receive reasonable and customary compensation for their respective services, will be reimbursed for certain reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will be indemnified against certain liabilities in connection therewith, including certain liabilities under the U.S. federal securities laws.

We will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or any other person (other than the Information Agent and the Depositary) for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer. Brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees will, upon request, be reimbursed by us for reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in forwarding materials to their customers.

The following is an estimate of fees and expenses to be incurred by the Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement:

 

Type of Fee

   Amount  

Filing Fees

   $ 474,943  

Depositary and Exchange Agent

     30,700  

Information Agent (including mailing and advertisement cost)

     255,000  

Printing and other

     30,000  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 790,643  
  

 

 

 

In addition to the fees and expenses described above, the Founder has agreed to pay Intrepid a transaction fee, a portion of which payment is contingent and payable upon consummation of the Merger. The Purchaser also anticipates that it will incur legal expenses in connection with the Offer and the Merger, including fees and expenses of counsel to the Founder.

The Company will incur its own fees and expenses in connection with the Offer.

21. Conduct of the Company’s Business If the Offer Is Not Consummated

If the Offer is not consummated, we will re-evaluate our options with respect to the Company. In particular, we may, among other things:

 

   

not take any action at that time, including not purchasing any additional Shares; and/or

 

   

make a new tender offer.

If we were to pursue either of these alternatives, it might take considerably longer for the Public Shareholders to receive any consideration for their Shares (other than through sales in the open market) than if they had tendered their Shares in the Offer. No assurance can be given that any of such alternatives will be pursued or as to the price per Share that may be paid in any such future acquisition of the Shares or the effect any such actions could have on trading price of the Shares.

 

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22. Miscellaneous

The Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Shares in any U.S. or foreign jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions where the applicable laws require that the Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Purchaser by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction to be designated by the Purchaser. We are not aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer is prohibited by any administrative or judicial action pursuant to any valid state statute. If we become aware of any valid state statute prohibiting the making of the Offer or the acceptance of the Shares, we will make a good faith effort to comply with that state statute. If, after a good faith effort, we cannot comply with the state statute, we will not make the Offer to, nor will we accept tenders from or on behalf of, the holders of Shares in that state.

No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representation on behalf of the Founder, the Purchaser or any of its respective affiliates not contained in this Offer to Purchase or in the related Letter of Transmittal and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized.

The Founder Family Group and the Company have filed with the SEC the Schedule 13E-3, together with exhibits, furnishing certain additional information with respect to the Offer, and may file amendments thereto. In addition, the Company has filed the Schedule 14D-9, together with the exhibits, setting forth the Company Board Recommendation and furnishing certain additional related information pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Schedule 13E-3 and the Schedule 14D-9 and any exhibits or amendments may be examined, and copies may be obtained from the SEC in the manner described in “—Section 8—Certain Information Concerning the Company” and “—Section 9—Certain Information Concerning the Founder Family Group” above.

Omega Acquisition, Inc.

October 24, 2022

 

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SCHEDULE I

Directors and Executive Officers of the Purchaser

The name, current principal occupation or employment and material occupations, positions, offices or employment for the past five years of the sole director and executive officers of the Purchaser are set forth below.

 

Name

  

Current Principal Occupation or Employment and Five-Year Employment History

Harold G. Hamm   

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company May 2021 – Present

President and Sole Director of the Purchaser October 2022 – Present

Executive Chairman of the Company January 2020 – May 2021

Chief Executive Officer of the Company 1967 – December 2019

Shelly G. Lambertz   

Director of the Company May 2018 – Present

Vice President and Secretary of the Purchaser October 2022 – Present

Executive Vice President, Chief Culture and Administrative Officer of the

Company January 2022 – Present

Chief Culture Officer, Senior Vice President, Human Resources of the

Company February 2020 – January 2022

Vice President, Human Resources of Company October 2018 – February 2020

Chief Operating Officer of Hamm Capital August 2011 – October 2018

 

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Founder and the Founder Family Group

The name, current principal occupation or employment and material occupations, positions, offices or employment for the past five years of the Founder and the Founder Family Group are set forth below.

Natural Persons

 

Name

  

Current Principal Occupation or Employment and Five-Year Employment History

Harold G. Hamm    See the above table titled “Directors and Executive Officers of the Purchaser”
Roger Clement    Certified Public Accountant (self-employed)
Deana Ann Cunningham    Self-employed
Harold Thomas Hamm    Owner – TSC Environmental (d.b.a. Trinity Services and Consulting LLC) (self-employed)
Hilary Honor Hamm   

Director of Federal Affairs and Corporate Sustainability of the Company, April 2022 – Present

Senior Manager of Partnerships at Concordia, September 2021 – March 2022

Jane Elizabeth Hamm Lerum   

Student at Oklahoma University

Oklahoma County, January 2019 – July 2020

Shelly G. Lambertz    See the above table titled “Directors and Executive Officers of the Purchaser”
Jackson Alexander White   

Senior Associate Data Science Analyst at the Company

Former student at Southern Methodist University

Entities

 

Name

  

Principal Business and State of Organization

Transwestern Transports LLC    An Oklahoma limited liability company

Harold G. Hamm Trust

2015 Shelly Glenn Lambertz Trust I

2015 Shelly Glenn Lambertz Trust II

Shelly Glenn Lambertz Succession Trust

2015 Harold Thomas Hamm Trust I

2015 Harold Thomas Hamm Trust II

Harold Thomas Hamm Succession Trust

2015 Deana Ann Cunningham Trust I

2015 Deana Ann Cunningham Trust II

Deana Ann Cunningham Succession Trust

2015 Hilary Honor Hamm Trust I

2015 Hilary Honor Hamm Trust II

Hilary Honor Hamm 2005 Irrevocable Trust

2015 Jane Hamm Lerum Trust I

2015 Jane Hamm Lerum Trust II

Jane Elizabeth Hamm 2005 Irrevocable Trust

   The Hamm family trusts were established by certain members of the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders. All of the trusts were established in the State of Oklahoma and are governed by Oklahoma law.

 

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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth: (i) certain information with respect to the Shares beneficially owned by the Founder Family Group, the Founder and the Purchaser and, to the best of their knowledge, their respective directors and officers; and (ii) the purchases of Shares by the Founder Family Group, the Founder and the Purchaser and, to the best of their knowledge, their respective directors and officers during the past 60 days. The security ownership information in the table below is given as of the date of this Offer to Purchase and, in the case of percentage ownership information, is based on 363,019,728 Shares outstanding as of October 16, 2022. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC (except as noted below).

 

     Securities Ownership  

Filing Person

   Number      Percent     Securities
Transactions
for Past 60
Days
 

Roger Clement(1)

     142,929,154        39.4     None  

Deana Ann Cunningham(2)

     28,768,467        7.9     None  

Harold Thomas Hamm(3)

     28,767,596        7.9     None  

Hilary Honor Hamm(4)

     28,418,182        7.8     None  

Jane Elizabeth Hamm Lerum(5)

     28,635,433        7.9     None  

Shelly Glenn Lambertz(6)

     28,571,403        7.9     None  

Jackson Alexander White(7)

     2,322        *       None  

Founder(8)

     184,862,306        50.9     None  

Purchaser

     0        0     None  

All of the Founder Family Group as a group

     299,736,024        82.6     None  

All directors and officers of the Purchaser as a group

     206,753,148        57.0     None  

 

*

Less than 1%

(1)

As reported by the Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 19, 2022. Mr. Clement indirectly beneficially owns the reported Shares through trusts for which he serves as trustee or co-trustee. Mr. Clement disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have therein, directly or indirectly.

(2)

As reported by the Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 19, 2022. Ms. Cunningham directly beneficially owns 1,600 Shares in her individual capacity and indirectly beneficially owns (i) 5,380,561 Shares through the 2015 Deana Ann Cunningham Trust I, (ii) 23,302,648 Shares through the 2015 Deana Ann Cunningham Trust II and (iii) 83,658 Shares through the Deana Ann Cunningham Succession Trust, each of which Ms. Cunningham serves as trustee or co-trustee. Ms. Cunningham disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported Shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest she may have therein, directly or indirectly.

(3)

As reported by the Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 19, 2022. Mr. Hamm indirectly beneficially owns (i) 5,380,561 Shares through the 2015 Harold Thomas Hamm Trust I, (ii) 23,302,648 Shares through the 2015 Harold Thomas Hamm Trust II and (iii) 84,387 Shares through the Harold Thomas Hamm Succession Trust, each of which Mr. Hamm serves as trustee or co-trustee. Mr. Hamm disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported Shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have therein, directly or indirectly.

(4)

As reported by the Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 19, 2022. Ms. Hamm directly beneficially owns 1,449 Shares she holds in her individual capacity, which includes (a) 429 Shares of restricted common stock which vest on February 15, 2023, (b) 510 Shares of restricted common stock which vest on February 15, 2024 and (c) 510 Shares of restricted common stock which vest on February 15, 2025 and indirectly beneficially owns (i) 5,507,764 Shares through the 2015 Hilary Honor Hamm Trust I and (ii) 22,908,969 Shares through the 2015 Hilary Honor Hamm Trust II, each of which Ms. Hamm serves as co-trustee. Ms. Hamm disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported Shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest she may have therein, directly or indirectly.

(5)

As reported by the Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 19, 2022. Ms. Lerum indirectly beneficially owns (i) 5,507,764 Shares through the 2015 Jane Hamm Lerum Trust I and (ii) 23,127,669 Shares through the 2015 Jane Hamm Lerum Trust II, each of which Ms. Lerum serves as co-trustee. Ms. Lerum disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported Shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest she may have therein, directly or indirectly.

 

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(6)

As reported by the Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 19, 2022. Ms. Lambertz directly beneficially owns 140,513 Shares she holds in her individual capacity, which includes (a) 27,865 Shares of restricted common stock which vest on February 15, 2023, (b) 46,532 Shares of restricted common stock which vest on February 15, 2024 and (c) 36,772 Shares of restricted common stock which vest on February 15, 2025 and indirectly beneficially owns (i) 83,658 Shares through the Shelly Glenn Lambertz Succession Trust, (ii) 5,380,561 Shares through the 2015 Shelly Glenn Lambertz Trust I, (iii) 22,962,483 Shares through the 2015 Shelly Glenn Lambertz Trust II, whereby Ms. Lambertz serves as trustee or co-trustee of each of the aforementioned trusts, (iv) 2,300 Shares held by Ms. Lambertz’s spouse and (v) 1,888 Shares through a custodial account, which Ms. Lambertz manages as custodian for her son Zachary Richard Lambertz. Ms. Lambertz disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported Shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest she may have therein, directly or indirectly.

(7)

As reported by the Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 19, 2022. Mr. White directly beneficially owns the reported Shares in individual capacity, which includes (i) 118 Shares of restricted common Stock which vest on February 15, 2023, (ii) 158 Shares of restricted common stock which vest on February 15, 2024 and (iii) 158 Shares of restricted common stock which vest on February 15, 2025.

(8)

As reported by the Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on October 19, 2022. Founder beneficially owns 184,862,306 Shares, including (i) 156,340,643 Shares he owns directly, which includes 10,405 Shares of restricted common stock that vest on May 1, 2023, (ii) 64,452 Shares held by Transwestern Transports LLC, an entity of which the Hamm G. Hamm Trust is the sole member, and (iii) 28,457,211 Shares with respect to which Founder holds an irrevocable proxy granted by certain trusts established for the benefit of his family.

 

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SCHEDULE II

General Corporation Act of Oklahoma Section 1091 Appraisal Rights

(A) Any shareholder of a corporation of this state who holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to the provisions of subsection D of this section with respect to the shares, who continuously holds the shares through the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied with the provisions of subsection D of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to the provisions of Section 1073 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the district court of the fair value of the shares of stock under the circumstances described in subsections B and C of this section. As used in this section, the word “shareholder” means a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation; the words “stock” and “share” mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words; and “depository receipt” means an instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in one or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.

(B) (1) Except as otherwise provided for in this subsection, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation, or of the acquired corporation in a share acquisition, to be effected pursuant to the provisions of Section 1081 of this title, other than a merger effected pursuant to subsection G of Section 1081 of this title, or the provisions of Section 108210841085108610871090.1 or 1090.2 of this title.

(2) (a) No appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock which stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting of shareholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, or, the case of a merger pursuant to subsection H of Section 1081 of this title, as of immediately before the execution of the agreement of merger, were either:

1. listed on a national securities exchange; or

2. held of record by more than two thousand holders.

(b) In addition, no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the shareholders of the surviving corporation as provided for in subsection F of Section 1081 of this title.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2 of this subsection, appraisal rights provided for in this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to the provisions of Section 1081, 1082, 1084, 1085, 1086, 1087, 1090.1 or 1090.2 of this title to accept for the stock anything except:

(a) shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from the merger or consolidation or depository receipts thereof, or

(b) shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock or depository receipts at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than two thousand holders, or

(c) cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in subparagraphs a and b of this paragraph, or

(d) any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts, and cash in lieu of the fractional shares or depository receipts described in subparagraphs a, b, and c of this paragraph.

(4) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Oklahoma corporation party to a merger effected pursuant to the provisions of Section 1083 or 1083.1 of this title is not owned by the parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Oklahoma corporation.

 

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(C) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision, the procedures of this section, including those set forth in subsections D and E of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.

(D) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:

(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of shareholders, the corporation, not less than twenty (20) days prior to the meeting, shall notify each of its shareholders who was such on the record date for notice of such meeting, or such members who received notice in accordance with subsection C of Section 1081 of this title, with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to subsection B or C of this section that appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations, and shall include in the notice a copy of this section and, if one of the constituent corporations is a nonstock corporation, a copy of Section 1004.1 of this title. Each shareholder electing to demand the appraisal of the shares of the shareholder shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for appraisal of the shares of the shareholder. The demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the shareholder and that the shareholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of the shares of the shareholder. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation shall not constitute such a demand. A shareholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within ten (10) days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation shall notify each shareholder of each constituent corporation who has complied with the provisions of this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger or consolidation as of the date that the merger or consolidation has become effective; or

(2) If the merger or consolidation is approved pursuant to the provisions of Section 1073, subsection H of Section 1081Section 1083 or Section 1083.1 of this title, either a constituent corporation before the effective date of the merger or consolidation or the surviving or resulting corporation within ten (10) days thereafter shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of stock of the constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of the constituent corporation, and shall include in the notice a copy of this section and, if one of the constituent corporations is a nonstock corporation, a copy of Section 1004.1 of this title. The notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify the shareholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any shareholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within twenty (20) days after the date of mailing of the notice or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to subsection H of Section 1081 of this title, within the later of the consummation of an offer contemplated by subsection H of Section 1081 of this title and twenty (20) days after the date of mailing of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting corporation the appraisal of the holder’s shares. The demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the shareholder and that the shareholder intends to demand the appraisal of the holder’s shares. If the notice does not notify shareholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation either:

(a) each constituent corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of the constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, or

(b) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send a second notice to all holders on or within ten (10) days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation; provided, however, that if the second notice is sent more than twenty (20) days following the mailing of the first notice or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to subsection H of Section 1081 of this title, later than the later of the consummation of the offer contemplated by subsection H of Section 1081 of this title and twenty (20) days following the sending of the first notice, the second notice need only be sent to each shareholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of the holder’s shares in accordance with this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either notice that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than ten (10) days prior to the date the notice is given; provided, if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be the effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the notice is given.

 

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(E) Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation or any shareholder who has complied with the provisions of subsections A and D of this section and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights, may file a petition in district court demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within sixty (60) days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any shareholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party shall have the right to withdraw the demand of the shareholder for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation. Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any shareholder who has complied with the requirements of subsections A and D of this section, upon written request, shall be entitled to receive from the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger or consolidation or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to subsection H of Section 1081 of this title, the aggregate number of shares, other than any excluded stock (as defined in subparagraph d of paragraph 6 of subsection H of Section 1081 of this title), that were the subject of, and were not tendered into, and accepted for purchase or exchange in, the offer referred to in paragraph 2 of subsection H of Section 1081 of this title and, in either case, with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of the shares. The written statement shall be mailed to the shareholder within ten (10) days after the shareholder’s written request for a statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within ten (10) days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal pursuant to the provisions of subsection D of this section, whichever is later. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, a person who is the beneficial owner of shares of such stock held either in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person may, in such person’s own name, file a petition or request from the corporation the statement described in this section.

(F) Upon the filing of any such petition by a shareholder, service of a copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which, within twenty (20) days after service, shall file, in the office of the court clerk of the district court in which the petition was filed, a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all shareholders who have demanded payment for their shares and with whom agreements regarding the value of their shares have not been reached by the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be accompanied by such duly verified list. The court clerk, if so ordered by the court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing on the petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting corporation and to the shareholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. Notice shall also be given by one or more publications at least one (1) week before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, or other publication as the court deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.

(G) At the hearing on the petition, the court shall determine the shareholders who have complied with the provisions of this section and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The court may require the shareholders who have demanded an appraisal of their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the court clerk for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any shareholder fails to comply with this direction, the court may dismiss the proceedings as to that shareholder. If immediately before the merger or consolidation the shares of the class or series of stock of the constituent corporation as to which appraisal rights are available were listed on a national securities exchange, the court shall dismiss the proceedings as to all holders of such shares who are otherwise entitled to appraisal rights unless (1) the total number of shares entitled to appraisal exceeds one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of the class or series eligible for appraisal, (2) the value of the consideration provided in the merger or consolidation for such total number of shares exceeds One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), or (3) the merger was approved pursuant to Section 1083 or Section 1083.1 of this title.

(H) After determining the shareholders entitled to an appraisal, the court shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or consolidation, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining the fair value, the court shall take into account all relevant factors. In determining the fair rate of interest, the court may consider all relevant factors. Unless the court in its discretion determines otherwise for good

 

S-3


cause shown, and except as provided in this subsection, interest from the effective date of the merger through the date of payment of the judgment shall be compounded quarterly and shall accrue at five percent (5%) over the Federal Reserve discount rate including any surcharge, as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the merger and the date of payment of judgment. At any time before the entry of judgment in the proceedings, the surviving corporation may pay to each shareholder entitled to appraisal an amount in cash, in which case interest shall accrue thereafter as provided herein only upon the sum of (1) the difference, if any, between the amount so paid and the fair value of the shares as determined by the court, and (2) interest theretofore accrued, unless paid at that time. Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or by any shareholder entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the court may, in its discretion, proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the shareholder entitled to an appraisal. Any shareholder whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting corporation pursuant to the provisions of subsection F of this section and who has submitted the certificates of stock of the shareholder to the court clerk, if required, may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that the shareholder is not entitled to appraisal rights pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(I) The court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to the shareholders entitled thereto. Payment shall be made to each shareholder, in the case of holders of uncertificated stock immediately, and in the case of holders of shares represented by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the certificates representing the stock. The court’s decree may be enforced as other decrees in the district court may be enforced, whether the surviving or resulting corporation be a corporation of this state or of any other state.

(J) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the court and taxed upon the parties as the court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application of a shareholder, the court may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any shareholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all of the shares entitled to an appraisal.

(K) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no shareholder who has demanded appraisal rights as provided for in subsection D of this section shall be entitled to vote the stock for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock, except dividends or other distributions payable to shareholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation; provided, however, that if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided for in subsection E of this section, or if the shareholder shall deliver to the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of the shareholder’s demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation, either within sixty (60) days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation as provided for in subsection E of this section or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of the shareholder to an appraisal shall cease; provided further, no appraisal proceeding in the district court shall be dismissed as to any shareholder without the approval of the court, and approval may be conditioned upon terms as the court deems just; provided, however, that this provision shall not affect the right of any shareholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party to withdraw such shareholder’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation within sixty (60) days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, as set forth in subsection E of this section.

(L) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation into which the shares of any objecting shareholders would have been converted had they assented to the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation.

 

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Facsimile copies of the Letter of Transmittal will be accepted. The Letter of Transmittal and certificates for Shares and any other required documents should be sent to the Depositary at one of the addresses set forth below:

The Depositary for the Offer is:

 

LOGO

 

By Overnight Courier:    By Regular, Registered, Certified or Express Mail:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

c/o Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

  

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

c/o Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

If you have questions or need additional copies of this Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal, you can contact the Information Agent at the addresses and telephone numbers set forth below. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

D.F. King & Co., Inc.

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, New York 10005

Shareholders (toll-free): (800) 283-9185

Banks and Brokers: (212) 269-5550

Email: CLR@dfking.com

Exhibit (a)(1)(ii)

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

To Tender Shares of Common Stock of Continental Resources, Inc. at $74.28 Per Share in Cash Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated October 24, 2022 by Omega Acquisition, Inc., an entity wholly-owned by Harold G. Hamm

 

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT ONE MINUTE AFTER 11:59 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE “EXPIRATION TIME”) OR EARLIER TERMINATED.

Method of delivery of the certificate(s) is at the option and risk of the owner thereof. See Instruction 2.

Mail or deliver this Letter of Transmittal, together with the certificate(s) representing your shares, to:

 

LOGO

 

By Overnight Courier:    By Regular, Registered, Certified or Express Mail:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

c/o Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

  

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

c/o Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

By Facsimile: (718) 765-8758

Pursuant to the offer of Omega Acquisition, Inc. to purchase any and all outstanding Shares (as defined below) of Continental Resources, Inc. (other than: (i) Shares owned by the Founder (as defined below), certain of the Founder’s family members and their affiliated entities; and (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company restricted stock awards (such Shares, together with the Shares referred to in clause (i), the “Rollover Shares”)), the undersigned encloses herewith and surrenders the following certificate(s) representing Shares:

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES SURRENDERED

Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Owner(s)

(If blank, please fill in exactly as name(s)  appear(s) on share certificate(s))

  

Shares Surrendered

(attached additional list if necessary)

    

Certificated Shares**

    
    

Certificate

Number(s)*

  

Total Number of

Shares

Represented by

Certificate(s)*

  

Number of

Shares

Surrendered**

  

Book Entry

Shares

Surrendered

           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
   Total Shares         
  

*   Need not be completed by book-entry shareholders.

**   Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all shares of common stock represented by certificates described above are being tendered and surrendered hereby.

 


PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR ANY OF THE OTHER OFFERING DOCUMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE INFORMATION AGENT, D.F. KING & CO., INC., FOR SHAREHOLDERS AT (800) 714-3312 (TOLL FREE), OR FOR BANKS AND BROKERS AT (212) 269-5550.

You have received this Letter of Transmittal in connection with the offer of Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and an affiliate of Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), to purchase any and all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of the Company, other than: (i) Shares owned by the Founder, certain of the Founder’s family members and their affiliated entities; and (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company restricted stock awards, for $74.28 per Share, in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes as described in the Offer to Purchase, dated October 24, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase” and which, together with this Letter of Transmittal, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, constitutes the “Offer”).

You should use this Letter of Transmittal to deliver to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Depositary”) Shares represented by stock certificates, or held in book-entry form on the books of the Company, for tender. If you are delivering your Shares by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Depositary at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), you must use an Agent’s Message (as defined in Instruction 2 below). In this Letter of Transmittal, shareholders who deliver certificates representing their Shares are referred to as “Certificate Shareholders,” and shareholders who deliver their Shares through book-entry transfer are referred to as “Book-Entry Shareholders.”

If certificates for your Shares are not immediately available or you cannot deliver your certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time or you cannot complete the book-entry transfer procedures prior to the Expiration Time, you may nevertheless tender your Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2 below. Delivery of documents to DTC will not constitute delivery to the Depositary.

 

   CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE PARTICIPANTS IN DTC MAY DELIVER SHARES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER):

 

Name of Tendering Institution:                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

DTC Participant Number:                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

Transaction Code Number:                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

   CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (PLEASE ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF SUCH NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY):

 

Name(s) of Registered Owner(s):                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

Window Ticket Number (if any) or DTC Participant Number:                                                                                                                                    

 

Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:                                                                                                                                                 

 

Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:                                                                                                                                                        

 

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NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.

PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Purchaser”), 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and an affiliate of Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), the above described shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”) of the Company in exchange for $74.28 per Share, in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated October 24, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and this Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this “Letter of Transmittal” and which, together with the Offer to Purchase, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, constitutes the “Offer”). The Offer is being made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 16, 2022 (as amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), between the Company and the Purchaser. The Merger Agreement provides that promptly (and, in any event, within two business days) after the expiration of the Offer, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the time at which Shares may be first accepted for payment under the Offer, the “Acceptance Time”). Immediately prior to the Acceptance Time, the Founder will contribute 100% of the capital stock of the Purchaser to the Company, as a result of which the Purchaser will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that as soon as practicable following the Acceptance Time, and under the terms of the Merger Agreement as described in the Offer to Purchase, the Purchaser will effect the Merger (defined in the Offer to Purchase). The undersigned understands that the Purchaser reserves the right to transfer or assign, from time to time, in whole or in part, to one or more of its affiliates, the right to purchase the Shares tendered herewith.

On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of such extension or amendment), subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment and payment for the Shares validly tendered herewith, and not properly withdrawn, prior to the Expiration Time in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Purchaser, all right, title and interest in and to all of the Shares being tendered hereby. In addition, the undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Depositary”) the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact and proxy of the undersigned with respect to such Shares with full power of substitution (such proxies and power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest in the tendered shares) to the full extent of such shareholder’s rights with respect to such Shares: (a) to deliver certificates representing Shares (the “Share Certificates”), or transfer of ownership of such Shares on the account books maintained by DTC, together, in either such case, with all accompanying evidence of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of the Purchaser; (b) to present such Shares for transfer on the books of the Company; and (c) to receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares, all in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

The undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints each of the designees of the Purchaser the attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to the full extent of such shareholder’s rights with respect to the Shares tendered hereby which have been accepted for payment. The designees of the Purchaser will, with respect to the Shares for which the appointment is effective, be empowered to exercise all voting and any other rights of such shareholder, as they, in their sole discretion, may deem proper at any annual, special, adjourned or postponed meeting of the Company’s shareholders, by written consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. This proxy and power of attorney shall be irrevocable and coupled with an interest in the tendered Shares. Such appointment is effective when, and only to the extent that, the Purchaser accepts the Shares tendered with this Letter of Transmittal for payment pursuant to the Offer. Upon the effectiveness of such appointment, without further action, all prior powers of attorney, proxies and consents given by the undersigned with respect to such Shares will be revoked and no subsequent powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations may be given (and, if given, will not be deemed effective). The Purchaser reserves the right to require that, in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon the Purchaser’s acceptance for payment of such Shares, the Purchaser must be able to exercise full voting, consent and other rights, to the extent permitted under applicable law, with respect to such Shares, including voting at any meeting of shareholders or executing a written consent concerning any matter.

 

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The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Shares tendered hereby and, when the same are accepted for payment by the Purchaser, the Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and the same will not be subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned is the registered owner of the Shares, or the Share Certificate(s) have been endorsed to the undersigned in blank, or the undersigned is a participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or the Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Shares tendered hereby.

It is understood that the undersigned will not receive payment for the Shares unless and until the Shares are accepted for payment and until the Share Certificate(s) owned by the undersigned are received by the Depositary at the address set forth above, together with such additional documents as the Depositary may require, or, in the case of Shares held in book-entry form, ownership of Shares is validly transferred on the account books maintained by DTC, and until the same are processed for payment by the Depositary.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE SHARES, THE SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC) IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE UNDERSIGNED AND THAT THE RISK OF LOSS OF SUCH SHARES, SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS SHALL PASS ONLY AFTER THE DEPOSITARY HAS ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE SHARES OR SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION (AS DEFINED BELOW)). IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS BE SENT BY PROPERLY INSURED REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE AND RISK OF LOSS AND TITLE WILL PASS FROM THE OWNER ONLY WHEN RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred pursuant to this Letter of Transmittal shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.

The undersigned understands that the acceptance for payment by the Purchaser of Shares tendered pursuant to one of the procedures described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

Unless otherwise indicated herein under “Special Payment Instructions,” please issue the check for the purchase price in the name(s) of, and/or return any Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment to, the registered owner(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” please mail the check for the purchase price and/or return any Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered owner(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” In the event that both the Special Delivery Instructions and the Special Payment Instructions are completed, please issue the check for the purchase price and/or issue any Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) in the name of, and deliver such check and/or return such Share Certificates (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) to, the person or persons so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box titled “Special Payment Instructions,” please credit any Shares tendered hereby or by an Agent’s Message and delivered by book-entry transfer, but which are not purchased, by crediting the account at DTC designated above. The undersigned recognizes that the Purchaser has no obligation pursuant to the Special Payment Instructions to transfer any Shares from the name of the registered owner thereof if the Purchaser does not accept for payment any of the Shares so tendered.

 

4


SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 4, 5 and 7)

To be completed ONLY if Share Certificate(s) not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for the purchase price in consideration of Shares accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned or if Shares tendered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted for payment are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at DTC other than that designated above.

 

Issue:  ☐         Check and/or  ☐         Share Certificates to:
Name:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
(Please Print)
Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

 

(Include Zip Code)

 

(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)

   Credit Shares tendered by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for payment to the DTC account set forth below.

 

 

(DTC Account Number)

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 4, 5 and 7)

To be completed ONLY if Share Certificate(s) not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for the purchase price of Shares accepted for payment are to be sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered” above.

 

Deliver:  ☐         Check(s) and/or  ☐         Share Certificates to:
Name:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
(Please Print)
Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

 

(Include Zip Code)

 

5


IMPORTANT—SIGN HERE

(U.S. Holders Please Also Complete the Enclosed IRS Form W-9)

(Non-U.S. Holders Please Obtain and Complete Appropriate IRS Form W-8)

 

 

(Signature(s) of Shareholder(s))

Dated:                 , 2022

(Must be signed by registered owner(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share Certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered owner(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title and see Instruction 5. For information concerning signature guarantees, see Instruction 1.)

 

Name(s):                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
(Please Print)
Capacity (full title):                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

 

(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number:                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Email Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Tax Identification or Social Security No.:                                                                                                                                                                                      

GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)

(For use by Eligible Institutions only:

see Instructions 1 and 5)

 

Name of Firm:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

(Include Zip Code)
Authorized Signature:                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Name:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

(Please Type or Print)
Area Code and Telephone Number:                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Dated: ______________, 20__

 

 

Place medallion guarantee in space below:

 

6


INSTRUCTIONS

Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer

1. Guarantee of Signatures. Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a member in good standing of a recognized Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc., including the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (each, an “Eligible Institution”). Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed (a) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) (which term, for purposes of this document, includes any participant in any of DTC’s systems whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares) of Shares tendered herewith and such registered owner has not completed the box titled “Special Payment Instructions” or the box titled “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (b) if such Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5.

2. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates or Book-Entry Confirmations. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by shareholders if Share Certificates are to be forwarded herewith. If tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer at DTC set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase, an Agent’s Message must be utilized. A manually executed facsimile of this document may be used in lieu of the original. Share Certificates representing all physically tendered Shares, or confirmation of any book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at DTC of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer (“Book Entry Confirmation”), as well as this Letter of Transmittal properly completed and duly executed with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in the case of a book-entry transfer at DTC, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at its address set forth herein prior to the Expiration Time (as defined in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase). Please do not send your Share Certificates directly to the Purchaser, the Founder or the Company.

Shareholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately available or who cannot deliver all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer prior to the Expiration Time may nevertheless tender their Shares by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution, (b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the form provided by the Purchaser must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time, and (c) Share Certificates representing all tendered Shares, in proper form for transfer (or a Book Entry Confirmation with respect to such Shares), this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message), and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, if any, must be received by the Depositary within two New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

A properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) must accompany each such delivery of Share Certificates to the Depositary.

The term “Agent’s Message” means a message, transmitted through electronic means by DTC to, and received by, the Depositary and forming part of a Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the Shares which are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Letter of Transmittal and that the Purchaser may enforce such agreement against the participant. The term “Agent’s Message” also includes any hard copy printout evidencing such message generated by a computer terminal maintained at the Depositary’s office.

THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE SHARES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC, IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER. DELIVERY OF ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL BE DEEMED MADE AND RISK OF LOSS OF THE SHARE CERTIFICATES SHALL PASS ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION). IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS BE SENT BY PROPERLY INSURED REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

 

7


No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no fractional Shares will be purchased. All tendering shareholders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Shares for payment.

All questions as to validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of the surrender of any Share Certificate hereunder, including questions as to the proper completion or execution of any Letter of Transmittal, Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or other required documents and as to the proper form for transfer of any certificate of Shares, will be determined by the Purchaser in its sole and absolute discretion (which may delegate power in whole or in part to the Depositary), which determination will be final and binding. The Purchaser reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders determined by it not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of or payment for which may be unlawful. The Purchaser also reserves the absolute right to waive any defect or irregularity in the surrender of any Shares or Share Certificate(s) whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of any other shareholder. A surrender will not be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. The Purchaser and the Depositary shall make reasonable efforts to notify any person of any defect in any Letter of Transmittal submitted to the Depositary.

3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares should be listed on a separate schedule attached hereto and separately signed on each page thereof in the same manner as this Letter of Transmittal is signed.

4. Partial Tenders (Applicable to Certificate Shareholders Only). If fewer than all the Shares evidenced by any Share Certificate delivered to the Depositary are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares which are to be tendered in the column titled “Number of Shares Tendered” in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered.” In such cases, new certificate(s) for the remainder of the Shares that were evidenced by the old certificate(s) but not tendered will be sent to the registered owner, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable after the Expiration Time. All Shares represented by Share Certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Share Certificate(s) without alteration or any other change whatsoever.

If any Shares tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

If any tendered Shares are registered in the names of different holder(s), it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different registrations of such Shares.

If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Purchaser of their authority so to act must be submitted.

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of Share Certificates or separate stock powers are required unless payment is to be made to, or Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of, a person other than the registered owner(s), in which case the Share Certificates representing the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered owner(s) or holder(s) appear(s) on the Share Certificates. Signatures on such Share Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

 

8


If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Share(s) listed, the Share Certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by the appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner(s) or holder(s) appear(s) on the Share Certificate(s). Signatures on such Share Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

6. Transfer Taxes. The Purchaser will pay any stock transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and sale of Shares to it or to its order pursuant to the Offer (for the avoidance of doubt, transfer taxes do not include United States federal income or backup withholding taxes). If, however, payment of the purchase price is to be made to, or (in the circumstances permitted hereby) if Share Certificates not tendered or accepted for payment are to be registered in the name of, any person other than the registered owner(s), or if tendered Share Certificates are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered owner(s) or such person) payable on account of the transfer to such person will be deducted from the purchase price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.

Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Share Certificates listed in this Letter of Transmittal.

7. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If a check for the purchase price is to be issued, and/or Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued or returned to, a person other than the signer(s) of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered” above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed. Shareholders delivering Shares tendered hereby or by Agent’s Message by book-entry transfer may request that Shares not purchased be credited to an account maintained at DTC as such shareholder may designate in the box titled “Special Payment Instructions” herein. If no such instructions are given, all such Shares not purchased will be returned by crediting the same account at DTC as the account from which such Shares were delivered.

8. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its address and telephone number set forth below or to your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other tender offer materials may be obtained from the Information Agent as set forth below, and will be furnished at the Purchaser’s expense.

9. Withholding. Under the U.S. federal income tax laws, unless certain certification requirements are met, the Depositary generally will be required to withhold at the applicable backup withholding rate (currently 24%) from any payments made to a shareholder pursuant to the Offer or the Merger, as applicable. In order to avoid such backup withholding, each tendering shareholder, and, if applicable, each other payee, must provide the Depositary with such shareholder’s or payee’s correct taxpayer identification number and certify that such shareholder or payee is not subject to such backup withholding by providing a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9. Please see instructions to the enclosed IRS Form W-9. In general, if a shareholder or payee is an individual, the taxpayer identification number is the social security number of such individual. If the shareholder or payee does not provide the Depositary with its correct taxpayer identification number, the shareholder or payee may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). Certain shareholders or payees (including, generally, domestic corporations and non-U.S. shareholders) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order to satisfy the Depositary that a non-U.S. shareholder or payee is exempt, such shareholder or payee must submit to the Depositary a properly completed and executed appropriate IRS Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that shareholder’s or payee’s foreign status. Such Form W-8 can be obtained from the Depositary or the IRS (www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html). Such shareholders or payees should consult a tax advisor to determine which Form W-8 is appropriate.

Failure to provide a Form W-9 or the appropriate Form W-8 will not, by itself, cause Shares to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the Depositary to withhold (currently, at a rate of 24%) from the amount of any payments made pursuant to the Offer or the Merger, as applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. federal income tax. Rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. Failure to complete and provide a Form W-9 or the appropriate Form W-8 may result in backup withholding (currently, at a rate of 24%) from any payments made to you pursuant to the Offer or the Merger, as applicable.

 

9


10. Lost, Destroyed, Mutilated or Stolen Share Certificates. If any Share Certificate has been lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen, the shareholder should promptly notify the Company’s stock transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. The shareholder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Share Certificate. This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, mutilated, destroyed or stolen Share Certificates have been followed.

11. Waiver of Conditions. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the conditions of the Offer may be waived by the Purchaser in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in its sole discretion.

IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR A MANUALLY EXECUTED FACSIMILE COPY THEREOF) OR AN AGENT’S MESSAGE, TOGETHER WITH SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) OR BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION OR A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION TIME.

 

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Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification Under penalties of petjury. I certify that: The number shown uo this rami is my correct uvpayvr idcntificBticn number l or I am wailmg for a number to be issued to me I; and 2 8cnr»ew n8me»di!Feganted enWty rwrrr if different from above 3 Omk*appropnale box kr federal    a* the person wbcee name is eiferedi on line 1 Check ony one of the 4 Exampdons (notes apply only to talnwinq sa.cr. boxes cartain erblies. rw! indotoaaB. see tod.viduak’sota proprietor or C CcrpcralionS CocpamlxxiPartrershp Towl’eolale rtstrudJcrs on page 3) single-member LLC Exampl payee coda {If any| . milMi tatilty trrrpAny Frix the lax daMirrwtinn iC-C corporationrrrporaaon P*Partrwnhp| â–º Hole: Oeck the uppivmte box >n the line above lo» the tax uWe^cmon of Fe single-member oner Do not check Examplton Iran FATCA reporting LLC ri Pw LLC is ciasaihed as a srtfe member LLC Inal s disregarded bum the owner urless the owner of the LLC a code (tf anyj another LLC mat w not ditre^ardad from T* ownnr flor U S fwteral ptxpoMS Othfirwata, a argfo-znamber LLC Fiat e drsregmeed from the owner should check the appreprate bow for the lax dassifralrar of its cwner Q Other |scc nivucbcnsf • h6»» HVJI 5 Address (number street and apt. or soite no.) See instructions Requester s name and address loptorai) 6 Cty. stale. and Z* code    I am nix subject ui backup withholding because: ia>I am exempt from backup withholding, ar (b>I kise not been notified by the Internal Revenue Sen ice (IRS i that I am subject to bock up withholding as a remit ufa failure to re|xwt all interest or diSKkixb. or (c>the IRS has nut lik’d me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and I am o U.S citizen nr other U.S. person t defined below K and The FATCA code!si entered on this forrn (if any) indKating that I am exenipt from FATCA reporting is correct. Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you arc currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. Sec the instructions for Part II. later Sign sit»s<i«« «r Here | Udk per win* Dole* General Instructions Section references arc to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted. Future developments Fur the latest information about developments related to Form W-9 and its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to iimwin.gov/F’o/wHV

 

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Purpose of Form An individual or entity (Form W-9 requester) who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) which may be your social security number (SSN). individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), adoption taxpayer identification number (AT1N), or employer identification number (EIN). to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other amount reportable on an information return. Examples of information returns include, but arc not limited to, the follow ing. • Form 1099-INT I interest earned ix paid) CM No 10231X Fixm lUW-DIV (dividends. tfh.lu-Ji.irig those Irum stocks or mutual flands) Form 1099-MISC I varxius types of income, prize*, awards, or urrns proceeds) Form 1099-R | stock or mutual fund sale* and certain other transactions by hnAers) Form 1099-S (proceeds from real estate transactions) form 1099-K (merchant card and third party network tnmMK’i»o<v>l Fotm I09K (home mortgage interest). I09H-E (student loan interest), I09S T i t iirtKi n) Form 1099-C I canceled dchtl Fonti Il J9*>- (Kquisitton or abandonment of secured property) Use Form W-9 only if you arc a U.S. person (including a resident alien ), to provide your correct TIN. 0 iwr do not return Form H -9 to the requester wr/fr <r 77.V. now mrsiht be n»6, htA A.v.t .i.’ifriii-AZ’ii-..’ kv SVIut i> Kiiikiip withholding, .Linz Form W-91 Ro 10-201R)

 

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By signing (he filled-out form, you: Certify thm the TIN you giving is correct (or you are mailing for a number to be wuedk Certify ihat you are nor subject to backup withholding. or Claim exemption frtxn backup withholding ifyou arc a U.S. exempt payee. If applicable, you are abv certifying that aw a U.S. pentun, yxiur allocable share ol any partnership income from a U-S trade or business is not Mjbjcvi to (he withholding Uli on foreign partners’ share of effectively connected income, and Certify that FATCA codelsf entered on this form (if any) indicating that you are exempt from the FATCA reporting. is correct. See HAor is fj4TCA reporting, taler, for further mforrnalton. Note: If you arc a U.S. person and a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN’, you must use the requester’s form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9. Ileflultkia of • I .S. perton. For federal tax purposes. you arc considered a U.S. person ifyou orc: An individual who is a U.S. citizen ar U.S resident alien; A partnership. corporation. company. or asmtciMion created or organized in the United Stales or under die laws of the United Slates; An estate (other than a foreign estate); or A domestic trust (as defined in Regulation* section 3OI.77OI-7); Special rules for partnerships. Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax under section 1446 on any foreign partners’ share of effectively connected taxable income from such business. Further, in certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, the rules under section 1446 require a partnership to presume that a partner is a foreign person, and pay the section 1446 withholding tax. Therefore, if you are a U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status and avoid section 1446 withholding on your share of partnership income. In the cases below, the following person must give Form W-9 to the partnership for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States. In the case of a disregarded entity w irti a US owner, the U.S. owner of the disregarded entity and not the entity; In the caw of a grantor trust with a U.S. grantor or other U.S owner, generally, rhe U S grantor or other U.S. owner of the grantor mist and not the tnist; and In die case of a U.S. trust (ollx-r Ilian a grantor trusty the U.S. Uusl (other than a grantor trust) and not the beneficiaries of the trust Foreign person. If you are a foreign person or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank that has elected to be treated as a U.S. person, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 or Form 8233 (see Pub. 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities). Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a “saving clause.” Exceptions specified in the saving clause may pennit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes. it vou arc a u s. resident alien wno is reiving on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty fo claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain tvpcs of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items. 1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exempbon Irani tax as a tionresadent alien. 2flic treaty article addressing Ibe income. 3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the raving clause and its exceptions. 4 The type and amount of income that qualifies forthe exemption from lax. SulTicienl facts lo pistils the exemption Irum tax under the terms ofthe ‘ rliclc.

 

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Exemplt.Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax fur scholarship iretome received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S law. this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the I n i ted States exceeds 5 calendar years However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.- China treaty (dated April 30. 19841 allows the provisions of Article 20 to erwtinue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies fcr this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from lax on his or her scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-91 statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption, If you arc a nonresident alien or a foreign entity, give the requester the Certain payees arc exempt front FATCA reporting. See Exemption from FATCA reportingcode later, and lhe Instructions for the Updating Your Information You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you ate a C corporatian that elects to be an S corporation, or if you no longer ire tax exempt In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account; for example. if the grantor oft grantor trust dies. Penalties Failure Io furnish TIN. If you fail lu furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you arc subject to a perulty of S50 for each ruch failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. Ch II ptnaliy for talw inhrnwrkin »Uh rrsprvi to vlttihoillng. If >x>u nuke ii fuhe MuiniaH * Ki IN icmuuiibfc ta* liwi K&ullii n no bu’kup *ith)>okliii£. you subject to a (500 fftwlry Backup Withholding Whit is had up withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay io the IRS 24“.. of such payments This is called “hackup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding indude interest, Irx-excmpt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transtctions, tents, royalties, noncmployee pay , payments made in settlement of payment card and third purty network transactions, and certain payments from fishing boat operators Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding. You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN. make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return. Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if: 1. You cb not finush sour TIN to the requester. 2 Vctu<i« rsot evrtify yniir TIM whirr rw|iM>wl    ifw inctnirtMM for Purl II fardeUilx), The IRS telhthe rantcNerthai vojfurnkhed as imrurxct TN. The IRS lellsyixi thit you jrc suhtevt to^ku* withholdingtecuiMe you did not report all your interest and tlividcids nn your uk renin 4 for reportable Niftiest and dividends only), or You cb not certify to the ruptcuc thw you arc not subject tohackuj wlliikildlitj; uinki 4 ubutc (fur iqiwiaWc imocM mM div*tikd oucoMiiis opened nfter IW3 only). Certain payees and payments air exempt from backup withholding. See Etempt payee code, later, and the separate Instructions foi die Requester of Form XX-9 for inure information. Aho wc SperU nrtet iir pomerMin. carter What is FATCA Reporting? The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign financial institution to report all Unted States account holders that are specified United States persons.

 

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Criminal penalty for falsifying information Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties Including fines and/or imprisonment. Misuse of TINs. tt the requester discloses or uses TtNs m violation of federal law. the requester may be subject to ciW and criminal penalties. Specific Instructions Line 1 You musl enter one of the following on this line; do not leave th<$ line blank The name should m.-drh the name on yoir lax return. If this Form W-9 is for a jcwX account (other than an account maintained by a foreign financial institution (FFI», list first, and then arete, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of Form W-9. If you are providing Form W-9 to an FFI to document a joint account, each holder of the account that is a U S person must provide a Form W-9. a Individual. Generally, enter the name shown on your tax return. W you have changed your last name without informing the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the name change, enter your first name, the test name as shown on your social security card and your new last name. Note: ITIN applicant: Enter your indrvlduai name as ft was entered on your Form W-7 application, line fa. This shotAd also be the same as the name you entered on the Form 1040 ID40A . 1040EZ you filed with your application. b Sole prtiprivmf er tfngle-meintar I LC. Enter your indindtiul name as shown on your I ONI IfMOA I iMtifZ on Imc I You may enter your huuncui. trade, or “doing huuncss n$” (DBA) name on line 2 C f’artncrdiip. I .IX” that k not auitgk-member LLC, C corporation, or S corporation. I nter the entity?, name as shown on the entity’s tax return an line 1 and any business, trade, ix DBA name an line 2. d. Other entities. I nter your name as shown on required U.S. federal tax documents on line 1. This name should match the name shown cm the charter ur ixhct Iqeal document creating the entity. You may enter any busmen*trade, or DB A fume on line 2 o Dkregatdcd entiry. For U S federal tax purposes, an entity ilwt is disregarded as an entity sefwnie hum its owner is treated as a “disregarded entity.” Sec Regulations section to 1.7701 -2<c KlX ii’) Enter the owner’s name on line I The name of the entity entered on line I should never be a disregarded entity. The name on line 1 should be the name shown on the incorne tax return mi which the income should be repotted. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a moilIc owner that i* a U.S. perxin. the U.S. owner’s name « required in be provided on line ‘ If the direct owner of the entity k also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that w not disregarded lor federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity’s name on line 2. “Business name disregarded entity name.“If the owner ot the diMCgarded entity is u foreign person, the owner must cxmipkic an appropriate Form W-S instend of a Form W-9, This is the case even if rhe foreign person tins ns Line 2 If you have a business name, trade name, DBA name, or disregarded entity name, you may enter it on line 2. Line 3 Check the appropriate box on line 3 for the U.S. federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line I—Check only one box on line 3. IF the entity/person on line 1 is a(n)... THEN check the box for... • Cnrpcxatxxi Corporation Individual Sole proprietorship, or Soigle-member limned liabdity company (LLC) owned by an individual and disregarded for U S federal tax purposes Indiwdualisole proprietor or singlemember LLC LLC treated as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes, LLC lhat has filed Form 8832 or 2553 lo be taxed as a corporation, or LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner but the owner is another LLC that is not disregarded for U S federal lax purposes Limited liability company and enter the appropriate tax classification (P- Partnership. C» C corporation, or S« S corporation) • Partncrstvp Partnership • Trust’estate TrusVestate Line 4, Exemptions If you are exempt from backup withholding and/or FATCA reporting, enter in the appropriate space on line 4 any codefs) that may apply to you. Exempt payee code. Generally, indiv.dink (including vole proprietor.) nre no) cxcmpl from backup w itohoMine Except to provided below, corporation, are exempt from backup w ithholding for certain payments, including inleren and dividends. Corporation, are not exempt from backup withholding for payment, made tn seltlctnenl of payment card or third party nelwxirk transactions Corporation, are not exempi Iron’, backup withholding with respect to attorneys* lees or gross proceeds [xwd to attorney., and corporations dial provide medical or hcalih cure services are not exempt with respect to payments reportable on Form lOW-MISC Tire following codes identify payees that are exempt from backup withholding. Enter the apfiropriatc code in the space in line 4. I —An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a). any IRA. or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2) 2 The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities 3 A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities 4 A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities 5—A corporation 6 A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or possession

 

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Fenn W-0 (Rev 10-201H)    J 7—A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity futures t rading Commission 8—A real estate investment trust 9 An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940 10—A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a) 11—A financial institution A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian .A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947

 

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The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above. 1 through 13. IF the payment is for,., THEN the payment is exempt for... Interest and dividend payments All exempt payees except tor 7 Broke*- transactions Exempt payees 1 through 4 and 6 through 11 and a* C corporations S corporations must not enter an exempt payee code because they are exempt only for sales of noncovered securities acquired prior to 2012. Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends Exempt payees 1 through 4 Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5000’ Generally, exempt payees 1 through 5‘ Payments made in settlement of payment card or third party network transactions Exempt payees 1 through 4 1See Form 1099-M1SC. Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.    E—A corporation that is a member of the same expanded affiliated group as a corporation described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(0(1 Mi) F—A dealer in securities, commodities, or derivative financial instruments (including notional principal contracts, futures, forwards, and options) that is registered as such under the laws of the United States or any state G—A real estate investment trust II A regulated investment company as defined in section 851 or an entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment C ompany Act of 1940 I—A common trust fund as defined in section 584(a) J—A bank as defined in section 581 K—A broker L A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947(a)(1)

 

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M A tax exempt trust under a section 403(b) plan or section 457(g) plan Note: You may wish to consult with the financial institution requesting this form to determine whether the FATCA code and’or exempt payee code should be completed. Line 5 Enter your address (number, street, and apartment or suite number). This is where the requester of this Form W-9 will mail your information returns. If this address differs from the one tlie requester already has on file, write NEW at the top. If a new address is provided, there is still a chance the old address will be used until the payor changes your address in their records. Line 6 Enter your city, state, and ZIP code. Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Enter your TIN ill the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN. see How to get a TINbelow. If you arc a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter cither your SSN or EIN. If you arc a single-member EEC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, enter the owner’s SSN (or EIN. if die owner has one). Do not enter the disregarded entity’s EIN. If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN. Note: See W’Nrt iV«me woJ Vinnh>r fo GAv lAe Ka/wester. later, for funher clarification of name and TIN combinations How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local SSA office or get this form online at www.SS4.gov. You may also get this form by calling 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7. Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an 11 IN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/Butinessesand clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. Go to Hww.ir.r.gov/Fomsto view, download, or print Form W-7 and’or Form SS-4. Or, you can go to www.irs.gov/OrderFormsto place an order and have Form W-7 and’or SS-4 mailed to you within 10 business days. If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN. apply fora TIN and write “Applied For“in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments Pwp 4 made with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup w ithholding on payments. The 60-day rule docs not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester. Note: Entering “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon. Caution: A disregarded U.S. entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8. Part II. Certification To establish to the withholding agent that you arc a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may he requested to sign by the withholding agent even if item 1,4, or 5 below indicates otherwise. For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part 1 should sign (when required). In the case of a disregarded entity, the person identified on line I must sign. Exempt payees, see Exempt payee cade,earlier. Signature requirements. Complete live certification as indscMcd in items 1 thiough 5 below.

 

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Interest, dividend, and barter exchangt ccuunli opened before 1*84 and broker aiTuenfv considered aclhe during 1983. You must givv your correct TIN. but you do not have to wgn the certification. Ink-rot, dhidend. broker, and barter exchange aeconnK opened after 1983 and broker acconnts considered Inactive during |9t3. ou must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply If you arc subject to backup -A ilhhokling and you arc merely providing your correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 m the certification before signing the form. Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You noy cross out item 2 of the certificaliuri. Other pay ments. You must give your correct TIN. but you do not base to sign the certification unless you base been notified that you have prcv lously given ari tncotTcet TIN. “Other payments” include payments made in rbe course of the requester’s trade or business lor rents, royalties, goods (other than bill* for merchandise 1, medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to a nonemployee for services, payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions, payments to certain lishing boat crew members arid fishermen. and gross proceeds pud to attorneys (including payments to coeponiDore), 5 Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, quallhrd tuition program payments (under section 529k KBi t accounts (under section 329A k IR A, Coverdell ESA, Archer MSA or I ISA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions. You must give your correct TIN. but yuu do not have to sign the certification. What Name and Number To Give the Requester For this type of account: Give name and SSN of: 1 IndMduni The indtvriual 2 Two or more odMduals (Jomt rhe actual owner oi the acoourt or / account i alhar than an account oombtnod funds, tho trsl individual rxr maintained by an PF 1 the account1 3. Two or mare U.S persons (joint jtfxujnt maintained by an FFI | Each holder of the account 4 Custodial account of a minor (Uniterm GR io Miners Act) The mino< 5 a. The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee) rhe granbor-trusiee1 b So-caHud trust account that is not a legal ar .-aid trust under state Law Fne actual oener’ 6 Sole proprietorship o disregarded enter oramd by an ndMdual rhe owner3 7. Grantor trust fling under Op&tonal Form 1099 Fang Method 1 (see Reqdaoont sec&iyi i.67l-4|b|<2XC (A» The grantor* For Uils type of account: Give name and EIN of: 8 Disregarded entity not owned by an individual the owner 9 A valid trust, estate, or pension trust Legal entity”* 10 Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Farm 2S53 rhe corporatior. 11 Association, club, rciqojs, charitable, educations*. ar other taa- enernpt orgarnzason The organization 12 Partncrshp or frubrocrocr LLC T>>e padnemhip 13 A broker ar registered nemnoe the broker or ncronec For this type of account: Give name and EIN of: 14 Account with the Departmont of AgricuBuro r the name of a public entcy (such as a state ar local government school distnet, or prison) that receives agriculluras pr egram payments The pubic entity 15. Grantor trust fiwg under the Form 1041 Fling Method or the Optional Form 1099 Fling Method 2 (ses Regiiatcns eeclcn 15?t4fl>X2HI|lB}) The trust ‘ List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account lias an SSN. that person’s number must be furnished.—Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN. ’ Vou must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or DBA name on the “Business name. disregarded entity” name line. You may use cither your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN. * List first and circle the name of the trust, estate, or pension trust (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity ilself is not designated in the account title.) Also see Special rules for partnerships. earlier. •Note: The grantor also must provide a Form W-9 to trustee of trust. Note: If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will he considered to be that of the first name listed. Secure Your Tax Records From Identity Theft Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, SSN, or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may use your SSN to get a job or may file a tax return using your SSN to receive a refund. To reduce your risk Protect ynur SSN, Fnvurc your employer is protecting your SSN, and Be careful when choosing n tax preparer If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS. respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you arc at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at I-K00-9OX-449O or submit Form 14(139. For more information, see Pub. 5027, identity Theft Information for Taxpayers. Victims of identity theft who arc experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax

 

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problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the TAS toll-free case intake lineal I-877-777-4778 or TTY TDD 1-800-829-4059. Protect yourself front suspicious emails or phishing schemes. Phishing is the creation and use of email and websites designed to mimic legitimate business emails and websites. The most common act is sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.

 

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The IRS does not initiate contacts with taxpayers via emails. Also, the IRS does not request personal detailed information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts.

If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward this message to phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov or report them at www.ftc.gov/complaint. You can contact the FTC at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338). If you have been the victim of identity theft, see www.IdentityTheft.gov and Pub. 5027.

Visit www.irs.gov/IdentityTheft to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk.

 

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Privacy Act Notice

Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”) to persons (including federal agencies) who are required to file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, or certain other income paid to you; mortgage interest you paid; the acquisition or abandonment of secured property; the cancellation of debt; or contributions you made to an IRA, Archer MSA, or HSA. The person collecting this form uses the information on the form to file information returns with the IRS, reporting the above information.

Routine uses of this information include giving it to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths and possessions for use in administering their laws. The information also may be disclosed to other countries under a treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce civil and criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism. You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Under section 3406, payers must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payer. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.

 

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The Depositary for the Offer is:

 

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By Overnight Courier:    By Regular, Registered, Certified or Express Mail:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

c/o Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

  

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

c/o Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.

Any questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its telephone number and location listed below. Requests for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Information Agent at its telephone number and location listed below. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

D.F. King & Co., Inc.

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, New York 10005

Shareholders (toll-free): (800) 283-9185

Banks and Brokers: (212) 269-5550

Email: CLR@dfking.com

 

23

Exhibit (a)(1)(iii)

NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

to Tender Shares of Common Stock of

Continental Resources, Inc.

at

$74.28 per Share

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase

Dated October 24, 2022

by

Omega Acquisition, Inc.,

an entity wholly-owned by Harold G. Hamm

 

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT ONE MINUTE AFTER 11:59 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.

This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially in the form hereof, must be used to accept the Offer (as defined below) if the certificates for shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal (as defined below) cannot be delivered to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depositary for the Offer (the “Depositary”), or the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer cannot be completed, in each case prior to the expiration of the Offer. Such form may be delivered by facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary as set forth in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase.

The Depositary for the Offer is:

 

LOGO

 

By Overnight Courier:    By Regular, Registered, Certified or Express Mail:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

c/o Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

  

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

c/o Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OR FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.

This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is not to be used to guarantee signatures. If a signature on a Letter of Transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” (as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), under the instructions thereto, such signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided in the signature box on the Letter of Transmittal. Do not send share certificates with this notice. Share certificates should be sent with your Letter of Transmittal.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm, a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and affiliate of the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated October 24, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”) and the related Letter of Transmittal, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase.

 

Number of Shares and Certificate Numbers (if available)   

SIGN HERE

   Signature(s)

 

  

 

   (Name(s)) (Please Print)
  

 

   (Addresses)
If delivery will be by book-entry transfer: Name of Tendering Institution   

 

   (Zip Code)

 

  

 

Account Number    (Area Code and Telephone Number)


GUARANTEE

(Not to be used for signature guarantee)

The undersigned, a financial institution that is a member in good standing of a recognized Medallion Program approved by The Securities Transfer Association, Inc., including the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (“SEMP”) and the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (“MSP”), or any other “eligible guarantor institution” (as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), guarantees: (i) that the above named person(s) “own(s)” the Shares tendered hereby within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act; (ii) that such tender of Shares complies with Rule 14e-4; and (iii) the delivery to the Depositary of the certificates for all such tendered Shares (or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) in the case of a book-entry delivery), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof) and with any required signature guarantee (or an Agent’s Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) in the case of a book-entry delivery) and any other required documents, all within two New York Stock Exchange trading days of the date hereof.

 

 

(Name of Firm)

 

(Address)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(Authorized Signature)

 

(Name) (Please Print)

 

(Area Code and Telephone Number)

Dated:

DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES WITH THIS NOTICE.

CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES SHOULD BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

Exhibit (a)(1)(iv)

Offer to Purchase for Cash

Any and All Outstanding Shares of Common Stock

of

Continental Resources, Inc.

at

$74.28 per Share

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase Dated October 24, 2022

by

Omega Acquisition, Inc.,

an entity wholly-owned by Harold G. Hamm

 

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT ONE MINUTE AFTER 11:59 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.

October 24, 2022

To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees:

We have been engaged by Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Purchaser”), 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and an affiliate of Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), to act as the Information Agent (the “Information Agent”) in connection with the Purchaser’s offer to purchase any and all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of the Company, other than: (i) Shares owned by the Founder, certain of the Founder’s family members and their affiliated entities (collectively, the “Founder Family Rollover Shareholders”); and (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company restricted stock awards (such Shares, together with the Shares referred to in clause (i), the “Rollover Shares,” and the holders of such Rollover Shares, the “Rollover Shareholders”), for $74.28 per Share (the “Offer Price”), in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated October 24, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”) and the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Letter of Transmittal” and which, together with the Offer to Purchase, constitute the “Offer”) enclosed herewith.

Please furnish copies of the enclosed materials to those of your clients for whose accounts you hold Shares registered in your name or in the name of your nominee.

Enclosed herewith for your information and forwarding to your clients for whose accounts you hold Shares registered in your name or in the name of your nominee are copies of the following documents:

 

  1.

The Offer to Purchase.

 

  2.

The related Letter of Transmittal for your use in accepting the Offer and tendering Shares and for the information of your clients. Facsimile copies of the Letter of Transmittal may be used to tender Shares.

 

  3.

IRS Form W-9 and instructions providing information relating to federal income tax backup withholding.

 

  4.

Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to be used to accept the Offer if certificates for Shares and all other required documents cannot be delivered to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depositary for the Offer (the “Depositary”), or if the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed, prior to the expiration of the Offer.

 

  5.

A form of letter which may be sent to your clients for whose accounts you hold Shares registered in your name or in the name of your nominee, with space provided for obtaining such clients’ instructions with regard to the Offer.

 

  6.

The Company’s Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 dated October 24, 2022.

 

  7.

A return envelope addressed to the Depositary.


YOUR PROMPT ACTION IS REQUESTED. WE URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT ONE MINUTE AFTER 11:59 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

The Offer is being made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 16, 2022 (as amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), between the Company and the Purchaser. Immediately prior to the consummation of the Offer, the Founder will contribute 100% of the capital stock of the Purchaser to the Company, as a result of which the Purchaser will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Merger Agreement provides that promptly (and, in any event, within two business days) after the expiration of the Offer, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the time at which Shares may be first accepted for payment under the Offer, the “Acceptance Time”). The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation wholly-owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders. At the effective time of the Merger (the “Merger Effective Time”), any Shares not purchased pursuant to the Offer (other than: (i) the Rollover Shares; (ii) Shares owned by the Company as treasury stock or owned by any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, including Shares irrevocably accepted by the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer; and (iii) Shares held by a holder who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal for such Shares in accordance with Section 1091 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”) will be automatically converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, in cash and without interest, subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes. As a result of the Merger, the Company’s Shares will cease to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and will subsequently be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

No appraisal rights are available in connection with the Offer. However, pursuant to the OGCA, if the Merger is consummated, any shareholder who does not tender its Shares in the Offer will have the right, by fully complying with the applicable provisions of Section 1091 of the OGCA, to choose not to accept the consideration payable for their Shares pursuant to the Merger, and instead to demand an appraisal of its Shares in any federal court or state court located in Oklahoma County in the State of Oklahoma and receive a cash payment of the “fair value” of their Shares as of the Merger Effective Time as determined by such court . The “fair value” of such Shares as of the Merger Effective Time may be more than, less than, or equal to the Offer Price. See “The Offer—Section 15— Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights—Appraisal Rights.”

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has, upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors: (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders (other than any holder of Rollover Shares or an affiliate thereof or of the Company, such unaffiliated shareholders, the “Public Shareholders”); (ii) approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, in accordance with the requirements of the OGCA; (iii) resolved that the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall be governed by Section 1081.H of the OGCA; and (iv) resolved, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, to recommend that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares into the Offer, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Founder and Shelly G. Lambertz recused themselves from the Company Board approval due to their status as Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders entered into a Non-Tender and Support Agreement, dated October 16, 2022, with the Purchaser pursuant to which each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agreed, among other things, not to tender any of the Shares beneficially owned by such person in the Offer. As of the date hereof, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 83% of the outstanding Shares.


Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Founder entered into a Limited Guarantee in favor of the Company, dated October 16, 2022, with respect to certain obligations of the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, including, under certain circumstances, a guarantee of payment for up to $274 million of the Purchaser’s obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger, provided, that the Company may only enforce such guarantee in connection with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.

The Offer is subject to conditions, including: (i) the Special Committee Recommendation Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase), (ii) the Representations and Warranties Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase); (iii) the Covenants Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase); (iv) the Average Crude Oil Price Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase) and (v) other conditions as set forth in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase. Consummation of the Offer is not conditioned on obtaining financing or any minimum tender threshold.

The Purchaser will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or any other person (other than to the Information Agent and the Depositary, as described in the Offer to Purchase) in connection with the solicitation of tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer. Brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees will, upon request, be reimbursed by the Purchaser for reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in forwarding the enclosed materials to their customers.

The Purchaser will pay all stock transfer taxes applicable to its purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer, subject to Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal.

In order to validly tender Shares in the Offer, a duly executed and properly completed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof), or an Agent’s Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) in connection with a book-entry transfer at The Depositary Trust Company of Shares, and any other required documents, should be sent to the Depositary, and certificates representing the tendered Shares should be delivered or such Shares should be tendered by book-entry transfer, all in accordance with the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal and the Offer to Purchase.

If holders of Shares wish to tender, but it is impracticable for them to forward their certificates or other required documents or to complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer prior to the expiration of the Offer, a tender may be effected by following the guaranteed delivery procedures described in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedure for Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase.

Any inquiries you may have with respect to the Offer should be addressed to, and additional copies of the enclosed materials may be obtained from, the Information Agent at their respective addresses and telephone numbers set forth on the back cover of the Offer to Purchase.

 

Very truly yours,

D.F. King & Co., Inc., as

Information Agent

NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL RENDER YOU THE AGENT OF THE PURCHASER, THE INFORMATION AGENT OR THE DEPOSITARY, OR ANY AFFILIATE OF ANY OF THEM, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OTHER THAN THE DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED THEREIN.

Exhibit (a)(1)(v)

Offer to Purchase for Cash

Any and All Outstanding Shares of Common Stock

of

Continental Resources, Inc.

at

$74.28 per Share

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase Dated October 24, 2022

by

Omega Acquisition, Inc.,

an entity wholly-owned by Harold G. Hamm

 

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT ONE MINUTE AFTER 11:59 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.

To Our Clients:

Enclosed for your consideration are the Offer to Purchase dated October 24, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”) and the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Letter of Transmittal” and which, together with the Offer to Purchase, constitutes the “Offer”) in connection with the offer by Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Purchaser”), 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and an affiliate of Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), to purchase any and all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of the Company, other than: (i) Shares owned by the Founder, certain of the Founder’s family members and their affiliated entities (collectively, the “Founder Family Rollover Shareholders”); and (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company restricted stock awards (such Shares, together with the Shares referred to in clause (i), the “Rollover Shares,” and the holders of such Rollover Shares, the “Rollover Shareholders”), for $74.28 per Share (the “Offer Price”), in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Also enclosed is the Company’s Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9.

We or our nominees are the holder of record of Shares held for your account. A tender of such Shares can be made only by us or our nominees as the holder of record and pursuant to your instructions. The enclosed Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you for your information only and cannot be used by you to tender Shares held by us or our nominees for your account.

We request instructions as to whether you wish us to tender any or all of the Shares held by us or our nominees for your account, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer.

Your attention is directed to the following:

 

  1.

The Offer Price is $74.28 per Share, in cash, without interest, subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

 

  2.

The Offer is being made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 16, 2022 (as amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), between the Company and the Purchaser. The Merger Agreement provides that promptly (and, in any event, within two business days) after the expiration of the Offer, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the time at which Shares may be first accepted for payment under the Offer, the “Acceptance Time”). The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation wholly-owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders. At the effective time of the Merger (the “Merger Effective Time”), any Shares not purchased pursuant to the Offer (other than: (i)


  the Rollover Shares; (ii) Shares owned by the Company as treasury stock or owned by any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, including Shares irrevocably accepted by the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer; and (iii) Shares held by a holder who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal for such Shares in accordance with Section 1091 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”), in each case, as determined immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time) will be automatically converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, in cash and without interest, subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes. As a result of the Merger, the Company will cease to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and will subsequently be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

  3.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders entered into a Non-Tender and Support Agreement, dated October 16, 2022, with the Purchaser pursuant to which each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agreed, among other things, not to tender any of the Shares beneficially owned by such person in the Offer. As of the date hereof, the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 83% of the outstanding Shares.

 

  4.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Founder entered into a Limited Guarantee in favor of the Company, dated October 16, 2022, with respect to certain obligations of the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, including, under certain circumstances, a guarantee of payment for up to $274 million of the Purchaser’s obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger, provided, that the Company may only enforce such guarantee in connection with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.

 

  5.

No appraisal rights are available in connection with the Offer. However, pursuant to the OGCA, if the Merger is consummated, any shareholder who does not tender its Shares in the Offer will have the right, by fully complying with the applicable provisions of Section 1091 of the OGCA, to choose not to accept the consideration payable for their Shares pursuant to the Merger, and instead to demand an appraisal of its Shares in any federal court or state court located in Oklahoma County in the State of Oklahoma and receive a cash payment of the “fair value” of their Shares as of the Merger Effective time as determined by such court. The “fair value” of such Shares as of the Merger Effective Time may be more than, less than, or equal to the Offer Price. See “The Offer—Section 15— Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company; Effects of the Offer; Shareholder Approval; Appraisal Rights—Appraisal Rights.”

 

  6.

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has, upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors: (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders (other than any holder of Rollover Shares or an affiliate thereof or of the Company, such unaffiliated shareholders, the “Public Shareholders”); (ii) approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, in accordance with the requirements of the OGCA; (iii) resolved that the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall be governed by Section 1081.H of the OGCA; and (iv) resolved, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, to recommend that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares into the Offer, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Founder and Shelly G. Lambertz recused themselves from the Company Board approval due to their status as Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

 

  7.

The Offer and withdrawal rights expire at one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, November 21, 2022, unless the Offer is extended or terminated (as it may be extended or earlier terminated, the “Expiration Time”).


  8.

The Offer is subject to conditions, including: (i) the Special Committee Recommendation Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase), (ii) the Representations and Warranties Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase); (iii) the Covenants Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase); (iv) the Average Crude Oil Price Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase) and (v) other conditions as set forth in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase. Consummation of the Offer is not conditioned on obtaining financing or any minimum tender threshold.

 

  9.

Any stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Shares to the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer will be paid by the Purchaser, except as otherwise set forth in Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal.

 

  10.

Unless certain certification requirements are met, U.S. federal income tax backup withholding at a current rate of 24% may be required. See Instruction 9 of the Letter of Transmittal for further details.

If you wish to have us or our nominees tender any or all of your Shares, please complete, sign, detach and return the instruction form below. An envelope to return your instructions to us is enclosed. If you authorize tender of your Shares, all such Shares will be tendered unless otherwise specified on the instruction form. Your prompt action is requested. Your instructions should be forwarded to us in ample time to permit us to submit a tender on your behalf by the Expiration Time.

The Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Shares in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions where the applicable laws require that the Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Purchaser by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction to be designated by the Purchaser.

Instruction Form with Respect to

Offer to Purchase for Cash

Any and All Outstanding Shares of Common Stock

of

Continental Resources, Inc.

at

$74.28 per Share

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase Dated October 24, 2022

by

Omega Acquisition, Inc.,

an entity wholly-owned by Harold G. Hamm

The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed Offer to Purchase dated October 24, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”) and the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Letter of Transmittal” and which, together with the Offer to Purchase, constitutes the “Offer”), in connection with the offer by Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Purchaser”), 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and affiliate of Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), to purchase any and all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of the Company, other than: (i) Shares owned by the Founder, certain of the Founder’s family members and their affiliated entities; and (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company restricted stock awards, in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

The undersigned hereby instruct(s) you to tender to the Purchaser the number of Shares indicated below (or if no number is indicated below, all Shares) held by you or your nominees for the account of the undersigned, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer furnished to the undersigned. The undersigned understands and acknowledges that all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares made on my behalf will be determined by the Purchaser in its sole discretion.


The method of delivery of this Instruction Form is at the election and risk of the tendering shareholder. This Instruction Form should be delivered to us in ample time to permit us to submit the tender on your behalf prior to the expiration of the Offer.

 

Number of Shares to be Tendered:     SIGN HERE

 

   

 

Shares*     Signature(s)
Dated    

 

    Name(s) (Please Print)
   

 

    Address(es)
   

 

    (Zip Code)
   

 

    Area Code and Telephone Number
   

 

    Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number

 

 

*

Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares held for the undersigned’s account are to be tendered.

Exhibit (a)(1)(vi)

This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell Shares (as defined below) and the provisions herein are subject in their entirety to the provision of the Offer (as defined below). The Offer is made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated October 24, 2022 and the related Letter of Transmittal and any amendments or supplements thereto and is being made to all holders of Shares. The Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Shares in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions where the applicable laws require that the Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer shall be deemed to be made on behalf of the Purchaser (as defined below) by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction to be designated by the Purchaser.

Notice of Offer to Purchase for Cash

Any and All Outstanding Shares of Common Stock

of

Continental Resources, Inc.

at

$74.28 per Share

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase Dated October 24, 2022

by

Omega Acquisition, Inc.,

an entity wholly-owned by Harold G. Hamm

Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Purchaser”), 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), a natural person residing in the State of Oklahoma and an affiliate of Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), is offering to purchase any and all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of the Company, other than: (i) Shares owned by the Founder, certain of the Founder’s family members and their affiliated entities (collectively, the “Founder Family Rollover Shareholders”); and (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company restricted stock awards (such Shares, together with the Shares referred to in clause (i), the “Rollover Shares” and the holders of such Rollover Shares, the “Rollover Shareholders”), for $74.28 per Share (the “Offer Price”), in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated October 24, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Letter of Transmittal” and which, together with the Offer to Purchase, constitutes the “Offer”). Tendering shareholders whose Shares are registered in their names and who tender directly to the Purchaser will not be charged brokerage fees or similar expenses on the sale of Shares for cash pursuant to the Offer. Tendering shareholders whose Shares are registered in the name of their broker, bank or other nominee should consult such nominee to determine if any fees may apply. The Offer is being made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 16, 2022 (as amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), between the Company and the Purchaser.

 

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT ONE MINUTE AFTER 11:59 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.

Immediately prior to the consummation of the Offer, Founder will contribute 100% of the capital stock of the Purchaser to the Company, as a result of which the Purchaser will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that promptly after the expiration of the Offer (and, in any event, within two business days thereafter) and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the time at which Shares may be first accepted for payment under the Offer, the “Acceptance Time”), and that as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time and subject to the conditions set


forth in the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation wholly-owned by the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders. At the effective time of the Merger (the “Merger Effective Time”), any Shares not purchased pursuant to the Offer (other than: (i) the Rollover Shares; (ii) Shares owned by the Company as treasury stock or owned by any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, including Shares irrevocably accepted by the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer; and (iii) Shares held by a holder who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal for such Shares in accordance with Section 1091 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”), in each case, immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time) will be automatically converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, in cash and without interest, subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes. The Merger Agreement is more fully described in “The Offer—Section 16—The Merger Agreement” of the Offer to Purchase. As a result of the Merger, the Company’s Shares will cease to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and will subsequently be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Exchange Act”).

If the Offer is consummated, the Purchaser does not anticipate seeking the approval of the Company’s remaining public shareholders before effecting the Merger. The parties to the Merger Agreement have agreed that, subject to the conditions specified in the Merger Agreement, the Merger will become effective as soon as practicable after the Acceptance Time, without a vote of the Company’s shareholders, in accordance with Section 1081.H of the OGCA.

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has, upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors (the “Special Committee”): (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders (other than any holder of Rollover Shares or an affiliate thereof or of the Company, such unaffiliated shareholders, the “Public Shareholders”); (ii) approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, in accordance with the requirements of the OGCA; (iii) resolved that the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall be governed by Section 1081.H of the OGCA; and (iv) resolved, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, to recommend that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares into the Offer, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Founder and Shelly G. Lambertz recused themselves from the Company Board approval due to their status as Founder Family Rollover Shareholders.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders entered into a Non-Tender and Support Agreement, dated October 16, 2022, with the Purchaser pursuant to which each Founder Family Rollover Shareholder agreed, among other things, not to tender any of the Shares beneficially owned by such person in the Offer. The Founder Family Rollover Shareholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 83% of the outstanding Shares.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Founder entered into a Limited Guarantee in favor of the Company, dated October 16, 2022, with respect to certain obligations of the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, including, under certain circumstances, a guarantee of payment for up to $274 million of the Purchaser’s obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger, provided, that the Company may only enforce such guarantee in connection with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.

The Company will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the “Schedule 14D-9”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and disseminate the Schedule 14D-9 to the Company’s shareholders. The Schedule 14D-9 will include a description of the Company Board’s reasons for authorizing and approving the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and therefore, the Company’s shareholders are encouraged to review the Schedule 14D-9 carefully and in its entirety.

The Offer is subject to conditions, including: (i) the Special Committee Recommendation Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase), (ii) the Representations and Warranties Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase); (iii) the Covenants Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase); (iv) the Average Crude Oil Price Condition (as defined in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase) and (v) other conditions as set forth in “The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer.” of the Offer to Purchase. The Offer is not conditioned upon the Purchaser obtaining financing or any minimum tender threshold.

 

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Subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, the Purchaser reserves the right to waive any of the conditions to the Offer (other than the Special Committee Recommendation Condition (as defined in The Offer—Section 18—Conditions to the Offer” of the Offer to Purchase), which is non-waivable and may not be amended or modified) and to make any change in the terms of or the conditions to the Offer that is not inconsistent with the Merger Agreement, provided that the Company’s prior written consent (which consent must be approved by the Special Committee) is required for the Purchaser to: (i) decrease the Offer Price; (ii) change the amount or form of consideration to be paid in the Offer; (iii) decrease the number of Shares subject to the Offer; (iv) impose any condition to the Offer other than those set forth in Annex I to the Merger Agreement; (v) terminate, accelerate, limit, extend or otherwise change (or make any other amendment that would terminate, accelerate, limit, extend or otherwise change) the expiration date of the Offer in any manner (except as required under the Merger Agreement); or (vi) otherwise amend, modify or supplement any of the conditions to or terms of the Offer in a manner that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, adverse to the holders of Shares other than holders of the Rollover Shares.

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, all Shares that are validly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City Time, at the end of the day on November 21, 2022 or, in the event the Offer is extended or earlier terminated, the latest time and date at which the Offer, as so extended or earlier terminated, will expire (the “Expiration Time”). No “subsequent offering period” in accordance with Rule 14d-11 of the Exchange Act will be available.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, if, at the initial Expiration Time or any subsequent time as of which the Offer is scheduled to expire, any condition to the Offer has not been satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable), the Purchaser must extend (and re-extend) the Offer from time to time until all of the conditions to the Offer have been satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable); provided that each individual extension will not be for a period of more than (except with the prior written consent of the Company, which consent must be approved by the Special Committee) ten business days; provided further that the Purchaser will not be required to extend the Offer beyond December 31, 2022 (the “End Date”) unless the Purchaser is not then permitted to terminate the Merger Agreement, in which case the Purchaser is required to extend the Offer beyond the End Date. In addition, the Purchaser must extend the Offer for any period required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the SEC or its staff that is applicable to the Offer or required by the rules and regulations of the NYSE or applicable law. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser may not terminate the Offer, or permit the Offer to expire, prior to any such extended expiration date without the prior written consent of the Company and the Special Committee.

Any extension, termination or amendment of the Offer will be followed by a prompt public announcement thereof.

In order to validly tender Shares in the Offer, you must either: (i) complete and sign the Letter of Transmittal in accordance with the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal, have your signature guaranteed (if required by Instruction 1 to the Letter of Transmittal), mail or deliver the Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile copy) and any other required documents to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depositary for the Offer (the “Depositary”), and either deliver the certificates for your Shares along with the Letter of Transmittal to the Depositary or tender your Shares pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase; or (ii) request your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to effect the transaction for you. If your Shares are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, you must contact such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to tender your Shares. If you desire to tender your Shares, and certificates evidencing your Shares are not immediately available or you cannot deliver such certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary or you cannot comply with the procedures for book-entry transfer described in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase, in each case prior to the Expiration Time, you may tender your Shares by following the procedures for guaranteed delivery set forth in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase.

 

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Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and to the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent waivable) of the conditions to the Offer, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for, or cause to be paid for, promptly after the Expiration Time (and in any event within two business days), all Shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. For purposes of the Offer, the Purchaser will be deemed to have accepted for payment, and thereby purchased, Shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn when, as and if the Purchaser gives oral or written notice of the Purchaser’s acceptance to the Depositary. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the Purchaser will pay for Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer by deposit of (or causing to be deposited) the purchase price therefor with the Depositary, which will act as agent for tendering shareholders for the purpose of receiving payments and transmitting such payments to tendering shareholders. Under no circumstances will the Purchaser pay interest on the consideration paid for Shares pursuant to the Offer, regardless of any extension of the Offer or any delay in making such payment.

Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Time as explained below. For your withdrawal to be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal with respect to the applicable Shares must be timely received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of the Offer to Purchase, and the notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Shares to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and, if different from that of the person who tendered such Shares, the name of the registered holder of the Shares. If the Shares to be withdrawn have been delivered to the Depositary (except in the case of Shares tendered by an Eligible Institution (as defined in “The Offer—Section 3—Procedures for Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase)), a signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an Eligible Institution must be submitted before the release of such Shares. In addition, such notice must specify, in the case of Shares tendered by delivery of certificates, the serial numbers shown on the specific certificates evidencing the Shares to be withdrawn or, in the case of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in “The Offer—Section 2—Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares” of the Offer to Purchase) to be credited with the withdrawn Shares. Withdrawals may not be rescinded, and Shares withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not validly tendered. However, withdrawn Shares may be retendered at any time before the Expiration Time by again following any of the procedures described in the Offer to Purchase.

Subject to applicable law as applied by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Purchaser will determine, in its sole discretion, all questions as to the form of documents and the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares, and its determination will be final and binding.

In general, your exchange of shares for cash pursuant to the Offer will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and may also be a taxable transaction under applicable state, local or non-U.S. income or other tax laws. You should consult your tax advisor about the specific tax consequences to you of exchanging your shares for cash pursuant to the Offer in light of your particular circumstances. See “The Offer—Section 5—Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” of the Offer to Purchase for a more detailed discussion of the tax consequences of the Offer.

The information required to be disclosed by paragraph (d)(1) of Rule 14d-6 promulgated under the Exchange Act is contained in the Offer to Purchase and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company has provided to the Purchaser its list of shareholders and security position listings for the purpose of disseminating the Offer to holders of Shares. The Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and other related materials will be mailed to record holders of Shares and will be furnished to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees whose names appear on the Company’s shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing agency’s security position listing for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of Shares.

The Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal and the Company’s Schedule 14D-9 contain important information, and should be read carefully and in their entirety before any decision is made with respect to the Offer.

Questions and requests for assistance and copies of the Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and all other tender offer materials may be directed to the Information Agent, at its address and telephone number set forth below and will be furnished promptly at the Purchaser’s expense. None of the Founder or the Purchaser will pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or any other person (other than to the Information Agent and the Depositary, as described in the Offer to Purchase) in connection with the solicitation of tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer. Brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees will, upon request, be reimbursed by the Purchaser for reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in forwarding materials to their customers.

 

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This transaction has not been approved or disapproved by the SEC or any state securities commission, nor has the SEC or any state securities commission passed upon the fairness or merits of this transaction or upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information contained in the Offer to Purchase or the Letter of Transmittal. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful and a criminal offense.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

D.F. King & Co., Inc.

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, New York 10005

Shareholders (toll-free): (800) 283-9185

Banks and Brokers: (212) 269-5550

Email: CLR@dfking.com

October 24, 2022

 

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Exhibit (a)(5)(i)

Omega Acquisition, Inc. Commences Cash Tender Offer for

Shares of Continental Resources, Inc.

OKLAHOMA CITY—October 24, 2022—Omega Acquisition, Inc. (the “Purchaser”), an Oklahoma corporation, 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by Harold G. Hamm, the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Continental Resources, Inc. (“Continental” or the “Company”), today commenced a tender offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”) of the Company, other than: (i) Shares owned by Mr. Hamm, certain of his family members and their affiliated entities (collectively, the “Hamm Family”); and (ii) Shares underlying unvested Company restricted stock awards (such Shares, together with the Shares referred to in clause (i), the “Rollover Shares”), for $74.28 per share (the “Offer Price”), in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes.

The Offer is being made pursuant to the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 16, 2022, between the Company and the Purchaser (the “Merger Agreement”) and is scheduled to expire at one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on November 21, 2022.

The consummation of the Offer and the merger of the Purchaser with and into the Company (the “Merger”) is subject to certain conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. If these conditions are satisfied or waived (to the extent waivable), the Offer and, promptly thereafter, the Merger will be consummated, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation, which will be wholly owned by the Hamm Family. At the effective time of the Merger, any Shares not purchased pursuant to the Offer (subject to certain exceptions, including (i) the Rollover Shares and (ii) Shares held by a holder who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal for such Shares in accordance with Section 1091 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”)), will be automatically converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, in cash and without interest, subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes. As a result of the Merger, the Shares will cease to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and will subsequently be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Hamm Family entered into a Non-Tender and Support Agreement dated October 16, 2022 with the Purchaser, pursuant to which each member of the Hamm Family agreed, among other things, not to tender any of the Shares beneficially owned by such person into the Offer and agreed to the treatment of such person’s Shares pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The Hamm Family also agreed not to vote their Shares in favor of any alternative acquisition proposals involving the Company other than those contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger and the Offer, and to take certain other actions to support the Merger and the Offer. Mr. Hamm and the rest of the Hamm Family collectively own approximately 83% of the outstanding Shares.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, Mr. Hamm entered into a Limited Guarantee in favor of the Company, dated October 16, 2022, with respect to certain obligations of the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, including, under certain circumstances, a guarantee of payment for up to $274 million of the Purchaser’s obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger, provided, that the Company may only enforce such guarantee in connection with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.

On October 16, 2022, the Board, upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors: (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders (other than any holder of Rollover Shares or an affiliate thereof or of the Company, such unaffiliated shareholders, the “Public Shareholders”); (ii) approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, in accordance with the requirements of the OGCA; (iii) resolved that the Merger Agreement and Merger be governed by Section 1081.H of the OGCA; and (iv) resolved, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, to recommend that the Public Shareholders tender their Shares into the Offer.


About Continental Resources

Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR) is a top 10 independent oil producer in the U.S. and a leader in America’s energy renaissance. Based in Oklahoma City, the Company is the largest leaseholder and the largest producer in the nation’s premier oil field, the Bakken play of North Dakota and Montana. The Company is also the largest producer in the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma and is the second largest leaseholder in the Powder River Bain of Wyoming and tenth largest in the Permian Basin of Texas. With a focus on the exploration and production of oil, the Company has unlocked the technology and resources vital to American energy independence and our nation’s leadership in the new world oil market. In 2022, the Company will celebrate 55 years of operations. For more information, please visit www.CLR.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements”. All statements included in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, but not limited to, forecasts or expectations regarding the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions about future events and currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Such statements are inherently subject to numerous business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. No assurance can be given that such expectations will be correct or achieved or that the assumptions are accurate or that any transaction will ultimately be consummated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which such statement is made. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this press release occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company’s actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances after the date of this report, or otherwise.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities, nor is it a substitute for the transaction disclosure materials that will be filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Purchaser will file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and the Company will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 and the Purchaser, the Company and certain other persons will file a transaction statement on Schedule 13E-3 with the SEC with respect to the Offer (together with their exhibits and incorporated documents, the “Tender Offer Materials”). THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING TENDERING THEIR SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK. The Tender Offer Materials will be made available to all holders of the Company’s common stock at no expense to them and will be made available for free at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of any documents filed with the SEC by the Company will also be available free of charge on the Company’s website at https://clr.com or by contacting CLR’s Investor Relations Department at (405) 234-9620.

 

Investor Contact:    Media Contact:
Rory Sabino    Kristin Thomas
Vice President, Investor Relations    Senior Vice President, Chief Communications Officer
405-234-9620    405-234-9480
Rory.Sabino@CLR.com    Kristin.Thomas@CLR.com

Exhibit (d)(16)

Execution Version

AMENDMENT NO. 1 AND AGREEMENT

This Amendment No. 1 and Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of August 24, 2022 (the “Amendment Effective Date”), is among Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (“Borrower”), Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company (“Banner”), CLR Asset Holdings, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company (“CLR”), The Mineral Resources Company, an Oklahoma corporation (“Mineral Resources”), Continental Innovations LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company (“Innovations”), SCS1 Holdings LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company (“SCS1”), Jagged Peak Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Jagged Peak”), and Parsley SoDe Water LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parsley SoDe Water” and together with Banner, CLR, Mineral Resources, Innovations, SCS1, and Jagged Peak, collectively, the “Guarantors”), the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) that have executed this Agreement, the Issuing Banks (as defined in the Credit Agreement), and MUFG Bank, Ltd. (as successor to MUFG Union Bank, N.A.), as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

RECITALS

A. The Borrower is party to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or modified prior to the date hereof, the “Credit Agreement”), with the Existing Lenders party thereto from time to time, the issuing banks party thereto from time to time, and the Administrative Agent.

B. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) each of the Increasing Lenders (as defined below) has agreed to increase its Commitment under the Credit Agreement, (ii) the New Lender (as defined below) has agreed to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, and (iii) the parties hereto have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

THEREFORE, the Borrower, the Lenders that have executed this Agreement, the Issuing Banks, and the Administrative Agent agree as follows:

Section 1. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, each of the terms defined in the opening paragraph and the Recitals above shall have the meaning set forth above. Each term defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein without definition shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Credit Agreement, unless expressly provided to the contrary. For the purposes of this Agreement, the each of the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Existing Lenders” means the Lenders other than the New Lender.

Increasing Lenders” means, collectively, MUFG Union Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Royal Bank of Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and Citibank, N.A.

New Lender” means Goldman Sachs Bank USA.


Section 2. Other Definitional Provisions. Article, Section, Schedule, and Exhibit references are to Articles and Sections of and Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified. All references to instruments, documents, contracts, and agreements are references to such instruments, documents, contracts, and agreements as the same may be amended, supplemented, and otherwise modified from time to time, unless otherwise specified. The words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “including” means “including, without limitation.” Paragraph headings have been inserted in this Agreement as a matter of convenience for reference only and it is agreed that such paragraph headings are not a part of this Agreement and shall not be used in the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

Section 3. Amendments.

(a) The Credit Agreement (excluding schedules and exhibits thereto) is hereby amended to read as reflected on Annex A attached hereto.

(b) Schedule 2.01 to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read as reflected on Schedule 2.01 attached hereto.

(c) Schedule 2.08 to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read as reflected on Schedule 2.08 attached hereto.

Section 4. New Lender Agreement.

(a) The New Lender agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement (as amended by this Agreement), and agrees that it shall, on the Amendment Effective Date, become a Lender for all purposes of the Credit Agreement to the same extent as if originally a party thereto, with a Commitment in the amount set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.01 to the Credit Agreement (as amended by this Agreement).

(b) The New Lender (i) represents and warrants that (u) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (v) it satisfies the requirements specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to become a Lender, (w) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Credit Agreement, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and to provide its Commitment on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or any other Lender, (x) if it is a U.S. Person, it has delivered to the Administrative Agent an executed copy of IRS Form W-9 certifying that it is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding tax, duly completed and executed by the undersigned, (y) if it is a Non-U.S. Lender, it has delivered to the Administrative Agent any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the undersigned, and (z) it has delivered to the Administrative Agent a completed Administrative Questionnaire in which the New Lender designates one or more Credit Contacts to whom all

 

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syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the undersigned’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws; (ii) agrees that (x) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (y) from and after the Amendment Effective Date, it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender; (iii) hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as the Administrative Agent to act as the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (iv) agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and will perform in accordance with its terms all the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

(c) The parties hereto hereby agree that this Section 4 shall satisfy the requirement in Section 2.20 of the Credit Agreement that the New Lender execute and deliver a New Lender Supplement.

Section 5. Increasing Lender Agreement.

(a) Each Increasing Lender agrees that its respective Commitment shall be increased to the amount set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.01 to the Credit Agreement (as amended by this Agreement).

(b) The parties hereto hereby agree that this Section 5 shall satisfy the requirement in Section 2.20 of the Credit Agreement that each Increasing Lender execute and deliver an Incremental Commitment Activation Notice.

Section 6. Representations and Warranties. Each Loan Party represents and warrants that: (a) the representations and warranties of such Loan Party set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties continue to be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified earlier date; provided that in each case, such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof; (b) no Default has occurred and is continuing; (c) execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement are within such Loan Party’s limited liability company, partnership or corporate powers, as applicable, and have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company, partnership or corporate action, as applicable; (d) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party hereto and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party that is a party hereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject

 

3


to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law; and (e) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect (except for any reports required to be filed by the Borrower with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, provided that the failure to make any such filings shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder or thereunder).

Section 7. Reaffirmation of Loan Parties. Each Loan Party hereby ratifies and reaffirms (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the obligations under the Loan Documents; (b) that its reaffirmation of the obligations under the Loan Documents is a material inducement to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement; and (c) that all obligations under the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect until all such obligations have been paid in full (other than indemnities and other contingent obligations not then due and payable and as to which no claim has been made) and the Commitments have expired or have been terminated.

Section 8. Reaffirmation of Guaranty. Each Guarantor hereby ratifies and reaffirms (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the Subsidiary Guaranty; (b) that its reaffirmation of the Subsidiary Guaranty is a material inducement to the Administrative Agent and Lenders to enter into this Agreement; and (c) that its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect until all the obligations under the Loan Documents have been paid in full (other than indemnities and other contingent obligations not then due and payable and as to which no claim has been made) and the Commitments have expired or have been terminated.

Section 9. Conditions to Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on the Amendment Effective Date and enforceable against the parties hereto upon the occurrence of the following conditions precedent:

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Agreement duly and validly executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, the New Lender, the Increasing Lenders and the Required Lenders.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Amendment Effective Date) of (i) Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., New York counsel for the Borrower, and (ii) Crowe & Dunlevy, Oklahoma counsel for the Borrower, in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and covering such matters relating to the Borrower, the Guarantors or this Agreement as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. The Borrower hereby requests such counsels to deliver such opinions.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of an officer, the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, or the Manager of each Loan Party, dated as of the Amendment Effective Date, certifying (i) the resolutions of the board of directors (or other equivalent governing body) of such Loan Party authorizing the execution of this Agreement and each Loan Document to which such Loan Party is a party (or certifying that there have been no changes to such resolutions since the date last certified to the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders), (ii) the charter,

 

4


bylaws or other applicable organizational documents of such Loan Party (or certifying that there have been no changes to such formation and organizational documents since the date last certified to the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders) and (iii) the names and true signatures of the officers executing this Agreement and any other Loan Document on behalf of such Loan Party on the Amendment Effective Date (or certifying there have been no changes to such persons since the date last certified to the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders).

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of good standing with respect to each Loan Party from appropriate public officials in the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party.

(e) No Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the Amendment Effective Date.

(f) The representations and warranties in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Amendment Effective Date, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, on and as of the Amendment Effective Date, such representations and warranties shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified earlier date; provided that, in each case, such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof.

(g) The Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information (including any Beneficial Ownership Certification) that may be required by such Lenders in order to enable compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including information required by the Act and information described in Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement, to the extent requested by the Lenders in writing to the Borrower reasonably in advance of the Amendment Effective Date.

(h) The Borrower shall have paid (i) to the Administrative Agent, for its own account or for the account of the Increasing Lenders, the New Lender, or Arrangers, as applicable, any other fees separately agreed upon in writing between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) all other fees and expenses (including without limitations, reasonable fees of legal counsel) required to be paid pursuant to the Credit Agreement on or prior to the Amendment Effective Date.

Section 10. Acknowledgments and Agreements.

(a) The Borrower acknowledges that on the date hereof all Obligations are payable without defense, offset, counterclaim or recoupment.

(b) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby expressly reserve all of their rights, remedies, and claims under the Loan Documents. Except as otherwise expressly contemplated herein, nothing in this Agreement shall constitute a waiver or relinquishment of (i) any Default or Event of Default under any of the Loan Documents, (ii) any of the agreements, terms or conditions contained in any of the Loan Documents, (iii) any rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to the Loan Documents, or (iv) the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to collect the full amounts owing to them under the Loan Documents.

 

5


(c) This Agreement is a Loan Document for the purposes of the provisions of the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, any breach of representations, warranties, and covenants under this Agreement shall be a Default or Event of Default, as applicable, under the Credit Agreement.

Section 11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.

Section 12. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

Section 13. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 14. Governing Law. The governing law provisions set forth in Section 9.10 of the Credit Agreement apply to this Agreement.

Section 15. Entire Agreement. THIS AGREEMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AS AMENDED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS CONSTITUTE THE ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND SUPERSEDE ANY PRIOR AGREEMENTS, WRITTEN OR ORAL, WITH RESPECT THERETO.

THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank. Signature pages follow.]

 

 

6


EXECUTED effective as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWER:     CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.
    By:  

/s/ John D. Hart

      Name:   John D. Hart
      Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Executive
        Vice President of Strategic Planning
GUARANTORS:     BANNER PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C.
    By:  

/s/ John D. Hart

      Name:   John D. Hart
      Title:   Manager
    CLR ASSET HOLDINGS, LLC
    By: Continental Resources, Inc., as manager and
    sole member
    By:  

/s/ John D. Hart

      Name:   John D. Hart
      Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Executive
        Vice President of Strategic Planning
    THE MINERALS RESOURCES
    COMPANY
    By:  

/s/ John D. Hart

      Name:   John D. Hart
      Title:   Vice President
    CONTINENTAL INNOVATIONS LLC
    By: Continental Resources, Inc., as sole member
    By:  

/s/ John D. Hart

      Name:   John D. Hart
      Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Executive
        Vice President of Strategic Planning

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


SCS1 HOLDINGS LLC
By: Continental Resources, Inc., as sole member
By:  

/s/ John D. Hart

  Name:   John D. Hart
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Executive
    Vice President of Strategic Planning
JAGGED PEAK ENERGY LLC
By: Continental Resources, Inc., as sole member
By:  

/s/ John D. Hart

  Name:   John D. Hart
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Executive
    Vice President of Strategic Planning
PARSLEY SODE WATER LLC
By: Jagged Peak Energy LLC, as sole member of
Parsley SoDe Water LLC
By: Continental Resources, Inc., as sole member of Jagged Peak Energy LLC
By:  

/s/ John D. Hart

  Name:   John D. Hart
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Executive
    Vice President of Strategic Planning

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT/ISSUING BANK/LENDER/INCREASING LENDER:

 

MUFG BANK, LTD.,
as Administrative Agent
By:  

/s/ Edward Andrew

Name:   Edward Andrew
Title:   Authorized Signatory
MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.,
as an Issuing Bank, a Lender and an
Increasing Lender
By:  

/s/ Edward Andrew

Name:   Edward Andrew
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


LENDERS:      BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
     as a Lender, an Increasing Lender and an Issuing Bank
          By:   

/s/ Salman Samar

     Name:    Salman Samar
     Title:    Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,
as a Lender, an Increasing Lender and an Issuing Bank
By:  

/s/ Edward Sacks

Name:   Edward Sacks
Title:   Executive Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,
as a Lender, an Increasing Lender and an Issuing Bank
By:  

/s/ Don J. McKinnerney

Name:   Don J. McKinnerney
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as a Lender, an Increasing Lender and an Issuing Bank
By:  

/s/ Michael Borowiecki

Name:   Michael Borowiecki
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


TRUIST BANK,
as a Lender, an Increasing Lender and an Issuing Bank
By:  

/s/ Greg Krablin

Name:   Greg Krablin
Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender, an Increasing Lender and an Issuing Bank
By:  

/s/ Bruce Hernandez

Name:   Bruce Hernandez
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender, an Increasing Lender and an Issuing Bank
By:  

/s/ Erin Grasty

Name:   Erin Grasty
Title:   Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


CITIBANK, N.A.,
as a Lender, an Increasing Lender and an Issuing Bank
By:  

/s/ Maureen P. Maroney

Name:   Maureen P. Maroney
Title:   Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Jo Linda Papadakis

Name:   Jo Linda Papadakis
Title:   Authorized Officer

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender, Not as an Increasing Lender, Not as a New Lender, and Not as Fronting Bank
By:  

/s/ Rikin Pandya

Name:   Rikin Pandya
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,
as a Lender and New Lender
By:  

/s/ Andrew B. Vernon

Name:   Andrew B. Vernon
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


MIDFIRST BANK,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Steve Griffin

Name:   Steve Griffin
Title:   First Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.


Execution Version

ANNEX A

$2,255,000,000

REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

October 29, 2021,

among

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.,

as Borrower,

the LENDERS party hereto

and

MUFG BANK, LTD.,

as Administrative Agent

and

MUFG BANK, LTD., BOFA SECURITIES, INC., MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,

TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,

TRUIST SECURITIES, INC., AND CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

Section 1.01

  Defined Terms      1  

Section 1.02

  Classification of Loans and Borrowings      31  

Section 1.03

  Terms Generally      31  

Section 1.04

  Accounting Terms; GAAP      32  

Section 1.05

  Currency Equivalents Generally      32  

Section 1.06

  Rates      32  

Section 1.07

  Divisions      33  

ARTICLE II

 

The Credits

 

Section 2.01

  Commitments      33  

Section 2.02

  Loans and Borrowings      33  

Section 2.03

  Requests for Revolving Borrowings      34  

Section 2.04

  Swingline Loans      35  

Section 2.05

  Letters of Credit      36  

Section 2.06

  Funding of Borrowings      41  

Section 2.07

  Interest Elections      42  

Section 2.08

  Termination and Reduction of Commitments      43  

Section 2.09

  Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt      44  

Section 2.10

  Prepayment of Loans      44  

Section 2.11

  Fees      45  

Section 2.12

  Interest      46  

Section 2.13

  Inability to Determine Rates; Illegality      47  

Section 2.14

  Increased Costs      48  

Section 2.15

  Compensation for Losses      49  

Section 2.16

  Taxes      50  

Section 2.17

  Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs      54  

Section 2.18

  Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      55  

Section 2.19

  Defaulting Lenders      56  

Section 2.20

  Extension of Maturity Date      58  

Section 2.21

  Commitment Increases      61  

Section 2.22

  Benchmark Replacement Setting      62  

ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

Section 3.01

  Organization; Powers      63  

Section 3.02

  Authorization; Enforceability      63  

 

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Section 3.03   Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts    64
Section 3.04   Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change    64
Section 3.05   Litigation and Environmental Matters    64
Section 3.06   Compliance with Laws; No Default    64
Section 3.07   Margin Regulations; Investment Company Status    65
Section 3.08   Taxes    65
Section 3.09   ERISA    65
Section 3.10   Disclosure    65
Section 3.11   Affected Financial Institutions    66
ARTICLE IV
Conditions
Section 4.01   Effective Date    66
Section 4.02   Each Credit Event    67
Section 4.03   Conditions Precedent to Each Incremental Commitment Effective Date    68
ARTICLE V
Affirmative Covenants
Section 5.01   Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information    69
Section 5.02   Notices of Defaults    70
Section 5.03   Existence; Conduct of Business    70
Section 5.04   Payment of Taxes    71
Section 5.05   Maintenance of Properties; Insurance    71
Section 5.06   Books and Records; Inspection Rights    71
Section 5.07   Compliance with Laws    71
Section 5.08   Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit    71
ARTICLE VI
Negative Covenants
Section 6.01   Indebtedness    72
Section 6.02   Liens and Sale and Leaseback Transactions    73
Section 6.03   Fundamental Changes    74
Section 6.04   Maximum Consolidated Net Debt to Total Capitalization Ratio    74
Section 6.05   Designation and Conversion of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries    75
Section 6.06   Affiliate Transactions    76

 

-ii-


ARTICLE VII

 

Events of Default

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender, and Issuing Banks

 

Section 8.01

  Appointment and Authority      79  

Section 8.02

  Rights as a Lender      79  

Section 8.03

  Exculpatory Provisions      79  

Section 8.04

  Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Etc      81  

Section 8.05

  Delegation of Duties      81  

Section 8.06

  Lender Credit Decision      81  

Section 8.07

  Indemnification      82  

Section 8.08

  Successor Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Banks      82  

Section 8.09

  No Other Duties, etc.      83  

Section 8.10

  Certain ERISA Matters      84  

Section 8.11

  Erroneous Payments      85  

ARTICLE IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

Section 9.01

  Notices      89  

Section 9.02

  Waivers; Amendments      91  

Section 9.03

  Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver      92  

Section 9.04

  Successors and Assigns      94  

Section 9.05

  Survival      98  

Section 9.06

  Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness      98  

Section 9.07

  Severability      99  

Section 9.08

  Right of Setoff      99  

Section 9.09

  Subsidiary Guaranties      99  

Section 9.10

  Governing Law; Jurisdiction      100  

Section 9.11

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      100  

Section 9.12

  Headings      100  

Section 9.13

  Confidentiality      101  

Section 9.14

  Interest Rate Limitation      102  

Section 9.15

  USA PATRIOT Act      102  

Section 9.16

  Termination of Commitments under Existing Credit Agreement      102  

Section 9.17

  Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions      102  

 

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SCHEDULES:

 

Schedule 2.01       Commitments
Schedule 2.05       Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 2.08       LC Issuance Limits
Schedule 6.01       Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02       Existing Liens

EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A       Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B       Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit C       Form of Interest Election Request
Exhibit D       Form of Note
Exhibit E-1       Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit E-2       Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit E-3       Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit E-4       Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-1       Form of Incremental Commitment Activation Notice
Exhibit F-2       Form of New Lender Supplement
Exhibit G       Form of Subsidiary Guaranty

 

-iv-


This Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of October 29, 2021, is among Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, the Lenders from time to time party hereto and MUFG Bank, Ltd. (as successor by assignment to MUFG Union Bank, N.A.), as Administrative Agent.

The parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

Section 1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Reference Rate.

Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.15.

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

(a) the sum of:

(i) discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state, federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated by the Borrower in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Borrower’s most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are then available, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (1) estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year-end, which reserves were not reflected in such year-end reserve report, and (2) estimated increases in proved oil and gas reserves since such year-end due to exploration, development or exploitation activities or due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report), and decreased by the estimated discounted future net revenues from (3) estimated proved oil and gas reserves reflected in such year-end report produced or disposed of since such year-end and (4) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year-end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report); provided that, in the case of each of the determinations made pursuant to clauses (1) through (4), such increases and decreases shall be as estimated by the Borrower’s petroleum engineers; plus

(ii) the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements; plus

 


(iii) the greater of (1) the net book value on a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (2) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets (including, without duplication, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of the date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest audited financial statements (provided that the Borrower shall not be required to obtain such appraisal of such assets if no such appraisal has been performed); minus

(b) the sum of:

(i) minority interests; plus

(ii) any net gas balancing liabilities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Borrower’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements (to the extent not deducted in calculating Net Working Capital in accordance with clause (a)(ii) of this definition); plus

(iii) to the extent included in clause (a)(i) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in the Borrower’s year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); plus

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

Adjusted Reference Rate” means, for any day, the fluctuating rate per annum of interest equal to the greatest of (a) the Reference Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 12 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor in effect on such day plus 1.00%; provided that if the Adjusted Reference Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement. Any change in the Adjusted Reference Rate due to a change in the Reference Rate, the Adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Reference Rate, the Adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor or the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

Adjusted Term SOFR” means, for purposes of any calculation, the rate per annum equal to (a) Term SOFR for such calculation plus (b) the Term SOFR Adjustment; provided that if Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.

 

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Administrative Agent” means MUFG Bank, Ltd. (as successor by assignment to MUFG Union Bank, N.A.), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders, and any successor in such capacity.

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

Affected Loans” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.13(c).

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Aggregate Commitments” means, at any time, the sum of the Commitments of all Lenders at such time. The amount of the Aggregate Commitments as of the Effective Date is $2,255,000,000.

Agreement” means this Revolving Credit Agreement.

Alternate Currency” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, Canadian Dollars and any other currency agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank.

Anti-Corruption Laws” means the FCPA, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and all other laws, rules, and regulations concerning or relating to bribery or corruption of any jurisdiction where the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates operates from time to time, including, but not limited to, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada).

Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means any and all laws, statues, regulations or obligatory government orders, decrees, ordinances or rules related to terrorism financing or money laundering (including, without limitation, the Patriot Act, the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) of the jurisdictions in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates operates or in which the proceeds of the Loans or Letters of Credit will be used in connection with the operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage of the Aggregate Commitments (disregarding, to the extent applicable pursuant to Section 2.19, any Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Commitment at such time. If all of the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any permitted assignments made hereunder and, to the extent applicable pursuant to Section 2.19, to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.

 

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Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan or SOFR Loan, or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “ABR Spread,” “SOFR Spread,” or “Commitment Fee Rate,” as the case may be, based upon the ratings by the Rating Agencies applicable on such date to the Index Debt:

 

Index Debt Ratings

(S&P / Moody’s/Fitch):

   ABR
Spread
    SOFR
Spread
    Commitment Fee
Rate
 

Pricing Level I

A-/A3/A-

     0     1.000     0.100

Pricing Level II

BBB+/Baa1/BBB+

     0.125     1.125     0.125

Pricing Level III

BBB/Baa2/BBB

     0.250     1.250     0.175

Pricing Level IV

BBB-/Baa3/BBB-

     0.500     1.500     0.200

Pricing Level V

BB+/Ba1/BB+

     0.750     1.750     0.250

Pricing Level VI

BB/Ba2/BB

     1.000     2.000     0.350

For purposes of the foregoing, (a) if only one rating is determined, the Pricing Level corresponding to that rating shall apply; (b) if there are only two ratings, then (i) if there is a one Pricing Level difference between the two ratings, then the Pricing Level corresponding to the higher rating shall be used (with the rating for Pricing Level I being the highest and the rating for Pricing Level VI being the lowest), and (ii) if there is a greater than one Pricing Level difference between the ratings, then the Pricing Level that is one Pricing Level below the higher rating will be used; (c) if there are three ratings, then (i) if all three ratings correspond to the same Pricing Level, that Pricing Level shall apply, (ii) if all three are at different Pricing Levels, the middle Pricing Level shall apply and (iii) if two ratings correspond to the same Pricing Level and the third is different, the Pricing Level corresponding to the two same Pricing Levels shall apply; (d) if none of the Rating Agencies shall have in effect a rating (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the next succeeding paragraph of this definition), then the Pricing Level shall be deemed to be Pricing Level VI; and (e) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established by the Rating Agencies shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of such Rating Agency), such change shall be effective as of the date on which it is first announced by the applicable Rating Agency. Each change in the Applicable Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change.

If the rating system of any Rating Agency shall change, or if any Rating Agency shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such Rating Agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.

 

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If all of the Rating Agencies shall at any time fail to have in effect a rating for the Index Debt (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph of this definition), the Borrower may seek and obtain a rating of the Facility from one or more of the Rating Agencies, and on and after the date on which such rating of the Facility is obtained until such time (if any) that a rating for the Index Debt becomes effective again, the Applicable Rate shall be based on such rating or ratings of the Facility in the same manner as provided herein with respect to the ratings for the Index Debt. For any day when no rating for the Index Debt is in effect (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph of this definition) and no rating of the Facility has been obtained, the Applicable Rate shall be the rates set forth opposite Pricing Level VI on the pricing grid above.

Approved Fund” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.

Arrangers” means MUFG Bank, Ltd. (as successor by assignment to MUFG Union Bank, N.A.), BofA Securities, Inc., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., TD Securities (USA) LLC, U.S. Bank National Association, Royal Bank of Canada, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Truist Securities, Inc., and Citibank, N.A..

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower.

Attributable Debt” means, as of any date of determination, the present value (discounted semiannually at an interest rate implicit in the terms of the relevant lease) of the obligation of a lessee for rental payments pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction (reduced by the amount of the rental obligations of any sublessee of all or part of the same property) during the remaining term of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which the lease relating thereto has been extended), such rental payments not to include amounts payable by the lessee for maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments and similar charges and for contingent rents (such as those based on sales). In the case of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction in which the lease is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such rental payments shall be considered for purposes of this definition to be the lesser of (a) the rental payments to be paid under such Sale and Leaseback Transaction until the first date (after the date of such determination) upon which it may be so terminated plus the then applicable penalty upon such termination and (b) the rental payments required to be paid during the remaining term of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (assuming such termination provision is not exercised).

Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.

Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, (a) if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period pursuant to this Agreement or (b) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 2.22(d).

 

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Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, that such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority, so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

Benchmark” means, initially, the Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.22(a).

Benchmark Replacement” means, with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event, the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement to the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if such Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than the Floor, such Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

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Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.

Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

(a) in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(b) in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.

For the avoidance of doubt, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

(a) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

 

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(b) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(c) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date will not be, representative.

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Transition Start Date” means, in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (a) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (b) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than 90 days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication).

Benchmark Unavailability Period” means the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.22 and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.22.

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all such shares that such “person” has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise). The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall have a corresponding meaning.

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

 

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Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Borrower” means Continental Resources, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation.

Borrowing” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of SOFR Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect or (b) a Swingline Loan.

Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03, which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions in such state are authorized or required by law to close.

Canadian Dollars” refers to lawful money of Canada.

Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP (as GAAP was in effect on December 31, 2020), and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP (as GAAP was in effect on December 31, 2020).

Cash Equivalents” means:

(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above;

 

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(e) deposits in money market funds which invest 95% or more of their funds in investments described in any of clauses (a), (b) and (c) above; and

(f) in the case of any Subsidiary organized or operating outside the United States, other short-term investments that are analogous to the foregoing, are of comparable credit quality and are customarily used by companies in the applicable foreign jurisdiction for cash management purposes.

Change in Control” means any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than the Hamm Group, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower or any Successor Parent (measured by voting power rather than the number of shares); provided that no Change in Control shall be deemed to occur by reason of the Borrower becoming a Subsidiary of a Successor Parent.

For purposes of this definition, any transfer of an equity interest of an entity that was formed for the purpose of acquiring Voting Stock of the Borrower will be deemed to be a transfer of such portion of such Voting Stock as corresponds to the portion of the equity of such entity that has been so transferred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur upon the consummation of any actions undertaken by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary solely for the purpose of changing the legal structure of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty by any Governmental Authority, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority; provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued, and shall be included as a Change in Law only to the extent a Lender is imposing applicable increased costs or costs in connection with capital adequacy requirements similar to those described in Section 2.14 generally on other similarly situated borrowers of loans under similar United States credit facilities (to the extent such Lender has the right under such similar credit facilities to do so).

Charges” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.14.

Class,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans.

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

 

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Commitment” means, with respect to any Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such amount may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08, (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04, and (c) increased by any Commitment Increase from time to time pursuant to Section 2.21. The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption or the New Lender Supplement pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed or assigned its Commitment, as applicable.

Commitment Increase” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.21.

Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein that is distributed to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to Section 9.01, including through the Platform.

Conforming Changes” means, with respect to either the use or administration of Term SOFR or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Adjusted Reference Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period” or any similar or analogous definition (or the addition of a concept of “interest period”), timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of Section 2.15 and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides, in consultation with the Borrower, may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides, in consultation with the Borrower, that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines, in consultation with the Borrower, that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides, in consultation with the Borrower, is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

Consolidated Net Debt” means, at any date, (a) without duplication, the aggregate amount of the Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries of the type specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), and (f) or clauses (g) or (h) (so long as obligations specified in either such clause are not contingent) or clause (e) (if the Guarantees specified in such clause are of Indebtedness of the type referred to above) of the definition of “Indebtedness” as of such date determined on a consolidated basis less (b) the aggregate amount of cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (excluding any portion of such aggregate amount that appears (or would be required to appear) as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP).

 

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Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity” means, at any date, the total stockholders’ equity of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries plus, to the extent resulting in a reduction of total stockholders’ equity, the amount of any non-cash impairment charges incurred by Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, net of any tax effect, after June 30, 2014, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

Credit Contact” means, with respect to each Credit Party, such Person designated in the Administrative Questionnaire or other notice provided to the Administrative Agent as the Credit Contact for such Credit Party.

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.

Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans, or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless (in the case of this clause (iii)) such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of a good faith dispute with respect to the requirement to pay such amount, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, or the Swingline Lender, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, or the Swingline Lender’s receipt of such certification in form and

 

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substance reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or become subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not become a Defaulting Lender solely as a result of the acquisition or maintenance of an ownership interest in such Lender or Person controlling such Lender or the exercise of control over a Lender or Person controlling such Lender by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof; provided, further, that the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator with respect to a Lender or a direct or indirect parent company under the Dutch Financial Supervision Act 2007 (as amended from time to time and including any successor legislation) shall not be deemed to result in an event described in (d) hereof so long as such appointment does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such governmental authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender will be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.19(e)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender and each Lender.

Dollar-Denominated Production Payment” means a production payment required to be recorded as a borrowing in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in dollars, such amount and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any currency other than dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Exchange Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date or other applicable date of determination) for the purchase of dollars with such currency.

dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clause (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

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Effective Date” means October 29, 2021.

Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) the violation of any Environmental Law, (b) any Environmental Law with respect to the generation, use handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment, or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest (other than any debt security which by its terms is convertible at the option of the holder into Equity Interests, to the extent such holder has not so converted such debt security).

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice period is waived); (b) a failure by any Plan to satisfy the “minimum funding standards” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, in each instance, whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; or (h) the imposition of any other liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

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Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(a).

Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(d)(i).

Erroneous Payment Impacted Class” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(d)(i).

Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(d)(i).

Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(e).

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Events of Default” has the meaning set forth in Article VII.

Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Rate” means on any day with respect to any currency (other than dollars), the rate at which such currency may be exchanged into any other currency (including dollars), as set forth at approximately 4:00 p.m. (London time) on such day for the purchase of the relevant currency two Business Days later on the Reuters World Currency Page for such currency. If such rate does not appear on any Reuters World Currency Page, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, or, in the absence of such agreement, such Exchange Rate shall instead be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such currency are then being conducted, at approximately 4:00 p.m., local time, on such date for the purchase of the relevant currency for delivery two Business Days later.

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.18) or (ii) such Lender designates a new lending office, except, in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.16, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it designated a new lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.16(f) and Section 2.16(h), and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

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Existing Credit Agreement” means the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of April 9, 2018, among the Borrower, MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, as amended.

Existing Letters of Credit” means, collectively, the letters of credit set forth on Schedule 2.05.

Existing Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.20(a).

Extending Lender” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.20(b).

Facility” means the revolving credit facility provided for in this Agreement.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices included in or adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and entered into in connection with the implementation of the foregoing.

FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it and reasonably acceptable to the Borrower.

Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.

First Amendment Effective Date” means August 24, 2022.

Fitch” means Fitch, Inc., or its successor.

Floor” means a rate of interest equal to 0% .

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

 

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

Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

Guarantor” means, at any time, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is party to a Subsidiary Guaranty as a guarantor.

Hamm Group” means (a) Harold G. Hamm (“Hamm”), (b) Hamm’s spouse (including any ex-spouse of Hamm pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order), (c) any of Hamm’s lineal descendants, (d) Hamm’s guardian or other legal representative of Hamm or Hamm’s estate, (e) any trust of which at least one of the trustees is Hamm, or the principal beneficiaries of which are any one or more of the persons or entities described in clause (a) through (d) above, (f) any person or entity that is controlled by any one or more of the persons or entities described in clauses (a) through (e) above, or (g) any group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC thereunder) that includes one or more of the persons or entities described in clauses (a) through (f) above, provided that such persons and entities described in clauses (a) through (f) above control more than 50% of the voting power of such group.

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Illegality Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(b).

Increasing Lenders” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.21.

Incremental Commitment Activation Notice” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1.

 

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Incremental Commitment Effective Date” means any Business Day designated as such in an Incremental Commitment Activation Notice or, if later, the first date on which each condition set forth in Section 4.03 shall have been satisfied or waived with respect to the Commitment Increase set forth therein.

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money;

(b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments;

(c) all obligations of such Person (i) under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person and (ii) in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services that in accordance with GAAP would be required to be shown as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person (excluding with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph, (A) accounts payable and accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business, (B) amounts which are being contested in good faith and for which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided, (C) obligations under firm transportation or processing contracts, take/ship or pay contracts or drilling contracts, (D) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, (E) oil and gas marketing agreements arising in the ordinary course of business and (F) operating lease or finance lease obligations accounted for under GAAP Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842 – Leases);

(d) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person (other than, in the case of property owned or acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, Liens on Equity Interests in Joint Ventures which are permitted under Section 6.02(a)(vii)), whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, but only to the extent of such property’s fair market value;

(e) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others;

(f) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;

(g) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty; and

(h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances.

The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other Person (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is legally liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such other Person, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. The Indebtedness of any Person shall not include endorsements of checks, bills of exchange and other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

Indemnitee” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03(b).

Index Debt” means senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower that is not guaranteed by any other Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary) or subject to any other credit enhancement.

Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10.

Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07, which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

Interest Payment Date” means (a) as to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date, (b) as to any SOFR Loan, the last day of each Interest Period therefor and (c) as to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.

Interest Period” means with respect to any SOFR Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one or three months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, (c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date and (d) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.22(d) shall be available for specification in such Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request. For purposes hereof, the date of a Loan or Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Loan or Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Loan or Borrowing.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Issuing Bank” means each of MUFG Union Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, U.S. Bank National Association, Royal Bank of Canada, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Truist Bank, and Citibank, N.A. and any other Lender that agrees with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to act as an Issuing Bank, in each case, in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder. Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

 

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Joint Venture” means a joint venture entity the Equity Interests of which are owned by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary with a third party so long as such joint venture entity does not constitute a Restricted Subsidiary.

Joint Venture Obligations” means, with respect to any Joint Venture owned in part by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, Indebtedness of such Joint Venture that is non-recourse to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or to any property of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Equity Interests in such Joint Venture.

LC Disbursement” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.

LC Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Total LC Exposure at such time.

LC Issuance Limit” means, with respect to each Issuing Bank, the amount set forth on Schedule 2.08 opposite such Issuing Bank’s name.

Lender Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, each Person in respect of which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

Lenders” means (a) the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01, (b) any New Lender that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to Section 2.21, and (c) any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender.

Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement, including the Existing Letters of Credit.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset or (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

Loan” means a Revolving Loan or a Swingline Loan, as the context may require.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each New Lender Supplement, each Subsidiary Guaranty (if any) and each promissory note executed and delivered by the Borrower under Section 2.09(e) (if any).

Loan Parties” means the Borrower and each Guarantor.

Material Adverse Change” means any event, development or circumstance that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, property or financial condition of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower and the Guarantors to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents, or (c) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Loan Documents.

Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100,000,000 (or the equivalent in a foreign currency). For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

Maturity Date” means October 29, 2026, subject to the extension thereof with respect to all or part of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.20.

Maximum Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.14.

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

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Net Working Capital” means the sum of (i) all current assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries plus (ii) the amount of borrowings available to be incurred under this Agreement, less all current liabilities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in clauses (a), (b) and (d) and (e) (in respect of clauses (a) and (b)) of the definition of Indebtedness, in each case (other than in respect of the amount referred to in the preceding clause (ii)) as set forth in consolidated financial statements of the Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP, provided, however, that all of the following shall be excluded in the calculation of Net Working Capital: (a) current assets or liabilities relating to the mark-to-market value of hedging arrangements, (b) any current assets or liabilities relating to non-cash charges or accruals arising from any grant of Equity Interests, options to acquire Equity Interests, or other equity based awards, and (c) any current assets or liabilities relating to non-cash charges or accruals for future abandonment liabilities.

New Lender” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.21.

New Lender Supplement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.21.

Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, any Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

 

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Non-Extending Lender” means, with respect to any extension of the Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.20, any Lender that has not consented to or has been deemed not to have consented to such extension pursuant to Section 2.20.

Non-Guarantor Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor.

Non-U.S. Lender” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

Note” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of any Lender, in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit D, evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from Loans owing to such Lender.

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

Oil and Gas Business” means the business of exploiting, exploring for, developing, acquiring, operating, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, storing, selling, hedging, treating, swapping, refining and transporting hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide and other related energy businesses, including contract drilling and other oilfield services.

Oil and Gas Liens” means:

(a) Liens on any specific property or any interest therein, construction thereon or improvement thereto to secure all or any part of the costs incurred for surveying, exploration, drilling, extraction, development, operation, production, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of, in, under or on such property and the plugging and abandonment of wells located thereon (it being understood that, in the case of oil and gas producing properties, or any interest therein, costs incurred for “development” shall include costs incurred for all facilities relating to such properties or to projects, ventures or other arrangements of which such properties form a part or which relate to such properties or interests);

(b) Liens on an oil or gas producing property to secure obligations incurred or guarantees of obligations incurred in connection with or necessarily incidental to commitments for the purchase or sale of, or the transportation or distribution of, the products derived from such property;

(c) Liens arising under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, overriding royalty agreements, net profits agreements, production payment agreements, royalty trust agreements, incentive compensation programs for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, master limited partnership agreements, farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of oil, gas, other hydrocarbons or other materials used in the production of oil and gas, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided, however, in all instances that such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of or related to the relevant agreement, program, order or contract;

 

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(d) Liens arising in connection with the grant or transfer by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a Production Payment or other interest in oil and gas properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such properties, production or proceeds of production; and

(e) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law.

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes (other than a connection arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

Other Taxes” means any present or future stamp, court, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment under Section 2.18).

Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(c).

Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(c).

Payment Recipient” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.11.

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term SOFR”.

Permitted Encumbrances” means:

(a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as will be required in conformity with GAAP will have been made therefor;

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, workmen’s, landlords’ and other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business (or deposits to obtain the release of such Liens);

 

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(c) pledges and deposits made in compliance with, or deemed trusts arising in connection with, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations (other than Liens imposed by ERISA);

(d) good faith deposits in connection with tenders, leases and contracts (other than contracts for the payment of Indebtedness), deposits to secure public or statutory obligations, or in lieu of surety or appeal bonds, and any Lien to secure performance bids, leases (including, without limitation, statutory and common law landlord’s liens), statutory obligations, letters of credit and other obligations of a like nature and incurred in the ordinary course of business and not securing or supporting Indebtedness for borrowed money or Capital Lease Obligations, and any Lien to secure statutory or appeal bonds;

(e) judgment or attachment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII;

(f) zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, reservations, title defects, rights of others for rights of way, utilities, sewers, electric lines, telephone or telegraph lines, and other similar purposes, provisions, covenants, conditions, waivers, restrictions on the use of property or minor irregularities of title (and with respect to leasehold interests, mortgages, obligations, Liens and other encumbrances incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord or owner of the leased property, with or without consent of the lessee), none of which materially impairs the use of any parcel of property or the value of such property for the purpose of such business or such property is not material to the operation of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(g) any Lien in favor of the United States of America, any state or any agency, department, political subdivision or other instrumentality of either, to secure partial, progress or advance payments to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of any contract or any statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such Liens, including without limitation, Liens to secure Indebtedness of the pollution control or industrial revenue bond type;

(h) Liens created or evidenced by or resulting from precautionary financing statements filed by lessors of property (but only relating to the leased property), other than in connection with capital leases and sale-leasebacks;

(i) Liens imposed by ERISA which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with GAAP, provided that the aggregate amount of the obligations secured by such Liens shall not at any time exceed $50,000,000;

(j) Liens on, or related to, properties and assets located thereon to secure all or part of the costs incurred in the ordinary course of business of acquisition, exploration, drilling, development or operation thereof;

 

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(k) Liens in favor of banks having a right of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on deposit with or in the possession of such bank, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(l) Oil and Gas Liens which are not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money;

(m) leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(n) any Lien created by a mortgage related to a property or building that is used as the Borrower’s headquarters or other principal place of business or any field office;

(o) Liens on the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent securing Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(p) Liens in favor of the Borrower or any Guarantor.

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Platform” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01(d).

Pricing Level” means the applicable category of rating level contained in the definition of “Applicable Rate” which is based on the rating of the Index Debt by one or more of the Rating Agencies.

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

PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Rating Agency” means S&P, Moody’s or Fitch.

Recipient” means the Administrative Agent, any Lender and any Issuing Bank, or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

Reference Rate” means a fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in effect from time to time equal to the rate of interest publicly announced by MUFG Bank, Ltd., as its reference rate, whether or not the Borrower has notice thereof. Each change in the Reference Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

 

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Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(b).

Regulations T, U, and X” mean Regulations T, U, and X of the Board, as the same is from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, partners, members, trustees, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.

Relevant Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.05.

Required Lenders” means, at any time, subject to Section 2.19, Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the Total Revolving Credit Exposure and unused Commitments at such time.

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the president, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of such Person.

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Revaluation Date” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit issued in an Alternate Currency, each of the following: (a) each date of issuance, amendment, or extension of such Letter of Credit, (b) each date of an amendment of such Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof (solely with respect to the increased amount), (c) each date of any payment by an Issuing Bank under any such Letter of Credit, and (d) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require.

Revolving Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, (a) the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans at such time plus (b) such Lender’s LC Exposure at such time plus (c) (except for the purposes of calculating the commitment fee in accordance with Section 2.11(a)) such Lender’s Swingline Exposure at such time.

Revolving Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of S&P Global Inc., or any successor to the ratings agency business thereof.

 

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Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of any property (whether such property is now owned or hereafter acquired) that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, other than (a) temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than three years and (b) leases between the Borrower and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.

Sanctioned Country” means a country or territory that is or whose government is subject to, or the target of, a U.S. or Canadian sanctions program that broadly prohibits dealings with that country, territory or government (including without limitation, as of the First Amendment Effective Date, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Crimea, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic of Ukraine and the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine, it being understood that if any such country ceases to be subject to, or the target of, any such sanctions program, then it shall cease to be considered a “Sanctioned Country”).

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, any Person (a) that is listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list or the Consolidated Sanctions list maintained by OFAC, or any similar list maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, other applicable U.S. or Canadian sanctions authority or other jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates operates or in which the proceeds of the Loans or Letters of Credit will be used in connection with the operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (b) that is operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) with whom a U.S. Person is otherwise prohibited or restricted by Sanctions Laws from engaging in trade, business or other activities or (d) to the knowledge of the Borrower, owned or controlled by any Person or Persons described in clauses (a), (b), or (c), including a Person that is deemed by OFAC to be a Sanctions Laws target based on the ownership of such legal entity by Sanctioned Person(s).

Sanctions Laws” means the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders promulgated or administered to implement economic or financial sanctions, sectoral sanctions, secondary sanctions, trade embargoes or anti-terrorism programs by (a) any U.S. Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, OFAC), including Executive Order 13224, the Patriot Act, the Trading with the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the laws, regulations, rules and/or executive orders relating to restrictive measures against Iran; (b) any Canadian Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, Global Affairs Canada) and (c) any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates operates or in which the proceeds of the Loans or Letters of Credit will be used in connection with the operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to the functions of said Commission.

Significant Subsidiary” has the meaning ascribed to such term under Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Significant Subsidiary or Significant Subsidiaries shall refer to a Significant Subsidiary or Significant Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.

 

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SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

SOFR Borrowing” means, as to any Borrowing, the SOFR Loans comprising such Borrowing.

SOFR Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on Adjusted Term SOFR, other than pursuant to clause (c) of the definition of “Adjusted Reference Rate”.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity of which Equity Interests representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, directly or indirectly, owned, controlled or held by the parent. Unless otherwise expressly provided, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

Subsidiary Guaranty” means a guaranty of the Borrower’s obligations hereunder in substantially the form of Exhibit G or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Successor Parent” with respect to any Person means any other Person more than 50% of the total outstanding Voting Stock of which (measured by voting power rather than the number of shares) is, at the time the first Person becomes a Subsidiary of such other Person, beneficially owned by one or more Persons that beneficially owned more than 50% of the total outstanding Voting Stock of the first Person (measured by voting power rather than the number of shares) immediately prior to the first Person becoming a Subsidiary of such other Person.

Surviving Entity” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03.

Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction, or any option or similar agreement, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

Swingline Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time.

Swingline Lender” means MUFG Union Bank, N.A., in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Swingline Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04.

 

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Taxes” means any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term SOFR” means,

(a) for any calculation with respect to a SOFR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day, and

(b) for any calculation with respect to an ABR Loan on any day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor of one month on the day (such day, the “ABR Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any ABR Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such ABR SOFR Determination Day.

Term SOFR Adjustment” means, for any calculation with respect to an ABR Loan or a SOFR Loan, a percentage per annum in an amount equal to 0.10%.

Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.

Total Capitalization” means, at any date, the sum of (a) Consolidated Net Debt and (b) Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity as of such date.

Total LC Exposure” means, at any time, (a) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.

 

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Total Revolving Credit Exposure” means at any time, (a) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans at such time plus (b) the Total LC Exposure at such time plus (c) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Swingline Loans at such time.

Type,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to Adjusted Term SOFR or the Adjusted Reference Rate.

U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.

U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Tax Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(f)(ii)(D)(2).

UK Financial Institution” shall mean any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower which the Borrower has designated in writing to the Administrative Agent to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.05 and all Subsidiaries of such Person. As of the Effective Date, each of (a) 20 Broadway Associates LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, (b) SFPG, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company and (c) The Mineral Resources Company II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, each a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower, is an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Volumetric Production Payment” means a production payment that is recorded as a sale in accordance with GAAP, whether or not the sale price must be recorded as deferred revenue, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

Voting Stock” of a Person means Equity Interests of such Person of the class or classes pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time Equity Interests of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

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wholly owned” means, when used in reference to any subsidiary of any Person, that all of the Equity Interests in such Subsidiary are directly or indirectly (through one or more other wholly owned subsidiaries of such Person) owned by such Person, excluding directors’ qualifying shares and other nominal amounts of Equity Interests that are required to be held by other Persons under applicable law.

Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Withholding Agent” means any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that Person or any other Person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

Section 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “SOFR Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “SOFR Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “SOFR Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “SOFR Revolving Borrowing”).

Section 1.03 Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and

 

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Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including intellectual property, cash, securities, accounts and contract rights, (f) with respect to the determination of any period of time, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to but excluding,” and (g) reference to any law, rule or regulation means such as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time.

Section 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, for purposes of calculations made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no effect shall be given to any election under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, or any successor thereto (including pursuant to the Accounting Standards Codification), to value any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value,” as defined therein.

Section 1.05 Currency Equivalents Generally. The Administrative Agent shall determine the Exchange Rate as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Letters of Credit denominated in an Alternate Currency. Such Exchange Rate shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Exchange Rate employed in converting any amounts between dollars and such Alternate Currency until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternate Currency, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in dollars, such amount shall be the Dollar Equivalent of such dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternate Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent.

Section 1.06 Rates. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to (a) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to Adjusted Reference Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, Adjusted Reference Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates or other

 

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related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of Adjusted Reference Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain Adjusted Reference Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR or any other Benchmark, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.

Section 1.07 Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

ARTICLE II

The Credits

Section 2.01 Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Lender severally agrees to make loans in dollars to the Borrower (each such loan, a “Revolving Loan”) from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment or (b) the Total Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding the Aggregate Commitments. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Revolving Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

(b) Subject to Section 2.13, each Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or SOFR Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any SOFR Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any SOFR Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000. At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Aggregate Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e). Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000, provided that a Swingline Loan may be in an amount that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e). Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of nine SOFR Revolving Borrowings outstanding.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any SOFR Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

Section 2.03 Requests for Revolving Borrowings. To request a Revolving Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone, fax or electronic mail (a) in the case of a SOFR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three U.S. Government Securities Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Revolving Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and, in the case of a telephonic Borrowing Request, shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, fax or electronic mail (in .pdf form) to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) the aggregate principal amount of the requested Borrowing;

(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Revolving Borrowing or a SOFR Borrowing; and

(iv) in the case of a SOFR Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto.

If no election as to the Type of Revolving Borrowing is specified, then the requested Revolving Borrowing shall be an ABR Revolving Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested SOFR Revolving Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected a one-month Interest Period. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

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Section 2.04 Swingline Loans. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Swingline Lender agrees to make loans to the Borrower (each such loan, a “Swingline Loan”) from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $25,000,000 or (ii) the Total Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding the Aggregate Commitments; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

(b) To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone, fax or electronic mail (and, in the case of telephonic notice, promptly confirmed by hand delivery, fax or electronic mail), not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day of the proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day), amount of the requested Swingline Loan and, in the case of a Swingline Loan requested to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e), the identity of the Issuing Bank that has made such LC Disbursement. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the Borrower. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Swingline Lender shall promptly make each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the Borrower with the Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank) on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

(c) The Swingline Lender may, by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Business Day, require the Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Lenders will be required to participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to other Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other Person on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the

 

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Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

Section 2.05 Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Borrower may request that any Issuing Bank issue Letters of Credit for the Borrower’s account, denominated in dollars or an Alternate Currency and in a form reasonably acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period, in support of obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit by any Issuing Bank (or the amendment or extension (other than an automatic extension permitted pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section) of an outstanding Letter of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank), the Borrower shall by telephone, fax or electronic mail (if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the recipient) to such Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount and currency of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit (other than an Existing Letter of Credit). A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, or extended by the applicable Issuing Bank only if (and upon issuance, amendment, or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, or extension, (i) the Total Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, (ii) the Total LC Exposure shall not exceed $100,000,000.00, and (iii) the Total LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank will not, unless such Issuing Bank shall so agree in writing, exceed such Issuing Bank’s LC Issuance Limit. Each Issuing Bank agrees that it shall not permit any issuance, amendment, or extension of a Letter of Credit to occur unless it shall have given to the Administrative Agent written notice thereof required under paragraph (k) of this Section.

(c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) unless a later date is otherwise agreed to in writing by the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent, the date that is one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension thereof, one year after such extension) and (ii) five Business Days before the Maturity Date; provided that any Letter of Credit may provide for the automatic extensions thereof for additional periods which shall not extend beyond five Business Days before the Maturity Date.

 

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(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank, in the Dollar Equivalent of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, or extension of any Letter of Credit, the occurrence and continuance of a Default, any reduction or termination of the Commitments or any force majeure or other event that under any rule of law or uniform practices to which any Letter of Credit is subject permits a drawing to be made under such Letter of Credit after the expiration thereof or of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e) Reimbursement. If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in dollars by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such LC Disbursement not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that the Borrower may, at its election and subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or Section 2.04, as applicable, that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing (if such LC Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000) or a Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment in dollars then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the payment in dollars then due. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay in dollars to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute

 

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such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse any Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by each Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, (iv) any force majeure or other event that under any rule of law or uniform practices to which any Letter of Credit is subject permits a drawing to be made under such Letter of Credit after the stated expiration date thereof or of the Commitments or (v) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of any Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that the applicable Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination unless a court of competent jurisdiction shall have determined by a final, non-appealable judgment that such Issuing Bank was grossly negligent or acted with willful misconduct in connection with such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, each Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

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(g) Disbursement Procedures. Each Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone, fax or electronic mail (and, in the case of telephonic notice, promptly confirmed by hand delivery, fax or electronic mail) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(h) Interim Interest. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans; provided that (i) if the Borrower makes such reimbursement on the date such LC Disbursement is made, interest shall accrue for such day if such reimbursement is made after 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on such day and (ii) if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.12(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment, and shall be payable on demand or, if no demand has been made, on the date on which the Borrower reimburses the applicable LC Disbursement in full.

(i) Termination of an Issuing Bank. Any Issuing Bank may be terminated at any time upon not less than 10 Business Days’ prior written notice by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and such Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such termination of an Issuing Bank. After the termination of an Issuing Bank hereunder, such Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such termination, but shall not be required to amend or extend any such Letter of Credit or to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(j) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposures representing greater than 50% of the Total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account maintained with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Issuing Banks and Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the Total LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII. The Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral in accordance with this paragraph as and to the extent required by Sections 2.10(c) and 2.19. Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the

 

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exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits (in the event any such investment is made pursuant to the following sentence), such deposits shall not bear interest. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to invest any such deposits; provided that if the Administrative Agent elects to invest any such deposits, the Administrative Agent shall invest such deposits in one or more types of Cash Equivalents, and such investments shall be at the Borrower’s risk and expense. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the Total LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to (i) the consent of Lenders with LC Exposures representing greater than 50% of the Total LC Exposure and (ii) in the case of any such application at a time when any Lender is a Defaulting Lender (but only if, after giving effect thereto, the remaining cash collateral shall be less than the aggregate LC Exposure of all the Defaulting Lenders) the consent of each Issuing Bank), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within one Business Day after all Events of Default have been cured or waived. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.10(c), such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, the Total Revolving Credit Exposure would not exceed the Aggregate Commitments and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.19, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower as promptly as practicable to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, no Issuing Bank shall have any exposure in respect of any outstanding Letter of Credit that is not fully covered by the Commitments of the Non-Defaulting Lenders or the remaining cash collateral and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(k) Issuing Bank Reports to the Administrative Agent. Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) periodic activity (for such period or recurrent periods as shall be requested by the Administrative Agent) in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, including all issuances, extensions, and amendments, all expirations and cancelations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) reasonably prior to the time that such Issuing Bank issues, amends, or extends any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, or extension, and the stated amount of the Letters of Credit issued, amended, or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, or extension (and whether the amounts thereof shall have changed), (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date and amount of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which the Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and the amount of such LC Disbursement and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.

 

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(l) Calculation of Maximum Stated Amount. For all purposes of this Agreement, the amount of a Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at the time of determination.

(m) Existing Letters of Credit. On the Effective Date, each of the Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued as a Letter of Credit under this Agreement by the applicable Issuing Bank, and such Issuing Bank shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have granted to each of the Lenders, and each Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have acquired from such Issuing Bank, a participation (on the terms specified in this Section 2.05) in each Existing Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Concurrently with such sale of participations, the participations granted pursuant to the terms of the Existing Credit Agreement to the lenders party thereto shall be automatically cancelled without further action by any of the parties hereto. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Existing Letters of Credit pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Aggregate Commitments, and that each payment by a Lender in respect of such participations shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

Section 2.06 Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by written notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent will make Revolving Loans available to the Borrower by promptly remitting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any SOFR Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to the Loans comprising such Borrowing. If the Borrower and such Lender shall both pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall

 

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promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

Section 2.07 Interest Elections. (a) Each Revolving Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a SOFR Revolving Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a SOFR Revolving Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Borrowings of Swingline Loans, which may not be converted or continued.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone, fax or electronic mail by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Revolving Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, fax or electronic mail to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the Borrower.

(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day, and if the Borrower is electing to continue a SOFR Borrowing, shall be the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Revolving Borrowing or a SOFR Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a SOFR Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.”

 

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If any such Interest Election Request requests a SOFR Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a SOFR Revolving Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Revolving Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default under clause (h) or (i) of Article VII has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Borrower, or if any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, notifies the Borrower of the election to give effect to this sentence on account of such other Event of Default, then, in each such case, so long as such Event of Default is continuing, (i) no outstanding Revolving Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a SOFR Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each SOFR Revolving Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Revolving Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

Section 2.08 Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date (as it may be extended with respect to some or all of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.20).

(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $10,000,000 and not less than $50,000,000 and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.10, the Total Revolving Credit Exposure would exceed the Aggregate Commitments as a result thereof.

(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the closing of one or more securities offerings, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.

 

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Section 2.09 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender on the Maturity Date and (ii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least two Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Borrowing of Revolving Loans is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.

(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and, in the case of SOFR Loans, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(e) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or its registered assigns) and substantially in the form of Exhibit D. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or its registered assigns).

Section 2.10 Prepayment of Loans. (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section.

(b) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone, fax or electronic mail (and, in the case of telephonic notice, promptly confirmed by hand delivery, fax or electronic mail) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a SOFR Revolving Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Revolving Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the same Business Day as the date of prepayment, or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the same Business Day as the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify

 

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the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.08, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.08. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Revolving Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Revolving Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Revolving Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Revolving Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.12.

(c) If, on any date, the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Total Revolving Credit Exposure exceeds the Aggregate Commitments on such date, the Borrower shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two Business Days after receipt of such notice, prepay the outstanding principal amount of any Loans owing by the Borrower in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce the Total Revolving Credit Exposure to an amount not exceeding the Aggregate Commitments on such date. If any such excess remains after prepayment in full of the aggregate outstanding Loans, the Borrower shall provide cash collateral in the manner set forth in Section 2.05(j) in an amount equal to 100% of such excess.

Section 2.11 Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the daily amount (if any) by which the Commitment of such Lender exceeds the Revolving Credit Exposure of such Lender during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof; provided that any commitment fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(b) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to SOFR Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, (ii) to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by it in the amount agreed between such Issuing Bank and the Borrower prior to the issuance of such Letter of Credit, and (iii) to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable in arrears on such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on

 

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which the Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 30 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The amount of participation and fronting fees payable hereunder shall be set forth in a written invoice or other notice delivered to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or, in the case of fronting fees, by the applicable Issuing Bank.

(c) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, for the account of the Lenders or for the account of the Arranger, as applicable, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the applicable Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

Section 2.12 Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Adjusted Reference Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Loans comprising each SOFR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted Term SOFR for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.000% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2.000% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and upon termination of the Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment, and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any SOFR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Adjusted Reference Rate at times when the Adjusted Reference Rate is based on the Reference Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Adjusted Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR or Term SOFR shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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Section 2.13 Inability to Determine Rates; Illegality.

(a) Subject to Section 2.22, if, on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any SOFR Loan:

(i) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that “Term SOFR” cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof, or

(ii) the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a SOFR Loan or a conversion thereto or a continuation thereof that Term SOFR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed SOFR Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making and maintaining such Loan, and the Required Lenders have provided notice of such determination to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Upon notice thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, any obligation of the Lenders to make SOFR Loans, and any right of the Borrower to continue SOFR Loans or to convert ABR Loans to SOFR Loans, shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans or affected Interest Periods) until the Administrative Agent (with respect to clause (b), at the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans or affected Interest Periods) or, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans in the amount specified therein and (ii) any outstanding affected SOFR Loans will be deemed to have been converted into ABR Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period. Upon any such conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.15. Subject to Section 2.22, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that “Term SOFR” cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof on any given day, the interest rate on ABR Loans shall be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Adjusted Reference Rate” until the Administrative Agent revokes such determination.

(b) If any Lender determines that any law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR, or to determine or charge interest based upon SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR, then, upon prompt notice thereof by such Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (an “Illegality Notice”), (i) any obligation of the Lenders to make SOFR Loans, and any right of the Borrower to continue SOFR Loans or to convert ABR Loans to SOFR Loans, shall be suspended, and (ii) the interest

 

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rate on which ABR Loans shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Adjusted Reference Rate”, in each case until each affected Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of an Illegality Notice, the Borrower shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, upon demand from any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all SOFR Loans to ABR Loans (the interest rate on which ABR Loans shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Adjusted Reference Rate”), on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if all affected Lenders may lawfully continue to maintain such SOFR Loans to such day, or immediately, if any Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such SOFR Loans to such day, in each case until the Administrative Agent and the Borrower are advised in writing by each affected Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.15.

Section 2.14 Increased Costs

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender or any Issuing Bank;

(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or such Issuing Bank;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any SOFR Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then, subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Section, the Borrower will pay to such Recipient such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Recipient for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

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(b) If any Lender or any Issuing Bank determines in good faith that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitment of or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time, subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Section, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered. The foregoing proviso, however, shall not require any Lender to disclose any confidential information regarding such other borrowers.

(c) A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, including in reasonable detail a description of the basis for such claim for compensation and a calculation of such amount or amounts, shall be delivered to the Borrower (and both the description of the basis for such claim and the calculation of such amounts shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrower). The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 30 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower in writing of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further, that if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

Section 2.15 Compensation for Losses. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (c) the failure (other than as a result of the failure of a Lender to fund a Loan required to be funded hereunder) to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any SOFR Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.10(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith), (d) the assignment of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18 or Section 2.20(c), or (e) the operation of Section 2.21 on any Incremental Commitment Effective Date, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender

 

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for any loss, cost and expense attributable to such event, including any loss, cost or expense arising from the liquidation or redeployment of funds or from any fees payable. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section, including in reasonable detail a description of the basis for such compensation and a calculation of such amount or amounts, shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within three Business Days after receipt thereof.

Section 2.16 Taxes. (a) Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up. Each payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without withholding or deduction for any Taxes, unless such withholding or deduction is required by any applicable law. If any Withholding Agent determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it is so required to withhold or deduct Taxes, then such Withholding Agent may so withhold or deduct and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, then the amount payable by such Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that, after such withholding or deduction has been made (including such withholding or deduction of Indemnified Taxes applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section), the applicable Recipient receives the amount it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(d) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient for any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts paid or payable under this paragraph) that are paid or payable (without duplication) by such Recipient in connection with any Loan Document and any reasonable and documented expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The indemnity under this paragraph shall be paid within 30 days after the Recipient delivers to any Loan Party a certificate stating the amount of any Indemnified Taxes so paid or payable by such Recipient and describing the basis for the indemnification claim. Such Recipient shall deliver a copy of such certificate to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent for any Taxes (but, in the case of any Indemnified Taxes, only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so) attributable to such Lender that are paid or payable by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document and any reasonable and documented expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.

 

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The indemnity under this paragraph shall be paid within 10 days after the Administrative Agent delivers to the applicable Lender a certificate stating the amount of Taxes so paid or payable by the Administrative Agent. Such certificate shall be conclusive of the amount so paid or payable absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document from any other source against any amount then due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph.

(f) Status of Lenders. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from, or reduction of, any applicable withholding Tax with respect to any payments under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without, or at a reduced rate of, withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to any withholding (including backup withholding) or information reporting requirements. Upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, any Lender shall update any form or certification previously delivered pursuant to this Section 2.16(f). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding three sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in subsections (ii)(A) through (E) and (iii) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, any Lender shall, if it is legally eligible to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies reasonably requested by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a party hereto, duly completed and executed copies of whichever of the following is applicable:

(A) in the case of a Lender that is a U.S. Person, IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding Tax;

(B) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (1) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (2) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

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(C) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender for whom payments under any Loan Document constitute income that is effectively connected with such Lender’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States, IRS Form W-8ECI;

(D) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code both (1) IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E and (2) a certificate substantially in the form of the applicable certificate provided in Exhibit E (a “U.S. Tax Certificate”) to the effect that such Lender is not (a) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (b) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, and (c) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code;

(E) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender that is not the beneficial owner of payments made under any Loan Document (including a partnership or a participating Lender) (1) an IRS Form W-8IMY on behalf of itself and (2) the relevant forms prescribed in clauses (A), (B), (C), (D) and (F) of this paragraph (f)(ii) that would be required of each such beneficial owner or partner of such partnership if such beneficial owner or partner were a Lender; provided, however, that if the Lender is a partnership and one or more of its partners are claiming the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, such Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Certificate on behalf of such partners; or

(F) any other form prescribed by law as a basis for claiming exemption from, or a reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax together with such supplementary documentation necessary to enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the amount of Tax (if any) required by law to be withheld.

(iii) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA, to determine that such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA and, as necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this paragraph, “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

If any form or certification previously delivered pursuant to this Section 2.16(f) expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect with respect to a Lender, such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of such expiration, obsolescence or inaccuracy and update the form or certification if it is legally eligible to do so.

 

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(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.16 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.16), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.16 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including any Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid to such indemnifying party pursuant to the previous sentence (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph, in no event will any indemnified party be required to pay any amount to any indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph the payment of which would place such indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes which it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

(h) Status of Administrative Agent. On or before the date on which MUFG Bank, Ltd., (and any successor or replacement Administrative Agent) becomes the Administrative Agent hereunder, it shall deliver to the Borrower two duly executed originals of either (i) IRS Form W-9, or (ii) IRS Form W-8ECI with respect to any payments to be received on its own behalf and IRS Form W-8IMY (certifying that it is either a “qualified intermediary” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1441-1(e)(5) that has assumed primary withholding obligations under the Code, including Chapters 3 and 4 of the Code, or a “U.S. branch” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) that is treated as a U.S. person for purposes of withholding obligations under the Code) for the amounts the Administrative Agent receives for the account of others. The Administrative Agent (or, upon assignment or replacement, any assignee or successor) agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower in writing of its inability do so.

(i) Issuing Bank. For purposes of Section 2.16(e) and 2.16(f), the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank.

(j) Significant Modification. The Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall cooperate in good faith and use commercially reasonable efforts to meet the standards set forth in Section 1.1001-6 of the Proposed United States Treasury Regulations (or any successor United States Treasury Regulations or other official IRS guidance promulgated that supersedes such Proposed United States Treasury Regulation that is substantially equivalent to the proposed regulations) or otherwise not cause a “significant modification” (and therefore an exchange) of any Loans for purposes of Section 1.1001-3 of the United States Treasury Regulations.

 

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Section 2.17 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. (a) All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as provided in Section 2.05(e), the Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest or fees, or of amounts payable under Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16, or otherwise) prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds. The Borrower shall make each reimbursement of LC Disbursements required to be made by it prior to the time for such payments set forth in Section 2.05(e). Any amounts received after the time set forth above or in Section 2.05(e), as applicable, on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent to such account in the United States as it may specify from time to time, except payments to be made directly to an Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the

 

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Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including any payment made by the Borrower in connection with any extension of the Maturity Date in accordance with Section 2.20 or any Commitment Increase in accordance with Section 2.21) or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or an Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06(b), 2.17(d) or 8.07, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the applicable Issuing Bank to satisfy such Lender’s obligations to such Person under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

Section 2.18 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.14 or 2.16, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense or would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

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(b) If (i) any Lender utilizes Section 2.13(c), (ii) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 2.18(a), (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or (iv) any Lender refuses to consent to any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof that requires the unanimous approval of all Lenders, or the approval of each of the Lenders affected thereby (in each case in accordance with Section 9.02), and the consent of the Required Lenders shall have been obtained with respect to such amendment, modification, waiver or consent, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort (including payment of any applicable processing and recordation fees), upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (A) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent with respect to any assignee that is not already a Lender hereunder (and if a Commitment or LC Exposure is being assigned, each Issuing Bank), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, conditioned or delayed, (B) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (C) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14 or payment of Indemnified Taxes pursuant to Section 2.16, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments, (D) in the case of any such assignment resulting from the failure to provide a consent, the assignee shall have given such consent and, as a result of such assignment and any contemporaneous assignments and consents, the applicable amendment, modification, waiver or consent can be effected and (E) such assignment does not conflict with applicable law. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that an assignment and delegation required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and that the Lender required to make such assignment and delegation need not be a party thereto (it being understood and agreed that such Lender shall not be deemed to make the representations and warranties in such Assignment and Assumption if such Lender has not executed such Assignment and Assumption).

Section 2.19 Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of any Loan Document to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the provisions set forth in the following paragraphs (a) through (e) shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) commitment fees shall cease to accrue on the unused portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.11(a);

 

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(b) the Commitment and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders (or each Lender) or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02); provided that this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification providing for an increase in such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment, providing for an extension of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment (other than in determining whether the Required Lenders have consented to the extension of the Maturity Date under Section 2.20) or requiring the consent of each Lender affected thereby (including pursuant to Sections 9.02(b)(ii) and (iii)) if such Defaulting Lender is an affected Lender;

(c) if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then:

(i) the Swingline Exposure (other than any portion thereof with respect to which such Defaulting Lender shall have funded its participation as contemplated by Section 2.04(c)) and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender (other than any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements with respect to which such Defaulting Lender shall have funded its participation as contemplated by Sections 2.05(d) and 2.05(e)) shall be reallocated (effective as of the date such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender) among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (for the purposes of such reallocation, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment shall be disregarded in determining the Non-Defaulting Lenders’ respective Applicable Percentages), but only to the extent that (A) the sum of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure does not exceed the sum of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments, (B) after giving effect to any such reallocation, no Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure shall exceed such non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment and (C) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at such time;

(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, within three Business Days following the Borrower’s receipt of written notice from the Administrative Agent, (A) first, prepay such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure that has not been reallocated and (B) second, cash collateralize for the benefit of the applicable Issuing Banks only the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure that has not been reallocated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

(iii) if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.11(b) with respect to such portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(iv) if any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then all Letter of Credit participation fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender under Section 2.11(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s reallocated LC Exposure shall be payable to the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with such Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages after giving effect to such reallocation; and

 

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(v) if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of any Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all Letter of Credit participation fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender under Section 2.11(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s unreallocated LC Exposure shall be payable to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Banks, ratably based on the portion of such LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by each Issuing Bank, until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated or cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above;

(d) so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Bankruptcy Event with respect to any Lender Parent shall have occurred following the Effective Date and for so long as such Bankruptcy Event shall continue, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend, or extend any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that either (i) the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure, as applicable, will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the Non-Defaulting Lenders or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.19(c), and participating interests in any newly made Swingline Loan or any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among Non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.19(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein) or (ii) the amount of any newly made Swingline Loan or any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit is reduced by the amount of the Defaulting Lender’s related exposure;

(e) if the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposures and LC Exposures of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment, and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Revolving Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold Revolving Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage; and

(f) the rights and remedies against, and with respect to, a Defaulting Lender under this Section 2.19 are in addition to, and cumulative and not in limitation of, all other rights and remedies that the Administrative Agent and each Lender, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender, the Borrower or any other Loan Party may at any time have against, or with respect to, such Defaulting Lender.

Section 2.20 Extension of Maturity Date. (a) At any time at least 30 days prior to the Maturity Date, the Borrower, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, may request an extension of the Maturity Date to the date that is one year after the then existing Maturity Date (such existing Maturity Date, the “Existing Maturity Date”). The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of such request, and each Lender shall, in turn, in its sole discretion, not later than 20 days after delivery of such notice by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders, notify the Administrative Agent in writing as to whether such Lender consents to such extension.

 

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If any Lender shall fail to notify the Administrative Agent in writing of its consent to any such request for extension of the Maturity Date not later than 20 days after the delivery of such notice by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders, such Lender shall be deemed to have not consented to such extension. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of the consents received with respect to the Borrower’s request for an extension of the Maturity Date. The Maturity Date may be extended pursuant to this Section 2.20 on no more than two separate instances during the term of this Agreement.

(b) If Lenders constituting the Required Lenders consent in writing to any such request in accordance with Section 2.20(a), the Maturity Date shall be extended to the date which is one year after the Existing Maturity Date as to those Lenders that so consented (each, an “Extending Lender”) but shall not be extended as to any Non-Extending Lender; provided that no extension of the Maturity Date pursuant to this Section shall become effective unless the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower, dated as of the date that would otherwise be the effective date of such extension, certifying that (i) as of and on such date, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties continue to be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified earlier date (provided that, in the case of clause (ii) above, such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof). To the extent that the Maturity Date is not extended as to any Non-Extending Lender pursuant to this Section 2.20 and the Commitment of such Non-Extending Lender is not assigned in accordance with Section 2.20(c) on or prior to the applicable Existing Maturity Date, (A) the Commitment of such Non-Extending Lender shall automatically terminate in whole on such Existing Maturity Date without any further notice or other action by the Borrower, such Lender or any other Person and (B) the principal amount of any outstanding Loans made by Non-Extending Lenders, together with any accrued interest thereon and any accrued fees and other amounts payable to or for the account of such Non-Extending Lenders hereunder, shall be due and payable on such Existing Maturity Date, and on such Existing Maturity Date the Borrower shall also make such other prepayments of the Loans pursuant to Section 2.10 as shall be required in order that, after giving effect to the termination of the Commitments of, and all payments to, Non-Extending Lenders pursuant to this sentence, the Total Revolving Credit Exposure would not exceed the Aggregate Commitments; provided that such Non-Extending Lender’s rights under Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03, and its obligations under Section 9.03, shall survive such Existing Maturity Date for such Lender as to matters occurring prior to such date. It is understood and agreed that no Lender shall have any obligation whatsoever to agree to any request made by the Borrower for any requested extension of the Maturity Date.

(c) If, pursuant to Section 2.20(a), the Borrower requests an extension of the Maturity Date and Lenders constituting the Required Lenders consent to such request, then the Borrower may, at any time after the day that is 27 months prior to the Maturity Date in effect at such time, at its sole expense and effort (including payment of any applicable processing and recordation fees), require any Non-Extending Lender, promptly following notice to such Non-Extending Lender and the Administrative Agent, to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights

 

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and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee meeting the conditions set forth in Section 9.04(b) that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment) and will agree to the applicable request for extension; provided that (i) unless the assignee is already a Lender, the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, conditioned or delayed, (ii) such Non-Extending Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) such assignment does not conflict with applicable law.

(d) If Lenders constituting the Required Lenders consent in writing to a requested extension of the Maturity Date, not later than one Business Day prior to the applicable Existing Maturity Date the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower, and the Existing Maturity Date then in effect shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the proviso in the first sentence of Section 2.20(b), be extended for the additional one-year period as described in Section 2.20(b), and all references in the Loan Documents to the “Maturity Date” shall, solely with respect to the Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure of each Extending Lender and each assignee pursuant to Section 2.20(c) for such extension, refer to the Maturity Date as so extended. Promptly following the applicable Existing Maturity Date, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders (including each assignee pursuant to Section 2.20(c)) of such extension of the applicable Existing Maturity Date and shall thereupon record in the Register the relevant information with respect to each such Extending Lender and each such assignee.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Availability Period and the Maturity Date (without taking into consideration any extension pursuant to this Section), as such terms are used in reference to any Issuing Bank or any Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender or any Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender, may not be extended without the prior written consent of such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as applicable (it being understood and agreed that, in the event any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender shall not have consented to any such extension, (i) such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, hereunder through the applicable Existing Maturity Date (or the Availability Period determined on the basis thereof, as applicable), and thereafter shall have no obligation to issue, amend, or extend any Letter of Credit or to make any Swingline Loan, as applicable (but shall, in each case, continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.14, 2.15 and 9.03, as applicable, as to Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans issued or made prior to such time), and (ii) the Borrower shall cause the Total LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank and the Swingline Exposure to be zero no later than the day on which such Total LC Exposure or Swingline Exposure, as applicable, would have been required to have been reduced to zero in accordance with the terms hereof without giving effect to any effectiveness of the extension of the applicable Existing Maturity Date pursuant to this Section (and, in any event, no later than the applicable Existing Maturity Date)).

 

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Section 2.21 Commitment Increases. (a) Subject to Section 4.03, the Borrower and any one or more Lenders (including New Lenders (as defined below)) may, from time to time, without the consent of any other Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank (but with the consent of the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) with respect to any New Lender), agree that such Lenders (including New Lenders) shall provide additional Commitments or increase the amount of their Commitments (each, a “Commitment Increase,” and such Lenders and New Lenders being collectively referred to as the “Increasing Lenders”) by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Commitment Activation Notice specifying (i) the amount of such Commitment Increase and (ii) the proposed applicable Incremental Commitment Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the Aggregate Commitments after giving effect to all of the Commitment Increases since the Effective Date shall not exceed $4,000,000,000 and (B) each Commitment Increase shall be in an integral multiple of $5,000,000 and not less than $25,000,000. No Lender shall have any obligation to participate in any Commitment Increase unless it agrees to do so in its sole discretion. Any bank, financial institution or other entity that is eligible to be an assignee under Section 9.04 (and has provided to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and any applicable Tax forms required under Section 2.16(f) with respect to such entity) that elects to become a “Lender” under this Agreement in connection with any Commitment Increase shall execute a New Lender Supplement (each, a “New Lender Supplement”), substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2, whereupon such bank, financial institution or other entity (a “New Lender”) shall become a Lender for all purposes and to the same extent as if originally a party hereto and shall be bound by and entitled to the benefits of this Agreement.

(b) (i) The commitments under each Commitment Increase shall be deemed for all purposes part of the Commitments, (ii) each Lender (including any New Lender) participating in such Commitment Increase shall become a Lender with respect to the Commitments and all matters relating thereto, and (iii) the commitments under each Commitment Increase shall have the same terms as the Commitments.

(c) On the Incremental Commitment Effective Date for any Commitment Increase, (i) each relevant Increasing Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent such amounts in immediately available funds as the Administrative Agent shall determine, for the benefit of the other Lenders, as being required in order to cause, after giving effect to such Commitment Increase and the use of such amounts to make payments to such other Lenders, each Lender’s portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans of all the Lenders to equal its Applicable Percentage of such outstanding Revolving Loans, and (ii) the Borrower shall be deemed to have repaid and reborrowed all outstanding Revolving Loans as of the Incremental Commitment Effective Date (with such reborrowing to consist of the same Types of Revolving Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, as are then outstanding). The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued interest on the amount prepaid. Notwithstanding the foregoing and any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the parties hereto agree that, in connection with any Commitment Increase, the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, and each relevant Increasing Lender may make arrangements satisfactory to such parties to cause each such Increasing Lender to temporarily hold risk participations in the outstanding Revolving Loans of the other Lenders (rather than fund its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Revolving Loans concurrently with the effectiveness of such Commitment Increase) with a view toward minimizing breakage costs and transfers of funds in connection with such Commitment Increase.

 

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Section 2.22 Benchmark Replacement Setting.

(a) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the then-current Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all affected Lenders and the Borrower so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. No replacement of a Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 2.22(a) will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.

(b) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(c) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and (ii) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement. The Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower of (x) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 2.22(d) and (y) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.22, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.22.

(d) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Reference Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

 

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(e) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a SOFR Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans. During a Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of Adjusted Reference Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of Adjusted Reference Rate.

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders, as of the Effective Date and thereafter as of each date required by Section 4.02 or 4.03, that:

Section 3.01 Organization; Powers. Each of the Borrower, each Significant Subsidiary, and each Guarantor (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted, and (c) except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

Section 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party are within such Loan Party’s limited liability company, partnership or corporate powers, as applicable, and have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company, partnership or corporate action, as applicable. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document when delivered hereunder will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so executed and delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party that is a party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

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Section 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect (except for any reports required to be filed by the Borrower with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, provided that the failure to make any such filings shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any such other Loan Document or the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder or thereunder), (b) will not violate in any material respect any law or regulation or any order of any Governmental Authority, in each case, applicable to or binding upon the Borrower or any of its property, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound, except to the extent that a Material Adverse Effect would not reasonably be expected to result therefrom, (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited hereunder on any asset of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (e) will not violate the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. (a) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, reported on by Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, and (ii) as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year most recently ended prior to the Effective Date for which quarterly financial statements of the Borrower are available, certified by its chief financial officer. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.

(b) As of the Effective Date, there has been no Material Adverse Change since December 31, 2020.

Section 3.05 Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) As of the Effective Date, there are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) Except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, or (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability.

Section 3.06 Compliance with Laws; No Default. (a) Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing or will result from the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or the making of the Loans hereunder.

 

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(b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Borrower’s knowledge, (x) any of its Affiliates or (y) any authorized agents of it or any of its Subsidiaries (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) has any business affiliation or commercial dealings with, or of investments in, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person, or (iii) to the Borrower’s knowledge, is the subject of any action or investigation under any Sanctions Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws, except as otherwise disclosed in writing to any of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, its Affiliates or its Subsidiaries prior to the date of this Agreement, whether or not such disclosure was or has been made pursuant to, in relation to or in reference to this Agreement.

(c) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Borrower’s knowledge, (x) any of its Affiliate or (y) authorized agents of it or of any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of Anti-Corruption Laws.

Section 3.07 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Status. The Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of “purchasing” or “carrying” “margin stock” within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the Board. No proceeds of any Loan hereunder will be used by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries for “purchasing” or “carrying” “margin stock” as so defined in contravention of the provisions of Regulations T, U, or X of the Board. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 3.08 Taxes. Each of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed by it and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes or the filing of Tax returns or reports that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.09 ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Plan is in compliance with applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable laws except to the extent failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.10 Disclosure. None of the written reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information (collectively, the “Information”) furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other Information theretofore furnished) contained, as of the date such Information was furnished (or, if such Information expressly related to a specific date, as of such specific date) any material misstatement of fact or omitted to state, as of the date such Information was furnished (or, if such Information expressly

 

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related to a specific date, as of such specific date), any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by it to be reasonable at the time. The information included in any Beneficial Ownership Certification provided to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects as of the date delivered.

Section 3.11 Affected Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution.

ARTICLE IV

Conditions

Section 4.01 Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall become effective on the Effective Date if each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02) on or before such date:

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party and a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty signed by Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company, CLR Asset Holdings, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, and The Mineral Resources Company, an Oklahoma corporation, or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include fax transmission of a signed signature page to this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of (i) Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., New York counsel for the Borrower, and (ii) Crowe & Dunlevy, Oklahoma counsel for the Borrower, in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and covering such matters relating to the Borrower or this Agreement as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. The Borrower hereby requests such counsels to deliver such opinions.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of an officer, the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, or the Manager of each Loan Party, dated as of the Effective Date, certifying (i) the resolutions of the board of directors (or other equivalent governing body) of such Loan Party authorizing the execution of each Loan Document to which such Loan Party is a party, (ii) the charter, bylaws or other applicable organizational documents of such Loan Party and (iii) the names and true signatures of the officers executing any Loan Document on behalf of such Loan Party on the Effective Date.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of good standing with respect to each Loan Party from appropriate public officials in the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party.

 

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(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower, as to the solvency (on a consolidated basis) of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date and (ii) a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming the Borrower’s compliance with the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(f) On or before the Effective Date, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall have received all fees required to be paid on or before the Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.11(c).

(g) The Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information (including any Beneficial Ownership Certification) that may be required by such Lenders in order to enable compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including information required by the Act and information described in Section 9.15, to the extent requested by the Lenders in writing to the Borrower reasonably in advance of the Effective Date.

(h) All principal, interest, fees and other amounts due or outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been paid in full and the commitments thereunder shall have been terminated (which payment and termination may be contemporaneous with the satisfaction of the conditions under this Section 4.01 and the application of proceeds of any Borrowings to occur on the Effective Date) and the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence thereof; provided that, the foregoing shall not be construed to require the termination of any of the Existing Letters of Credit.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on November 15, 2021 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).

Section 4.02 Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing (other than any conversion or continuation of a Loan), and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend, or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the receipt of the request therefor in accordance herewith and to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, such representations

 

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and warranties shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified earlier date; provided that (i) in each case, such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof and (ii) the representations and warranties in Sections 3.04(b) and 3.05(a) shall be made only as of the Effective Date.

(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

Each Borrowing (other than any conversion or continuation of a Loan) and each issuance, amendment, or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

Section 4.03 Conditions Precedent to Each Incremental Commitment Effective Date. Each Commitment Increase shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied:

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) an Incremental Commitment Activation Notice from each Increasing Lender providing such Commitment Increase, executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Increasing Lender, and (ii) if applicable, with respect to any New Lender, a New Lender Supplement, executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, such New Lender and each Issuing Bank, each in accordance with Section 2.21.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate (including a certification that the Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.04 after giving effect to such Commitment Increase and taking into account any extension of credit hereunder on the applicable Incremental Commitment Effective Date), dated the applicable Incremental Commitment Effective Date and signed by a President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Borrower and (ii) if required by the Administrative Agent, a favorable written opinion of counsel to the Borrower, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders providing such Commitment Increase.

(c) As of the applicable Incremental Commitment Effective Date, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the occurrence of such Commitment Increase.

(d) The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the applicable Incremental Commitment Effective Date, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified earlier date; provided that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof.

 

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ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

From and after the Effective Date and until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other amounts payable hereunder have been paid in full (other than indemnities and other contingent obligations not then due and payable and as to which no claim has been made) and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated (or have been cash collateralized in the manner reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank or with respect to which other arrangements have been made that are satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank) and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

Section 5.01 Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender:

(a) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Grant Thornton LLP or other independent registered public accounting firm of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied (it being understood that the delivery by the Borrower of annual reports on Form 10-K of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 5.01(a));

(b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes (it being understood that the delivery by the Borrower of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 5.01(b));

(c) within three Business Days of the delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date of such certificate and, if such a Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date of such certificate, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.04, and (iii) stating

 

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whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the most recent audited financial statements provided under this Agreement that has had a significant effect on the calculation of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or the ratio referred to in Section 6.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the nature of such change and the effect of such change on such calculation;

(d) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(e) promptly after any Rating Agency shall have announced a change in the rating established or deemed to have been established for the Index Debt, written notice of such rating change;

(f) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request; and

(g) promptly following the Administrative Agent’s request therefor, all documentation and other information (including a Beneficial Ownership Certification) that the Administrative Agent reasonably requests on its behalf or on behalf of any Lender in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including information required by the Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulations and information described in Section 9.15.

Information required to be delivered pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Section shall be deemed to have been delivered if such information, or one or more annual or quarterly reports containing such information, shall be available on (h) the Borrower’s website at www.clr.com, (i) the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov, and (j) the NYSE website at egovdirect.nyse.com. The Information required to be delivered pursuant to this Section may also be delivered by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent.

Section 5.02 Notices of Defaults. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender prompt written notice of the occurrence of any Default of which any Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge. Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

Section 5.03 Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each Guarantor and each Significant Subsidiary to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, sale, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03; and provided further that this Section 5.03 shall not require the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any Significant Subsidiary to preserve or maintain any rights, licenses, permits, privileges or franchises if the Borrower shall reasonably determine that the failure to maintain and preserve the same would not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.04 Payment of Taxes. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, pay its Tax liabilities, prior to delinquency, except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.05 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (a) maintain all property material to the conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations (including, without limitation, by the maintenance of adequate self-insurance reserves to the extent customary among such companies), except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.06 Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which complete and accurate entries, in all material respects, are made of its financial and business transactions to the extent required by GAAP and applicable law. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, at the Administrative Agent’s or such Lender’s expense (unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case it shall be at the Borrower’s sole expense) upon reasonable prior notice and subject to any applicable restrictions or limitations on access to any facility or information that is classified or restricted by contract or by law, regulation or governmental guidelines, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested. The Administrative Agent and each Lender agree to keep all information obtained by them pursuant to this Section confidential in accordance with Section 9.13.

Section 5.07 Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.08 Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit. The proceeds of the Loans will be used only for working capital and general corporate purposes of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X. Letters of Credit will be issued only to support the general corporate purposes of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries. No Loan or Letter of Credit, direct use of proceeds or other transaction by the Loan Parties contemplated by this Agreement will unlawfully violate any Anti-Corruption Law or applicable Sanctions Laws.

 

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ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

From and after the Effective Date and until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other amounts payable hereunder have been paid in full (other than indemnities and other contingent obligations not then due and payable and as to which no claim has been made) and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated (or have been cash collateralized in the manner reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank or with respect to which other arrangements have been made that are satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank) and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

Section 6.01 Indebtedness. The Borrower will not permit any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date which is set forth on Schedule 6.01;

(b) Indebtedness of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary owing to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(c) Indebtedness of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary as an account party in respect of trade letters of credit;

(d) Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Effective Date or is merged with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Effective Date and, in each case, not incurred in contemplation of such transaction;

(e) other Indebtedness of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary; provided that the sum, without duplication, of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary and (ii) the Attributable Debt under all Sale and Leaseback Transactions of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries permitted under Section 6.02(b), shall not exceed the greater of (A) 15% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of creation, incurrence or assumption thereof and (B) $1,000,000,000; and

(f) extensions, refinancings, renewals or replacements of the Indebtedness permitted above which, in the case of any such extension, refinancing, renewal or replacement, does not increase the amount of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed or replaced, other than amounts incurred to pay the costs of such extension, refinancing, renewal or replacement.

 

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Section 6.02 Liens and Sale and Leaseback Transactions. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

(i) Permitted Encumbrances;

(ii) any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Effective Date which is set forth on Schedule 6.02;

(iii) Liens under any Sale and Leaseback Transaction permitted under Section 6.02(b);

(iv) [Reserved];

(v) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(vi) Liens on property existing at the time such property is acquired by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and not created in contemplation of such acquisition (or on repairs, improvements, additions or accessions thereto), and Liens on the assets of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower and not created in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (or on repairs, improvements, additions or accessions thereto), provided that such Liens do not extend to any other assets;

(vii) Liens on Equity Interests in a Joint Venture owned by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary securing Joint Venture Obligations of such Joint Venture;

(viii) Liens securing obligations under any Swap Agreement, provided that the aggregate amount of all such obligations secured by such Liens shall not at any time exceed $200,000,000;

(ix) extensions, renewals and replacements of the Liens described above, so long as no additional property (other than accessions, improvements, and replacements in respect of such property) is subject to such Lien;

(x) Liens not otherwise permitted by the other clauses of this Section securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness and obligations shall not exceed $300,000,000; and

(xi) other Liens on the assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary securing any Indebtedness or other obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, provided that (x) in the case of any such Liens on any assets of such Restricted Subsidiary, such Restricted Subsidiary, if not already a Guarantor, shall become a Guarantor hereunder for so long as such other Indebtedness or other obligations are secured by such Liens and (y) the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall secure all the Indebtedness and other obligations under the Loan Documents equally and ratably with such other Indebtedness or other obligations for so long as such other Indebtedness or other obligations are secured by such Liens.

 

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(b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction if, after giving effect to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the sum, without duplication, of (i) the Attributable Debt under all Sale and Leaseback Transactions of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary permitted under Section 6.01(e), shall exceed the greater of (A) 15% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of consummation of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and (B) $1,000,000,000.

Section 6.03 Fundamental Changes. The Borrower will not merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its consolidated assets (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) any Person may merge with or into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving entity; and (b) the Borrower may (x) merge or consolidate with any other Person in a transaction in which the Borrower is not the surviving entity or (y) sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis to any other Person; provided that (i) the surviving, continuing, resulting or transferee corporation (the “Surviving Entity”) shall (A) expressly assume by a written instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (which shall be provided with an opportunity to review and comment upon such instrument prior to the consummation of any transaction) the due and punctual payment of the principal of all obligations under this Agreement and the due performance and observance of all covenants, conditions and agreements on the part of the Borrower under this Agreement, (B) deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders evidence of appropriate corporate (or other equivalent) authorization on the part of the Surviving Entity with respect to such assumption and one or more opinions of counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, to the effect that such written instrument has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Surviving Entity and constitutes a legal, valid and binding instrument enforceable against such Surviving Entity in accordance with its terms, and covering such other matters as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may reasonably request, and (C) be an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

Section 6.04 Maximum Consolidated Net Debt to Total Capitalization Ratio. The Borrower will not permit, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2021, its ratio of Consolidated Net Debt as of such date to Total Capitalization as of such date to be greater than 0.65 to 1.00.

 

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Section 6.05 Designation and Conversion of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The board of directors of the Borrower may designate any Subsidiary, including a newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiary, as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent, if immediately prior, and after giving effect, to such designation, (A) the representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in each of the Loan Documents (other than the representations and warranties in Sections 3.04(b) and 3.05(a)) are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of the date of such redesignation (or, if stated to have been made expressly as of an earlier date, were true and correct in all material respects as of such date), (B) no Event of Default exists or would exist (and the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis, with the covenant set forth in Section 6.04), and (C) such Subsidiary is not a restricted subsidiary under any other agreement evidencing Indebtedness.

(b) The Borrower may designate by prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if (i) immediately prior, and after giving effect to such designation, (A) the representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in each of the Loan Documents (other than the representations and warranties in Sections 3.04(b) and 3.05(a)) are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of the date of such redesignation (or, if stated to have been made expressly as of an earlier date, were true and correct in all material respects as of such date), and (B) no Event of Default exists or would exist (and the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis, with the covenant set forth in Section 6.04) and (ii) the Borrower is in compliance with the requirements of Section 6.05(c).

(c) (i) Neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall (A) provide credit support for or subject any of its property or assets (other than Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary) to the satisfaction of any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Indebtedness), (B) directly or indirectly incur, assume, guarantee or be or become liable for any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, or (C) permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to hold any Equity Interests in, or any Indebtedness of, any Loan Party (other than with respect to the foregoing clauses (A) and (B) Indebtedness incurred to finance property and improvements related to the Borrower’s corporate headquarters or other principal place of business or any field office) and (ii) no Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall, upon the occurrence of a default with respect thereto (A) result in, or permit any holder of any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary under any credit agreement for a senior credit facility, a loan agreement for a senior credit facility, a note purchase agreement for the sale of promissory notes, or an indenture governing capital markets debt instruments pursuant to which the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary is a borrower, issuer, or guarantor (“Relevant Indebtedness”) to declare, a default on such Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or (B) cause the payment of any Relevant Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable before the fixed date on which the principal of the Relevant Indebtedness is due and payable.

(d) For purposes of the foregoing, the designation of a Subsidiary of the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be the designation of all present and future Subsidiaries of such Subsidiary as Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Unless so designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower will be classified as a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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Section 6.06 Affiliate Transactions. Neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate or, if no comparable transaction is available with which to compare such transaction, such transaction is otherwise fair to the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary from a financial and liability point of view, provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (a) transactions between or among the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (b) investments in or Guarantees in favor of Unrestricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures, in each case, not prohibited under this Agreement, (c) employment and severance arrangements (including equity incentive plans and employee benefit plans and arrangements) with their respective officers and employees in the ordinary course of business, and (d) payment of customary fees and reasonable out of pocket costs to, and indemnities for the benefit of, directors, officers and employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

Section 6.07 Sanctions. Borrowers hereby covenants and agrees that:

(a) it will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, (i) to fund any activities or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, or (ii) in any other manner that would result in it or any Lender being in violation of Sanctions Laws or Anti-Corruption Laws.

(b) it shall, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that no funds used to pay the obligations under the Agreement or related Loan Documents (i) constitute the property of, or are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any Sanctioned Person, or (ii) are derived from any unlawful activity, including activity in violation of Anti-Money Laundering Laws

(c) subject to clause (a) above, it shall not, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that its Subsidiaries do not, violate any Anti-Corruption Laws.

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur on or after the Effective Date:

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay (i) any interest on any Loan or any Commitment or Letter of Credit fee payable under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five days or (ii) any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) or clause (b)(i) of this Article) payable under this Agreement for which the Borrower has received an invoice or other written notice that such amount is due and payable, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

 

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(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

(d) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02, 5.03 (with respect to the Borrower’s existence) or 5.08 or in Article VI;

(e) the Borrower or any Guarantor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or (ii) receipt of notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender);

(f) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment in excess of $10,000,000 (or the equivalent in a foreign currency) in the aggregate (whether of principal, interest or fees) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Material Indebtedness;

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced, or an involuntary petition shall be filed, in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any Significant Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any Significant Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 90 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered by such court;

 

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(i) the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any Significant Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any Significant Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any corporate (or other equivalent) action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(j) the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any Significant Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(k) one or more final judgments (whether or not appealable) for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000,000 (or the equivalent in a foreign currency) (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance (other than normal deductibles) as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment and has not issued a notice denying coverage thereof) shall be rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction against the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or any combination thereof, and either (i) the same shall remain undischarged or unsatisfied for a period of 90 consecutive days during which execution shall not be discharged or effectively waived or stayed (it being understood that, for the purposes of this clause (k), “independent third-party insurance” shall include industry mutual insurance companies in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has an ownership interest) or (ii) any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment which is not effectively waived or stayed within 90 days;

(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(m) other than as a result of (i) the termination of the obligations of any Guarantor under a Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to the terms thereof or pursuant to Section 9.09, (ii) the exchange or replacement of any promissory note hereunder (with respect to the previously existing promissory note which was so exchanged or replaced), (iii) the agreement of the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as may be required hereunder, or (iv) in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement, the expiration or termination of all of the Commitments, the payment in full of the principal and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder, the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (or the cash collateralization thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or other arrangements with respect thereto that are satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank) and the reimbursement of all LC Disbursements, any Loan Document (or any material provision thereof), at any time after its execution and delivery, ceases to be in full force and effect or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be null and void, invalid or unenforceable; or the Borrower or any Guarantor denies in writing that it has any liability or obligation thereunder, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof); or

(n) a Change in Control shall occur;

 

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then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent shall at the request, or may with the consent of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter (at any time during the continuance of such event) be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender, and Issuing Banks

Section 8.01 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints MUFG Bank, Ltd. to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks, and neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

Section 8.02 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender or an Issuing Bank as any other Lender or Issuing Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks.

Section 8.03 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken (INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S OWN NEGLIGENCE) by it or them under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

 

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(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing (and it is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law, and that such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties);

(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and

(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02 and Article VII) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the Issuing Banks.

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 8.04 Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Etc. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the signatory, sender or authenticator thereof). The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the signatory, sender or authenticator thereof), and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, amendment, extension, or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or such Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such Issuing Bank prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance, amendment, extension, or increase of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

Section 8.05 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

Section 8.06 Lender Credit Decision. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Effective Date that has been made available by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders.

 

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Section 8.07 Indemnification. THE LENDERS SEVERALLY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH ISSUING BANK AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (TO THE EXTENT NOT REIMBURSED BY THE BORROWER), ACCORDING TO THEIR RESPECTIVE APPLICABLE PERCENTAGES (DETERMINED AT THE TIME SUCH INDEMNITY IS SOUGHT) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY, OR ASSERTED AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND SUCH ISSUING BANK IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ACTION TAKEN OR OMITTED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR SUCH ISSUING BANK UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S AND EACH ISSUING BANK’S OWN NEGLIGENCE), AND INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES, PROVIDED THAT SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL NOT, AS TO PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES (X) ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION. WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, EACH LENDER AGREES TO REIMBURSE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH ISSUING BANK PROMPTLY UPON DEMAND FOR ITS RATABLE SHARE (DETERMINED AT THE TIME SUCH REIMBURSEMENT IS SOUGHT) OF ANY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (INCLUDING COUNSEL FEES) INCURRED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION, EXECUTION, DELIVERY, ADMINISTRATION, MODIFICATION, AMENDMENT, OR ENFORCEMENT (WHETHER THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, OR OTHERWISE) OF, OR LEGAL ADVICE IN RESPECT OF RIGHTS OR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR AN ISSUING BANK IS NOT REIMBURSED FOR SUCH BY THE BORROWER.

Section 8.08 Successor Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Banks. The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the other Lenders and the Borrower. Furthermore, the Administrative Agent may be replaced by the Required Lenders upon prior written notice. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation or replacement, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and no such consent shall be necessary during the continuance of an Event of Default), to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. In the event of resignation, if no such successor shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring or replaced Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and Issuing Banks, appoint a successor agent with the consent of the Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and no such consent shall be necessary during the continuance of an Event of Default) provided that if the retiring Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents

 

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(except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed), and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the retiring Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each applicable Lender, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this paragraph. In the event of a replacement of the Administrative Agent by the Required Lenders, no such replacement may be made until a successor Administrative Agent has been appointed in accordance with the terms hereof and such successor has accepted such appointment. The Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Borrower provided that no such resignation may be made until a successor Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank has been appointed with the consent of the Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and no such consent shall be necessary during the continuance of an Event of Default) and such successor has accepted such appointment and the retiring Swingline Lender or applicable Issuing Bank shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that (i) the retiring Issuing Bank shall remain the Issuing Bank with respect to any Letters of Credit it has issued and outstanding on the effective date of its resignation and the provisions affecting the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letters of Credit shall inure to the benefit of the retiring Issuing Bank until the termination of all such Letters of Credit and (ii) the retiring Swingline Lender shall remain the Swingline Lender with respect to any Swingline Loans outstanding on the effective date of its resignation and the provisions affecting the Swingline Lender with respect to such Swingline Loans shall inure to the benefit of the retiring Swingline Lender until the payment in full of all such Swingline Loans, or upon demand by the retiring Swingline Lender, all such Swingline Loans shall be prepaid in full by the Borrower, which prepayment may be made with Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c)). Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, and the retiring Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this paragraph). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or replaced Administrative Agent’s, Swingline Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03, Section 8.07, and Section 2.05(f) shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or replaced Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or replaced Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, was acting as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank. Notwithstanding any notice or consent requirement herein to the contrary, all the parties hereto hereby consent to any assignment by MUFG Union Bank, N.A. of its Swingline Lender role and of its Issuing Bank role to its Affiliate MUFG Bank, Ltd., which will otherwise be documented in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 8.09 No Other Duties, etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder.

 

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Section 8.10 Certain ERISA Matters.

(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments;

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement;

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement; or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party

 

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hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that none of the Administrative Agent or any Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

(c) The Administrative Agent and each Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit, or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit, or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents, or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

Section 8.11 Erroneous Payments.

(a) If the Administrative Agent (x) notifies a Lender, the Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, the Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank (any such Lender, Swingline Lender, Issuing Bank, or other recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)) that any funds (as set forth in such notice from the Administrative Agent) received by such Payment Recipient from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Lender, Swingline Lender, Issuing Bank or other Payment Recipient on its behalf) (any such funds, whether transmitted or received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and (y) demands in writing the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent pending its return or repayment as contemplated below in this Section 8.11 and held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and such Lender, Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank shall (or, with respect to any Payment Recipient who received such funds on its behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days thereafter (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest

 

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thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Payment Recipient under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Lender, Swingline Lender, Issuing Bank or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank, agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise) from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in this Agreement or in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such Lender, Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank, or other such recipient, otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part), then in each such case:

(i) it acknowledges and agrees that (A) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error and mistake shall be presumed to have been made (absent written confirmation from the Administrative Agent to the contrary) or (B) an error and mistake has been made (in the case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and

(ii) such Lender, the Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank shall cause any other recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf to promptly (and, in all events, within one Business Day of its knowledge of the occurrence of any of the circumstances described in immediately preceding clauses (x), (y) and (z)) notify the Administrative Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail) and that it is so notifying the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 8.11(b).

For the avoidance of doubt, the failure to deliver a notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 8.11(b) shall not have any effect on a Payment Recipient’s obligations pursuant to Section 8.11(a) or on whether or not an Erroneous Payment has been made.

(c) Each Lender, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender, Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender, Swingline Lender or Issuing Bank under any Loan Document with respect to any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, against any amount that the Administrative Agent has demanded to be returned under immediately preceding clause (a).

 

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(d) (i) In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Administrative Agent for any reason, after demand therefor in accordance with immediately preceding clause (a), from any Lender that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) (and/or from any Payment Recipient who received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) on its respective behalf) (such unrecovered amount, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), upon the Administrative Agent’s notice to such Lender at any time, then effective immediately (with the consideration therefor being acknowledged by the parties hereto), (A) such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned its Loans (but not its Commitments) with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class”) in an amount equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Commitments) of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Class, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) (on a cashless basis and such amount calculated at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest (with the assignment fee to be waived by the Administrative Agent in such instance)), and is hereby (together with the Borrower) deemed to execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and such Lender shall deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (but the failure of such Person to deliver any such Notes shall not affect the effectiveness of the foregoing assignment), (B) the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall be deemed to have acquired the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, (C) upon such deemed acquisition, the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall become a Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and the assigning Lender shall cease to be a Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, its obligations under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement and its applicable Commitments which shall survive as to such assigning Lender, (D) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall each be deemed to have waived any consents required under this Agreement to any such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and (E) the Administrative Agent will reflect in the Register its ownership interest in the Loans subject to the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. For the avoidance of doubt, no Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment will reduce the Commitments of any Lender and such Commitments shall remain available in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(ii) Subject to Section 9.04 (but excluding, in all events, any assignment consent or approval requirements (whether from the Borrower or otherwise)), the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, sell any Loans acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and upon receipt of the proceeds of such sale, the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender shall be reduced by the net proceeds of the sale of such Loan (or portion thereof), and the Administrative Agent shall retain all other rights, remedies and claims against such Lender (and/or against any recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf). In addition, an Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender (x) shall be reduced by the proceeds of prepayments or repayments of principal and interest, or other distribution in respect of principal and interest, received by the Administrative Agent on or with respect to any such Loans acquired from such Lender pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment (to the extent that any such Loans are then owned by the Administrative Agent) and (y) may, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, be reduced by any amount specified by the Administrative Agent in writing to the applicable Lender from time to time.

 

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(e) The parties hereto agree that (x) irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent may be equitably subrogated, in the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights and interests of such Payment Recipient (and, in the case of any Payment Recipient who has received funds on behalf of a Lender or Issuing Bank, to the rights and interests of such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be) under the Loan Documents with respect to such amount (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”) (provided that the Loan Parties’ Obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of the Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights shall not be duplicative of such Obligations in respect of Loans that have been assigned to the Administrative Agent under an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment) and (y) an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided that this Section 8.11 shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the Obligations of the Borrower relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Obligations that would have been payable had such Erroneous Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) shall not apply to the extent any such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment.

(f) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including, without limitation, any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.

(g) Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section 8.11 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.

(h) As used in this Section 8.11, “Obligations” means all obligations of the Loan Parties to pay (w) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of, and all unpaid interest (including interest accrued or accruing after the commencement of any proceeding under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, and interest at the contract rate applicable upon default accrued or accruing after the commencement of any such proceeding, in each case regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on, the Loans when and as due, whether at stated maturity or earlier, by reason of acceleration, mandatory prepayment or otherwise in accordance herewith or any other Loan Document, (x) all reimbursement obligations (including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements and interest thereon) with respect to the Total LC Exposure and all obligations of the Borrower under any Loan Document to provide cash collateral for LC Exposure, (y) all obligations of the Loan Parties to pay, discharge and satisfy the Erroneous Payment Subrogation

 

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Rights, and (z) all other outstanding liabilities, obligations and indebtedness owing by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other Indemnitee arising under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, of every type and description (whether by reason of an extension of credit, opening or amendment of a letter of credit or payment of any draft drawn thereunder, loan, guarantee, indemnification or otherwise), present or future, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and however acquired and whether or not evidenced by any note, guarantee or other instrument for the payment of money (including any such liabilities, obligations and indebtedness incurred after the commencement of any proceeding under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding).

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

Section 9.01 Notices. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone or electronic mail (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax, as follows:

(i) if to the Borrower, to it at Continental Resources, Inc., 20 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102, Attention of Diane Montgomery, Vice President, Corporate Finance and Treasury (Fax No. (405) 234-9042) (Email: diane.montgomery@clr.com);

(ii) if to the Administrative Agent or to MUFG Bank, Ltd. in its capacity as a Lender, to MUFG Bank, Ltd., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attention of Phillip Naber, (Email: philip.naber@mufgsecurities.com/AgencyDesk@us.sc.mufg.jp);

(iii) if to an Issuing Bank: (A) in the case of MUFG Union Bank, N.A., to it at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attn: Phillip Naber, Email: philip.naber@mufgsecurities.com/AgencyDesk@us.sc.mufg.jp, (B) in the case of Bank of America, N.A., to it at Bank of America, N.A., One Fleet Way, PA6-580-02-30, Scranton, PA 18507-1999, (C) in the case of Mizuho Bank, Ltd, to it at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attn: Eva Millas Russo, Email: rcmgny@mizuhogroup.com, (D) in the case of The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, to it at 77 King St., W, 26th Floor, Toronto, ON L5K 1A2, Attn: Jaclyn Yuen or Phyllis Marciano, Email: TDSINotices@tdsecurities.com, Fax No.: 416-983-0003, (E) in the case of U.S. Bank National Association, to it at 555 SW Oak, PDORP7LS, Portland, OR 97208, Attn: CLS Syndication Services, Email: clssyndicationservicesteam@usbank.com, Telephone: 920-237-7601, Fax No.: 866-721-7062, (F) in the case of Royal Bank of Canada, to it at 30 Hudson Street, 28th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302-4699, Attn: Credit Administration, Fax No. 212-428-3015, (G) in the case of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., to it at 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 1200 Denver, CO

 

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80203, Attn: Oleg Kogan, Email: oleg.kogan@wellsfargo.com, (H) in the case of Truist Bank, to it at 245 Peachtree Center Ave., 17th FL, Atlanta, GA 30303, Attn: Standby Letter of Credit Dept., Telephone: 800-951-7847, (I) in the case of Citibank. N.A., to it at 1 Penns Way, Ops II New Castle, DE 19720, Telephone: (201) 472-4024, Fax: (212) 994-0847, Email Address: Global.Loans.LCRecon@citi.com and (J) in the case of any other Issuing Bank, to it at its address (or fax number) as separately notified in writing by such Issuing Bank to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent;

(iv) if to the Swingline Lender, to it at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attention of Attention of Phillip Naber, (Email: philip.naber@mufgsecurities.com/AgencyDesk@us.sc.mufg.jp); and

(v) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or fax number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Any party hereto may change its address, fax number or electronic mail address for Communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

(b) All Communications to the Lenders and Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications (including email and Internet and intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices under Article II to any Lender or Issuing Bank if such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept Communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular Communications.

(c) (i) Communications sent by hand or overnight courier service or certified or registered mail shall be deemed to have been given when received; (ii) Communications sent by fax shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient); and (iii)(A) Communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (B) Communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (A) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (A) and (B), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

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(d) The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Communication by posting such Communication on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a similar electronic transmission system (the “Platform”). The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties warrants, or shall be deemed to warrant, the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made, or shall be deemed to be made, by the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties in connection with the Communications or the Platform.

Section 9.02 Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance, amendment, or extension of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b) Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement (including Section 2.22), none of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except, in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders and, in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders consenting to the Borrower’s request for any extension of the Maturity Date in accordance with Section 2.20 or providing any Commitment Increase in accordance with Section 2.21 may enter into any amendment necessary to implement the terms of such Commitment Increase in accordance with the terms of this Agreement without the consent of any other Lender; provided further that (subject to Section 2.19 with respect to any Defaulting Lender) no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.17 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without

 

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the written consent of each Lender, (vi) change any of the provisions of Section 2.19, without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender or (vii) release any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary from its Subsidiary Guaranty, except as provided in Section 9.09, without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise directly affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) Schedule 2.08 may be amended to add an Issuing Bank, remove an Issuing Bank or modify the LC Issuance Limit of any Issuing Bank with the consent solely of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Issuing Bank (and the consent of the Required Lenders or any other class of Lenders shall not be required) and (y) the Administrative Agent may, without the consent of any Lender, enter into amendments or modifications to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or enter into additional Loan Documents in order to implement any Benchmark Replacement or any Conforming Changes or otherwise effectuate the terms of Section 2.22 in accordance with the terms of Section 2.22.

Section 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of one outside counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers (and, if necessary, one firm of local and regulatory counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction and regulatory field, as applicable, at any one time for the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates taken as a whole) in connection with the syndication of the Facility, the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Arranger, each Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (and shall reimburse each Indemnitee upon demand for any reasonable and documented legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with investigating or defending any of the foregoing), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a

 

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Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory brought by a third party; provided that (i) the foregoing indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise out of or in connection with (A) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (B) any material breach of any Loan Document by the party to be indemnified or (C) disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits not arising from any act or omission by the Borrower or its Affiliates, brought by an indemnified Person against any other indemnified Person (other than disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits involving claims against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such); (ii) at the request of the Indemnitee, the Borrower shall assume the defense of any third party claim, including the employment of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee and payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, (iii) each Indemnitee shall consult with the Borrower from time to time at the request of the Borrower regarding the conduct of the defense in any such proceeding (other than in respect of proceedings in which the Borrower or any of its Affiliates is a party adverse to such Indemnitee or if the Borrower has assumed the defense of any third party claim so long as it shall have notified the Indemnitee thereof and no conflict of interest shall occur); and (iv) the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay an amount of any settlement entered into without its consent. If the Borrower assumes the defense of any third party claim, (A) the Borrower shall have full control of such defense and proceedings, including any compromise or settlement thereof, (B) the Indemnitee shall be entitled, at its own expense, to participate in (but not control) such defense, at its own expense, and (C) the Borrower shall not settle any such claim or action without the prior written consent of the Indemnitees unless such settlement provides for a full and unconditional release of all liabilities arising out of such claim or action against the Indemnitees and does not include any statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnitee. If requested by the Borrower, the Indemnitee shall cooperate in contesting any third party claim that the Borrower elects to contest. This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c) To the extent permitted by applicable law and without limiting in any way the Borrower’s reimbursement or indemnification obligations set forth in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, no party hereto shall assert, or permit any of its Affiliates or Related Parties to assert, and each party hereto hereby waives, any claim against each other such Person (and, in the case of the Borrower, any Indemnitee), on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the transactions contemplated hereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unauthorized recipients (but Indemnitees shall be liable for damages arising from the use by unintended recipients) of any information or other materials distributed by it through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby unless such damages are found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise out of or in connection with the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

 

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(d) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor; provided, however, that such Indemnitee shall promptly refund such amount to the extent that there is a final and non-appealable judicial determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification rights with respect to such payment pursuant to the express terms of this Section 9.03.

Section 9.04 Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) except as expressly provided in Section 6.03, the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section), the Arrangers and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the sub-agents of the Administrative Agent and the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (other than a natural person or holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural person, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof or any Defaulting Lender) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of:

(A) the Borrower; provided that no consent or deemed consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to (x) a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender that has a rating of A- or higher by S&P or A3 or higher by Moody’s or an Approved Fund or (y) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any assignee;

(B) the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of any Commitment to any Lender, any Affiliate of a Lender that has a rating of A- or higher by S&P or A3 or higher by Moody’s or any Approved Fund; and

(C) in the case of an assignment of any Commitment or LC Exposure, each Issuing Bank.

 

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(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans and the Commitment assigned;

(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500;

(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more Credit Contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Loan Parties and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws; and

(E) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall be required to execute and deliver the applicable forms to the extent required under Section 2.16(f) for any Lender, and no assignment shall be effective in connection herewith unless and until such forms are so delivered.

If the consent of the Borrower is required pursuant to this Section 9.04(b) in connection with any assignment, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have provided such consent unless it has notified the Administrative Agent of its refusal to give such consent within five Business Days following the Borrower receiving a written request for such consent with respect to such assignment.

For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term “Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person or holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by Section 9.05 a Lender, Section 9.06 an Affiliate of a Lender or Section 9.07 an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

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(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and associated stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and the applicable forms to the extent required under Section 2.16(f) (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to accept such Assignment and Assumption or record the information therein in the Register if the Administrative Agent reasonably believes that such Assignment and Assumption lacks any written consent required by this Section or is otherwise not in proper form, it being acknowledged that the Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation (and shall incur no liability) with respect to obtaining (or confirming the receipt) of any such written consent or with respect to the form of (or any defect in) such Assignment and Assumption, any such duty and obligation being solely with the assigning Lender and the assignee; provided further that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06(b), 2.17(d) or 8.07, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. Each assigning Lender and the assignee, by its execution and delivery of an Assignment and Assumption, shall be deemed to have represented to the Administrative Agent that all written consents required

 

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by this Section with respect thereto (other than the consent of the Administrative Agent) have been obtained and that such Assignment and Assumption is otherwise duly completed and in proper form, and each assignee, by its execution and delivery of an Assignment and Assumption, shall be deemed to have represented to the assigning Lender and the Administrative Agent that such assignee is eligible to be a Lender hereunder. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

Notwithstanding any notice or consent requirement herein to the contrary, all the parties hereto hereby consent to any assignment by MUFG Union Bank, N.A. of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it to its Affiliate MUFG Bank, Ltd., which will otherwise be documented in accordance with the terms hereof.

(c) Any Lender may, without the consent of or notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (other than a natural person or holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural person, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof or any Defaulting Lender) (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the second proviso to Section 9.02(b) (other than clause (vi) thereof to the extent that any applicable change to Section 2.19 pursuant to such clause (vi) would not result in any of the changes referred to in the other clauses of such second proviso) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.16(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.16(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that (A) such Participant agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.17 and 2.18 as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) such Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14 or 2.16, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. A Participant that fails to comply with the preceding sentence shall not be entitled to any of the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.18(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the

 

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benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the Borrower as provided above and to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Treasury Regulations Section 5f.103-1(c), proposed Treasury Regulation 1.163-5 or any applicable temporary, final or other successor regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

Section 9.05 Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties herein and in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance, amendment, or extension of any Letters of Credit, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

Section 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, any other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements referred to in Section 2.11(c) and any other letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the

 

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subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided that the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by fax or electronic transmission (in .pdf form) shall be effective for all purposes as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 9.07 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 9.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Loans then outstanding have been declared due and payable in accordance with Article VII, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates which are then due and payable, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, Issuing Bank or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations of the Borrower are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender or such Issuing Bank different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender, such Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees to promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

Section 9.09 Subsidiary Guaranties. The Borrower may (but is not required to), at any time upon three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, cause any of its Subsidiaries organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia to become a Guarantor by such Subsidiary executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a Subsidiary Guaranty, together with such evidence of authority and opinions (which may be opinions of in-house counsel) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result from such release), (i) if all of the Equity Interests in a Guarantor that are owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary are sold or otherwise disposed of in a transaction or transactions permitted by this Agreement or (ii) if, immediately after giving effect to the release of any Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guaranty, all of the Indebtedness of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries is permitted under Section 6.01, then, in each case, promptly following the Borrower’s request, the Administrative Agent shall execute a release of such Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guaranty.

 

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Section 9.10 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each party hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

(c) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

Section 9.11 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

Section 9.12 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

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Section 9.13 Confidentiality. (a) Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority (including any self-regulatory authority) having or purporting to have jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender, as applicable, or its Affiliates, (c) to the extent required by any legal, judicial, administrative proceeding or other process or otherwise as required by applicable law or regulations, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions no less restrictive than those of this Section, (i) to any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective party to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) with the consent of the Borrower, (h) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement, (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement or (iii) any market data collectors; or (i) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or any of its Affiliates not known by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to be in breach of any legal or contractual obligation not to disclose such information to the Borrower; provided that (notwithstanding the foregoing) no such non-public information which contains projections or forecasts with respect to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates shall be disclosed, disseminated or otherwise made available pursuant to clause (f) above. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any of the subsidiaries of the foregoing relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates not known by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to be in breach of any legal or contractual obligation not to disclose such information to the Borrower, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or a Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential or would commonly be understood to be confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

(b) EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION (AS DEFINED IN Section 9.13(a)) FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWER AND ITS RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

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(c) ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.

Section 9.14 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively, the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

Section 9.15 USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”) hereby notifies the Borrower and the Guarantors that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and the Guarantors, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and each Guarantor and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower and the Guarantors in accordance with the Act.

Section 9.16 Termination of Commitments under Existing Credit Agreement. The Borrower has given, or contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement is giving, to the administrative agent under the Existing Credit Agreement notice of the termination of the commitments of the lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement, so that such commitments terminate on the Effective Date. Execution of this Agreement by Lenders who are lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement shall constitute a waiver of the notice provisions in Sections 2.08 and 2.10 of the Existing Credit Agreement that would otherwise be applicable to such termination, and such Lenders agree that the administrative agent under the Existing Credit Agreement may rely on this Section 9.16.

Section 9.17 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

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(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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Schedule 2.01

Commitments

 

Lender

   Commitment  

MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

   $ 204,724,000  

Bank of America, N.A.

   $ 204,722,000  

Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

   $ 204,722,000  

Royal Bank of Canada

   $ 204,722,000  

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch

   $ 204,722,000  

Truist Bank

   $ 204,722,000  

U.S. Bank National Association

   $ 204,722,000  

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

   $ 204,722,000  

Citibank, N.A.

   $ 204,722,000  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 147,500,000  

Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

   $ 125,000,000  

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   $ 75,000,000  

MidFirst Bank

   $ 65,000,000  

TOTAL

   $ 2,255,000,000  


Schedule 2.08

LC Issuance Limit

 

  

Issuing Bank

     LC Issuance Limit  
1.   

MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

   $ 11,111,111.12  
2.   

Bank of America, N.A.

   $ 11,111,111.11  
3.   

Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

   $ 11,111,111.11  
4.   

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch

   $ 11,111,111.11  
5.   

U.S. Bank National Association

   $ 11,111,111.11  
6.   

Royal Bank of Canada

   $ 11,111,111.11  
7.   

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

   $ 11,111,111.11  
8.   

Truist Bank

   $ 11,111,111.11  
9.   

Citibank, N.A.

   $ 11,111,111.11  
Total:       $ 100,000,000  

Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

Schedule TO

(Form Type)

Continental Resources, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1 – Transaction Value

 

       
    

    Transaction    

Valuation

 

Fee

    rate    

 

    Amount of    

Filing Fee

       

Fees to Be Paid

  $4,309,817,781.48(1)   .0001102   $474,941.92(2)
       

Fees Previously Paid

  $—       $—  
       

Total Transaction Valuation

  $4,309,817,781.48      
       

Total Fees Due for Filing

      $474,941.92
       

Total Fees Previously Paid

      $—  
       

Total Fee Offsets

      $—  
       

Net Fee Due

          $474,941.92

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the filing fee pursuant to Rule 0-11(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Transaction Valuation was calculated by multiplying (A) 58,021,241, which is the total number of shares of common stock of Continental Resources, Inc. outstanding (“Shares”) not beneficially owned by (I) Harold G. Hamm (the “Founder”), the Founder’s family members and certain trusts established for the benefit of the Founder and such family members (collectively, the “Founder Family Rollover Shareholders”) and (II) the holders of Shares underlying unvested Company restricted stock awards (collectively, with the Founder Family Rollover Shareholders, the “Rollover Shareholders”) (calculated as the difference between 357,633,808, the total number of outstanding Shares and 299,612,567, the number of Shares beneficially owned by the Rollover Shareholders as of the date hereof) by (B) $74.28, which is the per Share tender offer price. The calculation of the Transaction Valuation is based on information provided as of October 12, 2022, the most recent practicable date.

(2) The amount of the filing fee, calculated in accordance with Rule 0-11(a)(2) of the Exchange Act was calculated by multiplying $4,309,817,781.48 by 0.0001102.

Table 2 – Fee Offset Claims and Sources

Inapplicable.